If you're new to backpacking, or if you’re hopelessly in love with someone who wants you to love backpacking, then this podcast is for you. We’ll talk about the essentials, how to lighten your load, and how to make the most of your time on the trail.
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171: Survival Essentials
Show Notes: Episode 171
Today on the First 40 Miles, we’re most of the way through winter—and we’ve survived! And for today’s top 5 list, we’ll share some survival essentials—known to the bushcrafters as “the five Cs”. Then we’ll share one of the best subscription boxes we’ve found, that will help you hone your survival skills into a craft. Next, a backpack hack that’ll prepare you for surviving laundry.
Opening
* Our winter so far…
* Ape Caves Adventure
* Overnight backpacking trip
* Christmas tree from our 4th grader’s Every Kid in a Park pass
Top 5 Survival Essentials (a.k.a The 5 C’s)
Cover
* Cover is important because it protects you from nature and the elements
* More than just a tent or tarp—this survival essential is also about having the proper clothing and first aid essentials
Cut
* Knife
* One of the 10 Essentials
* Knife is a first aid tool, a meal prep tool, a problem solving tool, a fix it tool, and a self-defense tool.
* Is your knife adequate?
Cup
* Cup can mean more than just a water bottle…
* Sierra cup for boiling water, means a secondary form of water purification
* Dry bag in your pack can serve double duty as a way to haul water.
* What else can a cup be used for?
Cordage
* Rope, string, paracord, guylines, etc.
* What do you use cordage for?
* leverage/tools/projects
* Clothing can be cordage
Combustion
* Combustion is just another word for power
* What if I don’t want to have a fire? Do I still need a method of combustion? Yes! You still need a way to start a fire and you still need light, even if you think you won’t actually use them.
* Consider bringing a charger if you plan on using electronics.
SUMMIT Gear Review™: Apocabox Subscription Service
Structure
* Bi monthly subscription survival box
* Things come in reuseable drawstring bags
* Meant for wilderness survival—and focuses on teaching skills and outfitting you for outdoor survival
* It’s not a box filled with samples of the latest granola bar, a bottle opener and an acrylic beanie.
* For each box, Creek Stewart makes a video that helps you through the skills challenge
* Exposed to new ideas, types of carving methods, ancient ways
* Education centered, project centric.
* Meant to inspire you to get out, do something, be in nature, and challenge yourself.
Utility
* Incredibly useful items that beef up your outdoor skills
* Items offered in the past: books, mini manuals, kits to make an outdoor survival item, resin for repairing things, handcrafted items, multi-use items, “ancient ways” stuff,
* To get an idea of past boxes, we went to YouTube and watched some videos
Mass
* Box has a variety of items, no box is ever a “repeat”
Maintenance
* The Apocabox is a subscription service created by someone who doesn’t want you to feel trapped by a subscription service. You can order just one box as a gift to yourself or to someone else. No problem. There are other options as well. You can start a subscription and keep it going. Cancel any time. No tricky weird stuff.
* You may receive a box with a trap in it, but this subscription isn’t a trap.
* FEBRUARY: Billing Date: 2/1, Shipment Date: 2/15
* APRIL: Billing Date: 4/1, Shipment Date: 4/15
* JUNE: Billing Date: 6/1, Shipment Date: 6/15
* AUGUST: Billing Date: 8/1, Shipment Date: 8/15
* OCTOBER: Billing Date: 10/1, Shipment Date: 10/15
* DECEMBER: Billing Date: 12/1, Shipment Date: 12/15
Investment
* $50 a box $12 shipping (in the US)