Too Fast and Too Light?

If you are hiking the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail, you probably want to go rapidly and carry as little weight as usual.  An old ruck-sack saying familiar to the military and other outdoor persons is that, “Ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain.”  So, the focus for many in the camping and backpacking industry is to get equipment down to feather weight standards.  But, if you are in a survival situation or anticipate that you are going to go through a crisis, you may need to re-think your strategy if you are a fast and light person.

It is true that titanium spoons, cookware and other equipment like that, though much more expensive than other options, are definitely a way to save weight without compromising durability.  And that is great, you can buy those items, save weight and have no issues.   But much of the light and fast community never really thinks much about the long term durability of their lightweight items.  And that is the problem.  Especially if a recreational trip of a life time turns into a survival fight for your life!  The lightweight sil-nylon tents and sleeping bags and backpacks and stuff sacks are great for a short term trip.  But, if you really have to depend on it to save your life for the long term, it can easily rip on thorns and branches and is easily abraded on sandstone and other rough terrain.  There is no substitute for quality and that means a hefty, full tang knife with a solid sheath, a 1000 denier nylon or heavy canvas backpack, an old school canvas military sleeping bag or one of the newer four piece multi-season sleeping bags that the military uses.  As a matter of fact.  Many people when preparing for a survival scenario look to used or new military surplus gear.  It has been developed, thoroughly tested in multiple terrain environments, and been selected for it’s durability and lasting quality.  It is not uncommon to find surplus military equipment that is forty or more years old and in great usable shape.  Plus, it’s usually much cheaper than new commercial stuff.  Maybe it’s not as comfortable or lightweight but it will get the job done and keep on going.  That’s not to say that there isn’t great and durable choices to be found in the commercial camping/backpacking stores or online, but the kind of quality and durability found in most surplus gear is going to cost you dearly.

By the way, some items really should be tried on or handled personally before purchasing.  Every one is different and just because it got great reviews on Amazon doesn’t mean it will fit your back, your hand or your needs.

A few years ago three friends got together and went on a mountain climbing trip in Colorado Rockies.  One of the guys got hurt and so they dug a snow cave for him and left him with his lightweight sleeping bag while the other two went for help.  They got caught in a mountain blizzard, visibility dropped and they fell off a ledge to their death.  The man in the snow cave lasted a day or two longer but all he had to eat was a half an orange.  His cell phone couldn’t get a signal and by the time he was located, he too had perished.  They had packed lightly for a quick trip up and down the mountain and had not prepared for any contingencies.  They went too fast and too light.  A slightly heavier pack with warmer spare clothes and some extra lightweight food with a small stove for melting water and cooking would have probably allowed them to huddle together, wait out the storm and be rescued.  Lesson learned.  Always have that little extra.  I’d rather lug it around and not use it than need it and not have it, wouldn’t you?

Life is a lot like that.  When we go day after day light on our prayers and fast on ourBible reading, we aren’t the best prepared or equipped for spiritual survival.  Some things just take time and effort and there is no good substitute for quality time with God.  Because, what seems to happen, just when you are least expecting it, something happens which throws you suddenly into crisis mode.  What a delight and a relief to be already prayed up and filled with the Word of God!  Have you spent enough time with Him today?  Are you just in a hurry to get it done and over with as soon as possible?  Why don’t you make today different?  Give Him the time and attention He deserves as your Saviour and your God.  Who knows?  Maybe your survival today depends on it!

James B.

PS. You can check out my website where you can set up training for many of these skills at www.waypointsurvival.com and look at and order my custom knives at www.benderknifeworks.com.