Rig for a flip?

[Rex Sanders]

On whitewater raft trips, we talk about always “rigging for a flip.” On any trip, your boat might flip, and anything not firmly attached could fall out or be ripped away by strong currents.

I don’t exactly rig my backpack for a flip, though I do attach critical exterior pieces like my inReach. Most stuff is inside the pack with a roll-top and a top strap; many items in pockets have a strap across or hide beneath a zipper. Exceptions include water bottles, maps, and back mesh pocket stuff including lunch, wind shirt, water filter, and TP. The mesh snags most things, so I don’t really worry about it.

I’ve taken very few falls while wearing a backpack. Just one time a water bottle fell out and landed about five feet away – no big deal. OTOH, I have dropped from my hands and lost several small items; now my pocket recorder lives on a strap around my neck.

Apparently some people worry more and make sure everything is attached to something much bigger – like their backpack or body.

How much do you worry about losing stuff from a trip or fall or branch snag while you hike?

— Rex

[Roger Caffin]

Compass: on a loop around my neck
Watch/altimeter: inside a zipped pocket in my windshirt
Camera: in a buckle-closed case secured to the shoulder strap
Hat: chin strap when needed
Map: in closed map case (velcro and buckle) secured to my pack
Everything else: inside my pack with the lid buckled down

Cheers

[Greg Mihalik]

All of my stuff is attached or enclosed.  I’m not to worried about a “yard sale”.

But – after fall while boulder-hopping across a stream I relocated my Delorme SE to a pocket I can reach while lying face-down in the rocks.

 

(No permanent damage was incurred.  I walked away.  I was very lucky.)

[Diane “Piper” Soini]

The thing I’ve worried most about losing while hiking in a way that I cannot retrieve it is my sun hat. I will put the extra chin strap portion through my sternum strap.

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