I always hear people say what they would have left behind but what gear could you never live with out on the trail? What kept you from going crazy, saved your feet, or just made life easier on you?

a warm sleeping bag :)

Superfeet inserts for my shoes/boots.

A top that truly wicks, such as my EMS Techwick, which I would not be without. It makes a world of difference.

Almost every other piece of gear I take is negotiable, but for a first aid kit.

A spoon and TP. I've done without everything inside my pack including the backpack itself but the two things I hate more than anything are a spoon and TP.

Wolf

A spoon and TP. I've done without everything inside my pack including the backpack itself but the two things I hate more than anything are a spoon and TP.

Wolf

Don't move to Asia Wolf. No TP here in restrooms. (they do sell it in stores)

Funny about a spoon. I lost one once and had to make one by whittling. AT the time i was carrying a Ginzu. Not easy to whittle with a Ginzu. I got good at chopsticks too on that trip although of course i got another spoon in the next town.

What can't i do without on the trail: my sleeping bag is really about the only thing that i can't see leaving behind. Everything else is just a luxury item although some kind of food is pretty necessary aye? (on the AT anyway)

The Seven Holy Nylons

Here are the 7 things all backpackers must have:

1 Backpack(or duffel bag or hobo stick with sac or buttpack or garbage bag, etc)
2 Tent(or some sheltering system like tarp/hammock/bivy bag/poncho/shower curtain, etc)
3 Sleeping Bag(or quilt/blanket/poncho liner)
4 Sleeping pad(foam pad or inflatable or dead leaves or pine boughs)
5 Food
6 Water jugs(canteens/gatorade bottle/nalgenes/siggs--something to hold water, etc)
7 Clothing(how many totally nude backpackers stay out four seasons naked?)

All the rest is optional, like boots, socks, stoves, hiking poles, etc.

Dental floss.

Frau

The Seven Holy Nylons

Here are the 7 things all backpackers must have:

1 Backpack(or duffel bag or hobo stick with sac or buttpack or garbage bag, etc)
2 Tent(or some sheltering system like tarp/hammock/bivy bag/poncho/shower curtain, etc)
3 Sleeping Bag(or quilt/blanket/poncho liner)
4 Sleeping pad(foam pad or inflatable or dead leaves or pine boughs)
5 Food
6 Water jugs(canteens/gatorade bottle/nalgenes/siggs--something to hold water, etc)
7 Clothing(how many totally nude backpackers stay out four seasons naked?)

All the rest is optional, like boots, socks, stoves, hiking poles, etc.


Well, i've seen Wolf (2300) out there thru-hiking the PCT without #1, #3, and #4. He seemed to be doing ok although that bivy didn't look warm enough to me.

I know for me I have the Holy Trilogy
1) Duct tape
2) dental floss
3) Super glue

all have so many uses and have saved me in many situations.

The desire for the simple joy of walking.

I suppose I could live without it, but the one thing I've carried on ALL of my A.T. trips is my father's dog tag from World War II. He always wanted to hike the Trail but never got the chance. That's tag's been in some pretty interesting places over the years. Otherwise, my gear changes just about every year, except for a few odd items that have defied the odds and lasted a decade or so. If anyone's keeping track of such things, my Mountain Hardwear tent AND my EMS Dromedary water bag both have around 20,000 miles on them and are going strong, and every pack I ever got from Osprey performed great.

Good companies, good stuff.

I couldnt be without a pack and a sleeping bag.

You can live without common sense, but it ain't easy.

Trust me, I've tried it a few times. Got some of my better stories from those episodes, though.

You can live without common sense, but it ain't easy.

Trust me, I've tried it a few times. Got some of my better stories from those episodes, though.

That made me smile. Not that I have been there.

That made me smile. Not that I have been there.I haven't been there, either. It was a "friend."

Yeah, that's the ticket, that silly crap happened to a friend. I wouldn't do anything that stupid.

This may sound weird, but a small plastic bowl is essential for me. I wear gas permeable contacts, so I use it when I put my contacts in - I clean them over it, and if I happen to drop one it goes in the bowl and not in the leaves/soil.

My coffee press and Sunergos coffee(trail luxury). Other than that I just need a healthy body to be able to walk and a trail to walk on.

You can't go backpacking without a backpack, now can you?:-?

I know for me I have the Holy Trilogy
1) Duct tape
2) dental floss
3) Super glue

all have so many uses and have saved me in many situations.

Don't carry any of them...

My dog. She's fun and she keeps the bears away :)

Well, i've seen Wolf (2300) out there thru-hiking the PCT without #1, #3, and #4. He seemed to be doing ok although that bivy didn't look warm enough to me.

Fiddlehead,

"1 Backpack". When you saw me I was to carrying a backpack.

Wolf

Don't move to Asia Wolf. No TP here in restrooms. (they do sell it in stores)


maybe in your corner of asia, not all of asia wipes and licks. :D

1. My original backpack will go the distance with me whether I have to duct tape it or not. (It's huge and dated).

2. freshly brewed starbucks coffee with french vanilla creamers.

