Carry some Tyvek paper

Grab a piece of Tyvek from an old envelope or through the sources below and cut it up into a few pieces, about 3” by 4”.  Add it to your 10E’s kit along with a pencil stub.  This is tear-proof and waterproof note paper, which can be very handy in certain backcountry situations.  You can leave a note for rescuers if you are lost, take quick notes about key routefinding decision points, write patient vital signs and send the note out with a runner (if you forgot your accident report form), and compose backcountry haiku.  Be sure to remember the pencil stub!

Tyvek, made from high-density polyethylene fibers, it’s ultralight, tear proof, very puncture resistant, windproof and waterproof. With these qualities, it’s should be no surprise that the stuff also has applications in the outdoor world. Where to buy Tyvek: 

In Portland you can get Tyvek by the foot from outdoor retailer Next Aventure.

Or, you can purchase it online from Andrew Mytys at his website:  http://www.geocities.com/amytys/Tyvek.htm