Quote Originally Posted by Stone View Post
Bic lighter. Small, cheap, reliable. Survival paracord has a 1001 uses. Esee 4 with a kydex sheath and belt clip, perfect size for a survival situation. A couple of MRE's. Small box of individual Emergencees. Has alot of vitamin C and B vitamins to get you through a tough situation.
The problem with a Bic lighter (or other mechanical starters) is that it doesn't work when it's wet, and often won't work when you get particulate in the striker. That Survival paracord looks great, but now you're telling me that 550 cord isn't really 550 cord and now it's 620 cord? Stop the madness! That's a great link, though, thanks. I'll keep that one on the shopping list. Also thanks for the Esee link. That's different than what I was looking at, but a good option.


Quote Originally Posted by RiverRat View Post
Doubling down on the carbon steel ESEE recommendations. Can't strike a spark with the coated blades though. I have -3, -4 and Candirus, and prefer the 3" most of the time - it's thinner, lighter and more agile than the 4". Both good options though. Replaced all the micarta with aftermarket G10 - and it looks like that's an OEM install now.
Can you expand on the not striking a spark...or more precisely, what are the basics of what a blade can and can't have to strike a spark? I'm not a knife guy, so I don't know all the coatings. My only real experience with having to start a fire that way for real (vs a training environment/classroom) was SERE, and I just used my old-school Leatherman Supertool blade to shave off sparks from a block onto tinder.

If there's room after all the other stuff, I would consider an ultralight poncho/tarp. Can't recommend one, since the one I have is from a now-defunct company,
While the original intent wasn't to create a complete list, some additional thoughts... I plan to throw a space blanket in there. Depending on what the weather is doing, I may just pack my LT Alpha hardshell, as well. Water will probably just be a couple of bottles of water (for me and the dog en route). I also have a bladder my dad gave me that he would travel with that holds several liters of water. Between the plane having a 406 and being under positive control (or at least talking with someone) for most of the trip, recovery should be fairly quick (~12 hours). An InReach would be nice, but I can't justify the expense right now unless I start making more and longer trips like this one.