The what if gear list.

[Dirtydan]

With the tragedy in Colorado and the two lost hunters that passed away, it got me thinking about what we should be taking into the woods for that just incase moment. I think a discussion of what is and isn't essential could maybe help someone in the future. Lets get some ideas rolling and come up with the best "what if kit".

My kit always consists of
-tarp with stakes and cordage
-water filter and cnoc bag
-compass
-lighter
-mini flashlight
-fire starter
-suture kit

Things I probably should add
-whistle
-ultra light bivy
-PLB

Obviously not the best lists so lets hear what everyone takes.

 

[rogerdoger]

With the tragedy in Colorado and the two lost hunters that passed away, it got me thinking about what we should be taking into the woods for that just incase moment. I think a discussion of what is and isn't essential could maybe help someone in the future. Lets get some ideas rolling and come up with the best "what if kit".

My kit always consists of
-tarp with stakes and cordage
-water filter and cnoc bag
-compass
-lighter
-mini flashlight
-fire starter
-suture kit

Things I probably should add
-whistle
-ultra light bivy
-PLB

Obviously not the best lists so lets hear what everyone takes.

I carry most of that stuff as well. The other items I include are an emergancy blanket and I bring a paper map. This year I am adding a waterproof torch lighter as well.

 

[BCsteve]

Tourniquet

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Is there a particular fire starting kit you use? Or materials you make sure you have in it?

 

[Whaledriver]

I always carry what I need for a night or two out . I had a situation where I got wet and a long ways from the tent. I always have my 10x10 tarp, borah bivy and puffy jacket and pants (5 pounds). My stove usually goes too. Can double as getting hot liquids in me and blow torch for fire starting. Trioxane too for fire starting in the rain. Tough mitigate all risks as much as we try. Last thing I will say is try to keep the pack with you. I have ditched mine twice and it cost me a bunch of miles for no good reason.

 

[Whaledriver]

For fire starter trioxane and soto windmaster stove. Stove has built in igniter if lighter or matches go out.

 

[Dirtydan]

Is there a particular fire starting kit you use? Or materials you make sure you have in it?

Trioxane is probably the best I've used but it's starting to get hard to find. I've done cotton balls with vasaline but have now switched to Blackbeard fire stick.

 

[rogerdoger]

Trioxane is probably the best I've used but it's starting to get hard to find. I've done cotton balls with vasaline but have now switched to Blackbeard fire stick.

Cotton balls and vasaline is my go to. They are also a fix for athletes foot when it flares up, I can rub some vaseline in the area and it helps until I get back home.

 

[TaperPin]

Many years ago I was shown this exact thing in the survival day of our hunters ed class - making these was a requirement to pass the class. The instructor worked on different firestarters over a few decades of mountaineering and hunting and settled on this design. Over the years a number of old time mountaineering articles and books have mentioned the design. I’ve tried all different combinations and sizes and never improved on it. Waterproof, indestructible, light weight, always works and only takes 10 minutes to make.

- 1/4” thick stack of paper towels or napkins & block of paraffin.
- double boiler to melt wax.
- cool off in a plastic bag with pot or book for weight.
- cut into 1-1/4” squares, keep half of them (2 oz) in your pack.
- flip up a corner to light & burns with a 6” flame for over 5 minutes.

 

[NMNomad]

Great thread! I am gravitating over from the backpacking / camping world. So, my gear is pretty well rounded in that aspect. I tend to lean on the more prepared side of things. I have individual bags for specific purposes. So, I can add / remove rather quickly to adapt to the terrain and or conditions. I am, however, just building out my hunting kit. So, I will be watching this closely to see what those far more experienced than I carry in certain circumstances.

 

[WCT3]

With the tragedy in Colorado and the two lost hunters that passed away, it got me thinking about what we should be taking into the woods for that just incase moment. I think a discussion of what is and isn't essential could maybe help someone in the future. Lets get some ideas rolling and come up with the best "what if kit".

My kit always consists of
-tarp with stakes and cordage
-water filter and cnoc bag
-compass
-lighter
-mini flashlight
-fire starter
-suture kit

Things I probably should add
-whistle
-ultra light bivy
-PLB

Obviously not the best lists so lets hear what everyone takes.

I've also been thinking about this with the tragedy in CO.

I carry everything in your "carried" list except the tarp but I do have and always carry an inreach. I have a Borah bivy but that often gets left at camp because I use it instead of a groundsheet in my tipi. I'm going to add a SOL emergency bivy, for $25 and less than 4 oz it seems like a no brainer plus it even come with a whistle.

I'm also planning to replace my sit pad with either a 3/4 length z lite or one of these Gossamer Gear CCF folding pads: https://www.gossamergear.com/products/thinlight-foam-pad?variant=40134759645238. Between that and the bivy and normal layers I think you could survive the night in some pretty bad weather.

I used to carry a tarp but never used it, I should add that back into my kit.

 

[S.Clancy]

Skills are going to go way farther (and lighter) than gear. The key is to have some way to cover yourself and get dry ASAP. You need to be able to start a fire every single time in horrid wet conditions.

Compass
First Aid Kit (includes water purification pills)
Fire Kit
50 ft of lightweight cord
InReach

I will also say, you need to be realistic in how good Gortex (or similar) rain gear is going to perform over multiple days of extremely wet conditions. IME, these will wet out and are difficult to get dry until weather breaks. If it is going to be really wet, I am taking Grundens.

