quote:
Keep plenty of water on you and snacks, fire starter and something that will catch fire quickly (cotton balls with vaseline) just in case you need to start a fire.

This too. On my second day on one of our trips, about 3 years ago, i had made it up to the top of a ridge that took me all morning to get up to, as i wanted to get up there to hunt the other side once the thermals starting moving up. went up and down making calls but stayed on that ridge. took a break and had lunch overlooking the valley, which was beautiful and when i got back up and started trekking again i started getting cramps in both of my thighs. I have never experienced cramps in my thighs in my life, but i literally could not walk. It was only about 1pm and i was a good 2 hours hike back to camp, but going down a mountain that steep ain't easy, and i physically couldn't do it. I tried walking after about an hour rest and still couldn't. I sat up there, with no cell signal, for a good 3 hours hoping the rest would help and i could walk out, and it eventually did and i got back to camp after taking it easy going down the mountain, which i did mostly on my arse.

Sitting on top of the mountain ridge, thinking i was going to have to sleep up there was a little scary. I didn't have my jacket with me as i took it off before i set out, didn't have a fire starter, and even if i did, it was all rocks where i was so getting firewood wasn't goign to be that easy if i couldn't walk. obviously there's wood around, but if i could'nt walk, then i couldn't get to it.

so long story short. always have plenty water on you (which i do), always have a headlamp (which i do) and always have a small medical kit, fire starter, and one of those aluminum foil looking emergency blankets just in case. And also, always go over with your buddies where you plan on going that day. My 2 friends i was with knew what my plan was that day, so if i didn't come back that night, i would bet money they would have come looking for me and found me.