Ridiculous packing!!

pfredricks · Post by **pfredricks** » Jun 15 2003 7:48 pm

Being as I keep hurting my knee, I am again re-evaluating my rather extensive packing list.

I am interested to hear a little about others' packing philosophy.

1. What one silly item do you take that you know that you should leave behind.

2. What item do most experts recommend packing that you ignore(such as signal mirror, wire saw, compass, waterproof matches, first aid kit, etc)

3. What item that is not usually on essential packing lists do you consider invaluable. (not silly items, essential items)

My answers.
1. I should leave behind my oversize booze flask(sharing is caring) and my small pillow, but dont

2. I dont bring waterproof matches. I can never get them to light on anything but the match book-UNLESS ITS WET-which defeats the whole purpose, I think.
3. I always bring a small BIC lighter. I have never not known one to light even after being washed in a washing machine-a modern day marvel.

I know that honesty may be tough with this topic, but, I think it will make it way more interesting.
The truth will set you free.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Jun 15 2003 7:55 pm

whooo! good topic man

guess it's time to be honest right

though I'm not a backpacker I'll add my dayhike thoughts for hydropacks

1. I carry a mini tape recorder, that needs to be left behind. It was a good idea initially, but digital cameras these days record voice when needed. Like recording data...

okay
2. I'm pretty sure I preach up a good storm on first aid, now do I carry it

3. Seems similar to #1 but... I carry a windproof lighter from Popular, never used it, but it looks cool!

kicker :: embarassing as it is I find that I pack a lot of garbage from previous trips
good news is I just dumped out several POUNDS a week ago

okay, okay - recently pulled out a bag of corn nuts in there for a few years that turned to dust and peanuts that resembled peanut butter... hey I get a lot of e-mails I don't have time for pre-planning

and as the embarsement continues... this probably would have gone on longer but I recently noticed the hydration pack wouldn't fit in anymore

maybe a year ago I started noticing the water pack wouldn't fit in all the way and left the top popping out until I drank a little bit... then before the last trip I thought man this is ridiculas, the pack is sticking out half way

Abe · Post by **Abe** » Jun 15 2003 9:04 pm

pfredricks wrote:I am interested to hear a little about packing philosophy.
1. What one silly item do you take that you know that you should leave behind.

2. What item do all the experts recommend packing that you ignore

3. What item that is not usually on essential packing lists do you insist on carrying.

I like this question! Truth or dare! Love it. I consider this a backpacking question.

My response:
1) My small Radio Shack A.M./F.M./S.W. radio.
2) O.k. I had to refer to the HAZ Article, "Gear Checklist" for the item the experts recommend packing that I may ignore. Heck! Its half of the items if not more listed! Where do I begin?
3) I would have to say, refer to #1.

azhiker96 · Post by **azhiker96** » Jun 15 2003 9:17 pm

Well let's see....

1. What one silly item do you take that you know that you should leave behind?

I have a great solo tent. However, if I need more room I take a cheap Walmart 2-man tent that weighs a ton! I hate carrying it and have been tempted to toss it on the trail several times.

2. What item do all the experts recommend packing that you ignore?

I do see lots of recommendations for GPS, FRS radios, and cell phones. I like to keep my pack light and don't like relying on batteries. The only thing I take that requires batteries is my headlamp. It'll run for about 150 hours according to the packaging. I change the batteries once a year whether they need it or not. I also don't carry a traditional first aid kit. My kit consists of my leatherman multitool, bandana, emergency blanket, 5mm cord, sunscreen, and powdered poweraid. I only prepare to treat big injuries. If a bandaid would help then the scratch or puncture is too small for me to worry about on the trail. There will be plenty of time for me to deal with it once I get home.

3. What item that is not usually on essential packing lists do you insist on carrying.

I always carry a bandana or two or three. It can serve as headgear, sunscreen, bug filter, wind screen, bandage, wash cloth, small rope, pot holder, or belt. This list is not all inclusive. I'm sure there's many other uses.

mttgilbert · Post by **mttgilbert** » Jun 15 2003 10:29 pm

1. What one silly item do you take that you know that you should leave behind.

I'm with you on this one Jim, I always tote an extra bladder for wine. Im sure I could find more productive uses of my time and energy.

