It seems to me that, having done as much as you have already, you are in better shape than most to weather the unexpected.

I'm no expert but, looking at your list, I do have a few thoughts, FWIW:

Tools:
I think you need to beef up your contingent of tools. These will allow you to do basic repairs, harvest materials that happen to be at hand, and turn "junk" into things you can use. I'd suggest:
- a Leatherman or other multi-tool (or some 8" needle nose pliers); the miniature Gerbers just aren't enough, in my experience (great briefcase items, though)
- Vise-grips (with the heavy-duty wire/bolt cutters) are the maid of all work; 5" is useful and compact, 7" can handle most jobs, 10" is the undisputed Chairman of the Board; avoid imitation brands
- an 8" crescent wrench and/or a small pipe wrench (one wrench is like one hand clapping)
- heavy duty flat screwdriver (light prybar, chisel, scraper, screwdriver; use this for abusive jobs and spare your knife for cutting)
- if you can afford the weight: a light axe with sheath (I prefer a minimum 24"), both for cutting and hammering/demolition; fiberglass handles are heavier but take a lot more more abuse
- a good 8" file, for sharpening, shaping, repairing
- multi-bit screwdriver with every bit known to Man
- hacksaw or reciprocating saw blades (metal cutting, but also cuts plastic, copper, wood, wire, fabric)
- a handful of assorted nails, self-tapping metal screws, wood screws
- some solid mild steel wire, and some braided automotive copper wire
- needle and thread, for rough-and-ready repairs to or improvising of clothing etc.; I have mostly used them to repair zippers, gloves and boots

Reference Materials:
- survival reference book, including info on "survival psychology" and "keeping yourself out of survival situations"
- first aid reference book, or better, a wilderness extended first aid book (guidance that assumes you may be on your own for a number of days)

Pots:
- every kit outside your pockets should have some metal container that you can boil water in
- a well-washed coffee tin is better than nothing, at least to melt snow or boil water, and it's free
- a big, tough, single-wall stainless steel cup is (I think) the minimum in each backpack or large fanny pack
- a 2-quart or larger stainless steel pot is a necessity in a larger kit; don't worry about a fancy camping one, you can get a serviceable item just about anywhere, including a thrift store; add a handful of stainless steel soup spoons too

Firestarters:
- you could do worse than to lay in a fistful of good quality candles, both for firestarting and raising spirits in troubled times

Stove:
- If you're thinking of adding a camp stove, consider getting one that will use the fuel you have at hand or can get easily (i.e., unleaded gasoline or diesel fuel). Multi-fuel mountaineering stoves such as the MSR XGK can digest just about any fuel (don't expect to do a lot of fancy simmering on these blowtorches, though). Mine is ten years old and going strong; and tune-up kits are available everywhere. Take some time to get to know it; it's not as simple to light as a propane stove.

Entertainment:
- 2 packs of cards will do a lot for morale for adults ("I'll see your Brooklyn Bridge, and raise you an Eiffel Tower!") and keep the kids from driving you crazy because they're bored and out-of-sorts (War, Crazy 8's, etc.)

Best of luck!


Edited by dougwalkabout (02/04/07 04:29 AM)