3. bandana - my favorite

Fiddlehead,

"1 Backpack". When you saw me I was to carrying a backpack.

Wolf

I could have sworn you had it all in a fanny pack in '96. You sure?

maybe in your corner of asia, not all of asia wipes and licks. :D

Which part of Asia have you found TP provided in the bathrooms?

I've only been to 8 Asian countries (+eastern Russia) and have rarely seen it outside of hotel rooms sometimes. (ok maybe your newer airports but definitely not Delhi or Kathmandu or Lhasa or Ventiene when i was there)

I could have sworn you had it all in a fanny pack in '96. You sure?

It was a school book bag with Mickey Mouse on it if I remember my years. I have used a fanny pack instead of a backpack a few times – once in 1990, 1992 and 1994. A fanny pack doesn’t really work to well mainly because where all the weight is located (on the hips were I don’t like it).

Wolf

It was a school book bag with Mickey Mouse on it if I remember my years. I have used a fanny pack instead of a backpack a few times – once in 1990, 1992 and 1994. A fanny pack doesn’t really work to well mainly because where all the weight is located (on the hips were I don’t like it).

Wolf

We'll have to ask Blister Sister and see if she remembers.
That was the age before digital cameras so i know i don't have a picture of you from that year. (or Yappy) Ladies?

french press mug :)

My MP3 player. I love to listen to Steven King audiobooks at night in my tent.

My hiking stick is undeniably probably the thing I would miss the most if I left it behind. Carved them out of an indigenous hardwood in SNP and hand rubbed with linseed oil for hours, Marje's too (her hiking stick;)). Saves knees, feet, and is good for protection. Someone hits me with their carbon fiber pole their gonna see a louiseville comin in their direction, also acts as a stress ball. Sort of.

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=26701&original=1&c=member&orderby=dateline&direction=DESC&imageuser=17846&cutoffdate=-1

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=25535&original=1&c=member&orderby=dateline&direction=DESC&imageuser=17846&cutoffdate=-1

A debit card and cash

My dog and coffee.

A spoon and TP. I've done without everything inside my pack including the backpack itself but the two things I hate more than anything are a spoon and TP.

Wolf

Stupid me forgot a spork on one weekend hike. I had to make one using a branch and a knife when I realized it. Turned out pretty good. I still have the wooden spoon I made and leave it out in my gear area as a reminder not to forget my spork ever again!!!

I could not live without my Backpack and Sleeping bag, but if you call those essintials then it would be my headlamp

Trekking Poles make all the difference in the world.

Water Filter of any sort. Nasty water makes for nasty nights.

A spoon and TP. I've done without everything inside my pack including the backpack itself but the two things I hate more than anything are a spoon and TP.

Wolf
Why would you hate a spoon and TP?

My hammock. Nothing like a good night's sleep out in the middle of nowhere.

I'm probably never make an outfitter wealthy. I buy gear and get many years out of it. I get better than 20 years out of many pieces of gear... Among the oldest pieces and the ones I can't live without, at least emotionally are:

1. My Swiss Army knife
It's about 25 years old and I have a leatherman now
that really seems more practical but it just isn't the same.

2. My Mini-Mag light
somewhere around 20 years old, not 100% sure
It's another item I have bought better replacements for but...

3. My black and white checkered bandanna
a gift from my then girlfriend, now wife

From a gear standpoint I have newer and better replacements for all three. But, hitting the trail absent any of them leaves me feeling rather naked.



Hitting the trail absent

I always hear people say what they would have left behind but what gear could you never live with out on the trail?

You can't go backpacking without a backpack.

Panzer

coffee press, duct tape !

My music.

http://www.rei.com/product/407267

It's essential.

http://www.rei.com/product/407267

It's essential.

My wife "Pace Car" won't hit the trail without hers.

A paperclip. I just have to remember to replace before each trip because I end up using one for something or another.

In order:

Hammock & tarp (& accesories)
Trekking poles.
Vitamin I or similar.

Did a week long survival course in AK with just the clothes on my back and a multi tool.

Would have been much worse without the multi tool, but probably could have lived without it.

Ok curious minds want to know what you can use a paper clip to fix, for something so small I'd be seriously interested in hearing about its uses.

sounds lame, but because i was always hiking thru winter, and sometimes never saw anyone for weeks on end, i think my walkman

A good knife. Everything else is just a luxury. It is much easier to light a fire with a Ferro Rod though and that would be my second item.

I always hear people say what they would have left behind but what gear could you never live with out on the trail? What kept you from going crazy, saved your feet, or just made life easier on you?

Shoes would be high on the list!!!

Autumn leaves tinkling in the wind, ancient old growth trees, refreshing waterfalls, clean water, big puffy cottony clouds on an orang sunset horizon, being able to see out across twelve mountain ranges, a word of wisdom aptly spoken in season, unselfish people, children with great big smiling playful faces, a sweet kiss, and the next undiscovered rise leading to the most brilliant views.

Body Glide.

Accepting myself.

