I love this question. All of this can be packed, nested in different items, or worn and it doesn’t take as much space as you would think. It weighs less than 20 lbs. In the event I get injured or lost (I have never been lost yet), this provides enough items to survive until I am evacuated by a medical helicopter or found by search and rescue. I carry the following:
- Multi-tool (like Leatherman or SOG) – on belt
- Full tang knife – on belt
- Headlamp – on belt
- Flashlight – on belt
- Cellphone – in a pocket
- Trekking poles – usually on me or attached to the daypack
Daypack (what’s inside)
- First aid kit
- Water filter
- (2) Water bottles (filled)
- Water bladder (filled)
- Fire Starter (usually 2 different types)
- Tinder bundle in a Zip lock bag
- Small pot with bail handle and bail tripod with chain (all contained in pot)
- Food for 1 day
- Food and snacks for the hike
- Extra clothing for layering
- Extra underwear
- 2 pairs of socks in a Zip lock bag
- Paracord (100ft)
- Duct tape
- Emergency blanket (one that is like a sleeping bag vs a blanket)
- 6 tent stakes
- Tarp
- Small solar panel (15-30w)
- Signaling mirror
- Compass and map of area I am hiking
- Electronic GPS (usually on my daypack strap that I can quickly unclip to see direction)
- Battery bank with appropriate cables for GPS, headlamp and flashlight, radio, and cell phone
- Amateur radio (usually on my daypack that I can use in an emergency with local repeaters I can hit)
What specific items do I carry? Coming soon, I will create my list on my Patreon site.
Happy adventuring!
