This is a continuation of all things good and whole that you should have with you for traveling. On the previous post we covered the GPS, the fire starter, and the solar flashlight. Here is a continued list of the gadgets that you may want to take with you:
Water purifier
Emergency water filter
Come on, dysentery isn’t very much fun even on it’s best days so let us try to avoid it shall we? That is why you should have at least a small scale water filtration unit just incase you were to need it in your travels. Obviously in strange places the best way to drink water you’re unsure of would be to filter, boil, and then chemically treat before you consume it. But we don’t always have that luxury and filtering your water is far better than nothing. With these you could literally filter the water from mud. Obviously there can range from Chevys to Cadillacs (cheap to expensive) so shop for what you need. If you just need something on the fly for a far-off metaphorically rainy day then I’d recommend a Aquamira Frontier Emergency Water Filter System. Small enough to fit in your pocket, and cheap (just $8) while it can still can filter 30 gallons of water before the filter should be replaced so it’ll help you out in a pinch. If you are a longer term hiker that will be off the beaten path a lot, then obviously get something a little more expensive that’ll filter as much as you would realistically need and then some.
Multitool
It’s part hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutter, saw, knife, can opener… shit just got real
Obviously a multitool has it’s benefits. Not as a perfect means to hunt or kill prey but for literally anything else. Clipping wires, flathead and phillips screwdriver, needle nose priers for fishing hooks or anything else you could think of. Also the added saw in many can help with cutting brush or making shelter. The valuableness of these tiny tool sets are limited only to your imagination.
Other notes on gear and hiking:
1- Get and learn how to read a compass.
2- Paracord can be invaluable so get a bundle of it.
3- Duct tape… is even more valuable… get some. Can be used to repair backpacks, tarps, tents, sleeping bags, clothing, or hold together a stick-built shelter. Can also be used to pull a wound together in an emergency.
Angry Birds… like a boss
4- Small medical kit… get one. Also buy a bottle of iodine at the store if the kit doesn’t have one; it cleans great and you can just douse a wound with it before closing it up with duct tape or super glue.
5- A tarp can be used as a tent (paracord helps with this), water collection unit, an animal trap when covering a large enough hole and covered with dirt, or anything else you could think of.
6- A good knife is your best friend. Get two.
7- Obviously get a proper backpack.
8- Survival kit wouldn’t hurt either.
9- A wire saw can fit in your pocket and they are super cheap. I bought mine on Amazon for $0.98. Yes, I said 98 cents. They unravel to give you a lot of leverage for cutting larger branches or smaller trees.
10- Common sense… don’t leave on your trip without it.
Yes… just so… yes…
Enjoy…
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