Omega's winter BOB

[omega_man]

This is how I'm rolling right now. I explained some these choices in the WMBO chat thread, so this will mainly be an itemized list (which we all love) replete with pics (so we know it happened). Some items, mostly clothing, might be subject to change depending on weather forcasts for my BOL. This BOB is designed to be driven to an location, donned, and then humped without mercy into the Blue Ridge foothills where I'll relax and bird watch for 3 days. This does not take into account SHTF or urban situations (both of which have "modules" that can be easily added). Also not pictured is food--I keep a few MRE's in my Subaru battle wagon and plan on grabbing a few before stepping off (once a Marine, always a Marine I guess).

The bag itself is an Osprey Atmos 65.



The main compartment carries my clothes and shelter (not pictured is Kifaru parahooch, busy conducting rain test)


Top (barely)
ISO mat Woods Walker inspired kneeling mat
2nd row
Thermarest sleeping pad. REI rain pants. Kifaru Woobie
2 stuff sacks--one has base layers, other has warming layers (see next pic)
Down vest
Snugpak Merlin
Snugpak bivy shelter (bottom left)

Stuff sack contents:


Top row (L-R)
Patagonia capilene 2 bottoms and top. Cabela's softshell pullover (just got, love it, look forward to full-on review)
2nd row (L-R)
USMC FROG base-layer top. Kohl's clearance rack merino sweater. Rag wool gloves. TAD merino beanie
3rd row (L-R)
Pile 'O wool socks. UA undies. Patagonia Down vest. REI lightweight rain-pants (JIC)

Stuff (looks like a lot):


I'll describe from the top down, each row from L-R:
Bahco Laplander saw. Mora Knife. Handwarmers. Hank 'O 550. Contractor bag. GSI minimalist. Nalgene bottle w/ duct tape.
Hygiene bag (toothbrush, paste, Dr. Bonners, hand sanitizer, TP). Maxped pouch for FAK (contents below). Petzl headlamp. 2L bottle for source water collection.
Below headlamp is a Kifaru pouch with water gathering/puification: Micropur tabs, coffee filters, platy bag, and Frontier Pro
Bottom row (L-R)
Space blanket. more 550. Ti stakes. bungees. Fire blower (aquarium tubing w/ radio ant.). Tecate alcohol stove. knife sharpener. Lighter. Vasoline cotton balls. Matches. Foil. DIY stove wrapped around flask of denatured alcohol. Random packet of drink/coffee stuff wrapped in foil. Fire get. LMF spork.

Here's everything packed:

L-R: Cordage bag. FAK. Water stuff. Fire and alcohol stove stuff

Gizmos:

PVS-7bs. Eton crank radio (I haven't taken this out yet and I need to know what to expect for reception, esp. the weather band)

On my body:


Lanyard w/ Corona pruner sharpener (fire steel striker). Large Swiss steel. TOPS ALRT knife. widgy bar. El-cheapo LED light. Whistle.
Signal mirror
Princton Tech flashlight
TAD survival capsule: SAS button compass. Lifeboat and kitchen matches. Tinderqwik.
Silva compass
Hanky
AO map

Tactical fanny pouch:


RIR notebook w/ pencil
Leatherman Surge
Garmin Etrex
Glock 29 w/ spare 15 rd mag

And finally; the clothes I have ready to go:


Blackhawk Warrior Wear softshell pants (swapable w/ TAD predator hardshell pant depending on weather)
TAD merino base layer top and bottoms
REI merino sock liners and rag wool socks
riggers belt
TAD shemagh
rag wool sweater
Pendleton wool shirt

Bring it, old man winter!

[mmaiolo81]

Nice load out...

[Regular Guy]

Son, I'm appoint. What's the over all weight?

[omega_man]

Son, I'm appoint. What's the over all weight?

25lbs minus food and water. It looks like a lot more than it really is with all the little stuff unpacked and extra warming layers.

[Shaper]

Well done.

[JustInCase]

An excellent well thought out kit.

The collapsed 2 L soda bottle is a great idea. Thanks!

[omega_man]

An excellent well thought out kit.

The collapsed 2 L soda bottle is a great idea. Thanks!

Semper Fi

[aa1pr]

looks like you have prepared well

my only comment is to ditch the 2 liter bottle & get a platypus soft bottle:
http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus/wate ... le/product

mines in the closure cap, as I hate the other option of cap style

space inside a pack always becomes a precious commodity

[xxxDarksidexxx]

good looking kit, cant wait to see you and it in action!

[Mister Dark]

I am impressed. I think it is time for me to review my clothing options. Again. I look forward to seeing that folding saw in action. My Svensaw is a bit larger, I wonder if it is worth the weight penalty....

Also, I have an Eton radio like yours, I think you will be surprised at how well it works. Does yours also have the usb charger port?

Awesome kit, dude.

[omega_man]

I am impressed. I think it is time for me to review my clothing options. Again. I look forward to seeing that folding saw in action. My Svensaw is a bit larger, I wonder if it is worth the weight penalty....

