Survival Instructor's Springtime Gear Loadout: What Bushcraft Gear Should you Carry?

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and as always....
Stay in the Woods,

Dan

[papaschuette]

Very nice load out. I know not everyone is the same, but I recommend having 2 pairs of backup socks. Being prior military, I know all about keeping your feet in tip top shape. If your feet can't go, you don't go. And plus they don't weigh anything and take up almost no space.

[barnastil]

Dan, we just all need to thank you, Townsend's, and MySelfReliance for keeping youtube watchable.

[Sinful_morality]

Hey Dan, love your content as always, now I know you're not really in the "tactical" survival side of things but I would genuinely love to see your take on the classic I.N.C.H. bag (I'm Never Coming Home). I believe it started as a thought exercise decades ago with the main question; "could you fit everything you would ever need into one ultimate pack?". Like I said, you have a different mindset so I'd like to see how your loadout differs.

[AKgrowngal]

Cordage in a roll up pouch - nice! Great video, as always!

[TheStevenRocha]

I had to pause the video and tell you how awesome that lighter drop was. Dan has a bit of dude perfect in his kit! Lol

[jobbybohnson]

I am a big fan of putting your ropes in the tool bag, cool idea!

[wuqegre]

I think my favorite part of your kit Dan is the "i just kinda deal with it". Ive got that in my kit too. 👍

[ExpeditionaryJonny]

Good video. Yeah, now is definitely the right time to review our setup as we get ready for the season. I really like how you used the tool kit to store your cordage. I've got one lying around and haven't quite decided what to put in it. Thanks for sharing!

[terryqueen]

Man I know what you mean about have gathered stuff through the years oh, wow. If I laid everything out on my living room floor it would cover the whole thing because my living room floor goes all the way through the middle of the house so yeah I know what you're talkin about all the gear I've collected through the years. I love that pack I'd like to be able to get one but I already have for larger packs of which one is a waxed canvas and for daypacks of which can carry enough for a one or two overnighter but I still love the shape of that pack. Thanks for the video stay in the woods

[cnybanditoutdoors]

I would highly recommend looking at the Nebo Mycro headlamp. It comes with an optional strap or can clip onto the brim of your hat. I always have a cap on and stays clipped to whatever that I am wearing that day. It's Brite with 5 settings . USB rechargeable and works great if you have a small solar power bank in your kit. On the hat you forget it's there until you need it and frees up space in your bag.

[johnruckman]

Nice and compact. Basic gear for general camping according to the season and Intent.
Regarding SHTF. Something I haven't seen is on,
Batteries; how much to stock each size, how many each, what types of batteries, storage, etc.
Battery Charger(s); charging more than just a couple at a time, charging multiple sizes and types. Alka Charger comes to mind, but it only charged alkaline batteries. Charging at home, on the go, in the woods.

[dennisleighton]

Let's start!
2:33 lighter - not a full size? Or tin too flat? Love to see that candle! yeah! No pencil sharpener? I like those discs.
2:53 aluminium cup and plate are great, and the spork. Pliers? Hook knife - assume for practising. Awl? I like the twine & needles! [Strong enough for leather or thick fabric!]
Haversack - now that is a cool idea. I love that cordage bag thingie! Excellent.
Tarp and groundsheet. My feeling is for something slightly different. I saw a guy show how a rectangular tarp gives one just so many more options so I'm for a 4X3 metre tarp, and a 2.5 X 2.5m groundsheet.
5:00 wool blanket. Damn. Now I'm conflicted and would want a sleeping bag, but then .... well, you know!
5:15 Food! Now, here's the thing. If it's a two-dayer, I'd take a little special something for the first night! I'd freeze up a nice little steak, Zip-loc it, and pack a nice fat potato and a couple of small mini tubs of butter (pack with the steak so they don't melt! And 4-5 sachets of salt. For the rest of the time I'd pack some packets of GORP, and several sticks of jerky (or as the South Africans call it, biltong! Great stuff! Of course I'd have a container with tea bags, coffee, sugar, and powdered milk sachets, etc, enough for two days Takes up little space. I'd pack a small stainless steel grid to do cooking on, and a length (say 4-5 ft of light chain, to hang the pot over the fire from a tripod.
5:34 Clothes. Yeah, 2 x extra socks, a rain-proof jacket, and a small med kit.
Now at the beginning you mentioned you "might" carry an axe with you. OK, that's fine, but I don't do axes. If one is even thinking in that direction, then it heavily impacts my choice of cutting tools, as it suggests I am anticipating some heavy wood processing for whatever reason. I would ditch the axe (heavy and too limited). Instead I'd change my cutting loadout as follows:
Firstly, I'd have a saw as a first priority (Silky Gomboy)! Not negotiable.
Then I'd carry my large knife: Cold Steel Trail Master San Mai III on my belt (it has a dangler sheath). For lighter tasks I'd carry a Victorinox Ranger Grip 79 knife (either in my pocket but more likely in that utilities pouch). I'm never without my Victorinox Swiss Champ, which is on my off-hand side in its belt pouch. This gives me 3 saws of 3 differnet sizes for different types of cutting. \Pliers/awl as you mentioned - already there in my Swiss Champ!
With these tools I could build some pretty reasonable stuff, and probably better than I would with an axe/hatchet. This loadout ought not to weigh more than your axe, knife and back-up knife, probably even less.
Looking at how your stuff fits into your pack, I don't think my additions/replacements will impact it too heavily, and some of it only temporarily.
Loved your video!

[db.mc]

Thanks Dan!👊 Appreciate you, stay safe and take care my friend 🙏 👍

[daemonharper]

Very informative - I always, always carry a comprehensive first aid kit inc tourniquet when I'm out hiking or even walking the 3 vehicles and home have the same but obviously bigger.
Between my wife and I, we rattle - sooo many prescription pills I think we've got most bases covered for 90% of the population.😮

[IronMike]

Bro, you got to adjust your EQ for your hard "S"s as you speak on your videos. Around 5-8k cut. It's hard on the ears coming out of a cellphone. But keep the videos coming. Great stuff you share.

[kennethwilson]

Lots of bags like my old lady and her Coach bag collection.

[blackwillowbushcraft]

Awesome spring load out! Love the Yucca pack will be getting one of those soon! I think I'm finally the first to comment is that still a thing haha. Another awesome video as always brother 👍 💪

[MBwelding]

lol it was like Mary poppins’s bag you just kept pulling out gear after gear good packing skills I like the simplicity of the load out list covers everything and more without over packing

[joonkeeg]

Thanks Dan, really welcoming this Spring Season. Happy Easter, have fun out there...

[maxpinson]

If you've ever been hurt bad or
had a bad case of the runs way
out in BFE, you won't leave your
house without some analgesic
and imodium. You don't need a
fully equipped ER on your back,
but a few basics are just good
sense
BTDT