2. What item do most experts recommend packing that you ignore(such as signal mirror, wire saw, compass, waterproof matches, first aid kit, etc)

Well my first aid kit is composed of a roll of tape and a bottle of ibuprofen and I can't stand those abominable "waterproof" matches.

3. What item that is not usually on essential packing lists do you consider invaluable.

Its been said already but, bandanas. As opposed to a tent and sleebing bag I pack a tarp-blanket sleeping setup (ponch and liner for those who know...), its much lighter than a tent and bag, smaller too.

Billy · Post by **Billy** » Jun 15 2003 10:58 pm

1. What one silly item do you take that you know that you should leave behind.

Let's see.....my glasses and reading material, I always think to myself how nice it will be to sit in the sun on the top of a peak, soaking in the sun, feeling the breeze, and reading, however.....I have yet to do this, I usually just lay on that peak, soak in the rays and heat from the rock beneath me, and just....enjoy the moment

2. What item do most experts recommend packing that you ignore(such as signal mirror, wire saw, compass, waterproof matches, first aid kit, etc)

I'm really bad with this, I probably don't have any of the things I should, but I do carry a first aid pack when backpacking, but not usually on day hikes :roll:

3. What item that is not usually on essential packing lists do you consider invaluable.

I always take my wine for backpacking trips, I don't need to, but for overnighters, I like to bring it

Oh yeah, and gum, got to have my gum.

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Jun 16 2003 10:38 am

Billy, I have found that one can get into more trouble day hiking than backpacking. Backpackers tend to carry lots since they are going for multiple days. Day hikers, since they travel light and fast, can find themselves overextended and having to bivoac. That's why I always ask myself what I would need to survive in safety (not necessarily comfort)if I had to spend the night out. First Aid is one of those things.

My answers:

1. a) Rope and Twine. I've rarely had to belay a scramble or a creek crossing, but usually have 100 feet of 5mm line and some lighter stuff to replace boot laces, guy lines, etc. I've got enough to do macrame, but rarely ever need it. Don't think I've ever replaced a boot lace on the trail either. b) Flashlights, usually carry two, plus a headlamp. Great if I ever fall into Carlsbad Caverns.....c) Knives, lets see, I always carry a big Cold Steel sheath knife in case I have to butcher an elk or kill a grizzer bear; plus a Buck folder in the carabiner that holds the rope, plus a swiss army knife with tools, plus I think there's a small surgical blade in my medical kit.

2. Nothing, absolutely nothing... Since I wrote my book, "The Ten Thousand Things Every Minimalist Hiker should Carry (forward by Ray Jardine)" I carry everything......thats why my pack says "Kenworth".... :roll:

3. A fresh, not stretched out Ace Bandage and ABDs. I think the trade name of Johnson & Johnson is "Surgipads". ABDs are antiseptic biodegradable bandages, usually about 10x10". One of these folded over a serious fesh wound and wrapped with the Ace, is a good replacement for direct hand pressure to stop serious bleeding. Comes in handy if you have to evacuate an injured person and need both hands to carry. Good to cover burns with silvodene creme, also as emergency sanitary napkins.

-Randy

Daryl · Post by **Daryl** » Jun 16 2003 11:12 am

Silly:
I don't think I carry anything that others would think is silly. I'm lazy so I carry as little as possible. I packed a beer with me to Reavis Ranch anf buried it in the creek. At night I had a cold beer, some may call that silly but it was worth the extra weight. I also bring GPS just because I like to know how far I have gone and how far I have to go, and it's easier then using a map and compass.

What I don't bring:
I don't carry a wire saw. I carry waterproof matches, but I keep them in a ziplock bag to ensure they stay dry. I don't carry a signal mirror, but my compass has a mirror and a knife blade works well too.

What I do bring:
I think it is on most gear list, but a whistle can be invaluable. If you need help, a whistle is much louder then you can yell, and you can blow a whistle all day. My whistle is a combo deal with a small compass, thermometer and magnifing glass. Also, a leatherman (or knock off version) is a must. I use mine in some way on almost every trip I go on (I hear you can even cut your arm off with one).

