The Hobo Stove!

I have decided to try to build a Hobo Stove and see how well it really works. Your suppose to really use a #10 can, but seeing that I dont have one yet I am trying this can and doing it on a small survival style. Hobo Stoves are designed to burn twigs, leaves and anything small that can be placed inside of it through the side opening. I dont have the side cut open yet, but when I do I will have pics of it in action and see how well it works. So as the Holidays roll by, this will be a work in progress.

My IFAK

Just scored a great deal on an IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) for Cheaper than Dirt! Has some pretty good stuff in it. One thing I will be replacing is the tourniquet for a much better one, it comes with a rubber band style one, I will be replacing it with either a SWAT_T or an SOF Tactical, the SOF can be used one handed! I will also add some small items as well, like a few bandages, antibacterial stuff and some extra gloves. For right now I stuck it on my pack just for show, also just might leave it there for a bit.
It comes with a package of Quick Clot, as well as an Israeli Bandage, and compressed gauze for packing wounds. I will do more on this when I get a chance, need to get through the Holiday Season first!

You can get IFAKs from
www.cheaperthandirt.com
Alamo Tactical
www.chinookmedical.com

Light and heat!

Two pieces of gear I love, my Coleman Catalytic Heater and my Coleman Lantern, both take propane to run, you can use either a small canister or they now make a kit that can run multiple items off of a large propane tank. One large tank with the kit can run up to four + items, I have a Coleman stove, lantern and the heater. You can run them for a very long time if needed that way which is a bonus if you go out long camping, avoids taking a bunch of small non-reusable cylinders and you take one large one instead. Not good for a light camping trip, but then there are trade offs and alternatives.
The Coleman heater works great! Could easily heat a tent up to knock off the morning cold or evening cold before you change, it is dependable and it is somewhat packable if you decided to bring it along camping/hiking. The Coleman lantern is a good old reliable standbye, they have many years of use and testing behind them. Just wish Coleman would bring all of its production back to the US. I find changing the mantles very easy and of course it gives out tons of good light! I have used this one multiple times, I also have another one but I broke the glass bowl and am currently looking for a replacement for it.
These are two pieces I dont go family camping with out!
I got mine at Walmart ( I try not to do alot of business with them)
You can find them at any good outdoor store or sporting goods store.

Playing with the Esbit Stove

The Esbit tab right after being started
About 2 minutes into burning
Side view of the stove

OK, my first attempt at video, I decided to play with my Esbit stove today and make some hot cocoa, used 2 tablets, first tab got the water to 160f and the second one got it to 210f. The first tablet in about 2 minutes got the water to 100f ( thats quick!), 5 minutes into it, it got to 160f. The second got it to the start of a rolling boil, the wind kept it from getting any hotter, it was windy today and rainy so I thought it was a good day to try it out.
I found my Esbit at Academy Sports and Outdoors
you can also order them online from
www.rei.com
www.campmor.com
www.amazon.com

Playing with MOLLE gear

Decided to play with my Blackhawk pack and the MOLLE gear that I have, Why? Why not? Also gave me a chance to test out and paly with some Malice straps I purchased from Tactical Tailor. Malice straps are used to hold MOLLE gear in place, its nice in the fact you can change the configuration of your gear if you need to or you can avoid buying extra gear and just move pieces as you need to. MOLLE stands for MOdular Lightweight Load carry Equipment. Designed to be easily configured by a soldier to meet his mission needs and preferences.
Malice straps from Tactical Tailor, these are pretty cool and easy to use. I like them alot most of my MOLLE gear uses Malice straps. I also have some coming from Blackhawk, just waiting on the snail mail to get them here. TT did an awesome job on getting them to me fast, even using priority mail.. Thanks TT for the quick service!
stuff mounted to the side of my pack, a Maxpedition Rolly Polly pouch and a High Speed Gear Taco mag pouch which is currently being used as a water bottle holder HSG makes some really great stuff, I own several Taco mag pouches, a HSG belt and a few ball caps from them.
The back view, I mounted a Maxpedition Admin pouch and a UTG flashlight pouch. The UTG carries my Maglight and the Maxpedition carries my Krill lamp. The Maxpedition pouch also has a pouch that can carry a small digital cam or cam corder, and a cell phone/radio/GPS.
Playing around mounted several carabiners to the MOLLE straps on the shoulder straps, great for carrying even more gear.
The HSG Taco mag pouch! Awesome little thing! can work as a water bottle holder, grenade pouch and can also hold multiple different style weapons mags! I used them for holding mags for my G-36 airsoft rifle and loved them! Also they hold the mags for my SKS and AR mags. Use this one for a water Bottle holder for Boo when we go hiking
a pic of the back of the pack and my flashlights, I own 6 flashlights... yup SAD SAD SAD.. I love flashlights.
You can find the gear at
www.tacticaltailor.com
www.maxpedition.com
www.cheaperthandirt.com
www.blackhawk.com
www.hsgi.us/
flashlights are from
www.kriana.com
www.maglite.com
www.alamotactical.com

