If you could only take 3 items

[Bolster]

I met a guy hiking the entire Pacific Crest Trail, and he said TWO items were absolutely necessary in the backcountry:

1) Water
2) Cell Phone with maps & etc.

Honestly I've not used a knife very often when backpacking, but backpacking is different from survival -- until something goes wrong, that is.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I love this tipic.

Here are some options:

Set 1:

1 Heavy weight Spyderco Knife like Endura or a Spyderco fixed blade.
2 Fire Making Rod.
3 Large folding plastic tarp or survival blanket.

Set 2:
1 Large Cold Steel folder or fixed blade.
2 quality tent
3 Sattelite phone with batteries

[Doc Dan]

A knife, magnesium bar, water purification tablets or filter.

[aicolainen]

I always refer back to survival essentials, water, food, shelter, I believe in that order.

While I still used Facebook, I used to follow a Norwegian survival group, just for the fun of it.
I can tell you, the biggest reality check for anyone in that group who actually took the leap and went outside to test their kit in the real world; they all failed due to poor shelter/sleep system.
For anyone not used to backpacking or sleeping outdoors, I think it's very easy to underestimate how much of a difference a good shelter makes. When the sun goes down and you cease being active, the cold sets in for real.
Living where I do, in Norway, makes this especially true but in many climates nights can be a lot colder than daytime. If you're cold, hungry, tired, scared and starved for sleep as well - the situation can deteriorate rather quickly.

I have no doubts that most places in Norway, for most of the year - cold, or lack of proper shelter would be the first thing to take me out. Clean water is abundant here, so it's not a big concern. Though in most situations loss of body heat would be the first thing to make me miserable even if I lacked water. Food doesn't even make the list. If I don't have shelter it would be unlikely to make much difference.

There's obviously places / climates where I'd reconsider my priorities, but thought it'd be worth mentioning as in my experience many underestimate the importance of shelter / overestimate the capability of their (untested) shelter system.

[Aladinsane]

I always refer back to survival essentials, water, food, shelter, I believe in that order.

While I still used Facebook, I used to follow a Norwegian survival group, just for the fun of it.
I can tell you, the biggest reality check for anyone in that group who actually took the leap and went outside to test their kit in the real world; they all failed due to poor shelter/sleep system.
For anyone not used to backpacking or sleeping outdoors, I think it's very easy to underestimate how much of a difference a good shelter makes. When the sun goes down and you cease being active, the cold sets in for real.
Living where I do, in Norway, makes this especially true but in many climates nights can be a lot colder than daytime. If you're cold, hungry, tired, scared and starved for sleep as well - the situation can deteriorate rather quickly.

I have no doubts that most places in Norway, for most of the year - cold, or lack of proper shelter would be the first thing to take me out. Clean water is abundant here, so it's not a big concern. Though in most situations loss of body heat would be the first thing to make me miserable even if I lacked water. Food doesn't even make the list. If I don't have shelter it would be unlikely to make much difference.

There's obviously places / climates where I'd reconsider my priorities, but thought it'd be worth mentioning as in my experience many underestimate the importance of shelter / overestimate the capability of their (untested) shelter system.

All excellent points! Needs will change according to terrain, eco system, and climate. Where I live, there is abundant wood for fire and building a debris hut. Also there are myriad nooks in the terrain and rocks that could serve as an emergency shelter. I watch for these as I am hiking. But no, I have not tried things out in real life. However, I don’t expect to be comfortable, but alive.

[Aladinsane]

I met a guy hiking the entire Pacific Crest Trail, and he said TWO items were absolutely necessary in the backcountry:

1) Water
2) Cell Phone with maps & etc.

Honestly I've not used a knife very often when backpacking, but backpacking is different from survival -- until something goes wrong, that is.

Interestingly, I carry a 4.25 inch Helle Gaupe as my “survival knife”, but use my Opinel or Leafjumper to open food bags, slice cheese, make repairs etc…

I am lucky in the Smokies as water is in great abundance, and even above 5000ft there are springs and seeps to be found.

