Hey, I just found a contest at Backpacker magazine's website. They ask the question "What one piece of gear would you choose if you were stranded in the mountains?" They list 6 items to choose from. You also have space to tell them why you chose the item.

I know telling everyone here makes my chances of winning less. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

BTW, I have no affiliation with Backpacker. I thought you may be interested.

Don't worry, I won't enter. Why not just play here? I'd pick the knife.

I got a bit skeptical of Backpacker magazine once when they recommended leaving first aid supplies behind to save weight. That doesn't sound like such a good idea, since most first aid stuff is so light to begin with.

What kind of mountain is it?

Completely snow covered high altitude stuff without a tree in sight?
Bitterly cold barren mountains, ala afganistan?
Heavily forrested mountains?

Regardless, I agree with Christina and say a good knife.

I did choose the knife.


I did not see the arctical you are talking about but I would agree that leaving behind the FAK is a bad idea!

My submission:

I can build a fire with a lighter that will also help keep me warm (sleeping bag), provide signal light (headlamp), and boil water (water filter). Since I'm "stranded," a compass will be of little use. While a knife is always a top contender for the "one piece of gear" question, its utility in this scenario is outweighed by that of the lighter.

I hit your link to the main website page and couldn't find anything about the contest. I probably overlooked it. Nonetheless it sure seems to me like a knife would be a no-brainer!

Sorry. It is under the title "It's Your Choice" Here is the direct link.

You could effectively develop the tools necessary to build a fire with the knife. I think the knife should be the basis for most scenarios. It is the hardest thing to duplicate in the field.

Dynamo,

You make a good point with the knife (pun intended), but I chose the lighter based on the scenario dreamed up by Backpacker Magazine: "Stranded in the mountains."

I take "stranded" to mean that I can't evacuate, which means that I must stay in place and await rescue. It also means that time is my enemy. Stressful, no?

So staying warm and hydrated while signaling for help would be my battle plan. With a lighter, I could start a signal fire asap--which will also keep me warm, give me light, and boil my water--instead of burning daylight trying to fashion a fire-making instrument from scratch with a knife, which could take a ham-fisted bonehead like me hours to do.

What exactly are you going to boil water in?