The Necessity Bag

Besides their rifle, ax, horse, and grub, early mountain men carried what they called a “necessity bag.” In it they would keep herbal medicines, flint and steel, small tools, a spare bandana–anything they might need to keep handy and survive. It was such a good idea, that if you google Necessity Bags you will find all types of modern applications–the diaper bag, the fanny pack, the back pack, the book pack, the overnight bag, the cosmetic bag. The idea was born of “necessity” and still applies to our modern way of life, except the pioneer was intent on surviving in the wilderness and we are using them to accommodate ourselves in our civilization–no doubt the same circumstance, updated.

If you live near a National Park or Forest and if you like to explore and hike, it is a great idea to have one of these bags hanging by your door, all ready to go, so you can pick it up and run on a moment’s notice. Depending on where you live, the contents will vary. There is not much sense to have fishing gear if you are planning on a desert trip. But even experienced woodsmen sometimes get lost in the woods, and a fanny pack can hold a lot of stuff to make living through the ordeal easier.

My loaded fanny pack weighs a sturdy 5 pounds. In it, I have: folded up plastic trash bags, enough for a ground cloth and a shelter in case of (horrid thought!) a sleepover. There are usually 3 compartments in a fanny pack–the outermost and smallest contains a compass and a whistle; and a tiny penlight dangles from the zipper. The second compartment contains band-aids, cough drops, Neosporin, a pocket knife, mosquito repellant, vitamins, Tylenol, a Chapstick and a small mirror. The large compartment has enough dried food to last 24 hours, maybe longer if this trip is for real, an extra flashlight with spare batteries, fire making equipment, hand sanitizer, small soap, candles, cord, fishing line, bait, sinkers, hooks, instant coffee, tea bags, mac ‘n cheese, oatmeal, and
a plastic spoon, a clean bandana. There is also a tin cup or can with which to heat water–providing you can start a tiny fire. And a tiny pair of scissors. The trash bags can be cut to use as ponchos if it rains, and if it gets cold at night, which you can probably count on, you can cut holes in one, take off your shirt, don the plastic and put your shirt back on again. I am told this will keep your body heat right next to your body and make a big difference for your comfort.

If you have menfolk who hunt, this loaded bag is a welcome surprise gift at Christmas, and may even be gratefully employed in keeping them safe when they get lost. That is, if they remembered to bring it along.

I’m not a city person, but I suppose a city person’s necessity bag would include fifty dollars in small bills, a charge card with limited credit and a couple of Hershey bars, plus a cellphone. Looks to me like it could be a lot smaller than five pounds worth of necessaries. Come to think of it, a cellphone isn’t a bad idea for the country bag, either.