1. Emergency Shelter
The 10-ounce Ultra-lite Poncho/Tarp can be used as a lean-to, a tent, a coat, or a body bag if your buddy keels over from exposure because he didn’t have one. ($50; 888-546-5483; golite.com)
2. Lighter
Forget all that flint-and-stick-rubbing rubbish, just fill the NRA-logo brushed chrome Zippo with boy-scout juice and forget about it. ($19.95; 703-267-1614)
3. Water Purifier
You probably carry a water bottle anyway, so why not make it an ExstreamXR that filters 99.9 percent of all the invisible stuff that will kill you? Just find a stream and then worry about other things . ($50; 763-746-3500; katadyn.us)
4. Emergency Locator Beacon
If all is lost, and you are prepared for the helicopter bill and the ribbing you will take from your buddies, pull the rip-cord on the SPOT (Satellite PersOnal Tracker) and relax. ($150, plus $99 annual service plan; 866-651-7768; findmespot.com)
5. Rope
Like a knife, this is a must-have. You can rig things with it, and even do rope tricks. ($5; 800-523-2395; primos.com)
6. Compass/Signaling Mirror
The Eclipse 8099 may be more compass than you know how to use, but it comes with orienteering cards that, if nothing else,
will give you something to read. ($95; 800-443-4871; brunton.com)
7. Knife & Hatchet
The Gator Ax harbors a utility knife in its handle; consider this duo a 21-ounce package of life-save. ($54; 800-443-4871; gerbergear.com)