Doctrine // the why
Mission≥ 4 ignition sources, ≥ 3 light sources, signaling capability in a single pouch under bad weather, with cold-tolerance (lithium primary cells, storm lighter, ferro rod). Master kit lives in the Atlas. The LoDrag II Upper Front Pocket carries a duplicate-of-essentials on-body subset (Module M14 / 5b) — when the pack is on your back, that subset is what survives if the Atlas is ever lost. Lithium AAA / AA primaries because alkalines fail in cold. Storm lighter for wet wind. Ferro for the no-fuel last resort.
Capability Redundancy // two is one, one is none
Primary
Bic mini lighters · 3 · dummy-corded
Secondary
IMCO Triplex storm lighter · windproof / wet-tolerant
Tertiary
Ferro rod 6" · Light My Fire Scout 2.0
Quaternary
UCO Stormproof matches + Esbit tabs
Light primary
Petzl Actik Core · 450 lm · USB rechargeable + AAA fallback
Light backup
Black Diamond Spot 400-R
Hand torch
Olight Warrior Mini 3
Camp lantern
Goal Zero Lighthouse Mini Core
Contents // 14 items
| Item | Qty | |
|---|---|---|
| Fire | ||
| Bic mini lighters · dummy-corded, taped grip | 3 | |
| Storm lighter — IMCO Triplex | 1 | |
| Ferro rod 6" | 1 | |
| Tinder kit · wax hemp + cotton/PJ in film canister | 1 | |
| Stormproof matches — UCO + 2 strikers | 1 pk | |
| Fatwood sticks | 6 | |
| Esbit tabs | 12 | |
| Light | ||
| Headlamp primary — Petzl Actik Core 450 lm | 1 | |
| Headlamp backup — Black Diamond Spot 400-R | 1 | |
| Hand torch — Olight Warrior Mini 3 | 1 | |
| Lantern — Goal Zero Lighthouse Mini Core | 1 | |
| ChemLight | 4 | |
| Power · cold-tolerant primaries | ||
| Lithium AAA primary cells | 12 | |
| Lithium AA primary cells | 4 | |
Refill Triggers // what makes you restock
- Lighter fluid < 1/3Replace the Bic immediately — rechargeable from household stock. Storm lighter to be refilled and tested annually.
- Headlamp battery indicatorCharge Petzl Actik USB before any trip. Lithium AAA fallbacks must be fresh (10-year shelf life — annual rotation OK).
- Tinder canister dampReplace contents. Reseal with electrical tape over film canister cap.
- Quarterly auditTest every ignition source. Test every light source. Replace any cell that has visible corrosion.
Service Log // chronological
- 2026-04-26Built v1.0 baseline · all primary ignition sources Have, light sources On Order — MJR
- — · — awaiting next entry