I went to the Army Surplus Store today. I wandered about and looked at things.
I wanted to buy a Goretex bivy bag - but it was $125. So I left it alone. That's a water proof cover that you use for your sleeping bag. You don't need a tent if you use one of these, just a small tarp over your bag.
I found a shelter for $19.95. But didn't buy it.
I found several chemical MRE heaters - 12 for $14.95. They might have been good.
And in the end, after some banter with the strange old woman who runs the place, I left.
I left with sweet nuthin'.
But that's okay. It gave me ideas for camping in the woods.
Listen:
Sweet Nuthin' - The Velvet Underground
Mungo
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6 Bahs!:
Hi Mungo.
I know who you mean and she is an odd duck.
I went to Central Surplus today myself looking for a new stainless canteen mug. Ended up buying it at Save More on Queen.
From the west side,
Dan
Hey Mungo,
What Army Surplus Store are you talking about? AAA on Baldwin? If so, I was there too this weekend. The employees there are very odd.
Hello Dan and oChe - it was the 'Army Surplus' store on Bermondsey Road, just a couple of blocks south of Eglinton. Army surplus store employees remind me of second-hand record store employees... but, it takes all kinds, as they say - and it's a good thing they sell what we can use for camping!
cheers,
Mungo
Hi Mungo,
I knew right off who you meant in your post. Your restraint in not buying needless items is admirable; the burden of stuff is real and can be inhibiting. I have always found that wandering with less stuff makes for a much more enjoyable experience. Wile I am grateful for your camera work, I don't carry a camera any longer.
In case you are interested in my kit:
When I nature walk alone, not camp, in the valley, other than the seasonal wear on my person, I bring my essentials: a Mora #1 or a spyderco delica folding knife, a ferro rod and waterproof matches, a Gerber Diesel multi-tool or SAK, 1 qt canteen of water with nested stainless cup, Katadyn MicroPur MP1 Water Treatment Tablets, tea bags and sugar, cell phone, pen and very small pad of paper, clip on sunglasses, aspirin and 7 days of hypertension tablets, a few feet of TP (emergency), fruit and a couple of power bars or some such, a Fox 40 whistle, MEC turtle light, a small signal mirror, 2 kerchiefs, a hat, $1 space blanket, a small quality compass, 1 very large tightly folded garbage bag or poncho, 20' paracord. Depending on the season, I often bring a field guide on a relevant subject.
If I have company, along with their personal carry, they carry a canteen and mug and a Swedish military mess kit with its Trangia alcohol burner and a little fuel, hot chocolate mix from MEC and a small flask of brandy, fruit and power bars or such. The whole thing weighs just a few pounds. The Swedish kit and the canteens being the heavier items.
I try to be prepared in case I break an ankle or bone late in the afternoon and I end up spending several hours or a night wherever I find myself. You can never tell.
BTW, I agree with you - nothing is better than a good wool blanket. I keep 2 of them in a bag in my trunk.
From the other side,
Dan
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Kate
http://educationonline-101.com
Hi Mungo,
I knew right off who you meant in your post. Your restraint in not buying needless items is admirable; the burden of stuff is real and can be inhibiting. I have always found that wandering with less stuff makes for a much more enjoyable experience. Wile I am grateful for your camera work, I don't carry a camera any longer.
In case you are interested in my kit:
When I nature walk alone, not camp, in the valley, other than the seasonal wear on my person, I bring my essentials: a Mora #1 or a spyderco delica folding knife, a ferro rod and waterproof matches, a Gerber Diesel multi-tool or SAK, 1 qt canteen of water with nested stainless cup, Katadyn MicroPur MP1 Water Treatment Tablets, tea bags and sugar, cell phone, pen and very small pad of paper, clip on sunglasses, aspirin and 7 days of hypertension tablets, a few feet of TP (emergency), fruit and a couple of power bars or some such, a Fox 40 whistle, MEC turtle light, a small signal mirror, 2 kerchiefs, a hat, $1 space blanket, a small quality compass, 1 very large tightly folded garbage bag or poncho, 20' paracord. Depending on the season, I often bring a field guide on a relevant subject.
If I have company, along with their personal carry, they carry a canteen and mug and a Swedish military mess kit with its Trangia alcohol burner and a little fuel, hot chocolate mix from MEC and a small flask of brandy, fruit and power bars or such. The whole thing weighs just a few pounds. The Swedish kit and the canteens being the heavier items.
I try to be prepared in case I break an ankle or bone late in the afternoon and I end up spending several hours or a night wherever I find myself. You can never tell.
BTW, I agree with you - nothing is better than a good wool blanket. I keep 2 of them in a bag in my trunk.
From the other side,
Dan
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