[Doc Dan]

I always refer back to survival essentials, water, food, shelter, I believe in that order.

While I still used Facebook, I used to follow a Norwegian survival group, just for the fun of it.
I can tell you, the biggest reality check for anyone in that group who actually took the leap and went outside to test their kit in the real world; they all failed due to poor shelter/sleep system.
For anyone not used to backpacking or sleeping outdoors, I think it's very easy to underestimate how much of a difference a good shelter makes. When the sun goes down and you cease being active, the cold sets in for real.
Living where I do, in Norway, makes this especially true but in many climates nights can be a lot colder than daytime. If you're cold, hungry, tired, scared and starved for sleep as well - the situation can deteriorate rather quickly.

I have no doubts that most places in Norway, for most of the year - cold, or lack of proper shelter would be the first thing to take me out. Clean water is abundant here, so it's not a big concern. Though in most situations loss of body heat would be the first thing to make me miserable even if I lacked water. Food doesn't even make the list. If I don't have shelter it would be unlikely to make much difference.

There's obviously places / climates where I'd reconsider my priorities, but thought it'd be worth mentioning as in my experience many underestimate the importance of shelter / overestimate the capability of their (untested) shelter system.

I started to choose shelter/space blanket/ etc. but ultimately, lack of potable water will kill a person in three days. I can build shelters, and have many times (of course, that depends on where a person finds himself).

[Aladinsane]

I always refer back to survival essentials, water, food, shelter, I believe in that order.

While I still used Facebook, I used to follow a Norwegian survival group, just for the fun of it.
I can tell you, the biggest reality check for anyone in that group who actually took the leap and went outside to test their kit in the real world; they all failed due to poor shelter/sleep system.
For anyone not used to backpacking or sleeping outdoors, I think it's very easy to underestimate how much of a difference a good shelter makes. When the sun goes down and you cease being active, the cold sets in for real.
Living where I do, in Norway, makes this especially true but in many climates nights can be a lot colder than daytime. If you're cold, hungry, tired, scared and starved for sleep as well - the situation can deteriorate rather quickly.

I have no doubts that most places in Norway, for most of the year - cold, or lack of proper shelter would be the first thing to take me out. Clean water is abundant here, so it's not a big concern. Though in most situations loss of body heat would be the first thing to make me miserable even if I lacked water. Food doesn't even make the list. If I don't have shelter it would be unlikely to make much difference.

There's obviously places / climates where I'd reconsider my priorities, but thought it'd be worth mentioning as in my experience many underestimate the importance of shelter / overestimate the capability of their (untested) shelter system.

I started to choose shelter/space blanket/ etc. but ultimately, lack of potable water will kill a person in three days. I can build shelters, and have many times (of course, that depends on where a person finds himself).

Yes! Water is extremely important!

[Aladinsane]

I love this tipic.

Here are some options:

Set 1:

1 Heavy weight Spyderco Knife like Endura or a Spyderco fixed blade.
2 Fire Making Rod.
3 Large folding plastic tarp or survival blanket.

Set 2:
1 Large Cold Steel folder or fixed blade.
2 quality tent
3 Sattelite phone with batteries

Sounds good! I like option 1.

[Aladinsane]

To be clear, this exercise represents an extreme, catastrophic situation, a bare minimum of what to have to get by.

In my regular pack I always have a space blanket (which I have actually used and they do work), a small tarp, rain poncho, two lighters, fire starter, 50’ parachute cord, water bottle, knit cap, dry shirt, energy bars. This would constitute a survival kit for me, adding more for winter weather.

But again, 3 bare bones absolute minimum to have, for me: knife, whistle, matches.

[Bolster]

To be clear, this exercise represents an extreme, catastrophic situation, a bare minimum of what to have to get by.

In my regular pack I always have a space blanket (which I have actually used and they do work), a small tarp, rain poncho, two lighters, fire starter, 50’ parachute cord, water bottle, knit cap, dry shirt, energy bars. This would constitute a survival kit for me, adding more for winter weather.