Greg Jackson · Post by **Greg Jackson** » Jun 16 2003 5:52 pm

Great Questions...

Number 1. Can we turn this question into silly items? Playtipus full of Cabernet. Nerf football (doubles as a pillow). Palm Pilot with topo software, books, games, music.

Number 2. I guess I'm pretty lucky. The people I usually go with usually carry those items. So, I ignore most everything.

Number 3. My most valuable item... Friends

Billy · Post by **Billy** » Jun 16 2003 7:24 pm

Hey Greg, I like your #3 item, that's a great item to have along on a hike

Nighthiker · Post by **Nighthiker** » Jun 16 2003 7:47 pm

Hike trails that won't cause grief to your knees.

Glitter · Post by **Glitter** » Jun 17 2003 12:07 pm

1. I don't think I pack silly things anymore, but I used to carry along my 45 S & W for bear safety. Then I saw my first bear up close and figured out that even if I plugged it, it would probably just get pissed off anyway, so now I'll just play dead.

2. I do carry a small signal mirror and some first aid items like moleskin, but I gave up the kit after reading Jardin, now all I think about is keeping things very lightweight. :twisted:

3. My only essential item is my backpack fishing pole. It breaks down into like ten pieces and weighs almost nothing. For backpacking in places without rivers or lakes, it's definitely a BIC lighter. :BH:

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Nov 05 2009 6:37 pm

It took me about ten years but I think I have it together now

azbackpackr · Post by **azbackpackr** » Nov 05 2009 7:49 pm

I bring a yo-yo. The kind with a string, not the other kind.

dysfunction · Post by **dysfunction** » Nov 05 2009 7:51 pm

I bring a book, pretty ridiculous weight wise... well, maybe not. Some trips I bring an ipod, that's probably more so. I don't carry matches, ever. I carry a bic lighter and I do have a small flint and steel.. I find both more useful in general.

azbackpackr · Post by **azbackpackr** » Nov 05 2009 8:17 pm

Oh, my goodness. I never go ANYWHERE without a book! I didn't even think it needed mentioning! I'm not being facetious, either! I need it to fall asleep, and plus, I just enjoy reading. A small paperback--usually just light reading, such as a mystery, or occasionally outdoors nonfiction.

I used to think I should bring something with more depth to it, but deep, meaningful literature or poetry is WORK to read (at least for me it is), and I just want something light and entertaining to read by flashlight before I fall asleep, or if I wake up at 3 a.m. and have nothing else to do.

I have seen magazine articles addressing the topic of what you "should" read while in the wilderness. Oh, please. Read whatever you want to, or don't read if you don't want to. Pretty simple.

dysfunction · Post by **dysfunction** » Nov 05 2009 8:26 pm

I've been hauling The Dharma Bums a lot recently.. I like it.. beat authors dissertation on Buddhism and backpacking.. all in one.

edit: but some of them have weighed what my sleeping bag does.

azbackpackr · Post by **azbackpackr** » Nov 05 2009 8:54 pm

Oh, well, I went on a very short bp trip while reading that Harvey Butchart biography, so I brought it along. It's quite a tome. I haven't read the Dharma Bums in so long I've forgotten it--I should read it again.

sirena · Post by **sirena** » Nov 06 2009 8:06 am

When I am at the library, I always keep my eyes open for small, interesting, lightweight paperback books to bring on my next trip.

JoelHazelton · Post by **JoelHazelton** » Nov 06 2009 8:23 am

1. What one silly item do you take that you know that you should leave behind.

Some stuff for repairing my pack, including needle and thread. Should just being duct tape instead.

2. What item do most experts recommend packing that you ignore(such as signal mirror, wire saw, compass, waterproof matches, first aid kit, etc)

No matches of any sort. I'll usually bring 2-3 Bic lighters.

3. What item that is not usually on essential packing lists do you consider invaluable. (not silly items, essential items)

Gold Bond medicated powder