Just catching up on this thread.
There are several “tricks” you can use to undo a quicklink out on the trail.
A piece of old brake or gear cable threaded either side and then crossed over and pulled tight will do it.
Lift the chain off the chainring and move it forward one link so the quicklink forms a triangle sitting up from the chainring, like this
Then tap on the end of the quicklink and it will come undone. I’ve used this several times on both mine and others’ bikes.
Anchovies/tyre plugs - I just leave them in-situ, they wear down quite quickly so don’t catch. I cover those I put in with flexible superglue. The plug usually lasts the lifetime of the tyre.