Ballistic Magazine
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
    • Sponsored
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • News
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • People
    • Podcasts
    • Rides
    • Survival
    • Tactics & Training
  • VIDEOS
  • More
    • FREE GUN FRIDAY SWEEPS
    • All Sweepstakes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Ballistic Magazine
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
    • Sponsored
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • News
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • People
    • Podcasts
    • Rides
    • Survival
    • Tactics & Training
  • VIDEOS
  • More
    • FREE GUN FRIDAY SWEEPS
    • All Sweepstakes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Ballistic Magazine
No Result
View All Result
 
Enter to Win > JULY FREE GUN FRIDAY: Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical & Caldwell AR500 Auto Resetting Target!

7 Must-Have Items for Surviving the Alaskan Wilderness With Pat Mac

Pat McNamara by Pat McNamara
June 12, 2019
in Lifestyle, Survival
0
Pat McNamara, Alaskan wilderness
0
SHARES
99
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Pat McNamara, Alaskan wilderness
Navigation Tools, GSP, compass, map, Alaskan wilderness
Trail Markers & Signal Devices, survival, mirror

Bear Deterrent, Bear Spray, .40 S&W, Alaskan wilderness
Medical Equipment & More, super glue
Creating Fire, lighter, fire, survival

We’ve all heard the expression “It’s better to have and not need than to need and not have.” Another important maxim is “We don’t plan to fail, but we sometimes fail to plan.” Both adages are good to live by, especially in the Alaskan wilderness. 

Self Defense Tips, Lifesaving Tips, Pat McNamara
RELATED STORY

9 Lifesaving Self Defense Tips From Pat McNamara

I love fishing. As a matter of fact, I’m nearly an addict. And I love doing this activity remotely. The more remote I am, the better. I like to say to myself, “I may be the only white man to ever fish this part of the river.” My objective is to have fun, get lost in the moment and be one with nature. Ah, yes. But I don’t want to become a victim of stupidity.

Let’s say you have the opportunity to take a day trip into the remote Alaskan wilderness to go fishing; this is nearly the entire state. You’re out of cell phone range an hour before the dirt road ends and your plan is to hike in another five miles to a honey hole few know about. Besides the obvious fishing gear and sustenance, what would you take with you?

My list may vary a bit from yours, but I’d like to share a few things that I’d pack in my personal survival kit (PSK) day bag. I carry these items whether I’m in the Alaskan wilderness or another.

GPS Equipped Emergency Transmitter

While a GPS will tell you your location and can provide you with a means of plugging in waypoints, it is not ideal for navigation. I am therefore going to pack a topographical map of the area and a compass as well. Remember those things? I will order a large-scale map (roughly 1:24,000) versus a small-scale map because it’s easier to navigate with. Map reading skills have become an anachronism these days thanks to technology, but they’re extremely necessary if you want to navigate from Point A to Point B. Learn the basics of topography and navigation, like terrain association, time, speed and distance, general cone of direction, checkpoints, overshoot points, boundaries, etc.

Trail Markers and Light

I may mark my route in with reflective tacks—the kind hunters use—in the event my day trip turns to dark. These will be placed on the back of trees along my route and will cast a visible reflection from a distance when I hit them with my flashlight beam. Speaking of which, I’ll pack a good handheld light of at least 300 lumens to assist me with navigating in the dark. I also have a head lamp so I can work hands-free in the dark.

Bear-Encounter Savvy

Because I am in bear country, I want to be conscious of that. I am in their territory. I want to follow the basic rules of risk avoidance. People run into trouble with bears primarily due to the following three reasons: 1) They came between the bear and their food source. If you smell carrion or see a half-eaten carcass, avoid the area at all costs. 2) They came between a sow and her young. 3) They surprised the animal. So stay completely “switched on” when moving through the bush. Don’t get caught in 45-degree syndrome. If you can’t see ahead of you, make some noise, clap your hands.

Bear Deterrent Spray

The stuff works well—if you carry it in such a way that you can get to it quickly. I also carry a .40-caliber pistol in a thigh holster. I’ve consulted with several grizzly hunters who have dispelled many myths about caliber and weapon type. The thigh rig allows me to move freely and draw quickly while still wearing my pack.

Medical Supplies

Rope Knots, Survival Tips, Basic Rope Knots
RELATED STORY

4 Essential Rope Knots You Should Know for Survival Situations

Along with my basic first-aid pack, I carry Steri-Strips with super glue. This combo can act as a makeshift substitute for sutures. I also have an extra set of reading glasses in my medical kit because I can’t see shit up close without them. I don’t want to carry a gallon of water, so I’ll bring a water bottle with a quality in-line water purifier.

