Thread: "Oh sh#t" overnight kit

A wee story re wet wood. A couple of cobbers and I did a very ambitious traverse in Fiordland in the early 80s. I recall our loads averaged 30 kgs with 14 days food, a mountain radio and I think a rifle each . . . We might have shared two between us though. Relatively light loads for the day due to processing a lot of our own dehy food.

Anyhoo on the first "serious" day we were going downhill and it started to rain lightly. Was quite nice for a couple of hours then it changed up to a heavy very cold rain. We crossed a big river and shortly after noticed we were bloody cold and the decision was made to stop and camp.

What we didn't realize was just how hypothermia we all were, our judgment was very weak. I was to light the fire while the other two got the tent up. It was very wet, in the wet bit of Fiordland and I couldn't seem to find any dry wood, even with the half axe we had. After a bit I happened to check my watch and somehow realized we'd been putting up a tent and lighting a fire for TWO hours - we were very hypothermia. Once one of realized I was able to get another of the party 'on track' and the tent was soon up with the coldest guy in his bag.

Within a few more minutes with a clear head I found a big overhanging tree with plenty of dry stuff and a big fire was going within 10 minutes with a bit of bike rubber we always carried in those days.

A big part of good bushmanship is observing as you go, and if you keep an eye out for burnable wood you'll be surprised how much there is even in wet country . . . .