Go bag for beginners

[fightingquaker13]

I'd suggest the best thing to do (sure changes my choices up!) is to go hiking and camping with your BOB as you build it.    You'll be shocked how differently you pack it after each of the first few trips!

Don't forget, it's awfull nice to have something dry to sit on for a rest once in a while!  

BM, I think you have given the best advice you ever have on this board. If Eric is still speaking to me , I'd nominate you for comment of the day for it. The thing is that I am a backpacker. and have been since I was 15. I also worked at an outfitters to help pay my way through school. My gear has been selected by 25 years of trial and error. The stuff I have isn't the newest or fanciest, hell, a lot of it I bought back in college, but it works (which should say something). I know how to use it, and setting up a comfortable camp is like setting the table.  I don't even have to think about it. Until you spend a few dozen nights out in the woods, you have no idea what YOU need, just promises from catalogues. If you care enough about survival to read this thread, you should care enough to spend your next couple of vacations in the sticks. You don't have to have gear to do it either. Take a course like NOLS or Outward Bound, or find a backpacking outfitter somewhere you want to go and arrange a trip. None of these options are cheap, BUT they are cheaper than buying gear and discovering that its either inappropriate or you don't know how to use it.
Just my .02
FQ  
PS An advantage of using a school like NOLS (if you are new at this) is that you don't have an out. If you just buy the stuff yourself and go to a state forest, the temptaion to say screw it and go back to the car when it rains and gets cold, something breaks, the stove won't light and your feet hurt is large. Being somewhere where quitting isn't an option and therefore turning your mind to muddling through, rather than thinking about far it is to the car is a huge plus.

[Badgersmilk]

I was expecting to get picked on with comments about walking around with an adirondack chair strapped to my back or something.   

Shhh, I can hear the search engines running for pictures now!   

[fightingquaker13]

I was expecting to get picked on with comments about walking around with an adirondack chair strapped to my back or something.   

Shhh, I can hear the search engines running for pictures now!   

I've got a foam folder by REI that is held toghther (top to bottom) by nylon with fastex buckles. It weighs less than two pounds, folds flat to about 2" of thickness and straps to the back of my pack UNDER THE RAIN COVER (hello, dry ass). Cost about $30 and on day three of a couple of rainy trips I'd have paid 10 times that and thought I'd gotten a deal.
FQ13 who is not a wimp, but does like to keep his butt out the mud and be able to lean back around the campfire.

[twyacht]

cheaper than dirt has light, medium, and heavy BoB's.

I have my own with pretty much the same stuff.

I know where a multitude of boats have onboard watermakers, generators, and even a wine chiller.... Now if it's an EMP, well, that would throw a wrench in that plan, but there is a plan B, as everyone should have.

 Just need to make it 20 minutes east, that will be the hard part.  If I can't drive, it's the better part of a day through unruly suburbs to the coast.  Or a simple john boat through the canal network.  

Water will be key. Any device, tablet, "system" that can purify or decontaminate water is essential. Have a rendezvous point with like minded individuals.

Make it as light as possible, especially if your having to "hoof" it. Sure I'd love to carry 2500 rds. of ammo, but if I have to walk???

Geography and season dictates other essentials. Now the Adirondack chair and a sham wow, we'll just have to make room...

[Ranger Dave]

I was expecting to get picked on with comments about walking around with an adirondack chair strapped to my back or something.   

Shhh, I can hear the search engines running for pictures now!   

I was thinking Lazy boy

seriousliy
I have been Backpacking since I was 15 myself a couple areas not to skimp on are on your
backpack $100 - $200 Academy and Bass Pro
sleeping pad $50 and up
single burner stove Wal-mart Academy Bass Pro
boots
water filter system and water purifacation pill Bas Pro
Most everything else you can pick up at Wal-mart

[Sponsor]

[Badgersmilk]

I've got a foam folder by REI that is held toghther (top to bottom) by nylon with fastex buckles. It weighs less than two pounds, folds flat to about 2" of thickness and straps to the back of my pack UNDER THE RAIN COVER (hello, dry ass). Cost about $30 and on day three of a couple of rainy trips I'd have paid 10 times that and thought I'd gotten a deal.
FQ13 who is not a wimp, but does like to keep his butt out the mud and be able to lean back around the campfire.

LMAO!  

I'm not even that civilized, I just take an extra military rip-stop rain parka with me and spread it out a little bit.  

You know I've never seen TP on a BOB list yet!?!??!?!?  

Am I the only one in the woods with a clean butt!?!   

[twyacht]

Regarding TP.....

Recent Baxter Black post should clear that one up..

If one has time to unroll a roll or two, they can pack very flat. Now if your a "quilted northern" or "charmin" fan, well.......

[tombogan03884]

Charmin makes a "mini roll" find it in the "sample/Travel" aisle at the Department store.

[fightingquaker13]

Regarding TP.....

Recent Baxter Black post should clear that one up..

If one has time to unroll a roll or two, they can pack very flat. Now if your a "quilted northern" or "charmin" fan, well.......

If you are so stupid as to need to be reminded to pack (a tubeless and flattened) roll of TP, I would reccomend looking for a plant with three shiny green jagged leaves. I hear it works great.
FQ

[Badgersmilk]

OK, it's all over once I put this down, there will NEVER be an end to it...  Have you guy's considered...

Unscented baby wipes.

They come in a smaller "soft sided" pack (not just the big platic boxs).  Do the job much more efficiently, and they can also be used to wash hands and arms, or even wipe down all over for kind of a "dry shower" if your in the woods overnight.  They actually work very well.

Commence with your mockery!