Just-In-Case Goods

In the event that I get turned around because I got lost or had to evade danger, I’ll want to be prepared to stay the night. I will pack a warm top in a vacuum-sealed bag and an emergency blanket. This won’t take up much room in my day bag. In addition to my pocketknife, I’ll carry a multi-tool. I’ll also pack a package of wet wipes, duct tape and suspension cord because they’re so useful, and bug spray so I don’t get eaten alive. I will bring at least two means of starting a fire. My fire-starting kit includes a lighter, a magnesium stick and a length of fuse—the same kind used for commercial fireworks. I’m not going to wait until it gets pitch black to make the fire, either. I will plan ahead.

Signaling tools

Finally, at risk of losing my Man Card, I will carry a means of signaling others because I don’t want to miss an opportunity to be rescued. So, I’ll carry a fluorescent flag, a signal mirror and some pen flares.

Keep in mind that this is what’s in my PSK day bag. In this case, I am not planning on staying out in the wild more than one day. Oh, and I almost forgot! Pack a flask of your favorite whiskey just in case you get lost in the Alaskan wilderness.

This article is from the April/May 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Get physical copies and digital subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

Related Posts

The Outlaw Ordnance custom Springfield Armory guns impressed.

Outlaw Ordnance Hell Raisers: A Heavenly-Devilish Pair of Springfields

The Dan Wesson ECP is built for concealed carry.

Dan Wesson Compact 1911s: ECP, TCP Variants Shine for EDC

The Exoothermic Pulsefire is a flame thrower.

Father’s Day Guide: 10 Things Every Freedom-Loving Father Should Have

The Custom Springfield Armory Garrison 1911 from SK Customs and Nighthawk Custom.

Custom Springfield Armory Garrison: SK Customs, Nighthawk Project 1911

Load More

CHECK OUT RELOADING ZONE SEASON 2

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

Rendezvous Roundup Gun Magazine promo

FREE DOWNLOAD!! Rendezvous Roundup Gun Magazine

Welcome to the Rendezvous Roundup Free Gun Magazine...

Read more

TRENDING

We tested 12 compact and micro compact pistols to determine the best carry gun.

Best Concealed Carry Pistols 2022: Compacts & Micros Dominate

Glock 20 Gen 4 10mm Pistol review, G20, left

Glock 20: Why the 10mm Pistol Is the One You Want in the Backcountry

Best Glock Pistols of All-Time, Glock 19, Glock 17, Glock 43, Glock 18, Glock 26

Best Glock Pistols of All-Time | Ranked by Ballistic Magazine

We rundown the best hunting rifles seen at SHOT Show 2022.

Here’s 15 of the Best Hunting Rifles Released at SHOT Show 2022

PICK A CATEGORY

SPOTLIGHT

The Terminator Rifle build pays homage to a classic.

This ’40w Plasma’ Terminator Rifle Build is Ready to Take on Skynet!

James Cameron’s Terminator (1984) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) had a huge impact on me growing up. I credit...

SHOWCASE: TRAINING AND TACTICS

Cross-Eye Dominant Shooting, pistol

The Guide to Cross-Eye Dominant Shooting

Follow this guide to better shooting on the move.

SHOOTING 101: 3 Keys to Getting Hits While Shooting on the Move

Understanding eye dominance and both eyes open shooting will help you get on target.

VIDEO: Understanding Eye Dominance for Better Accuracy & Speed

Molotov Cocktail defense, antifa

Molotov Cocktail 101: How They’re Made & How to Defend Against Them

How to Survive Waterboarding Torture

Waterboarding 101: What Is Waterboarding and How to Prepare Yourself

The Mantis Blackbeard.

VIDEO: The Mantis Blackbeard AR-15 Trigger Reset System for Dry Fire

What to do during a negligent discharge on the range.

Mister Manners: You’re Downrange Pasting Targets When Shots Are Fired

Riot Survival, Survival Tips, Riot Gear

Mister Manners: How to Avoid Trouble During a Violent Protest

site logo
The Premier Firearms & Survival Magazine
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms Of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • View All Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
    • Sponsored
      • SIG Sauer
  • Gear
    • View All Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • Videos
  • More
    • Free Gun Friday Sweeps
    • Sweepstakes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
  • News
  • View All Lifestyle
  • People
  • Podcasts
  • Rides
  • Survival
  • Tactics & Training

© 2022 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.