Things in my first aid kit

One of my items is a space blanket, I purchased a higher end blanket, its bright orange one the outside and has the reflective layer on the inside, these are the better space blankets, they may take a little more space but they are well worth it. Its an improvised shelter, a invaluable tool for hypothermia, and also to help treat shock.
Yup, I dont go into the woods with out it! This stuff does work, but the best treatment is to learn your plants and that way you avoid poison ivy and oak all together. You need to apply this as soon as you can to help stop the reaction. Also make sure you wear gloves to avoid spreading the oils and also cross contamination to other fellow family friends or campers.
This is one kit/pack I would not be with out, main reason is it has QuickClot in it, it also has many other items as well to help in a severe trauma would or issue. NOTE: DO NOT use QuickClot unless you have taken a class or been certified on how to use it. There are tools on their website and resources on the Internet to help you with this. Also be sure to take a first aid class to keep yourself current.
These are cool little packs, has everything you need to treat road rash and those scrapes and cuts you get when you bike ride. Every bike rider should have one on them..
This is my basic little first aid kit, I have expanded on it and have added extra gloves, an emergency whistle several ace bandages and an insect sting treatment. I have also added a CPR mask and mole skin, plus a few extra bandages and hand sanitizer. It also has some OTC meds and I plan on expanding it some more here in the near future.
My kit all folded up, it will barely close. Notice it isnt fancy, just a decent little kit, I have expanded it for my personal needs and you should do the same for yours!!Always be sure to take a first aid course and keep yourself current. I have gone as far as to have my basic and first responder course, I have gotten AED certified and also certified in the use of Celox and QuickClot. These courses cost me nothing but time and the payback is priceless. There really no excuse not to take a first aid class, even if you have to pay a few bucks, the payback is priceless..

The Blackhawk Special Ops Med Pack

OK, this is a pretty cool pack, it is solid built and very comfortable to wear. I have done some short walks with this and I do like it.. I haven't had a chance to really load it and go on a long hike but I will hopefully soon. Its designed as a medical bag, but having played with it it has the serious potential to be a good BOB (Bail Out Bag). I love the MOLLE straps on it, you could load some extra pouches on the outside to expand or specialize your kits, in your BOB. By adding those extra pouches, etc, you do add weight but if your smart about what you add it shouldn't be an issue. I like the fact the interior has webbing and straps as well so you could keep things like flashlights, chem lights and other things stow-able through them closer at hand. Oh,, I got lucky and got this pack for free!!! thanks Pedro!!
Notice the back panel, formed shaped and has vents to allow air to get to your back for cooling. Very comfortable to wear and use. All of the straps and well padded and adjustable to find your comfort zone when wearing it

Lots of interior room for your gear and you can even stow two! 3 liter water bladders in it!! Although I dont recommend it! I would move one to the outside in a MOLLE pouch if you needed that much water at one go.
Notice the zip pockets, designed for your med gear it could hold some various kits that you would stow in your BOB to make access a lot quicker and more organized. First Aid Kit, fire kits, personal hygiene items, or even extra first aid items like I carry. and yes, I always carry extra first aid gear, ice packs, SAM splints, blood stopper kit, and a few extra little items. I have used them to assist people already when out on the trail..Some people just don't think about these things.. I always wonder why...

More MOLLE straps,, I love those things!!!
You can find them at:
http://www.blackhawk.com/
or if you live in San Antonio go to :
http://alamotactical.com/
ask Chris to order one for you! He is a great guy and would be glad to help you.

I look forward to some more Blackhawk gear in the future to try! Great Pack Blackhawk!

23 Oct 11,, Update! Went to Enchanted Rock today and hiked the pack all over the park! Over all it was very comfortable, had some issues with the shoulder straps slipping, but it is new and they haven't gotten ruffed up yet. I had it loaded with about 25 lbs of gear, and I still had plenty of room for some more stuff. It easily also accommodated my 2.5 liter water bladder, and had the straps to hold it up. Dragged it through the rocks and crawl spaces to the cave, didnt go in the cave because of the verticle climb and the fact I am still having major issues with my arm and shoulder. The padding was great! but I did find I retained a little more heat than my duck head across my back. Straps all have ample padding and were very comfortable ! So I am going to say I really like this pack and will do one more good hike with it, maybe Lost Maples!