Originally posted by: scott
We could help you better if you said type of environment.
(a) Moleskin is only half the blister fix.
Buy a small box of spenco second skin, which looks like miniature bubble wrap impregnated with jelly stuff. It?s almost weightless, cheap, in green box. Remember, it?s the small box. If you get a blister you clean it & cut some spenco second skin to cover it, and then cover that over with moleskin. Do not stick moleskin directly onto blistered skin.
(b) Nix the signal flare. If necessary, you spread out that space blanket to help the chopper see you from the air.
(c ) Nix all matches. Matches = gear from ancient past. Take 2 new plastic BIC-style cigarette lighters stowed in separate locations so if pack falls off cliff or bear runs off with it you?ll still have another.
(d) Nix the 6 Lightning Nugget Firestarters. Useless & hazardous.
(e) Nix the ACR Firefly 3 Waterbug Strobe.
(f) Nix Counter Assault 290g Bear Spray. Are you serious? Did some idiot sell you the belief a spray will deter the hungry bear? Very dangerous because it might lull you into wrongly relying on it. Maybe you list this as a joke?? I can?t tell.
(g) Nix the Magnesium Firestarter with flint strip. Bic lighters are more than sufficient - may add a sprinkle of campstove fuel if wood damp.
(h) As for your Benchmade 155SBK FixedPresidio, you can lug a big knife to be macho. I?ve done deep wilderness backpacks using just the 2.5? pocket knife on my key chain, that?s really enough.
Add:
*A cheap whistle to call for help.
*A small mirror to flash sunlight to your rescuers if in daylight. Metal mirror better. (fire & whistle at night)
*About $20 in $1.00 bills, in case you need to pay other backpackers for something on the trail, e.g.; stove gas, food, etc.
*Clothesline to hang food between trees.
*I usually take a few clothespins to hang gear on same line in morning to dry. Stuff gets damp at night.
*?Off? bug spray.
*Camera ? take only pictures, leave only footprints.
*Plastic trowel to dig holes for latrine & for dishwashing water, & coreless TP rolls.
*A few flashlights kept in separate places.
* I usually take a real lightweight thin nylon day pack or fanny pack to carry stuff while roaming away from campsite where backpack stays.
*Usually take some diversions, frisbee to play w/ others back there, star map, 1ea smallish paperback book like plant/bird identification, etc. to pass boring hours stuck in tent in rain.
*Have a damn good water filter & couple of storage bottles.
*sunscreen.
*any daily meds you normally take.
*Map in water resistant sleeve.
*Couple of pens, something to write your thoughts in.
*Stove, fuel, stainless steel cookware not aluminum (that's just me)
*food-more than you think you'll need, and plan out food budget
*clothes in layers. Night = colder ?n all get out. Day=can hike in swim trunks & t-shirt. Several pairs of sox. Maybe ski cap.
*tent, sleeping bag, inflatable mat, backpack w/ rain fly
*watch. Some take compass, I always do but don't use it.
*biodegradable dish soap & pan scrubber.
*a small sponge to help dry wet tent in morning.
* Nat?l Forest Service wilderness permit if applicable.
Be real strict with yourself about keeping food well away from tent.
You?ll have lots more fun going with a friend instead of alone.
