Count'n Ounces and Treasure Hunting

 

In the event that there's one thing I took in, it's the intensity of 'Count'n Ounces.' In my earlier life, I went "to the field" in a plane, and when the opportunity arrived... hopped. I hopped with a parachute. I hopped with a hold parachute. What's more, I bounced with a backpack and LBE (Load Bearing hardware... which is military language for a bottle belt and suspenders) that contained all that I would have accessible to me to do whatever was I was setting off to the field for. We should not overlook your weapon, ammo, and different weapons. On the whole, all that I went out the entryway of the airplane conveying somewhere in the range of 120-160 pounds... or on the other hand significantly more. Thank heavens, the parachute carried out its responsibility.

At the point when I began my vocation, we had a backpack called a "wilderness ruck." It comprised of a rounded metal casing and a pack that held possibly 1 ½ to 2 cubic feet of room. Not a great deal of room, considering all that we needed to convey. On the edge (as a rule the top half) we would tie on a waterproof pack that conveyed dozing gear and perhaps a couple of different things. Presently for a fighter going to the field for 14-30 days, the primary goal that goes in the ruck is crucial supplies and gear. For me, that implied at least one weighty radio, numerous batteries (enormous batteries), recieving wire making supplies (wire, encasings, rope, and so on.), and a bundle on different various stuff. Next came a lot of other required group gear.

From that point onward, I can begin taking a gander at my necessities. Food, dress, toiletries, resting gear, "whimper gear," and such. Each man had his standard rundown of individual stuff he took. What's more, what you took was as little and lightweight as could be expected under the circumstances. You actually began 'Count'n Ounces' since you planned to convey each ounce you took. Also, in the event that you could move away deserting that additional ounce, you did. Here's a model: Back at that point, you were given one of two sorts of field apportions: C-proportions or LRRP's. C-Rations were "wet food." It arrived in a crate that had singular jars of the fundamental feast, natural product, cake, bread, wafers, nutty spread, whatever. It additionally had a various pack that had espresso, flavor, salt, pepper, bathroom tissue, and a couple of different things. A full C-Rat may gauge 2 to 2 ½ pounds. You could either convey that entire thing... or then again... you could break it out and take just what you needed and abandon the rest. What's more, that is the thing that we did. I was unable to eat the crate. It remained behind. I didn't need the half and half. Out it went. Whatever was inside that container that I was not going to devour, I deserted. It might have just added up to an ounce or two, however that is weight I didn't need to convey. Everything was investigated in such a way. Presumably the most significant exercise I learned was the idea of "Double Use."

What is Dual Use? It's the determination of things that I took with me that could be utilized for at least two assignments. Solace, regardless of how humble, was critical to us in the field. In the event that you could convey something that had a double utilize that additionally given a few methods for comfort, it was extremely valuable. What's a case of a double use thing? A bottle cup. The old G.I. container cup was made of hardened steel, and shaped so that the flask fit inside. It was moderately weighty, however you could use to warm up food, drink espresso, gather up water from a shallow stream to place into the bottle (yes... we utilized iodine tablets to decontaminate the water), bubble water for cleansing of clinical instruments, gather berries or other local edibles, and so forth. Another double use thing? Pretty much every man had a "drive-on-cloth." This was a triangle material considered a cravat that he wore around his neck for warmth (when cold) or to hang something on (like an electric lamp), tie around his head to keep work out of his eyes (when hot), and to use as a channel for bugs and different trash from water being gathered and filled the bottle (from the container cup). A multipurpose blade, similar to a Leatherman, was likewise mainstream. It had a blade, forceps, screw drivers, punches, even a saw. Parachute rope (otherwise known as 550 line) was priceless.

We had another colloquialism, "Travel with as little luggage as possible - Freeze at Night." Sleeping packs were hefty... particularly when they got wet (Army packs are down filled). Better to take a rain guard liner (nylon) and a lightweight rain coat (additionally nylon) and envelop with them around evening time. Not as warm, however not as substantial. The backpack was the cushion. No tent either. Rather, we utilized a subsequent rain guard hung with 550 line.

Time went on and the old wilderness ruck was resigned and supplanted with the ALICE Ruck. An a lot greater pack so we could convey more stuff. In the end, that was supplanted with what was known as the LOWE Ruck. Considerably greater, however it additionally was MUCH HEAVIER than the wilderness or ALICE rucks. We were given much more rigging, as well. Innovation contracted it down, yet 100 pounds of lightweight rigging weighs the same amount of as 100 pounds of weighty weight gear. Along these lines, 'Count'n Ounces' was as yet the situation.

In future articles as I talk about explicit making arrangements for or directing fortune chasing undertakings, be it metal recognizing, gold prospecting, or whatever, I will be giving you my "turn" on provisions and gear to take. As a rule, I'll suggest something that is double use, or if nothing else light weight, yet takes care of business. I'm enthusiastic about solace, and some portion of that solace is having the option to get from guide A toward point B with all my "stuff" and not all that depleted that I can't do what I went there to do. Up to that point, begin pondering 'Count'n Ounces," and begin arranging your next fortune chasing experience.