But again, 3 bare bones absolute minimum to have, for me: knife, whistle, matches.

Seems like good pack contents. Regarding your bare-bones three, I'm having some difficulty justifying the whistle over other items. Explain? Asking because in places I backpack, I could whistle until I'm exhausted and nobody would hear...a whistle over some other electric comm device? Or are you adding the restriction of "easily carried in one pocket"? If you can start a fire, do you need a whistle if people are within whistle distance?

[Evil D]

Axe, ferro rod, AH-64 Apache Helicopter.





Third item would probably be a multitool with a metal file to sharpen the axe and a blade capable of skinning.

[Aladinsane]

Axe, ferro rod, AH-64 Apache Helicopter.





Third item would probably be a multitool with a metal file to sharpen the axe and a blade capable of skinning.

Hmm… the Apache is a little excessive don’t you think? Maybe you could get by with this:

Let’s not be greedy!

[SpyderEdgeForever]

A question about the shelter. Campmor on their online store and REI and others sell good sleeping bags. Some say they will keep you warm down to 20 Degrees Farenheit. Would one of those bags plus a good tarp snd ground sheet plus water proof sleeping mat plus insect netting make a complete comfortable portable shelter?

Also how easy is it to find a good cave to claim while out in the wilderness?
An experienced camper told me caves are durable, safe, and strong when good and can keep the elements off of you. But he said there are major downsides:

1 cave ins.
2 wild beasts, snakes, bugs that are already there.
3 mold and moisture.

[RustyIron]

Asking because in places I backpack, I could whistle until I'm exhausted and nobody would hear...a whistle over some other electric comm device?

With all these ideas, I'm surprised no one carries a signal mirror. Back in the olden days before satellite phones, a guy in our group broke his ankle about a third of the way into a two-week river trip. Once you drop into the gorge, you're committed for 200+ miles. He was SOL. It was going to be an uncomfortable ten days. Luckily, after a couple days, we were able to signal a small plane. A day later a helicopter landed on a beach and evac'ed him for proper medical care.

More recently, while standing atop San Gorgonio, some folks were on top San Jacinto with a mirror. As the crow flies, it's about 20 miles, but the signal was bright and unmistakable. I should get a nice signal mirror to play with.

[Aladinsane]

To be clear, this exercise represents an extreme, catastrophic situation, a bare minimum of what to have to get by.

In my regular pack I always have a space blanket (which I have actually used and they do work), a small tarp, rain poncho, two lighters, fire starter, 50’ parachute cord, water bottle, knit cap, dry shirt, energy bars. This would constitute a survival kit for me, adding more for winter weather.

But again, 3 bare bones absolute minimum to have, for me: knife, whistle, matches.

Seems like good pack contents. Regarding your bare-bones three, I'm having some difficulty justifying the whistle over other items. Explain? Asking because in places I backpack, I could whistle until I'm exhausted and nobody would hear...a whistle over some other electric comm device? Or are you adding the restriction of "easily carried in one pocket"? If you can start a fire, do you need a whistle if people are within whistle distance?

Very good questions! That’s why this is fun, it makes me think!

No additional restrictions, same question, answer it how you see fit.

My rationale for a whistle is based on a few factors:

1. A whistle is much louder, travels farther and takes much less energy to use than yelling

2. The sound of a whistle is foreign in the backcountry, therefore easier to recognize, especially when using the three whistle,pause, three whistle, pause pattern

3. Where I am in the Smokies, the ground cover and forest canopy is so thick that it is impossible to spot someone from the air, so signaling with a whistle is more useful than say, a mirror.

4. Since a broken leg is by far the #1 danger for me, if I am immobilized, a whistle may be my most effective method of signaling. A smokey fire will help, too, hence the matches, but with the dense forest, it could be difficult to pinpoint my location from smoke. If someone is kind of close, they would probably hear the whistle and then be able to locate me.

I know that this isn’t a perfect, foolproof system and that 3 items is not nearly enough. But with them, theoretically, I could stay warm with a fire, signal for help with the whistle, process wood for an emergency shelter and fire with the knife. Hopefully I could stay alive long enough to walk out or be rescued. With just 3 things, I would be pretty uncomfortable if not miserable, but maybe I’d be ok and still get home?