Ok curious minds want to know what you can use a paper clip to fix, for something so small I'd be seriously interested in hearing about its uses.

You can use them to clip papers together...

...on the appalachian trail...

SurlyTemple: I am assuming you would be taking sleeping bag, tent/hammock, etc. So here is MY "thing" I could not go without: small swiss army knife and very, very, very lightweight waterproof binoculars.

very lightweight waterproof binoculars.


those binocs have a name?

My POE Max-thermo. Too old to sleep without an air mattress any more.

Bear Rope-nothing worse then loosing your entire food supply to a hungry bear and the restock store is 20 miles away and it's 2 a.m.......

Backpack, Warm Sleeping Bag, and Clif Bars.

http://www.rei.com/product/772100?cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-772100&mr:trackingCode=4D5F7E73-93B9-DD11-9B0F-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

Lightweight, Cheap and in these months indispensable.

1. Duct Tape
2. dental floss
3. Imodian AD
4. hat
5. boots

Aside from basic needs, what I always bring is a Montane wind shirt. It protects from bugs, chilly breezes, fits in my pocket and weighs three ounces. I use it all four seasons.

nothing. i go very lite. so i need all that i take, but my hammock is great. love to take a nap in the middle of the day ..zzzzzzz!!

right now, my balaclava...

Bacon! Bacon! Bacon!

Chapstick. Not Blistex, not flavored. Plain, old boring Chapstick.

Did a week long survival course in AK with just the clothes on my back and a multi tool.

Would have been much worse without the multi tool, but probably could have lived without it.

I wouldn't mind seeing a post just on this topic right here. How, in the world, did you manage to survive a week in Alaska with just a multi tool?

Chapstick. Not Blistex, not flavored. Plain, old boring Chapstick.
:cool:THANK YOU....... thats what was missing on my gear list

I would never hike without... a camera. There just wouldn't be any point in it. If it's more than a few nights, I like having a notebook and pen or pencil.

My hot girl friend, she keeps me warm at night.

I know for me I have the Holy Trilogy
1) Duct tape
2) dental floss
3) Super glue

all have so many uses and have saved me in many situations.


believe the proper term is Holy Trinity, because trilogy refers to different "episodes" or versions of the same base product for example Lord of the rings is a Holy trilogy , Pirates of the Caribbean is a Holy trilogy, and the original Star Wars is a Holy Trilogy , BUT considerd all together

1. Lord of the rings
2.Pirates of the Caribbean
3. Original Star Wars

That would be a Holy Trinity of movies

Totem: Sorry it took so long to get back with you. I felt that these types of binocs abound on the net. But I recommend something not to expensive and an entry level binoc for backpacking. It comes down to: Brunton LITE-TECH compact. 7.8 oz., waterproof, etc. $32.00 One can't go wrong.

Warm sleeping bag
Duct Tape
Mole Skin
Body Glide

You can live without common sense, but it ain't easy.

Trust me, I've tried it a few times. Got some of my better stories from those episodes, though.

...my 6th sense... :)

BUT considerd all together

1. Lord of the rings
2.Pirates of the Caribbean
3. Original Star Wars

That would be a Holy Trinity of movies

LOTR is the biggest, steamiest, pile of movie suckage ever produced. The other 2 movies are much better; they only just suck regular style.

i've only seen #1. it was just OK

MH Phantom 32* , close 2nd-tarp /tent

I always hear people say what they would have left behind but what gear could you never live with out on the trail? What kept you from going crazy, saved your feet, or just made life easier on you?

FIRST gear. ;)

Seriously, orthotic insoles would have to be #1 for me.
Non-essential #1 would be my camera. I love to relive the memories.

Strike Force firestarter and my multitool

Life sucks if I can't light a fire and make tea.

java juice

Superfeet inserts for my shoes/boots.

A top that truly wicks, such as my EMS Techwick, which I would not be without. It makes a world of difference.

Almost every other piece of gear I take is negotiable, but for a first aid kit.

Thanx for the info on the EMS shirt. I just bought one online as they are on sale for $15 depending on color. Hope it works.

my down sleeping bag

Toliet Paper that is one luxury i will not leave home without

My hammock - last trip I actually dreamed I was home, asleep in my bed.

Literally my down sleeping bag.
Figuratively my map

Toliet Paper that is one luxury i will not leave home without

+1 on that. I even take it on trail runs in case I get the trail runs. :D

my wife. understand?

My camera and a book :).

UA compression shorts.....will NOT hike without them
also smartwool adrenaline minicrew socks
thats just clothing

as far as "gear"
my impression was that the OP was talking about "non-essentials stuff" like sleeping bag, packs, etc
SO with that in mind the gear i cant live without (besides my flask of Wild Turkey American Honey Whiskey)
is........
Therma-Rest Pro-lite 3 stuff sacks, ive got at least 7 of them...lol
chapstick, duct tape, and sunglasses

A book to "read myself to sleep." I do this at home also.

Matches, Toliet Paper, ear plugs

pocket rocket
swiss army knife
TP