Backcountry Emergency Kit

Consider bringing the following items on all your backcountry trips - short or long. You just never know when a canoe seat will break, a snowshoe will need repairing, or a knife will need sharpening.

Store all these items in a water tight storage box or in a small metal pot with a locking lid. A metal pot can itself be an important safety item should you require a container for boiling water or cooking food.

• Self-adhesive nylon patches for tent repair (x3)
• Strike-anywhere wooden matches in a waterproof container (~20)
• Therm-A-Rest repair kit (for fixing a leaky sleeping mattress)
• Small sharpening stone
• Fire starter (matches) - stored in zip-lock bag
• Fire starter (Primus Firesteel)
• Batteries (1 spare set for headlamp)
• Pen
• Electrical Tape (1 roll)
• Mini multi-tool (provides scissors and small pliers)
• Fishing hooks (x2)
• Fishing line
• Copper wire
• Large cable ties (x4) (cable ties have lot of use, including for temporarily repairing a broken canoe seat)
• Heavy Duty Repair Needles (x7 - assorted sizes)
• Clothing Mending Kit (x2) - contains needle, thread and a couple of buttons
• Steel washers (x2)
• 4" Twist ties (x10)
• Survival Emergency Blanket
• Duct Tape (may not fit in your storage box but an important emergency item)
• 2 Plastic shopping bags (to keep feet dry if boots and socks get wet)