Thread: backcountry repair kit

So I put together what I think to be a pretty good backcountry kit. It has, of course, emergency bivy, a couple of pole repair pieces, some food, a last resort neck warmer (yeah extra layer goes in too, but not in this bag) and repair stuff for a pulled screw. Here's my question.

My screws, wrench, etc. are in a tiny zip lock bag that recently blew a corner letting my kit spill out. So zip lock is great for the visibility, but losing screws is not awesome in a pinch. anyone have a better solution? I have little jewelry bags and other things but what I really want is a tiny stuff sack - 1/4L or smaller. All of my emergency kit fits into a 2.5L and weighs in at just over 2 lbs*. It doesn't flatten ideally but it's perfect for just tossing into my pack and can serve me climbing, hiking or skiing without having to make many mods.

Granted, this is a pretty ridiculous tech talk question (how should I store screws, glue and steel wool)? But I'm tired of applying tape to the plastic baggy.

*Biggest liability is the driver which is that dakine one that's a bit heavy, but it's got the right bit, which is key.

I thought this was going to be a thread about what to put in a repair kit, which I could really use, maybe we could talk about that.

Surprisingly hard to find a really small stuff sack. A while back I bought the set of 3 "ultralight ditty sacks" from OR and the small one is pretty small. I know it says it's 3L but that doesn't seem right to me (no way I could fit even one nalgene inside it). I've been using it for stashing a pouch of tobacco, a rolling machine and a lighter. If you're putting screws in it, the lightweight fabric might be bad. The "dry ditty sacks" are probably stronger, and the small one is supposedly 1L.

Or there are these from Granite Gear, the smallest is .6L.

Or make your own? I think some kind of cotton canvas or nylon would be the right material.


Anyway, could you go into some more detail on what is in your kit? I am making my own and don't really have a clue. I want to find a lightweight tool that will do everything I need, but staring at leathermans for hours didn't come up with anything, there are way too many and none seem to have a good screwdriver attachment for ski bindings. I figure some epoxy is a good idea too but not sure what kind.

http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/stuff_sacks.shtml

He'll make smaller sizes if you want. You're welcome.

Look at the rest of the site, they have some rad shit if you don't mind looking like a weight weenie dork.

Take your screws and other small items* and place them side-by-side on the sticky side of a half width piece of duck tape. Put only the threaded part of the screw with the head protruding from the duck tape. Then put another half width of duck tape over your DIY screw keeper strip. If you need a screw or other small part for a field repair, pull it out from the duck tape keeper strip.

*Other small items include nails of the width of the various Dynafit pins, spare Dynafit heel pin and mini-Torx tool (cut off handle and bend the shaft to make a mini L-shaped tool).

FWIW, I make my own stuff sacks. Once you get the hang of it, a stuff sack takes 5 minutes to make. I cannot imagine not having a sewing machine. I've saved lots of $$ and, better yet, each stuff sack is just the right size for the task. If you want ultralight stuff sacks, silnylon is widely available. Its slipperiness makes it a bit weird to sew, easier with a walking foot (e.g., Pfaff IDT) machine.

That... is a good idea.

A surfboard fin bag makes a nice case (like the kind they sell futures in).

In it
-Binding Tool (add some torx bits)
-screws
-couple disposo packets of epoxy
-pole repair al + hose clamp
-pole basket
-flicklock mechanism
-fabric repair tape
-duct tape
-spare boot buckles
-couple voile straps

What kind of epoxy is likely to work best in a skiing environment? I bought some from the hardware store a while back, I got the putty kind. I think that the curing times are assuming room temperature, I don't know how well it works in the cold.

Just use a small freezer bag instead of a sandwich bag. They're much stronger.

As for the epoxy, you need a flexible epoxy. I use one made by 3M for plastic autobody repairs.

Originally Posted by counterfeitfake

What kind of epoxy is likely to work best in a skiing environment?

