Foraging and Hiking in Finland - Gear list

A couple months ago my Good friend Matt in gave me permission to post a story about his trip into the surrounding forests near his home in Finland. I asked him if I could post a list of the equipment he carried on his scout.

Reading over Matts list I saw that he has well made multi functional equipment and knows how to use it.

If you like reading about gear and are interested in how it is used I think you will enjoy this post.

It is a companion post to "Foraging and Hiking in Finland"
Please find Below a detailed list of the equipment my friend carried into the forest.

Tomahawk - scouts out!

GEAR LIST:
The gear I use is a mix of old, new, military surplus, traditional and international items. I tend to like wool, canvas, steel, wood and leather over more modern materials, but by no means am I a purist or traditionalist. Plastic is lightweight, flexible and has its advantages as well.

Whether I'm going for one night, several days or longer, I always take the same setup (for Finland, which is where I do most of my camping etc. these days). What changes is the amount of food, clothes etc.

I bring along, as well as sleeping gear, which obviously varies by season. I'll also toss in fishing gear if I know I'll be throwing out a few lines. Some would definitely say that my setup would be overkill for just an overnighter, but at 20 - 25 pounds, I figure why not have it and not need it than the other way around.

Doing it this way also means that I don't have to go through all my gear each time I go out to custom tailor it to an outing. I just grab my stuff and go, since it's always packed and ready.


So, here goes:


Swedish military surplus rucksack (60's era?) containing:

• Cooking gear: Pocket Cooker, fire grill, cook pot, Trangia frying pan, kettle, cutlery set w/ can opener, plastic spoon, Victorinox food-prep. knife, spatula, plate, kuksa, folding cup, scrub brush, dish soap, paper towels, salt/pepper mix, olive oil, plastic bags

• Dry bag: toiletries, towel, toilet paper, repair tape, paracord clothesline, backup Mora No. 1, extra matches

• Misc.: sitting pads

Finnish military surplus shoulder bag containing the following (I take this bag, my belt tools and belt pouch on hikes and leave the other stuff at camp):

• Fire: matches, lighter, tinder lichen, birch bark, fatwood sticks, tea lights in a leather pouch

• Navigation and survival: Suunto compass, glowstick, headlamp, space blanket, 1st-aid kit

• Misc.: various sizes of needle & thread, bug spray, lip balm, Finnish sharpening stone, paracord, bandana, plastic poncho, Swedish military snare wire, toilet paper, plastic baggies, backup folder

Belt pouch made from an old leather backpack pocket:

• Cord, mini compass, Swedish fire steel, mini fishing kit, whistle, flashlight, Swisscard knock-off, tin foil

Cutting tools:

• Warm weather: small YP Taonta puukko, Wetterlings hatchet or Roselli leuku and Fiskars saw

• Cool/cold weather: small YP Taonta puukko, Roselli axe and Fiskars saw

• Skinning: Nessmuk knife

• Lapland: small YP Taonta puukko, Roselli leuku and Fiskars saw

Water:

• 2 L Spanish wineskin

Shelter and sleeping:

• I used the following setup this season (the "tipi"-looking tent): 2 German army ponchos, 1 – 2 wool blanket(s) (Italian military surplus and US Navy) depending on the temperture, dry bag for blankets, ground sheet (plastic poncho), mosquito hat (summer)

OR• Last week I picked up a "laavu"-style tent, which is very similar to a Baker tent/Nessmuk shanty tent. I tried it out this past weekend, and I think I'm in love...

My gear choices have changed a lot since I got back into doing outdoors stuff about 6 years ago, though at a slower pace recently. By no means are all these items "necessary", as much can be improvised in the bush, but this list represents a good balance between comfort, weight and versatility to me. I'm very happy with this setup and don't see it changing too much...until next season.