Trail Running PSK


Kerri

Kerri

úlfheðnar
Bushclass I
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
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Hey guys I know that this isnt exactly bushcraft but I wanted to show my trail running PSK. I am a big fan of trail running. Its a great way to exercise and have the peacefullness of nature combined into one thing. I generally go out for at minimum of 6 miles and up to and sometimes beyond 10 miles or so. I have gotten Temporarily dis orientated a few times (like that I didnt use the word lost haha) Most survival situations arent like the movies were a guy steps out of his truck at 9 in the morning and goes "welp looks like were in a survival situation better get started" alot of times its getting dark your exhausted and your nerves are reaking havoc on your mind. Its those reasons most of us carry a PSK and because of the bushclass and other instructors and classes our PSK's are pretty good but while your running that altoids tin kit or whatever we have made probably isnt going with you. any ways on to the show

Trail running PSK - YouTube

The kit
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some pics of the trail
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What I forgot to show in the video is my wrist compass its a 25 buck one made by suunnto
 
Great topic. I keep a small kit in my cycling bag for the same reasons, but being that it's "on board" rather than on my neck, I bring a few extras, all of which are dwarfed in weight and volume by the BRK - bike repair kit.

I'm concerned early- and late- season about breaking down and having to make a repair in the dark/cold/rain etc. more than spending the night out, but I'm actually planning to do some minimal bike camping this year, as in a "what if" scenario.

A tiny LED might not be a bad addition, one of the nubbin-sized types, on your knife cord or in the lace of one shoe.
 
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Didn't think there were any other trail runners on this site. I'm more of an ultra runner but virtually all ultras are trail runs. And I grew up running the mountains of East Tennessee.

But you've got me thinking about what I carry on my runs. Races were aid stations are 5 miles apart aren't really a problem, but some training runs really could be . . . especially those 100k or longer runs where you'll be out all night. Thanks!
 
brionic said:
Great topic. I keep a small kit in my cycling bag for the same reasons, but being that it's "on board" rather than on my neck, I bring a few extras, all of which are dwarfed in weight and volume by the BRK - bike repair kit.

I'm concerned early- and late- season about breaking down and having to make a repair in the dark/cold/rain etc. more than spending the night out, but I'm actually planning to do some minimal bike camping this year, as in a "what if" scenario.

A tiny LED might not be a bad addition, one of the nubbin-sized types, on your knife cord or in the lace of one shoe.
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Thats a good idea
 
Would like to see some still photos of your PSK in this thread also, if you can. I'm not really able to watch videos most of the time.
 
Twinsteel said:
Would like to see some still photos of your PSK in this thread also, if you can. I'm not really able to watch videos most of the time.
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Its the first picture posted all it really is, is a fixed blade neck knife and a small ferro rod. in the video I went in to detail about how Ive been in situations were I took off on a run and instead of sticking to main paths I went exploring (because I like exploring) after a while I realized I was pretty lost it was cool getting cold and dark I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt and had prescription sunglasses meaning once it was dark I couldnt see at all and I was going to hunker down for the night but knew I would have froze with no way to make fire so my psk is basically a fire making kit should a similar situation arise
 
Interesting topic for a vid, thanks for sharing Kerri. Some great points I hadn't thought about, like the prescription sunglasses bit. Hurray for LASIK huh?

I've never done trail running (I hate running generally, but that's just because I never stick with it long enough to get in good cardio shape... much rather lift weights than run). You've inspired me with your vid - If you can run 6-10 miles, I can get off my butt and run at least a mile or two a few times a week hahah.

Those Salomons are good shoes, I have a pair of those and they're super comfortable. Really though I just watched for more footage of the Arghandab ;)
 
Great post,

A good woodsman, carries alot of gear between them ears (like you do). You have your bare essentials covered with what you have. Like you said, that is a great combo to make for alot easier outing. Having a source of fire and a blade is great reassurance. What were your night eyes on your hat?
 
jloden said:
Interesting topic for a vid, thanks for sharing Kerri. Some great points I hadn't thought about, like the prescription sunglasses bit. Hurray for LASIK huh?

