What Piece of Extra Safety Gear?

Extra battery for my vape cart, maybe an extra cart too.
Guess if I connected the 2 parts it would qualify as just 1.

When I'm lapping the sidecountry I tend not to bring much more than water, an emergency blanket and small first-aid kit (in addition to a shovel & probe) - reasoning being that in the event someone is injured or rescue is required, the emergency blanket can help keep one warm until help arrives as I wouldn't expect to spend an entire evening out in terrain close to a ski area boundary or highway (e.g. Crystal's Southback, Alpental's Back Bowls, Hemis/Shuksan Arm @ Baker).

Whenever I'm setting-out in the backcountry from the start, I always pack my SOL emergency bivvy, stormproof matches and SPOT locator. If I'm going somewhere we've never been before or the tour has the possibility of becoming significantly extended, the canister stove and titanium 1L pot is what gets the nod as that "extra piece" of gear. Being able to melt snow for water is essential should you become stranded overnight. Having a way to make hot beverages (even if it's just warm water) will greatly improve your ability to fend off the cold. Often when taking the stove along for a long day I'll pack some tea bags & instant coffee - even if you don't get stranded it can be nice to have an afternoon cup of caffeine to perk you up for the return to the car.

In the spring it might be prudent to carry a lightweight tarp as I hadn't really considered how one would dig a snow trench/cave in that situation to get out of the elements. You can fashion a makeshift shelter pretty easily with two poles, a tarp and some tent stakes. If you're toting rope it makes it even easier.

Lowell, your Zdarsky tent article has had me intrigued for several years. Has anyone had experience with the (half) breathable hilleberg windsack? I think that is what i'd like to add to my pack.

I really enjoy my patio umbrella with a cargo parachute draped over it while frying blueberry fruit bars in butter with melted string cheese on top with  a Westwind alc. stove and opening a can of beef tomales with a p-38 during a snowstorm... in my folding chair , Jus say'n.   X

I often bring a light, durable, reflective bivy sac and an extra insulating layer + gloves.

Sometimes i slide my chopped-short ridgerest pad into my pack, in a rolled/tubular fashion, then i stuff my packs contents inside of that. It also provides a nice structure to the pack.

For christmas I received a tiny ACR ResQlink 406 MHz PLB. So that's going in the pack too. I like this PLB compared to the messaging beacons like spot etc.. Much more effective for contacting rescuers. More power to broadcast (5 watts compared to 0.5?) and it uses government satellite networks.

For christmas I received a tiny ACR ResQlink 406 MHz PLB.  So that's going in the pack too.  I like this PLB compared to the messaging beacons like spot etc.. Much more effective for contacting rescuers.  More power to broadcast (5 watts compared to 0.5?) and it uses government satellite networks. 

I bought into this line of thinking until I was involved in the deployment of a ResQlink that performed very poorly and caused a ton of confusion for searchers, and then had a horrible customer service experience with ACR. I've since switched to using a DeLorme inReach, and I won't be switching back until I see some hefty evidence to back up the oft-repeated notion that ACR is vastly superior due to its simplicity and "industrial" design. At least with the inReach I'll know whether I'm on my own or not. Being able to let my wife know when I'll be late getting out is a bonus. YMMV.