response 71 of 122:

May 19 17:46 UTC 2007

 re #68:  this time of year the mosquitoes and flies are not a problem.
 later in the season I would definitely include insect repellent.

response 73 of 122:

May 21 13:47 UTC 2007

resp:72 I have seen folding shovels that would fit in a coffee can. 

response 75 of 122:

May 24 15:46 UTC 2007

If I attempted a list at this point, I'd be mostly cribbing it from
previous lists, so what's the point?  But a few thoughts:  I'd
capitalize on the "the clothes on your back" option by having a lot of
clothes on my back. Besides the obvious collection of isolating layers,
I'd probably include a waterproof heavy-duty rain poncho, which is
pretty mediocre raingear, but has the advantage of doubling as a tarp or
groundcloth.  Belt would be one of those nylon strap things, which is
actually the only kind of belt I ever wear.  I've found them useful for
strapping down all sorts of things, or as carrying straps.  A good hat
is also not to be undervalued.  Probably something floppy and
waterproof.

If I was really going to be alone, and not have a teacher handy to ship
me out if things go wrong, then top priority after warm clothes would be
first aide supplies.

Lots of people have been wise in packing at least one small luxory item.
It's amazing what a difference that can make.  If I were alone, I think
I'd go for a paperback book and enough rope so that I can convert that
rain poncho into a hammock.  These islands sound like they are going to
be sorely lacking in comfortable places to sit or lie down.  A hammock
between two trees near a south shore sounds like a nice place to read a
good book.  If I'm with a group something more social may make sense.

response 77 of 122:

May 24 20:09 UTC 2007

A hammock is the type of thing that can be easily improvised using sufficient
lengths of, e.g., 550 cord.

response 79 of 122:

May 24 20:11 UTC 2007

Btw: this entire thread reminds me that now, in NYC, we residents are
encouraged to have a `go bag' accessible at all times.  The focus here is
unexpected evacuations as a result of terrorist attacks and natural
disasters; imagine if you have to walk to Philadelphia (about 100 miles
South and a little West).  What would you take?

response 81 of 122:

May 24 20:21 UTC 2007

re #80
Yea, she wants to see your mom practicing to be a "go bag"

response 83 of 122:

May 24 20:34 UTC 2007

Map to Mormons' houses and a sawed off

response 85 of 122:

May 24 20:44 UTC 2007

I have one of those keychain LED flashlights in my pj pocket when I sleep.
And the money, keys, etc are all within grabbing reach.  The important
schtuff is in a firesafe or deposit box.  I keep emergency supplies at home,
in the vehicle, and at work for various reasons, too.  I wouldn't call it a
"go bag" though since I'm not on a CERT team (though I've done the training.)
If there's a disaster of some sort, I'll probably have to work so the supplies
would need to hold me for about 3 to 7 days.  All my coworkers have a kit
under their desk, too.

response 87 of 122:

May 24 23:01 UTC 2007

Did the fire engine use petroleum products?

response 89 of 122:

May 25 02:36 UTC 2007

How Back to the Future of it.

response 91 of 122:

May 25 20:27 UTC 2007

Most of my go bag is in the trunk of the car.  I think everyone needs to have 
emergency supplies easy at hand in case they need to evacuate for any reason

response 93 of 122:

May 29 06:33 UTC 2007

 Well, after checking my backpack (which had been recently emptied on
 account of use as a carry-on for recent emergency airline travel) to
 make sure I'd restored my usual hiking kit (firestarter, flashlight,
 compass, plastic bags, pocketknife, and a few other things) I set out
 this afternoon on a hike for Perserverance Lake, usually about a six
 mile round trip.  When I reached the lake, though, after sitting and
 admiring it for a bit while I had a drink from my water bottle and a
 bagel I'd stashed away for a snack, I felt like continuing, so I 
 continued along a portion of the Minerva Trail that I had never walked
 before.  (I should mention that due to the fact that Ketchikan is on
 an island, it's kind of a rare treat to hike a developed trail that I
 haven't done before..)

 I had a great time, and returned to the car about 5 hours later than
 I'd started (which included 8 or 9 miles of roundtrip hiking, plus a
 spell of sitting by the lake snacking, plus just a lot of looking-
 around time..)

 Spring is firmly established in the lowlands where I started my hike,
 but not yet begun in the alpine meadow where I turned around because
 there was too much snow on the trail to continue, so I got pretty much
 the full seasonal spectrum.

 Most of the summer wildflowers aren't out yet, but there was a lot 
 going on in the muskegs (very wet boggy areas with small, waterlogged,
 stunted trees, and mostly open stretches of grass and/or moss.) 
 I saw lots of white marsh marigold, labrador tea, and bog laurel,
 and many other plants that I have not yet learned to identify.
 Devil's club was just starting to leaf out and not yet in bloom,
 but salmonberry blossoms were past their prime.  The huckleberry
 bushes seem to be completely done blossoming in most places but are
 not yet showing signs of producing fruit, but berry season isn't for
 another month or two.

 I heard, but didn't see, loons on Perserverance Lake, where I haven't
 heard them before, and spotted (but could not identify) a couple of
 woodpecker-like birds in the upland forest that I've never seen in this
 area before.

 Anyway, not a bad way to spend Memorial Day..