I've never done trail running (I hate running generally, but that's just because I never stick with it long enough to get in good cardio shape... much rather lift weights than run). You've inspired me with your vid - If you can run 6-10 miles, I can get off my butt and run at least a mile or two a few times a week hahah.

Those Salomons are good shoes, I have a pair of those and they're super comfortable. Really though I just watched for more footage of the Arghandab ;)
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I like lifting too in fact I probably look funny running Im a large 210 lb. heavily tatted dude haha. I enjoy running as long as its in the woods or on a dirt trail well away from roads and cars and things like that more than any other type of exercise except maybe hiking
 
redmech said:
Great post,

A good woodsman, carries alot of gear between them ears (like you do). You have your bare essentials covered with what you have. Like you said, that is a great combo to make for alot easier outing. Having a source of fire and a blade is great reassurance. What were your night eyes on your hat?
Click to expand...

Its lumonescent tape back in the day as an infantryman we used to have to sew these on the back of our rucks, patrol caps, and helmet bands that we called cat eyes. they were for patroling at night so the guy behind you can still see you with out putting off a ton of light. a while back I went into one of the local sew shops to get some stuff sewn up and saw they had a roll sitting there and figured why not and had here sew em up on the hat
 
Cool, the lettering on the side of my company vehicle is the same type of stuff. Doesn't take hardly any light to reflect and can be seen from a ways away. Would you guys still use the stuff when you are deployed?
 
redmech said:
Cool, the lettering on the side of my company vehicle is the same type of stuff. Doesn't take hardly any light to reflect and can be seen from a ways away. Would you guys still use the stuff when you are deployed?
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Its not as nessesary now as it was then because of night vision devices but alot of people out of habit from before still sew em up on things

also it is a little more applicable in a denser terrain such as a forest as opposed to a desert environment
 
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That tape is a great idea, even when you're not near automobiles. Never know when a crazed mountain biker might come bombing down the trail at dusk with his stadium light blazing.

What really catches the eye is motion - and a bright reflection from a back of your head, bouncing around in your full sprint - will certainly do it.

I wear a reflective yellow 'flag' on my left ankle when I'm riding on the road, and I've been told that the apparent up and down motion is more noticeable than the big orange and yellow "back off" triangle on my back.

Not that reflective tape is bushcrafty, but it certainly is a major part of surviving when dealing with motorists at dusk and later.
 
Cool, thanks for that. That is some real minimalist stuff. I'm not into trail running, but I do like to travel light. Just curious: What's it like to run while wearing a neck knife? That doesn't sound real comfortable. Also, do you carry any water?

One note about glasses. Have you thought about carrying a spare pair somehow for the "after dark" scenario you describe, or maybe if you lose your primary pair? One idea I had: I have a backup pair of lenses only (no frames) that I sometimes carry on the trail. They pack up real small and, if I had to, I could improvise some frames by carving up a branch, using duct tape or whatever. Just a thought.


KerriTM said:
all it really is, is a fixed blade neck knife and a small ferro rod.
Click to expand...
 
brionic said:
That tape is a great idea, even when you're not near automobiles. Never know when a crazed mountain biker might come bombing down the trail at dusk with his stadium light blazing.

What really catches the eye is motion - and a bright reflection from a back of your head, bouncing around in your full sprint - will certainly do it.

I wear a reflective yellow 'flag' on my left ankle when I'm riding on the road, and I've been told that the apparent up and down motion is more noticeable than the big orange and yellow "back off" triangle on my back.

Not that reflective tape is bushcrafty, but it certainly is a major part of surviving when dealing with motorists at dusk and later.
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sure is when Im running closer to areas with vehicles I wear a reflective belt made out of the same type of material
 
Twinsteel said:
Cool, thanks for that. That is some real minimalist stuff. I'm not into trail running, but I do like to travel light. Just curious: What's it like to run while wearing a neck knife? That doesn't sound real comfortable. Also, do you carry any water?

