So I know we aren’t going to be in the middle of nowhere… Except for the times when we will be in the middle of nowhere such as our scheduled trip to the elephant project in northeastern Cambodia or our trip to Cat Tien national park in south central Vietnam where we expect to hear and see wild Gibbons. Based on everything I’ve researched so far these will be two fairly remote locations. And that leaves me wondering: how ready do I need to be for something going wrong?
My father of three brain is telling me: be wary you will feel every ounce you carry on your back. My canoe trip brain is telling me be prepared. My Gulyas brain is telling me take everything. And Chris Hadfield is telling me be prepared.
Do I take the shoe goo and the multipurpose adhesive? Do I take the water filter and the water treatment chemicals? Electrical tape is handy… Hockey tape is pretty tough… Duct tape is pretty versatile… Do I need all three kinds of tape? What about the extra buckles and toggles? Can the parachute cord I’m packing as a clothesline double as a lifeline in an emergency? Matches? Lighter? Flint and steel???
The truth of the matter is That I love this aspect of adventure planning. It is as much a part of the journey as the route plan or the travel logistics. And Being able to repair something while you are out on the trail or on the road brings about a deep sense of satisfaction and self-sufficiency. I like thinking about the orientation of my matches in my waterproof match container because I know if I alter the orientation along the vertical axis of the match then I can fit more matches inside the container.
I like knowing that my multitool, my sewing kit, 4 m of duct tape, and my flint and steel are at the ready and that if I really find myself in a bind my water purification kit is close at hand. And if I never dip into this lunch bag of readiness over the next six months and all I do is drag this kilogram of fix-it around the globe then at least the last 90 minutes has been quite a bit of fun.
The first aid kit is next.
3 Ginger Snaps 
The minimalists (a podcast I listen to) always say “be wary of just-in-case items” and to use the 20/20/20 rule – if it can be replaced for under $20, in less than 20 miles or under 20 minutes then you shouldn’t bring it.
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