I carry the Hardman Double Bubble, quick set and long set, in my pack for field repairs. Easy to carry, easy to mix, just enough epoxy for a repair.

www.williegear.com I just pulled this from a thread in the padded room if you need a small "kit" bag. Or use a crown bag, goggle back...there are all sorts of little bags to put little things in. And listen to Big Steve about the duct tape.

Here's what I have in mine:

2-3 zip ties
A couple packets of Hardmans epoxy
4-5 spare screws
#3 phillips and little torx hex bits and a small hex handle (much smaller than one of those dakine drivers)
little chunk of steel wool
flask of whiskey
spare pole basket
skin wax
spare skin tip loop (someone always seems to drop one in the yurt floor when they're drying around the stove)
2 1" hose clamps

and I have a spare dynafit toe and heel I throw in if it's an overnight or longer trip because most of my friends and I ski on dynafits.

Duct tape is always wrapped just below my pole grips.

First aid, snow kit and orienteering are different.

I just pulled a binding off a ski and used the piece of tape to keep all the screws together and it works gud

, I keep the little plastic boxes that bicycle patch kits come in to store repair kit stuff

Originally Posted by Big Steve

Take your screws and other small items* and place them side-by-side on the sticky side of a half width piece of duck tape. Put only the threaded part of the screw with the head protruding from the duck tape. Then put another half width of duck tape over your DIY screw keeper strip. If you need a screw or other small part for a field repair, pull it out from the duck tape keeper strip.

I do the same thing with screws, along with pre-cut wedges of Mr. Grip (http://fasteners.hardwarestore.com/1...it-152900.aspx). I used to sew bags, but then I bought a SRAM Red road group and everything came in little red bags so I use those.

I use a film canister (remember those) for all of the little small bits.

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

I use a film canister (remember those) for all of the little small bits.

I was going to mention those, but I wasn't sure anyone would know what they were. I kept a stash of them.

On a similar, if more recent, note I've been using 1l Granite Gear draw-corded silnylon stuff sacks for organization, but I think they stopped making them in that size. My sewing machine doesn't have a walking foot per Big Steve's recommendation but I might try making some anyway.

And +n to duct tape, freezer bags, old Chivas sacks, etc.

only ski on skis with a metal laminate layer. they ski better and you'll never pull out of em.

repair kit? meh. if you think things will go wrong, they probably will

rog

Originally Posted by Meadow Skipper

I was going to mention those, but I wasn't sure anyone would know what they were. I kept a stash of them.

Other substitutes are altoids tins or the mini-altoid tins. small plastic bags to keep the bits together. I'll edit and add a picture of the repair kit. It mostly lives in the car or travel duffel bag it doesn't always go "BC".

Film canister, pill bottles or small tins for mints are great for storing small, loose items (especially if you want to keep them dry) like screws, band-aids, matches, or your ahem.... tobacco.

All of my little kits usually go in a sunglasses or goggle bag. I've seen some clear plastic dry bags that have the zip top like a sandwich bag. Those wouldn't rip as easily I don't think.

Note that I mentioned the walking foot re sewing silnylon, which slips all over the place with a non-walker machine. A regular home machine should sew uncoated ripstop -- including the uberlight 1.1 oz stuff -- with no problem.

I've bought some over-packaged backpacking-type items over the years that come in small zippered bags. In some cases I've used the little zippered bags more than the items they once contained.

Originally Posted by Phildo_Baggins

I've seen some clear plastic dry bags that have the zip top like a sandwich bag. Those wouldn't rip as easily I don't think.

Loksaks. They don't last long either.

Originally Posted by Big Steve

Note that I mentioned the walking foot re sewing silnylon, which slips all over the place with a non-walker machine. A regular home machine should sew uncoated ripstop -- including the uberlight 1.1 oz stuff -- with no problem.

Yeah, I just kind of have this silnylon fetish.

Love the duct tape idea. Seems quick, easy and cheap. Though i am certain I'll stumble on a pill bottle, or tin at some point that will suit me perfectly.

Great feedback here, all