Also, I have an Eton radio like yours, I think you will be surprised at how well it works. Does yours also have the usb charger port?

Awesome kit, dude.

Thanks man. The clothing can and probably will be subject to some change depending on weather conditions; I have appropriate surrogates next to my BOB so I can quickly adjust.

I look forward to actually using the Eton. It's always with my bug out gear; but, I've never taken it out in our AO to test reception. And yes, it does have a USB charging port.

I also made a topo map today in 1:62500 scale that coincides with the scale markings on my compass so we can brush up on land-nav

[Woods Walker]

Nice kit. The Mora carbon TopQ with whipped cordage was a nice touch. I will agree with aap1 that a Platy would be better than the soda bottle but I have used them before with good results. The new disposable water bottles on the other hand aren't worth anything. I have an older Atmos 65 and like it for hot weather but the raised ventilated frame support makes it harder to pack. I think this was correct with the new model.

Hope to see this kit out for the contest.

[omega_man]

Thanks WW. There is a platy rolled up in there, I just want to see how well the 2L bottle will work as a bulk source water container for future knowlegde.

[Flying Lead]

OM, if you don't like the platy there's the wide mouth nalgene 96 oz soft plastic bag like the platy. I have both, I use the 2L platy for day hiking (smaller size) and use the nalgene for overniights (Nalgene top fits water filter).
You'll like the Nalgene better for bulk water gathering. A platy doesn't fill well in a river as it equalizes and won't fill. People with a dual platy filter kit take half a soda bottle to fill the platy.
The Nalgene with the rigid neck will fill when you apply a little foward motion. Easier to fill at a waterfall too.
Very nice kit you have there!

[eugene]

You need to make sure to crank that radio every so often to top off its internal battery.
You should look at some eneloops or lithium for the Garmin. Alkaline will run it around 8 hours, eneloops or lithium about 12.

[Aim2Maim]

I second the thought on a 96oz nalgene. I have 2 and absolutely love them. They are very durable and extremely easy to fill. Also agree on looking into lithiums, I have been able to find brand new packs of AA and AAA on ebay for much much cheaper in stores.

Great looking kit though!

[omega_man]

I do keep putting off buying some eneloops, damn, I need to get on that. I also appreciate the concerns over the 2L bottle; but, again, I've included it more as a test piece since I have plenty on hand and I can screw my frontier pro to it and let it drip filter into my nalgene bottle and platy bag.

[Apoc]

Great Kit, couple of random thoughts

Do you have any spare batteries for your lights? also what about Mole skin, telephone change, contact list and more TP.

Which site did you get the topo maps that you could change the scale?
Apoc

[Kutter_0311]

Sweet kit, OM! I'd also like to know where to get maps, that's one big gap in my preps...

[omega_man]

Great Kit, couple of random thoughts

Do you have any spare batteries for your lights? also what about Mole skin, telephone change, contact list and more TP.

Which site did you get the topo maps that you could change the scale?
Apoc

-I carry spare batteries in Batuca cases (usually 4 AA and 6 AAA)
-Mole Skin is in the FAK
-no payphones in the mountains
-there's only a couple a numbers I need to know (hence, memorized)
-If I need more TP than that for 72 hrs then I'll have to improvise (Dendrology to the rescue!)
-I print my maps from the Delorme Topo USA 8.0 software and can usually figure out a general overlay of trails from my stash of hiking guide books. I also have USGS maps, state park maps, and proprietary (i.e. Foothills Trail, etc.) maps for most the places I hike.

[eugene]

what about printing the couple numbers you do have memorized onto a card and laminating it as an in case of emergency card. You may have them memorized but what if you pass out or fall and knock yourself out or something.

[Canadian Guy]

Nice choice of kit omega-man, the only thing I would suggest is perhaps something to add warmth to your sleep gear as the Softie 3 Merlin is truly more a summer bag, I have the Snugpak SF 1 bag which is the same as the Merlin and it just isn't for cool weather which I assume you would be facing down your way. I notice you have the Kifaru Woobie which would be good for extra warmth but I would also recommend one of the Snugpak sleeping bag liners such as the TS1 microfleece liner or the heavier fleece one of which I have both. The TS1 isn't too heavy and bulky and really adds to the warmth of the sleeping bag.

[omega_man]

I love fellow Snugpak fans! I do have the TS1 liner, which is sitting next to the BOB w/ a down parka that can be grabbed on the way out. I've used the Merlin/woobie combo in below freezing temps in IQ w/o the benefit of shelter and fire, but I don't know if I'm that gung-ho anymore. If it looks like the overnight temps at my BOL are holding steady in the 20's then I'm totally packing the extra heat (pun intended). I foresee a "situation" in February that will put this BOB to the test, just have to wait and see I'll either freeze or end up humping extra pounds around the Blue Ridge foothills.

[Canadian Guy]

I love fellow Snugpak fans!

I have to admit I am a Snugpak geardo, I have way too many of their coats and sleeping bags!