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Backpackers Survival Kit
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Anyone who hikes or backpacks, especially in remote areas
should always carry a backpackers survival
kit. Of course this should be in addition to
the normal backpacking gear you would carry, such as a
canteen, Knife, GPS unit, etc. When planning a
backpacking trip, make sure to check a local weather forecast,
then dress and pack accordingly. In addition to
your gear, you should have a plan, including exit strategies,
and a copy should be left with someone before you
depart. |
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Make sure you are familiar enough with your GPS
unit to use it competently. If you get a new GPS unit
practice with it before taking it out in the field. If
you are planning a very remote trek, consider investing in a
Personal Locator Beacon, they are expensive, but there is
nothing like the peace of mind they provide. |
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Any experienced backpacker will tell you
"Weight" is everything. You wont find too many
backpackers toting a Mag-Lite with 4 D-cells in
it. So that must be taken into consideration when
planning your kit. The lighter, and less bulky you can get the
better. |
Here is an example of what would be found in a
backpackers survival kit:
Good Quality Compass
Good
Survival knife
Small insect
repellent or net
Small tube sunscreen
Lip balm
Tube
Tent
Loud whistle
Emergency Blanket (opt.)
Map of
local area
Lightweight Survival Manual
Aluminum
Foil
Trash Bags and ziploc bags
Waterproof
matches
Tinder
Whistle
Bear Spray (if in bear
country) |
bullion cubes or dried soup
small
flashlight with spare batteries
LED microlight on
lanyard
Leatherman multi-tool
Water Purification
tablets
Small Fishing kit
Signal Mirror
Wire Saw
(opt., deadfall usually ok)
Energy Bars
Strong cord or
rope
Small first aid kit
Small Sewing kit
Pocket Hand
warmers
small radio and batteries
Laser
flare.
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| Be "Bear Aware" if you are hiking in bear country.
Make plenty of noise, avoid heavy underbrush if
possible, you dont want to surprise a bear. Store and
prepare food away from your tent if you make camp. Clean
up behind yourself, leave campsites as you found them.
Avoid animal carcasses, bears can sometimes be close by
guarding their food. Keep your eyes open for bear
tracks, droppings, scratch marks on trees and logs broken
apart. There is nothing in a backpackers survival
kit that will kick a grizzly bears ass, so exercise caution
and common sense. As a last resort, bear pepper spray
has been proven to be effective against bear attacks, if there
is potential for you to run across a bear, pack some. |
Bears have very
keen sense of smell, dont give them a reason to come and check
you out.
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You might also consider carrying a Survival Rifle or sidearm. In
addition to the tragic stories of hikers and backpackers being
eaten for lunch by cougars and bears, you also place yourself
well outside the protection of law enforcement while hiking in
remote areas. There are unfortunately individuals in the world
who would see a lone hiker or even a small group of backpackers as
an opportunity to take advantage of someone.
Choosing to own a firearm is a personal choice, and
should be considered carefully. If you choose to be a gun
owner, be a responsible one. Take a safety course, and learn
how to properly handle a firearm. There are also alternatives
such as pepper sprays, stun guns, etc... If you decide a
firearm is not for you, at least consider some other means of self
defense. There is no 9-1-1 in the wilderness.
Download Bear Spray vs. Bullets by US Fish and Wildlife (PDF
51KB)
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