Matches

Water proof matches are best. Soak in wax for longer burn and better protection from rain.

Candle

Good light source, lighting fires, emergency fry-up or a bit of extra fat in your belly.

Fishing line, hooks and sinkers

Good for catching fish and birds and lashing tools.

Scalpel blade

Multi-purpose cutting.

Flexible saw

A wire saw will cut through most material. You could even saw your arm off if you get it stuck under a rock.

Potassium Permanganate

Used to sterilize water and treat fungal infections.

Signal Mirror

(With viewing hole) Used to aim at aircraft to attract attention.

Salt

Imperative for survival. Gastrolyte powder is a good substitute.

Pen for writing on any surface

Inca titanium pen (17g). Built from super-tough titanium; it’s pressurised so it can write on any angle, in temps from -34˚C to 149˚C (you’ll be nice and crispy but the pen will still work) in any weather conditions. It can even write underwater! Plus it has a lifetime warranty. How do you think I wrote this?

Zen Imports – $89.95 (www.zenimports.com.au)

Condoms

Use to carry water. Can hold at least one litre. Various other functions (water bomb fight, protection from the “elements”. They can also be used for hiding things up your butt (like money- Long live Papillion). You would be surprised how much the rest of the world loves Australians.)

Band Aids, water sterilization tablets, button compass, safety pins of varying sizes, high decibel output whistle, and a solid storage container. The container needs to be waterproof and sealed to prevent tampering; the equipment should only be opened in case of an emergency. The one time you don’t take it is when you will need it.

Multi-tool

Leatherman Charge TTi (238g)The best multi-tool around with every tool you need and none you don’t. And ’cause it’s made from indestructible titanium it has a 25 year warranty – kickarse! Zen Imports – $299(www.zenimports.com.au)

Ultra-light pocket knife

Spyderco Delica 4 (71g)This ultra-light pocketknife opens with one hand and fits perfectly in your jacket – it’s so small and light that you forget about it until you need it.

Zen Imports – $129.95(www.zenimports.com.au)

Headlight

Black Diamond Spot headlight (85g). Suitable for fixing your bike at night, blinding your mates and Morse code…

Sea to Summit – $89(www.seatosummit.com.au)

Mini-headlight

Black Diamond ION mini-headlight (20g)Super-small and light. Always carry a spare. Sea to Summit – $34.95(www.seatosummit.com.au)

Reverse the battery so it doesn’t run out if its accidently switched on.

Keyring light

Photon Freedom Micro headlight (9g)Very water resistant – you could eat it and a glowing turd would come out a few hours later. Fully adjustable brightness. Four safety strobe beacons.

Zen Imports – $32.95(www.zenimports.com.au)

Batteries

An adequate supply of batteries: the best are Lithium for long lasting power (up to three times the life of Alkaline) and very light weight.

Survival Chocolate

Remember that guy who survived a month with a mars bar? That could be you!

Space Blanket

Take it on any trek. Vital sleeping aid in an emergency.

Magnifying glass

Starting a fire from direct sunlight. Punishing small insects.

Sewing kit

Useful for sewing up clothes or sleeping bag and piercing your fingers. A curved needle may be handy for stitching up an open wound – if help is not close at hand. Use silk thread for stitching skin or muscle.

Compass

A good quality Silva type compass is essential for navigating and the ability to use your compass during the day and night. Take a luminous one.

Beta Light

Self Powered Lighting. A light-emitting crystal invented by NATO in the 60’s. Good for reading a map at night, finding your keys (keyring), or a fishing lure.

Snare wire (spare clutch or accelerator cable)

Good for strangling animals and humans alike – snares and traps. Many uses.

Flint

Processed flint with saw striker best. If you fall over in a river, and drown your lighter and matches. What are you going to start a fire with? Lightning?

Medical Kit

See Medical Kit section.

Survival Knife

Ukiah Knife (204g). Good for killing small animals, hacking off roo tails and picking out the bits between your teeth. It’s a fixed-blade hunting knife with a rotating handle that covers the blade when the full-size gut hook is deployed. A bone saw is hidden in the handle and locks into place over the 15cm blade. Very handy for gutting mates on a Cape York trip gone wrong. Zen Imports – $259 (www.zenimports.com.au)

*Preferably with the tang running through the handle and secured at the end.

Rope (10metres)

6mm Dynamic Mantle Synthetic rope.

Duct tape

Good for taping up bike parts, repairing clothes, shutting people up who annoy you, waterproofing, etc. Store in or around your fork to save space. Wrap it around line a tennis raquet handle.

Hat or sarong

Any old hat. You could also use a sarong or towl or tshirt Laurence of Arabia style. Laurence style is good if you don’t have any sunglasses. Great as a towel, sarong, head-wrap, bag, protection from sun and snow glare. Synthetic shammy’s are also good.

Mosquito net

Make sure it is soaked in permithrin. Don’t shirk on a cheap one. I have seen bigger mosquito’s muscle their way through the cheapies. Invest in a high quality, close weave for maximum protection.

Paper and Pen, water bladder (Camelbaks are perfect), sunblock, lip balm, sun glasses, wrist watch

Rope (20metres)

8mm of Dynamic Kern Mantle Synthetic rope. This rope has over 1000kgs of breaking strain and can be used for rescue purposes if need be. eg. You rode off a cliff.

Karabiners

Two aluminium Karabiners used to hook onto frame or use in conjunction with makeshift safety harness.

Maps and navigational

Essential requirements for any type of travel outside familiar environments. While traveling overseas it may be difficult to obtain maps of areas you wish to visit. As part of your planning preparation confirm which places may be difficult to acquire maps. Google Earth is an amazing resource for research.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A Global Positioning System (GPS) is highly recommended for confirming exact location on your map or for giving your location statistics to a rescue agency. Your GPS will be totally useless to you unless you know how to program it when you change countries etc. Do not leave the instruction manual at home because you think you will save space and weight.

Satellite communication equipment

Satellite communication equipment has become compact light weight and reliable during recent years, it is recommended that a satellite phone be carried by at least one member on your trip. Location of the phone should be known by all members, and a list of emergency numbers attached to the phone. It is recommended that your phone be well protected with padding as they do not hold up well to shock and mistreatment. It is important to note that if you are traveling inside a valley or within mountainous country your telephone signal will fluctuate as one satellite leaves your line of sight and another one comes on line.

I have never used one, but the Iridium 9505A Portable Satellite Phone has come highly recommended. It only weights 375grams and provides you with the ability to call anyone, anywhere, any time 24/7/365 – www.iridium.com

Hammock

Ultralight and great to stretch out under the stars. Good for quick starts. If you want to get an all in one waterproof hammock check out link.

Notepad

For writing down those mind bending thoughts you have whilst sitting inside your helmet all frigging day.

Coloured string

Useful for tracking your path through unknown territory. The marked trail will help you find your way back to where you started.

Throwing knives

I carried them for two years and used them maybe 10 times. And I still suck with them. One day I’ll work it out.

Frisbee

Mental recreation, plate, seat, cutting board, communication tool, weapon, entertainment, collect nuts and bolts.

Good Book

Good for passing time, starting fires, killing bugs, pillow, hiding money.

Locks

Lock up your back pack, camera gear, tent, helmet, jacket.

Condoms