Welcome, guest [login | register]

Posted by Alicia on November 14, 2007 at 1:25:00 pm EST
In reply to What's in Your Survival Kit? posted by Alicia on July 2, 2007 at 10:55:02 am EDT

Yes, there's some redundancy in that I have the extra batteries for the SteriPen and my Petzl Tikka headlamp in the stuffsack, as well as my e-Lite and the Frontier straw filter.

Typically I do remove things like the Frontier if I'm backpacking and need to bring the SteriPen or another filtration system along anyway. Although, I also think that if your hiking partner ends up carrying the regular filter and you're not always hiking right next to each other it doesn't hurt to have your own backup. For the same reason we all carry our own compasses and a small first aid kit, our own water and some food, outerwear, etc...

I also usually take out the e-Lite when backpacking when I use a regular headlamp. However (yet, another caveat), the e-Lite has the ability to flash in white or red. So it has some extra functionality as a signal as well, which I like. But I wouldn't bring it to use for camping. It’s basically in reserve as an emergency light/beacon.

The chemical packs used to only be in there during winter, but ultimately I decided to keep them in year-round since you can get hypothermic in any season and also because I have a small person to take care of as well.

I am going to add a Clif Bar or two back in. I don't think it's entirely necessary and is far less so than other survival items like shelter, water, etc…. and I already should have some extra food in my pack. But, I'm much better off with at least some food in my stomach. So it's more mental than anything. And once again, I’d rather have the extra food for my kid if I needed it.

So, most of the stuff in my stuff sack works well for day hikes, with a little evaluating before overnights and longer. I guess there's no perfect kit that makes sense every single time, but I figure it's better to accidentally bring something extra than to forget something major, which is why I set this stuff sack up to cover the basic bases.

Bill’s right that you need to look in it periodically. I try to do a thorough review of mine at least once or twice a year and I do look in it before I go out each time. I’m constantly trying to winnow things down, while not being negligent.

Replies

View: flat | threaded

There have been no replies

Post a Reply

Before replying, please read the complete thread.