So…how do you get the kit listed in the last post into a 55 litre bag + rations for 5 days? Answer…surprisingly easy actually. The tarp and hammock goes in the side pouches; the cookset and 1 litre of fuel on top of spare trousers inside the sack (near the centre o

So…how do you get the kit listed in the last post into a 55 litre bag + rations for 5 days? Answer…surprisingly easy actually. The tarp and hammock goes in the side pouches; the cookset and 1 litre of fuel on top of spare trousers inside the sack (near the centre of gravity) with the hand axe & and (empty) water container; spare shirts, wash kit, socks underwear and mosquito net padding out the bag in the main area of the sack; the bivvi bag & utility pouch and plate in the bottom pouch; and food at the top. The rucksack lid contains two hats and first aid kit. The sleeping bag is located on the bottom. I’m not carrying water, but will collect 3.5 litres on a daily basis.

It’s a tight squeeze so I’ve decided to put some lighter kit in a daysack. The idea now is to strap or ‘piggy-back’ the daysack (about 15-20litres) on to the main sack. This I did using the daysack hip belt to wrap around the main sack. A top strap with quick release buckle stops the daysack falling down. The finishing touch is the reindeer skin wrapped around a water proof jacket and located just under the daysack. And to think I nearly splashed out £130 on a Karrimor Sabre 70 litre sack. I would have loved to get it, but I just couldn’t justify it for the amount of Bushcrafting I do at the moment. Maybe next year.

Does it work? Well…I didn’t walk too far this weekend, but it did seem stable enough. What I did like was the low profile of the whole carry system with nothing dangling off the sack. It was quite heavy, but evenly distributed with the main weight around the centre of gravity. After setting up camp, I decided to ditch a pair of trousers and swap out training shoes for sandals. I’m not too bothered about the weight as I’m not actually hiking over the 5 days. I was surprised at the weight of the food. I’m not living off the land, so it’s lots of all in one soup/stew type meals. I’m trying to avoid tins, but a couple will be inevitable for a varied and tasty diet. I’ve still got to get fresh rations in and of course a bottle of port. In total I was quite pleased with the rucksack ‘mod’. It even looked good. The reindeer skin does make things a lot heavier and bulkier, but could I leave it behind? Nah.

I’ve got my essentials and tools in my shoulder bag. I’ll talk about this in the next post.

It’s all looking quite good, and I’m reasonably happy everything is tested and can be packed easily. I tested out everything in the woods and practiced setting up again. I can set up camp in about 20 minutes, which is fine for me. All in all it looks like I’m ahead of schedule here and I’m pleased with preparations. Can’t wait. I’m like a kid here!!

A word about the weather. No rain again. Things are looking very dry in the wood and I’ve noticed that the nettles are dying and ponds have dried out. It’s that hot, there’s very little movement in the wood. The rooks and crows are walking about with beaks open. We’re expected to hit 90F + this week. At least I’m getting used to sleeping in my hammock by sleeping in the garden every night.

See you next time.

f gravity) with the hand axe & and (empty) water container; spare shirts, wash kit, socks underwear and mosquito net padding out the bag in the main area of the sack; the bivvi bag & utility pouch and plate in the bottom pouch; and food at the top. The rucksack lid contains two hats and first aid kit. The sleeping bag is located on the bottom. I’m not carrying water, but will collect 3.5 litres on a daily basis.

It’s a tight squeeze so I’ve decided to put some lighter kit in a daysack. The idea now is to strap or ‘piggy-back’ the daysack (about 15-20litres) on to the main sack. This I did using the daysack hip belt to wrap around the main sack. A top strap with quick release buckle stops the daysack falling down. The finishing touch is the reindeer skin wrapped around a water proof jacket and located just under the daysack. And to think I nearly splashed out £130 on a Karrimor Sabre 70 litre sack. I would have loved to get it, but I just couldn’t justify it for the amount of Bushcrafting I do at the moment. Maybe next year.

Does it work? Well…I didn’t walk too far this weekend, but it did seem stable enough. What I did like was the low profile of the whole carry system with nothing dangling off the sack. It was quite heavy, but evenly disributed with the main weight around the centre of gravity. After setting up camp, I decided to ditch a pair of trousers and swap out training shoes for sandles. I’m not too bothered about the weight as I’m not actually hiking over the 5 days. I was surprised at the weight of the food. I’m not living off the land, so it’s lots of all in one soup/stew type meals. I’m trying to avoid tins, but a couple will be inevitable for a varied and tasty diet. I’ve still got to get fresh rations in and of course a bottle of port. In total I was quite pleased with the rucksack ‘mod’. It even looked good. The reindeer skin does make things a lot heavier and bulkier, but could I leave it behind? Nah.

I’ve got my essentials and tools in my shoulder bag. I’ll talk about this in the next post.

It’s all looking quite good, and I’m reasonably happy everything is tested and can be packed easily. I tested out everything in the woods and praticed setting up again. I can set up camp in about 20 minutes, which is fine for me. All in all it looks like I’m ahead of schedule here and I’m pleased with preparations. Can’t wait. I’m like a kid here!!

A word about the weather. No rain again. Things are looking very dry in the wood and I’ve noticed that the nettles are dying and ponds have dried out. It’s that hot, there’s very little movement in the wood. The rooks and crows are walking about with beaks open. We’re expected to hit 90F + this week. At least I’m getting used to sleeping in my hammock by sleeping in the garden every night.

See you next time.