NOT using an electronic device, what do you think I could substitute for the whistle that might be more useful?

The restriction of the electronic device is my personal choice, you are free to use whatever you like.

[Aladinsane]

Asking because in places I backpack, I could whistle until I'm exhausted and nobody would hear...a whistle over some other electric comm device?

With all these ideas, I'm surprised no one carries a signal mirror. Back in the olden days before satellite phones, a guy in our group broke his ankle about a third of the way into a two-week river trip. Once you drop into the gorge, you're committed for 200+ miles. He was SOL. It was going to be an uncomfortable ten days. Luckily, after a couple days, we were able to signal a small plane. A day later a helicopter landed on a beach and evac'ed him for proper medical care.

More recently, while standing atop San Gorgonio, some folks were on top San Jacinto with a mirror. As the crow flies, it's about 20 miles, but the signal was bright and unmistakable. I should get a nice signal mirror to play with.

I do actually have a signal mirror in my backpack. We got it when we were hiking in the Grand Canyon about 11 years ago. Due to the dense canopy here in the Great Smoky Mountains, it is all but useless, but I still use it to check my nose for boogers!!

They are fun to mess with, and easy to aim with the sight hole in the center. Pretty ingenious!

[Flash]

A Coldsteel Trailmaster in 3V. Coldsteel make better fixed blades.
Running shoes
A clown mask

…If I could choose a 4th additional bonus item then pants.

[Aladinsane]

A Coldsteel Trailmaster in 3V. Coldsteel make better fixed blades.
Running shoes
A clown mask

…If I could choose a 4th additional bonus item then pants.

YES! You may have a fourth item! PLEASE WEAR PANTS!!!!

[Scandi Grind]

I always refer back to survival essentials, water, food, shelter, I believe in that order.

While I still used Facebook, I used to follow a Norwegian survival group, just for the fun of it.
I can tell you, the biggest reality check for anyone in that group who actually took the leap and went outside to test their kit in the real world; they all failed due to poor shelter/sleep system.
For anyone not used to backpacking or sleeping outdoors, I think it's very easy to underestimate how much of a difference a good shelter makes. When the sun goes down and you cease being active, the cold sets in for real.
Living where I do, in Norway, makes this especially true but in many climates nights can be a lot colder than daytime. If you're cold, hungry, tired, scared and starved for sleep as well - the situation can deteriorate rather quickly.

I have no doubts that most places in Norway, for most of the year - cold, or lack of proper shelter would be the first thing to take me out. Clean water is abundant here, so it's not a big concern. Though in most situations loss of body heat would be the first thing to make me miserable even if I lacked water. Food doesn't even make the list. If I don't have shelter it would be unlikely to make much difference.

There's obviously places / climates where I'd reconsider my priorities, but thought it'd be worth mentioning as in my experience many underestimate the importance of shelter / overestimate the capability of their (untested) shelter system.

Your points bring up part of what makes this question so hard to answer. Shelter can be super important, enough so that I wondered if I could actually get away without a blade in order to carry a tarp. With the right fire strater I think I'd be able to get away without a knife for fire. There is a lot of wood laying around where I live and you can break a variety of sticks down to what you need by hand. I could also ditch the food for the tarp, but because of health issues I could lose most of my ability to think clearly and move effectively without some small supply of food to hold me over. Not having a knife would be lame, but it might not be the most imporatant thing in the end considering how much readily available fire material I tend to have on hand. In seasons other than winter, I am not too worried about shelter unless it rains, but if it does that could be a big problem without a tarp.

Honestly this question has me going in circles in me head as to what is most important, but you are right, the best way to know is to test it. I have been trying to test things just in my yard, but this would be a somewhat extreme test potentially. However I could basically test this for few hours in different weather just to see how hard it is to do stuff with different sets of three tools. Then maybe try to take a nap with whatever shelter I can erect, ha ha.