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I've been working on a wilderness survival supply list lately. The main thing I looked at is what is essential. I figured that there are a lot of things that you should have, but there are only a few things that
are entirely essential. With just these few things your pack should stay small
and light. Even with more than the essential equipment, a person cannot survive
without the single most essential item – knowledge. Knowing priorities and how
to build a shelter, cook over fire, tell time and direction, stay warm, and
everything else about survival, is the most essential thing. In fact, the ideal
survivalist needs nothing from this list, but only uses these for slight
comfort and assistance.

Backpack

Most military issued packs will work, and so will a common backpacking pack. Although, generally backpacking packs are enormous, and are not worth the extra size and weight. There are a variety of different military
issued packs, and when choosing one, you must consider what you need it for.
Hopefully you will be traveling light so a smaller pack would be better, but
take into consideration the amount of supplies you will be carrying, and how
long you plan to be gone for. For most purposes you will need a 25-45 liter (1,500-2,500
cubic inches) pack. I would recommend the GI Type ALICE Pack, or possibly a
Medium ALICE Pack. You probably don't want a frame because it adds a large
amount of weight and only helps when you have a lot of stuff.

http://www.trailspace.com/articles/backpacks.html

Sleeping Bag

You will need something small enough and light enough to carry that will still keep you warm. There is nothing that compares to a mummy bag. These sleeping bags are used by mountain climbers on the slopes of Mount
Everest. When folded up they are approximately 65-70 cubic inches, but they
will still retain most of your body heat. The only disadvantage is that they
are not necessarily comfortable, because they leave no space to move inside of.
You want to make sure you will be somewhat comfortable, but try not to add too
much weight in the process.

http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/types-of-sleeping-bags/

http://www.safezonellc.com/sleeping_bags.html

Leatherman or Multitool

Not only is a leatherman or a multitool a useful tool for wilderness survival, it will help you with all sorts of jobs in your daily life. The different tools will always be useful. Make sure that your multitool
has a small knife, scissors, and a saw, among other tools. I would suggest a
leatherman because it gives you an extra tool, the pliers, which have thousands
of uses.

http://backpacking-gear.suite101.com/article.cfm/best_multitool_guide

Large Knife

When you are in the wilderness the last thing you want to be found without is a knife. If you have a 4"-6" knife there is almost nothing you can't do. Whether you are shaving wood, skinning an animal, or even
hunting or fighting a bear, you will always find a large knife useful. You will
want a partially serrated blade for cutting tougher materials.

http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/how-to-choose-a-survival-knife/

Matches or Lighter

You will always need a fire when tying to survive in the wilderness. Not only does fire provide heat and light, but it also enables you to cook. Matches or a lighter are the easiest way to start a fire. If you are
using matches make sure they are strike-any-where and water proof. If you are
using matches make sure to pack about fifty to 100, because you do not want to
run out too soon, but don't want them to take up to much space. If you are
using a lighter, pack extra fuel. You may also want a small “Altoids” container
(or something similar) filled with dry leaves, twigs, and sticks, in case you
need to start a fire but cannot find dry fuel.

https://www.youtube.com/v/_nqAQlw1_Ro&hl

Magnesium Flame Starter

While matches or a lighter are the most efficient way to start a fire, they only last for so long. You may eventually run out of matches or lighter fluid. If you have a magnesium flame starter your problem is solved.
Make sure that you have a magnesium bar with a sparking flint attached. If your
starter doesn't include a sparking flint, you might find yourself in trouble.

https://www.youtube.com/v/GcmkdE-no3Q&hl

Water Filter

When you are in the wilderness there aren't any drinking fountains or faucets, and fresh water springs are rare. For this reason you will need to purify your own water. While this can be roughly accomplished by
pouring the water through a cloth and boiling it, the much more efficient
method is using a water filter. I recommend the Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter.
This filter will fit in your pack but still treats a lot of water. It is fairly
expensive, but it comes with a built in pump, will provide you with fresh water
for years, and is basically the best you can get for its size. After all water
is very important in the wilderness. You should also have water purification
tablets.

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Katadyn-Pocket-Water-Microfi...

Fishing Net

While rod fishing is enjoyable, it is ineffective compared to net fishing. Using a net you don't need bait, and you don't even have to wait for a catch (although I would recommend it). You can set a net up and go
do something else, and when you come back later your fish will be waiting for
you. This also provides an almost guaranteed source of food, as long as you are
near some form of lake or stream, and reduces the size of your pack. It is a
hassle to carry a rifle or a fishing pole with you, but a net can be folded up
and placed in your pocket. Make sure your net has a variety of wholes with
diameters between 2” and 5” (this size may vary with the type of fish
predominately found in your area).

http://beckmannet.com/acatalog/

Camping Pan

Your food will taste much better when cooked in a pan than when cooked on rocks. You need a pan that is small enough to fit in your pack, but big enough to fit food in. The ideal size is between 5” and 7” in diameter.
You will also want to make sure that your pan has a handle that folds in. This
will allow you to make it even smaller and easier to fit in your pack.

