oldsoldier, OHT is the abbreviation for the VIctorinox One Hand Treker, which does have a wood saw (it's a liner lock to boot too).

Thanks! I cannot look at them, as most of those sites are blocked at work

I'd carry more meds, drop the hockey tape, add 3 food bars. ( and for me sunglasses or spare glasses/ contacts) Flagging tape?

Here try this.

Agreed, but you are already relying on things outside the PSK (the stainless steel water bottle in your pack, remember?). I suggest adding the AMK bivy bag or equivalent to your pack as well.

But for all I know that pack may already have a tent inside - in which case the bivy bag is just dead weight. But for day hikes a lightweight bivy bag is a great asset.

Myself, I carry a bivy bag three times the weight of the AMK. Probably three times the packing volume as well. But my bivy bag doubles as comfort item on lots and lots of lunch breaks through the years - it splits open and can be used as a lean too or wind breaker for a whole group. A true multi purpose item, but with a weight penalty for its more robust quality: Strong fabric, good zippers and solid grommets for tying. For emergency only use I'd stick with the AMK bivy bag or the slightly bigger, but somewhat insulated "blizzard survival bag" (google and you'll find it).

Okay, I switched the hockey tape for a much smaller roll since I still would like to have some. Also added some yellow electrical tape for marking purpose. There's are space left so I stuck some hexane tabs inside too. Don't have any cotton nor vaseline, and don't want to buy a lifetime supply of them, so no petro cotton ball for now.

I have a coghlan's tube tent that will go in the backpack, I know it's crappy but don't know anything else that's as compact.

I am puzzled by the carabiner. First off, please tell me it is a climbing strength biner, and not one of those toy look-a-likes with "Do Not Use for Climbing" stamped on it. If you are going to carry one, it should be climbing strenth, some of which are extremely lightweight, albeit expensive.

If it is climbing grade, I am not sure how you plan to use it, since it is your only piece of climbing gear.

Agonizing about the carabiner is definitely quibbling. Your PSK will get you through a lot of bad stuff, but I would consider omitting the biner unless it serves some major purpose which doesn't seem to me to be very obvious.

I am open to enlightenment.

To be honest I just threw it in there because it was next to me and doesn't take up any room/weight. It's one of those "not for climbing" aluminum ones, but maybe it'll come in handy rigging up a tarp.

As for climbing gear, I have zero training in that so I'm not even going to pretend I can climb anything, and with only 20 ft of paracord it's not really enough for anything anyway.

Pretty good kit, really. Especially in the context that the OP stated, somewhere between in-pocket and in-pack.

Yes, I would add a mini-Bic. Or even a full-size Bic; the weight penalty is next to nothing. I don't like or trust kitchen matches, based on the gross failures I've seen over and over. Glad to see you have three kinds of tinder (or is that four?).

I'd suggest adding a small roll of super-sticky 1" first aid tape that will stick to skin and stay put. Apply to rub points before real trouble happens. Blisters are debilitating to both physical performance and morale.

I'd swap the paper clips for a handful of all-metal diaper pins (oversize safety pins, all metal, with a sliding lock). These are the maid of all work, even to the point of improvising clothing.

IMO stay with the Heatsheet you have (esp. if it's the 1-2 person size). It's much more versatile, and you can control moisture/ventilation. I don't like bivvy sacks, having first sweated and then frozen in one (not an AMK, but an impermeable bag is an impermeable bag).

Maybe add a dozen hard candies if you have room. Little dollops of energy to boost your morale and energy level just a bit. (Not suitable for bear country if you want the kit in your tent/shelter.)

As for the carabiner, it's perfect for a lanyard to keep any piece of essential gear (knife, multitool, kit bag, or even USB sticks) firmly attached to your person. Each bag or kit of mine has several, always.

A handkerchief is never a waste of space, if you have any left. And a 4x4 or two gives you a sterile layer between wound and improvised bandages.

A black trash bag (untreated), or hunk of black plastic can generate a surprising amount of meltwater. Not at -30C of course, but often there are microclimates that you can exploit. I've found places at -10C where I could melt water and dry my socks somewhat while wearing them.

Plus, no toilet paper? Really? Moss is okay, but spruce tips really crush morale in a hurry.

Okay, Bic mini added.



I have the 1 person one. I looked at the scale and the 1~2 person is only a foot longer but 50% more expensive, so I went with the cheaper one.

No room for toilet paper unfortunately, have enough room for small bits and pieces but that's about it.