I have a friend who's going back country camping.

[BigToque]

She and one other person are going to be spending about 10 day in the back country around Churchill, MB.

I was thinking of getting her a gift that might be useful. I was thinking a GPS in case they got lost, but after checking some out, they're too expensive.

Do you guys have any ideas of something small, light and somewhat useful that someone planning for a trip like this might not think of buying themselves?

 

[shocksyde]

How about one of those cell phone chargers that uses batteries? Might come in handy if they get lost.

 

[K1052]

firearm
lube
condoms

 

[j00fek]

make sure they dont watch man vs wild

 

[LS20]

what gear do they have?
hopefully atleast a nice multi utility knife set
perhaps a nice led flashlight & mini keychain led light combo (get Inova)
headlamps are incredible for camping
a pair of convertible outdoor pants

 

[dougp]

I got a LED Maglite before I went on my recent camping trip, and it was probably my best purchase. It was incredibly bright, and had a good distance. You might want to ask what they have - you could get the flashlight, a propane hiking stove for around $90-120, a good quality water purifier, or a nice high quality rain suit. Those 4 things can make a tremendous difference when backpacking - but whatever you do, make sure you buy them from a good place like REI or Camping World.

 

[blackdogdeek]

water purifier

 

[NikolaeVarius]

9mm Pistol for the Wild Animals

 

[Reggae4k]

orikaso flatware! http://orikaso.com/

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: tenshodo13
9mm Pistol for signaling for help when a Wild Animal has you trapped

Fixed that one for you.

I would get him a surefire Nitrolon or 6p flashlight. Relatively inexpensive as far as surefire's go, can fit in a pocket, and will put out more light than a 4 D-Cell mag light.

 

[LegendKiller]

Rain gear?

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: tenshodo13
9mm Pistol for the Wild Animals

A 9mm will just piss off anything big enough to hurt you.

.357 revolver (preferably S&W) minimum

 

[Syrch]

brokeback mountain DVD, its like a what not to do video.

 

[pontifex]

pay for the rescue crew that has to search for and rescue them.

 

[CatKillaZ]

Spyderco knife

 

[LS20]

Originally posted by: Syrch
brokeback mountain DVD, its like a what not to do video.

lawlz

Originally posted by: adairusmc
Fixed that one for you.

I would get him a surefire Nitrolon or 6p flashlight. Relatively inexpensive as far as surefire's go, can fit in a pocket, and will put out more light than a 4 D-Cell mag light.

hrm.. good prices for those things. ive always been beyond happy with Inova, too. CHEAP. looks good. rugged alum case, waterproof, good light output, etc. Certainly wayyy superior to Mags

 

[lozina]

A LED headlamp. Proved incredibly useful for me last time camping. Able to use both hands while having a light on what you're looking at is a god send...


Also what turned out great for me was a hand cranked fm/am radio! I was camping deep in the adirondacks and still managed to pick up this station that played rock. And since the radio doesnt use batteries it never dies, you just crank it up !

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: lozina
A LED headlamp. Proved incredibly useful for me last time camping. Able to use both hands while having a light on what you're looking at is a god send...


Also what turned out great for me was a hand cranked fm/am radio! I was camping deep in the adirondacks and still managed to pick up this station that played rock. And since the radio doesnt use batteries it never dies, you just crank it up !

Those are good ones. I love my headlamp since it keeps the hands free.

I was going to say a solar shower since they will get kinda funky after a couple of days

 

[DrPizza]

But, there's a big question: are they driving to some location and camping near there, say within a mile? Or, are they parking and hiking around for 10 straight days. If the former, there are all sorts of things that can be thought of as luxuries to have on such a trip. If the latter, then can we assume they're experienced backpackers? If so, it'll be hard to think of something they don't already have - weight is a significant factor for anything they bring. On a 10 day backpacking trip, every pound counts. So, while it'll be difficult to think of something they don't have (if they're experienced), you might have to settle for a big improvement to the quality of something they already do have. As mentioned, the higher end flashlights are a possibility.


btw: to the cell phone charger via battery powered device suggestion: Use Google maps to see where Churchill MB is. I doubt that Churchill even has cellular service.

Hey, I've got a suggestion: they make these new bug repellents that are kinda like the old candy necklaces - you put them around your wrist or ankles. Supposedly 1 on your wrist is enough to keep mosquitos off you. When I was camping 2 weeks ago, my nieces had them - I was amazed that they actually worked quite well. You might want to get them some to try. They're quite lightweight. I have no clue about brand or anything else; I was spraying myself like mad to keep the mosquitos from carrying me away while I was fishing at night... they didn't need spray at all.

 

[Kyteland]

Get her a small whistle if she doesn't already have one. Everyone in your group should have one when going into the back country. I've never used mine, but they can be invaluable if an emergency comes up.

 

[futuristicmonkey]

Gas money!

My brother and I took the train to Churchill last summer. Instead of paying for a motel room, we rented the cheapest truck we could find and camped and explored for two days. Damned thing was a pig on gas then, but with gas prices now..I don't even wanna think about it. It's not bear season right now, so everything will be basically half-price. For $65 a day you can either get a motel room or a truck. We chose the truck. First night we camped at the marina, second night we pitched our tent inside of Mrs. Piggy. I think that's what it was called. Tell your friend to ask the locals, haha.

Seriously, gas money. All you can do around Churchill is explore -- and there's lot's to be seen! From an old radar facility (Twin Golf Balls) to a beached ship which you can walk out to during low tide -- Churchill is an awesome place to explore. Up there, they don't tear old buildings down, or even remove all of the equipment. That and the friendly locals makes it a heck of a place for a hiking trip. It's a great place, overall.

Edit: If not money, then guns.
-ben

 

[GoSharks]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
If the latter, then can we assume they're experienced backpackers? If so, it'll be hard to think of something they don't already have - weight is a significant factor for anything they bring. On a 10 day backpacking trip, every pound counts. So, while it'll be difficult to think of something they don't have (if they're experienced), you might have to settle for a big improvement to the quality of something they already do have. As mentioned, the higher end flashlights are a possibility.

++

As an experienced backpacker, I would definitely have all the gear I need, and any gear I want is going to be higher performance (aka lighter) than what I already have. High performance gear is definitely expensive. I would just task your friend what he/she has on their wishlist and go from there.

For example, a cell phone charger is definitely not something I would be bringing on a trip, its too heavy and basically useless to me. Flashlights can be similarly useless unless it is of the headlamp variety. Even then, they may already have a headlamp that is completely suited to their requirements (keep in mind weight constraints on new equipment).

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: K1052
firearm
lube
condoms

gotta have some flint man.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Reggae4k
orikaso flatware! http://orikaso.com/

That stuff looks pretty cool. I'll have to look into getting some.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: rudder
gotta have some flint man.

I agree, works when wet even.