Things you carry with you...

[sbbtool]

I was just curious about the things people carry in their packs. Are there things you carry in your pack that you have never used? How about things you used to carry when you first started but realized they were just extra weight. I've already learned that I carried way too much food on my first hike.

[Phreak]

I used to carry too much food, too many clothes, too many first-aid items...

[modiyooch]

i use it all. even the snake bite kit to pop blisters, which was a mistake.

[Slack-jawed Trog]

Things I carry that I don't use or just haven't used yet...YMMV

1) Rip-stop nylon tape for tent/sleeping bag repair

2) Clevis pins, I prefer an external frame pack

3) Duct-tape (carried on a water bottle) for repairs #'s 1 + 2 above won't handle...

4) Swiss Army knife, thinking about replacing it with a small multi-tool/leatherman

5) First Aid kit, a small/basic set-up (guess I've been lucky)

6) Wallet & Cell phone, I hate the idea of leaving them in an unattended vehicle at the trailhead

[Wise Old Owl]

The first aid kit that never saw service. - except the imodium!

[Manwich]

I use absolutely everything but the pills i carry (vicodin in case i get injured, orphenadrine for muscle spasms) Otherwise, I'll throw it out.

[garlic08]

I pretty much got it down to minimum, finally. I can't believe the crap I used to carry.

The other week I was camped at an AT-style shelter in the Pasayten Wilderness in WA state. A group of four backpackers came in and started playing with and comparing all their REI toys--camp chairs, camp shoes, GPSs, altimeters, solar battery chargers, gas stoves, baking pots, insulated mugs and titanium sporks, water bladders and hoses, filters, multitools...whew. I just sat and stared and realized that I don't carry any of that stuff any more. I wonder what they thought of the poor quiet guy with no toys.

[modiyooch]

The mentality for packing light has carried over into my other forms of travel. I went to Asia for 8 days with only my carry on bag. My family of five never checked a bag for our flight to our cruise. I pack light for the beach, car camping, weekend travel etc. It's an art, plus I don't have to unpack it.

[Feral Bill]

I always carry a compass. Haven't used it in decades.

[Wise Old Owl]

The mentality for packing light has carried over into my other forms of travel. I went to Asia for 8 days with only my carry on bag. My family of five never checked a bag for our flight to our cruise. I pack light for the beach, car camping, weekend travel etc. It's an art, plus I don't have to unpack it.

There's a much larger detailed story there...


Peaked my interest!

[Blissful]

I pretty much got it down to minimum, finally. I can't believe the crap I used to carry.

The other week I was camped at an AT-style shelter in the Pasayten Wilderness in WA state. A group of four backpackers came in and started playing with and comparing all their REI toys--camp chairs, camp shoes, GPSs, altimeters, solar battery chargers, gas stoves, baking pots, insulated mugs and titanium sporks, water bladders and hoses, filters, multitools...whew. I just sat and stared and realized that I don't carry any of that stuff any more. I wonder what they thought of the poor quiet guy with no toys.

Some of that isn't necesarily toys or wrong to have. ?? Like camp shoes water bladders with hose, a mutitool (if its lightweight), a spork...

[Jonnycat]

Yes I use everything, except hopefully the first-aid kit (but I bring it anyway).

I used to bring a lot more stuff, but over the years I've pared it down to what I need, and it's more enjoyable that way for me.

If I wanted to play with toys I'd stay at home and game.

[MikenSalem]

I used to carry a several changes of underclothes and shirts and pants and Sigg bottles and lots of first aid (I'd settle for a few pills a couple of bandaids and sutures, if I could get any sutures) a fast dry towel, deodorant, shampoo a big knife. I hardly used any of it. Now, if you don't like how I smell walk up front. I'll just turn my shirt over when it's dirty and underwear? who needs stinkin underwear? Thats just something to cause chafe. I still like my washcloth it helps to wash up a bit and also is handy when I put in my contacts. Camp shoes can be nice but I haven't carried those lately.
I do carry a GPS just cause it has whatever trail I'm on, on it. If not then it's recording the trail for later use.
The biggest waist of pack space - water. Read the map, question the oncoming hikers carry a little extra and keep my water bladder topped off. Last year in the drought it was a different story but so far this year no problem.

[bigcranky]

I wonder what they thought of the poor quiet guy with no toys.

"That poor guy. Someday he'll be able to afford to be a real hiker."

[Gray Blazer]

"That poor guy. Someday he'll be able to afford to be a real hiker."

Yeah.....that's why I'll never be a real hiker.

[babbage]

I started carrying a first aid kit some years back. I made it up myself. It is relatively heavy. I have never used it, but am afraid that it would be bad luck at this point to leave it at home. I have offered bandaids to others and no one has "really" needed one.
I have carried a snakebite kit that my wife gave me in 1988 - suction syringe type. I have used it a couple of times to suck yellow jacket poison out of my ankles and one time Kenny Campbell used it on his butt cheek, also a yellow jacket sting. I always carry it - I am afraid to leave it at home. By the way, the cup that Kenny used got tossed out. Just another item that is rarely used - but carried in warmer months.
Tiny, backup LED light - always take it - never have used it.
Spare lighter - always take it - never used it.
My unused items seem to be the emergency type.

[EasternBox]

I take too much food and I always take too much fuel for my stove. But, i guess those are good things.

Also, i take sunscreen in the summer and never use it.

[GeneralLee10]

I use to carry a spoon but not anymore it weighs toooo much. So I just use my left hand to eat

[sbhikes]

I have 3 waterproof matches I have never used.
I might have used my compass once. I could have used it a few more times than that before I got it.
As soon as I got a rain poncho it stopped raining.
I haven't used the Vicodin.

[Jonnycat]

For some reason, now whenever I see this thread I think of this:

[=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLWm-m6CuCY]