It's been a while since I have written anything here and I find myself having to go back in time to explain some of the gear related decisions I made.
In 2001 (barely) I was in the process of selling my hearse which I had been living in for the last year and 1/2, which had me pulling out my camping equipment as that was going to be my follow up after the car was gone, only to find even though it was all top end gear, was falling apart after less than 2 years. When I sat back and thought about it, that was about spot on for what I had been doing for most of the previous 17 years; replacing most if not all of my kit every 2 years, if that long. I was already researching Living history groups mostly in the Fur trade, Early Colonial America and the French and Indian war eras. In fact I was already gearing up to buy some of the things that wld make doing these activities possible when I realized; These were the type of camping equipment and materials that lasted years, if not decades. And... they were still available. SO began my conversion to use of cotton canvas tents and packs in concert with wool bedding and clothes.
Now, this is a topic I have tried n failed to impress on younger travelers. Usually the conversation starts w; "Why you carry so much?!?" or; "How can you do that???"
There is no one answer that even comes close to covering such an illusive topic. I have developed my kit and habits over the last 12 of my 30 years on the Road. Some were out of preference, some my advancing age (46 now). And some out of a need to verify and redeem in others eyes on occasion the validity and legitimacy of such a life style, i.e; I carry a copper kettle instead of some titanium pc of shit that cld get squashed by a passing bicycle. I Carry and use according to need, flint and steel fire kit, a Swedish fire steel AND a lighter if not matches as well.
Why??? Here's why, whether you are on the road or just out camping, fire is the one thing that'll save you when (not if) you or the weather fucks up. PERIOD. There are many areas of ones' kit where one copy is just fine; shelter, heavy coat etc. Others however, it wld behoove you to carry back ups/options. Fire is definitely on top of that list.
Another is closely related and that is cooking. I have at any one time 2 or more means of doing this, presently it is 2 kerosene stoves made by Primus well before I was born AND a wood stove that goes to my tent AND my flint and steel kit for outside fires, location and timing permitting. Why so much? Experience and poverty. Too cryptic? OK, when your means are anything but flush, your options quickly reduce them selves. Cooking your own food garnered at a local store using as many base ingredients as possible is the one way (even on food stamps) to feed your self with any notable regularity.
So, there's my kettle, fry pan and a coffee set up ( if I don't have a full coffee cup in my hand in the morning, FUCKING RUN! This is the only warning on this subject.) and some flat ware.
Now in the latter area,, once again, my prefs and aesthetics insist on something nicer when I get the chance , but the mechanics is all the same. A knife (if not 2) fork, spoon etc as well as spatula wood spoon and coffee grinder (see earlier warning about me with out coffee) Is all this needed? No. Technically. :) But this is where I tended to loose my younger audiences; This is not a summer vacation where I can "go slumming" then go home. This has nothing to do with drug use or evading the law. It's far simpler than that and as a result confuses the shit out of all but everyone I talk to about it. I like to travel, and when I am on the road, what I carry and set up IS.MY.HOME.. In my home I prefer to have the things that make living nice anywhere and in any guise. Bedding, clothing, heating and the ability to cook. Yes, that means my kit weighs A LOT more. But, I find the cost worth the benefits. Most don't it seems. It was over a decade ago I realized there were 2 main types of travelers; Those who liked to be comfortable when they were walking (i.e. running) and those who like to be comfortable when they are at rest. I am most certainly of the latter category.
Now, back to my self imposed rules, no matter the time of year, always pack for winter: some of the worst weather I have dealt with had no seasonal requirements. i.e., May 7th, 2002; I am and have been in the Rockies about 5 miles east of Missoula Montana. Weather has been nice for the 2 weeks I have been here, low to high 60s till May 7th. I woke up to an over night fall of 12 inches of snow. Then, a 5 mile walk back to Missoula in white out conditions. I cld not see more than 5 feet in front of me while hiking down a switch back trail. Yeah, that did NOT rock.
No matter the season, PACK.FOR.WINTER.
2, always keep several means of making fire. I already covered this earlie to some length so I'll leave it at that.
3, Always carry some for of shelter. It doesn't matter if it's a $5 plastic tarp, SOMETHING.
4, Make sure your clothes are up to the task, once again, no matter the season. And here is where light summer clothes can be just as vital as heavy winter stuff, as wearing the latter in summer heat is both dangerous and really uncomfortable, let alone smelly as hell. Heat stroke can kill just as fast as freezing. Also, and this is something that comes as a no brainer to someone from the Pacific Great North Wet... er West, Rain gear. Even if it's just a fucking poncho. Once again, SOMETHING.
5, and this is both optional and a variable depending on who yer talking to, some kind of entertainment. Time can be a mind killer either on the streets or on the road. I am hard to please so I carry several options in this regard.
6, and this is not a rule as per say, but HIGHLY advisable if you have any hopes of interacting with the rest of the human race, toiletries. Once again, in this area I have gone about my own way (Old fashioned) but due to both my affection with historical ways of doing things and believe it or not, saving money in the long run: I shave with a straight razor. Yes, it was $75 which is "entry level" pricing. With all the equipment that goes with it, strop, brush soap etc I was into more like $200. BUT... That was in 2001. The only thing I have had to replace since then is soap and stubble. So, yes, expensive and tricky to learn (tho not as much as we scare ourselves into believing) but after over a decade with the same kit... long since paid for it's self.
These, I can not reiterate this enough, are my rules and for me. But these very same rules are the how and why of why I have been on the rode for 30 years and look forward t going back with out nary a flinch.
~The Priest in the Storms, Stormpriest D'Nomad.
Spasiba.