One note about glasses. Have you thought about carrying a spare pair somehow for the "after dark" scenario you describe, or maybe if you lose your primary pair? One idea I had: I have a backup pair of lenses only (no frames) that I sometimes carry on the trail. They pack up real small and, if I had to, I could improvise some frames by carving up a branch, using duct tape or whatever. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

I recently had eye surgery so the prescription lenses is no longer a worry and I have tried running with water and have yet to find a comfortable way to carry it I hate camel backs, and the belts that are designed for that are very uncomfortable to me and the hand straps just irritate me the whole time my plan if it were to come to that is and I hate that its there but trash you can always find trash to get and boil water in and the trails I run on have water sources throughout
 
Great vid, man. I used to carry a clip pocket knife too (when I used to run) but I hate having anything in my pocket when I run. The neck knife is a good idea.
I gotta get back in some kinda shape. lol.
 
I'm finding more and more need to get back into some sort of shape. Thanks for the inspiration and the insight on the preparedness.
 
I have wanted to try trail running. Most of the trails I go on are well traveled and I'd be sure to come across other hikers. I also would have to find a way to comfortably carry water with me. Water bottles in my pockets or a camelback would be the way I'd go.
 
Love trail running too! I carry a Mora, firestarter, a whistle... and my blue heeler runs along with me to ward off evil spirits and bears!
 
Yep, great vid! I carry a Mora #2, a bic(its just easier for me) and a whistle. No water here either, but only do about 3 miles.
 
Good post! I love trail running, and have adapted a style I call wolf-running. Basically it means I change my pace from run to lope to jog to walk to ramble based on terrain, fatigue and if I find anything interesting to stop and explore.

Never thought about an ultralight PSK. I carry a small Osprey daypack with PSK gear, and food and water too. I did up to 20 miles a crack years ago, but recently its been no more than 8 or 9.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
 
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trail runner psk

Hello trail runners !! I like to do a few Ultras a year and those weekend runs can get pretty long, so a nice well thought out, light survival kit is essential. I'll post a photo of mine ASAP. Good work. Thanks.
 
Great post. Makes me want to get back into trail running. Used to do a little a few years ago, nothing to serious but I really enjoyed the workout.
Those trails look a lot like Ft. Bragg area. Nothing like running in that sandy soil around there.
 
Cool thread, and very cool pics! Looks a lot like the terrain north and northeast of me, thru the Piney Woods of East Texas and SW Louisiana. You kit reminds me of a vid on YT where the guy was showing off his minimum "survival" running kit of a Opinel folder and a bright yellow matchsafe with Hotspark, slivers of fatwood, and waxed paper. I prefer carrying a plain Bic and a pocketknife of some flavor (usually a SAK, tho an Opi is a good alternative), but can see that carrying the kit in the matchsafe is better when there's a better chance of it getting wet, either from rain, dunking, or sweat. Here's the other guy's vid:
mini bush kit - YouTube.

Matt in Tx
 
I can't count how many times when I've been out mtn biking I've run into folks who shoulda been more prepared for going out in the woods, it's a tad off topic but I could see it applying to trail running as well. I've patched many more peddlers with my FAK than I've patched tubes honestly.

A friend I ride with used to make fun of the stuff I carried, till we got caught in bad weather and I managed to set up shelter in a matter of a few minutes with a couple space blankets and 550 cord.
 
Good stuff! A couple of things hits my mind about this, and that is dehydration and the need for some fast carbohydrates, if you get stuck in the middle of nowhere and it get's dark. You can really make some serious mistakes when the bloodsugar is low. And you will freeze very easy, especially if you have run very far and long.
A spaceblanket and dextrose could be helpful. But hydration is another thing, and require a waterbladder. I have used that sometimes, but then you need a small pack. Anyway, that was just some thoughts from me. Keep on running!
 
Ooooo Weeee boy! I had to find out what one of them there PSKs were! I thought it was some sort of fancy store bought knife or something! I didn't know what PSK was! Personal Survival Kit.
 
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