Hello Dagny and Bacpacjac,

Thank you both for your very detailed information. It will help me in paring down my kit.

Dagny, your remark about letting two people not on the hike know where you're going is so important. I normally txt my GPS location as soon as I get to a trailhead or when I'm close if cell service is weak. I do the reverse when I'm done. My plans are never so detailed that I have an exact route. I let people know I will be going to such and such section, or following the river on this bank to X, etc.
I have no desire to cutoff an appendage because I'm hurt and nobody knows where I am.

I would never start a hike ALONE if I was hurt. Most trips have some sort of climbing component which means I'm with a group of people.

A good breathable waterproof Columbia jacket lives in my pack. It is getting close to retirement so thank you for your Marmot recommendation.

Bacpacjac, OUCH, one second can change someone's life for a long time. I wish you luck on your continued recovery.

I like the idea of using a fanny pack for upper body injuries. My pack has a removable top which could be used as such with with a little ingenuity.

I am going to give your bannock recipe a try on my next hike.