The KX3 is someting of a holy-grail radio. It's also the only radio I can think of that is especially designed to do everything you could ever ask as a portable backpacking/hiking/touring radio. It's especially popular and capable among mountain toppers and mobile DX operations.

In any case, a low cost (read disposable) handy-talkie would still be a smart take-along. I've seen light weight collapsible 5 element beam antennas built with balsa wood and piano or magnet wire. You're in for an interesting world of resourceful engineering.