I'm in complete agreement with those posters, especially Bill Stephenson, who both admire this woman's handling of the situation, but also carry enough to stay out overnight.

First, I've always felt, from both my own experience and from the little bit of SAR that I have done, that attitude (and maybe a bit of knowledge) are far, far more important than equipment in the type of situation she was in.

But having said that, my daypack, which stays packed, has an emergency blanket, a ti cup, folding stove and a few heat tabs, plus most of a day's food (with extra tea bags).

My favorite line on getting lost or hurt is, "first, sit down and make a cup of tea".

Yeah, a whistle, knife, lighter, flashlight and extra batteries and leaving your itinerary are all important. I also have a FAK with a couple of very strong pain pills so I can move around enough to bivy up.

Strikes me that the woman handled it very well. And yes, I'd love to see the "round table suggested above.

best, jcp