Thermos

If you have a thermos you will be able to cook and drink soup or hot drinks with little hassle. Make sure that your thermos is metal (for easier heating), is well insulated, and can hold approximately 10oz.-20oz.

Silverware

You will want silverware when you are in the wilderness, as it is far preferable to eating by hand. Make sure your silverware is not flimsy, as you do not want it to break or bend while you are stranded in the
wilderness, and make sure that it fits in your thermos, which is an easy way to
carry it.

Hatchet

A hatchet is very useful when you are trying to build shelter. I splits wood easily, and may help you for other purposes too. You don't want anything too big and bulky, but you want something capable of the
job. Do not get a common hatchet with a wooden handle and metal head, as the
metal head will often come loose. You also want a light ax, weighing little
more than a pound, and being little more than 1' in length. I would recommend
the Buck Camp Axe, or something similar.

http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/buckcampaxe.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/v/dFpZJ2ICR5M&color1

Canteen

Water is important when trying to survive in the wilderness. You should never leave your camp without a canteen on your belt. If you get lost again, you will still have your canteen full of water.

Compass and Map

You will always need a compass. Whether you are trying to find your way across a continent, or trying to find your way back to camp, you need a compass and maybe a map. If you do have a map of the area, make sure it
is water proof. Binoculars may also prove useful when trying to navigate,
although they do take up a considerable amount of space, so if you include
them, make sure they are small. A GPS (Global Positioning System) is also
helpful, although it can be used backwards.

Emergency Kit

You never know when you will need an emergency kit. Your kit should include hydrogen peroxide, Bactine and/or Neosporin, super glue (for closing cuts), band aids of varying sizes, gauss pads, gauss tape, all-purpose
wrap/brace, Q-tips, tweezers, medical scissors, water purification tablets,
Advil, Aspirin, Pepto Bismo, Benedril, alcohol wipes (also useful for starting
fires), anti-venom, a flash light, and a space blanket. You might also want
some sort of cold and diphtheria medications. Don't forget any personal
medications.

Food

You should always have two or three MREs with you, because when you are in the wilderness, your first priorities should be to get shelter and replenish your water, and you may not have time to get food before
nightfall. For the first meal, or other times when you can't find food for
days, you may want to have an MRE on hand. You may also want to have a bit of
jerky, trail mix, dried fruit, and energy bars. Remember to ration yourself.

U.S. Army Survival Manual

The United States Military Survival Manual is the perfect reference for any survival situation. It outlines survival in different regions and climates, and has a massive list of dangerous and poisonous plants and
animals. It also outlines uses of many plants. When you are in trouble, this
manual is perfect to have.

http://www.equipped.com/fm21-76.htm

Camping Rope

You will always find use for small rope. Make sure your rope is long and strong, but not too thick. If you get thin rope, you can fit it in your pack without taking up much space or adding too much weight. It will be
useful for holding together a shelter, climbing, and much more.

Gun (optional)

A small handgun will always be useful, since it can be used as a means of defense against wild (or human) predators, and is adequate for hunting. The specifics are purely a user choice, but you will probably like to
have something that uses basic 9mm bullets, with at least an 8 round clip,
weighing between 0.5 and 1.5 lbs. You won’t want a larger caliber or specialty
ammunition, because the main purpose is hunting, in which case you want to kill
or immobilize, without risking damage to the meat. You still may happen to come
across a predator and need to fire multiple shots, for which reason you will
want a larger magazine size for security. If your gun is too small, it won’t
have the accuracy required for hunting, but if it is too large, it will have more recoil,
reducing capability of follow up shots, which are vital to self defense. A larger rifle and/or shotgun is also
an optional piece of equipment, although they are a hassle to carry, because of
their shape and their weight. I strongly discourage carrying these, because in
most cases of hunting and self-defense, they will be matched, if not
out-performed by a handgun. A rifle may beat out a pistol slightly when
hunting, but is ineffective in close encounters, whereas a shotgun is the
opposite, making a handgun the perfect medium.

http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-the-Right-Pistol-(Handgun)

Pup Tent or Tarp (optional)

You may want a tent or at least a tarp to hang from the trees to keep you dry. I would suggest not using either of these items, but I know that some people don't like sleeping on the ground. All I have to say is
to try to get used to it, because these items will add tremendous amounts of
weight and size to your pack.

http://www.1campingtent.com/camping-without-a-tent.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Camping-Without-a-Tent&id=1256458

Machete (optional)

If you are going to be somewhere with tall shrubs and grass you may need to cut your path. If you are somewhere with small trees, a machete may be great as it easily chops branches smaller than an inch in diameter. It
does take up extra space and add extra weight to your pack. You will probably
be better off without one, but it may be useful in some cases, although your
hatchet will usually work.

http://www.essortment.com/travel/machetesuseful_sgqn.htm

http://www.machetespecialists.com/usesofmachetes.html

Other Links:

http://www.campingtourist.com/camping-equipment/top-10-most-useful-...