I have posted these before, but these are BY FAR the best fire starters I have ever used.

https://www.amazon.com/Coghlans-Fuel-Stove-Tablets-24-Count/dp/B00079YU46/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.E0WJClKJZvsHfRZrCYxxLF7mZmMVi8i5mSXo5Kh0U3IIqDVXMrTj6E_ihoqgVHcs5J57upLyM9LaEC9l-mByDrtzGCLv9dTVxfkdWfw_Jcmsk9EfoiDQPTPrcaxB7bVsWxUUsJWgwnG7VV_lzHamjrkdIXoYL-DmMytyosewLXOEjp-6EPY7VWvcrpnbJBfYHdCci-8AT8ns-fTll1lgTheGOBKq7M8fNJKMlVv4BUmAq4WjYvjpSDwzdw9c9Aljtnj22hIuXhuNKkiyJAXSpU4ue4k4Fm6FEJskBMRVYvs.OhMIpHRcTpwViEI0CHOATKCk26OZ_fz-0Ma6Hg29uo0&dib_tag=se&keywords=coghlans+fuel+tablets&qid=1758304634&sr=8-1

 

[TaperPin]

You have to be able to survive a night.

Being out overnight with only what’s in your pack is cold and sucks. It doesn’t get practiced much because pine fire embers burn holes in everything if you’re close enough to actually get warm. Practice with a Carhartt jacket and jeans when rain isn’t in the forecast - don’t worry it will still suck.

Even small fires suck that don’t have a reflector to increase heat coming your way. My number one focus is on a good supply of wood for a fire, something to reflect heat from the far side of the fire, something to sit on so the cold ground doesn’t suck heat out of you, and staying out of the wind and rain. A small tarp of some kind and enough cord to rig it up works great. One of those thin emergency space blankets can be a good heat reflector when hung off some cord. I always have a thick fleece hat, extra fleece jacket and full rain gear that can be used even on dry nights for a little extra warmth. A set of puffies would be very nice. The little thermarest sitting cushion is so nice you’ll wish you had two when lying down.

Do a young teenage kid a favor and take them out overnight and get them used to carrying basic survival gear, even if they don’t need it yet. Encourage kids to build fires when you go out, especially when the forest is wet, even if they are small and not needed. All growing up adults always told us to build a fire so we could roast marshmallows, but it was as much training in case we ever needed it some day. I’ll sometimes challenge a young relative with $1 if they can light a fire with one paper match and no wax firestarter. With inflation $1 doesn’t go as far as it used to and it might take $5.

 

[ElDiablito]

Almost all my hunting is alone and pack-in type trips in the mountains. After a close call with hypothermia/death in college….

I always carry:
iPhone (sat texting) and inReach
Fire starters/matches/lighter
2 headlamps
Water/food (and purification chems)
Rain coat
Puffy coat and pants
Small survival kit
Space blanket
Suture kit
Meds
Signal mirror
Compass, etc

 

[Bobrobheimer]

Cotton balls and vasaline is my go to. They are also a fix for athletes foot when it flares up, I can rub some vaseline in the area and it helps until I get back home.

This has been my go to for awhile but I am curious about this paper towel and paraffin one now!

 

[Bobrobheimer]

My “always” changes some from summer hiking in CO to fall hunting in CO but the light always lists is:

OR Organizer with:
First Aid, including tourniquet and quick clot.
Small back up head lamp
Lighter and some fire starter (later season more fire starter and matches)
Compass/mirror - I have never used the compass but like having the mirror if I get something in my eye.

Main headlamp and usually battery bank

Inreach

Puffy coat (always - I consider this the number 1 item to potentially spend an unplanned night out in the mid summer high up in the mountains.

Lightweight rain jacket at least if all on trail. Heavier rain jacket when hunting. Rain pants too depending on forecasts and duration.

When hunting we usually hunt with camp so then I have a sleep system as well which adds a ton of safety margin. But like we have all been discussing what about those day hunts or a dropped pack!

 

[DunnCoHunter]

Is there any specific tarp you guys are packing for emergencies?

 

[Coopsdaddy]

I always carry what I need for a night or two out . I had a situation where I got wet and a long ways from the tent. I always have my 10x10 tarp, borah bivy and puffy jacket and pants (5 pounds). My stove usually goes too. Can double as getting hot liquids in me and blow torch for fire starting. Trioxane too for fire starting in the rain. Tough mitigate all risks as much as we try. Last thing I will say is try to keep the pack with you. I have ditched mine twice and it cost me a bunch of miles for no good reason.

Curious why the borah bivy,do you get any benefit other than little critters.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Many years ago I was shown this exact thing in the survival day of our hunters ed class - making these was a requirement to pass the class. The instructor worked on different firestarters over a few decades of mountaineering and hunting and settled on this design. Over the years a number of old time mountaineering articles and books have mentioned the design. I’ve tried all different combinations and sizes and never improved on it. Waterproof, indestructible, light weight, always works and only takes 10 minutes to make.

- 1/4” thick stack of paper towels or napkins & block of paraffin.
- double boiler to melt wax.
- cool off in a plastic bag with pot or book for weight.
- cut into 1-1/4” squares, keep half of them (2 oz) in your pack.
- flip up a corner to light & burns with a 6” flame for over 5 minutes.

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I’m going to try this!

 

[Dirtydan]

Is there any specific tarp you guys are packing for emergencies?

I have a couple different ones. A 5'x9' Simply Light Designs that was custom made with modifications, this one rides in my sxs. We use it mostly for shade but could work for an emergency overnighter. The one I use in my backpack is a DCF Seekoutside DST 8.5'x10'. Tarp, 6 stakes, and cordage it comes in at 16oz. I like this one because of different pitching options and ease of use. Honestly I like my original silnylon DST better because it has some stretch to it which makes pitching easier. Argali, Mountain Laurel, HMG all make good tarps as well.