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Innawoods Guide

In a thread on /k/ lastnight and it turned into a innawoods prep/experience thread, so I decided to add this little tid-bit to the site. The author is Anonymous, but he emailed me this quick guide. As a backpacker he created this list and I've edited the paragraphs, but aside from that, its all Anonymous.
So if you're planning on being innawoods or shit hits the fan, check this out first.

Backpacks

You have two options here, open frame and closed frame.

Open frame packs are metal frames that you wear, and have cloth pouches that store stuff on them, and are considered the more versatile of packs. The open frame lets you carabineer random items onto the frame itself, and makes strapping a tent or sleeping pack onto it very simple. Kelty makes some very good external frame packs.

Internal packs are the opposite, a cloth pack with metal supports that rest inside. These are the less used option when it comes to serious hiking packs because they lack the versatility of external frame packs. From what I've deduced, internal frame packs fit the niche where you need to keep all of your contents protected from the elements, but the same can be done on an external pack. If you are interested in internal packs, I recommend the GoLite Quest (Can carry 4,400 Cubic Inches and only weighs 5 1/2 lbs).

Entertainment

You aren't a survival god, this is why you are reading what I am typing. You are also human. So, knock 2 birds with one stone. Find a survival guide, or one about making survival devices (Shelters, traps, tools, neat trinkets). Spend time working on making these things, or just trying to hone in on your wilderness knowledge. Hunting is also a great way to pass time.

Water

You need water. NEED. WATER.

Fuck the "Purifier tablets" in the walmart section. Not good. No-no. Yes, they make water "safe" to drink, but you can only fit so many in a little jar. Your best bet? Hand-Held water pump. Using the power of ceramic plates and pressure, you strain microbes and deer shit out of the water. And they last for thousands of gallons. Require no fire (So no putting dirty water in your food pot), and make stopping to refill water supplies a 15 minute ordeal.

Food Gathering

Whenever you have a chance to get food, jump on it. You never know when you might sprain your foot and be stuck sitting around for a few days. Learn to smoke meat or dry it out properly. Having back-up food can save you, and helps take the worry of food out of your mind.

Also, when you pack food, pack dehydrated food. This should be obvious. Oats are great, and dried fruit is awesome (Mmmm that vitamin C and tons of complex carbs!). Don't pack canned food, and don't pack junk food. Slim Jims are junk food.

Chips, pretzels, etc. are also junk.

Boots

Now this is generally personal preference, but for what it's worth I usually stick to my high top boots. They help ALOT with ankle support, and keeping you from twisting the fuck out of your foot. You get tired, you stumble, it will be inevitable. The last thing you want, is to have a purple knob and be laying on the ground out of shelter and away from supplies/help. When it comes to socks, you want at least 4 pairs. 2 pairs of long hiking socks (wool preferred), and 2 pairs of dress socks. Put your silk dress socks on, then your wool socks. This stops you from getting blisters as much, and the wool socks just keep you warm and protect your shins from cuts when you kneel down, fall, hit a branch etc.

 

Below is an infographic guide to innawoods (click to enlarge)

 

 

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