Here it can rain, sleet or snow at literally any time of the year. (Granted your winters would be much harsher.)
And when I say forest we are talking mountains and so forth - look up Himalayan tahr sometime...
Maybe you guys should harden up or get out more...theres no need to be excessively cautious, or you'll never leave home smile

Anyway, the point I was trying to make was that your hunting gear is your survival gear. You dont drag all this extra crap along 'just in case'.
(And BTW - teabags are certainly an essential lifesaver.)
I dont know about 'romantic' just practical. You can fill up your bag with excessive amounts of useless gear that will never be used.
I tried to find a photo on an 'evil' weather day but cant at the moment, so a pleasant one will do. (Operating here would include a bivvy bag and thermerest pad)

Last edited by CarlsenHighway; 01/01/08.

"A person that carries a cat home by the tail will receive information that will always be useful to him." Mark Twain