I’m planning on going on my first backpack hunt this fall. There’s still a handful of items I am still in need of. So I am seeking some advice as these are pretty important items.
Which Garmin Inreach model do y’all recommend and why?
Never wanted one - takes some of the wild out of wilderness.
Water purification, what are y’all’s go to systems? I already have a lifestraw so that will probably go with me as a backup. I am leaning towards a Steripen (not sure which model) as that seems to be efficient and effective but am open to suggestions. I also have water purification tablets I will take with me.
A MSR pump screws onto a Nalgene bottle and to me seems the easiest way to make as much water as needed with no weird taste. I have purification tablets as backup, but have never used them other than at home. I have left the filter at home and relied on boiling water, but the hassle and time make the MSR filter a no brainer. Other filters are out there, but the three MSR filters I’ve used since the 1990’s have never failed, so that makes me a loyal user. It’s like a Whisperlight MSR stove - it always works well and has never failed so a few extra ounces are worth it.
What compasses do y’all use?
The main reason for a mirrored compass is getting accurate readings off of landmarks and transferring it to your map. Try this with and without the mirror for yourself, and it becomes readily apparent this is a must have feature.
When I was around helicopters during the summer, a small signaling mirror could be seen for more than 5 miles from the air. So the compass does double duty as a signaling device. Silva Mini is the smallest I’d recommend, but the Silva Ranger is a long time best seller and the larger mirror makes a better signaling device. Geologists love a Brunton professional model, and I always poo pooed them for the weight and cost, but when I bought one for a geology student in the family I was very impressed with how well it was built and how accurate it could be.
First aid, what do yall take with yall? I have a general idea of what I would take but don’t want to miss something.
I got the worst chest and nasal crud one year on the Greys River and I have only been that miserable 4 times in my life. Several formula cold and flu pills were the only thing that dried up my sore throat and kept me feeling human. I’ll never backpack without some.
Black electrical tape is the ideal way to hold bandaids on, and can be used for more serious issues. Duct tape seems redundant, but when the schitt hits the fan, some gorilla (gaffers) tape is more better.
This will sound ridiculous, but I’ve been trapped in a tent for an entire day a couple of times because of weather - because of that I’ve added Medicine for Mountaineering if weather might be bad - it’s a horrible waste of weight, but if you get bored or want to learn something it’s packed with information.
Lastly, what do y’all use as a fire starter?
Old school kitchen matches in a waterproof bottle, a lighter, and a box of the little strike on box matches in a ziplock. Homemade fire starters made with chunks of paraffin soaked paper towels or toilet paper have been used by generations of hunters and mountaineers in Wyoming. I like to soak a 1/4 roll of toilet paper in melted wax until it’s saturated, then press between aluminum foil and a heavy book. Use a saw or cleaver to cut into 1” cubes and peal off what you need. Easy fire just needs a few layers, and you might burn a larger piece by itself as a large candle to warm your hands.
