Middle Earth Ranger Forum

[*]I recently did another overnighter at Caledon State Park, so I figured while I had all my gear together I'd take some pictures.



Everything rode pretty comfortably - I used a swag/haversack combo set-up. It was only a 3 mile hike on pretty easy trails to the campsite, so weight wasn't a huge concern. I wish I had brought a little more water, though. It was warm and I only had about a liter. The site is right on the Potomac, so I could have filtered and boiled river water if I had really been in trouble, but I didn't.

Here's a detailed breakdown of my gear (minus my belt knife, which disappeared and then reappeared right after I took the pictures):

• 1. 8’x8’ oilskin tarp
  2. Wool blanket
  3. Costrel
  4. Belt pouch
  5. Candle
  6. Tinderbox with charred punkwood
  7. Flint and steel
  8. Tinder bag with cedar and birch bark
  9. Rope
  10. Polled tomahawk
  11. Cordage
  12. Modern steel tent stakes – Caledon has sand tent pads, so stakes made from branches haven't worked well for me. Hopefully in the future I’ll either be able to camp elsewhere or get some forged iron stakes.
  13. Convertible snapsack
  14. Wooden bowl
  15. Pewter spoon
  16. Lentils
  17. Ceramic mug with waxed linen cover
  18. Ceramic pipkin
  19. Waxed linen scrip
  20. Spare flints and steel striker
  21. Folding knife
  22. Beginnings of a hygiene kit – Right now it’s just a horn comb and wool cloth, but I hope to add some soap and a bone toothbrush.
  23. Sewing kit
  24. Honey and walnut hardtack/cram/lembas
  25. Jerky
  26. Almonds and dried apples
  27. Rectangular cloak
  28. Walking stick
  29. Emergency modern supplies pouch – This is a pouch I keep on the back of my belt with some gear for emergencies. Right now it consists of a emergency bivy bag, a waterproof case with modern essentials, first aid supplies, and matches, as well as a small flashlight and some paracord. That’s because I do short trips in parks with well marked trails and campsites, so exposure and injury are my primary concerns. Once I work up to longer treks in WMAs and the like, I’ll include water treatment supplies, etc.

Very nice. I particularly like where you have numbered and cross referenced everything. You look a lot of time to do this and your effort is appreciated.

Nice stuff! I too really like the way you presented this as well.

Brilliant! Would this be for Breelander kit?
Out of curiosity, any idea what it all weighs?

Udwin wrote:Brilliant! Would this be for Breelander kit?
Out of curiosity, any idea what it all weighs?

Thanks! Most of it is meant to do double duty as medieval trekking gear, but I think it fits my Breelander kit pretty well, too.

As for the weight, I thought someone might ask, but I don't have a scale. I'll see if I can find someone who does, though. I reckon it's relatively heavy, but with the swag set up, it's pretty well balanced. The pot and eating gear in the bag in the front works well to even out the tarp and blanket roll on my back.

thats some nice looking gear ,

Wow this has inspired me! Getting it all on your back must be an adventure...there is a science to backpacking with period stuff...do we have a sticky somewhere that documents the process of balancing the roll and securing stuff so you can hike without killing your back?

A few different methods have been discussed in a few different threads, but I don't know that we have one big thread for it. Brian made a video on the swag, which is where I learned about it: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j3KCVTxW2Hc

Love these breakdowns, well done Ranger, great kit and gear!

Ken

Taurinor wrote:A few different methods have been discussed in a few different threads, but I don't know that we have one big thread for it. Brian made a video on the swag, which is where I learned about it: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j3KCVTxW2Hc

Awesome! I just subscribed to Brian's channel...I love his covered up Bota video...I definitely think I am going to make one like that...much cheaper than a Costrel...

There are numerous ways to make a bedroll work for you on distance treks. Do a little searching for bedroll through the forum, and you'll find quite a few that have been documented here.

Taurinor, it looks better every time! Way to get out there so early in the season! I'll second the numbered photo...that really oughta become a standard; so clear and concise. Raising the bar around here, folks!

Greg wrote:Taurinor, it looks better every time! Way to get out there so early in the season! I'll second the numbered photo...that really oughta become a standard; so clear and concise. Raising the bar around here, folks!

Thanks! It was really mice, actually - highs around 75, but it didn't get lower than 40 overnight, and the bugs weren't really out yet.

I'm glad you guys like the format. I took the idea from this article talking about Thom Atkinson's "Soldiers' Inventories" photo series.

I've never been enlightened on The Swag carrying method. I shall definitely have to try it out.

Wow! Nice presentation of a very complete hard kit.

Goodness that's a well thought out set up! Always glad to see when folks get to hit the trail.