Beware these are the items that quickly add “hidden” weight to your backpack. Choose carefully what you carry in your “possibles kit”.
Must Haves
- First Aid Kit and personal medication.
- Space blanket
- Stand-by food – glucose tablets
- Whistle, torch, compass and lighter
- SwissCard or pocket knife – scissors and blade
- Repair Kit – at least a needle and strong thread, safety pins and tough tape
Possibles Kit
This list of equipment includes my emergency, spare and “what if” kit.
The small items packed into the small zippered case:
- gaffer tape wound an old credit card
- small zip ties
- various safety pins
- hotel sewing kit I added a needle threader and a large needle
- strong thread on a bobbin
- mini Super Glue
- small cable ties
- tent patch 15cm x 15cm
- tenacious repair tape
- air mattress repair patches
- button compass
- DL2032 batteries (for my headlamp)
- Victorinox mechanical pencil
- note paper
- fresnel lens
- £10 note
- plastic peg from a Christmas cracker
- spare washer for my stove
Midge head net
Organic midge repellent
Thin string on an old credit card
Length of paracord
First Aid kit
Crepe and support bandages
Space blanket
Single use iPhone charger – I have had this so long the ink is flaking off the packet! I do not really like the idea of a single use battery but it is sealed and for emergencies.
Gadget gloves – I can operate a capacitive screen wearing them.
All packed in an Eagle Creek ultra lightweight quarter cube case.
Pocket Carry
Extra to these items, in my pocket I carry:
- Camper Victorinox Swiss Army Knife
- Leatherman P4 Squirt – really useful small pliers
- Lifeboat whistle
- AAA cell LED torch
- Mini carabiners and paracord lanyard
I also carry a SwissCard. The blade and scissors are useful for both first aid and repairs (not shown in the photos)
Note
This is not meant to be a survival kit – but it will let me deal with any emergencies and problems I experience whilst three season walking and backpacking in the UK.
My Current Backpacking Gear List
I have a download link on this page for my current hiking gear list, on a spreadsheet showing item weights.