Sunday 29 May 2016

Walk around the World - Essential gear check-list (minimalistic approach)

So, if we want to go on walk around the world, we can do it in a few ways. As seen in other cases people can do it in civilisation dependant way or like off-grid survival exercise. For example Jean Béliveau made something like long hike without really leaving behind the comfort of the civilisation, in sense he stated that he slept 1/3 of his time in randomly met families, another 1/3 in some kind of shelter like churches or mosques and about one third on his own, also for food and other essential needs he relied on help from other people like his wife. Currently I can't find examples of people doing around the world walk with really minimalistic set up, like finding food by himself, not accepting help, shelter and clothes, however it can be done like its demonstrated by many paleo-lifestyle and wilderness survival enthusiast. May be such way to complete the travel will teach us about the way the humanity spread around the world in ancient times, when I imagine we were all nomadic hunter-gatherers.

Let say we decide to do it with zero money and we have to relay only on what we can find and make for survival all this time. That is going to be good idea, because it will be proof of concept, for which I'll write more on separate post. On side note in our time minimalistic and cheaper probably means using some stuff like plastic and so on because its cheaper and much easier to access then the original materials supposed to be used like animal skins and so on. Sadly 21 century is time when the plastic is basically free and the animals are next to non-existent.

First task is to make list of all essential gear needed for survival on our own for indefinite amount of time. I found few lists and I'll try to compose my own. After completing the list I'll have to try to make it all fit in medium sized backpack not heavier then 10kg (22lbs) including food and water. After a few days spent in the wild by myself I came with this first draft of the list:
  1. Cell Phone (capable of radio reception)
  2. USB to miniUSB cable (in the survival tin)
  3. USB charger
  4. Memory stick with bootable Linux and important files, passwords, etc (in the survival tin)
  5. Solar charger
  6. Camera (best to have one action camera and one for photos with tripod)
  7. Sound recorder
  8. GPS 
  9. Compass (in the survival tin)
  10. Map
  11. Small notebook and pen and pencil
  12. Binoculars (I'll think more about that, it may be necessary)
  13. Water storage - Metal Canteen
  14. Water storage - Plastic several litres
  15. Condom (for back up water storage) (in the survival tin)
  16. Water filters and purification (in the survival tin)
  17. Straw or thin tube
  18. Plastic sheet for gathering water
  19. Longer walking stick (1.2-2m) that is, or can be converted to spear or tent pole
  20. Flash-light (in the survival tin)
  21. Mini multi-tool (in the survival tin, may need to be bought every time after airplane fly) 
  22. Pocket Knife (in the survival tin, may need to be bought every time after airplane fly)
  23. Small shovel (may need to be bought every time after airplane fly)
  24. Sharpening stone (small is enough) (in the survival tin)
  25. Cutting wire or better small saw or axe if possible (in the survival tin)
  26. Snare wire 2m (or other suitable thin strong metal wire) (in the survival tin)
  27. String (para-cord) tick and thin 
  28. Lighter (in the survival tin)
  29. Back up method for fire starting (magnesium block for example) (in the survival tin)
  30. Small candle (in the survival tin)
  31. Tinder (for fire starting)
  32. Portable Camping Stove
  33. Pepper or Bear Spray
  34. Projectile weapon, best some type of firearm (if possible)
  35. Slingshot and replacement bands
  36. Fishing line (also learn how to weave special blind basket) (in the survival tin)
  37. Fishing hooks (in the survival tin)
  38. Sunscreen
  39. Alcohol swabs (in the survival tin)
  40. Painkillers (in the survival tin)
  41. Antibiotics (doxycycline) (in the survival tin)
  42. Adhesive bandage (plaster) (in the survival tin)
  43. Soap
  44. Cotton ball (in the survival tin)
  45. Needles (in the survival tin)
  46. Several metres strong thin string (for sewing, tying, etc)  (in the survival tin)
  47. Tweezers (for removing ticks and thorns) (in the survival tin)
  48. Mirror (for self-examination for parasites, injuries, signaling, etc) (in the survival tin)
  49. Dust and chemical protection mask
  50. Gloves (thick and strong, pierce resistant)
  51. Insect repellent - spray
  52. Tarpaulin 2x3m sheet (to be used as hammock and rain-cape also)
  53. Blanket
  54. Survival reflective bag (to be used as sleeping bag if low temperature)
  55. Inflatable ground cover
  56. Mosquito net
  57. Rain poncho
  58. Eating and Cooking Utensils
  59. Small cooking pot
  60. Metal cup for making tea or coffee
  61. Salt
  62. Backpack
  63. Plastic bags (shopping)
  64. Small plastic bags - 5x10cm (for keeping things) (in the survival tin)
  65. Wide Brim Hat 
  66. Sunglasses 
  67. Shoes
  68. Flip flops
  69. Jeans
  70. T-shirt with long sleeves 
  71. Belt
  72. Underwear
  73. Socks
  74. Bath suit (short swimming pants)
  75. Small paper envelopes (for keeping seeds and plan specimens)
  76. Small box
  77. Small waist bag
  78. Carabiner 
  79. Money 
  80. Personal Identification Papers in waterproofed plastic bag or sleeve 
  81. Survival tin (part of the items from the list will fit inside)
This list is going to be tested further and updated soon


Sources:
dailymail - 75 500km epic 11 year odyssey
http://wwwalk.org/en/
6 travellers who walked around the world
http://offgridsurvival.com/101survivalgear/

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