A few years back, three relatives and I went out for an afternoon kayaking trip down the Ogeechee river. Due to the water level and obstructions, we got caught back there with one flashlight between us. Well, it broke. After seeing a 21 foot python, we decided not to attempt to make it out of the swamp and instead find an easily defended place to make camp.

Me, I was used to sleeping outdoors and extended kayaking trips. I just laid out a wet towel on the ground and went to sleep. Heck, if you've got your pistol, your hand ax and your cowboy hat, what else do you really need? I woke up to a can of pasta that was in my boat and was on my way the next day. We reached the target village and were picked up an hour later.

The next year, I called a friend to come with me as I made the trip from Herdon to the town of Millen, Georgia via the river. My buddy, Woodpile, is a big time survivalist like a lot of people fromm NC. He drove down and we hit the river. Alligators, snakes...it's a story. Anyhow, we missed our extraction by two hours. My father (well into his mid 60's) came looking for us. He set out with a knife, cigarette lighter and his favorite .357. Needless to say, he found us and led us to an alternate pick-up point.

My two cousins who had accidentally spent the night last time got to hear all about the fun we had challenging the swampy wilderness the second time. They weren't ones to go unchallenged so they both got together to put together a re-do trip to the river. This time they would be prepared.

So I agreed to go. Tommorow is the day. As usual, we plan to go deeper into the swamp than before. That's a challenge, especially with all the dangerous wild life back there. But...how could I make the trip better?

For the past few years I've been lightening my gear. Going to the woods overnight means just a rifle, a blade and a blanket. Going to the swamp, full of it's residence, needed more planning. I spend every other weekend in the forest or light swamp, my life there is an easy one. But what gear for THIS trip? The last thing I wanted was a loaded down boat, in fact, I didn't want ANYTHING in my boat that I couldn't easily carry on me in a full sprint. LIGHT! That is how it has to be.