What is your one piece of "GEAR" you can't do without?

[AKBOb]

pfft... easy my Wenger 16999 Giant Swiss Army Knife
knife.jpg
http://www.amazon.com/Wenger-16999-G.../ref=pd_ybh_23

[Odd Man Out]

"No it never complains, and it never cries, and it looks so good, and it fits just right. But if it's her you want I don't care about that. You can have my girl but don't touch my hat." (Lyle Lovett)

http://www.barmahhats.com.au/images/1018HS_w_text.jpg

[Maddog]

Cell phone!

Seriously though...as I get older, it's probably my Leki's! Maddog

[GSLeader_in_NC]

Insect repellant. I will never, never leave home without it. I am a bug magnet - I've ALWAYS been a bug magnet...

Last trip on the AT was March and I took my sunscreen, but didn't think I'd need my DEET. Wow, was I ever wrong. The gnats were so bad they were like a cloud around my head from morning until evening. Made my trip a lot less enjoyable than it could have been if I only brought along a small squirt bottle of Off...

[Buffalo Skipper]

.........................?

Yea, I have some simple, but great gear that I would not hike without. I love every item of my Big "4,", pack , hammock, tarp and quilts. But somehow, everyone has these in one form or another, so that is nothing unique, and I will skip it.

Good pair of comfortable hiking shoes.

Some people may hike barefoot, but barring those rare people, everyone has some sort of footwear. I love my boots, but they are nothing special.

...my answer hands down is my Black Diamond hiking poles.

Yea, I love my BD poles. Ergo-Corks. Really great piece of gear that I would not want to be without.

[Canyonero]

Cheese. Guns. Dog (no leash though). Cell phone. Bible (for trail "magic" purposes only).

But seriously, a plain old Life is Good cap. I almost never wear a hat outside of hiking but I always have it on when I am on the trail.

[Tharwood]

Zip Ties......

[Train Wreck]

pfft... easy my Wenger 16999 Giant Swiss Army Knife
knife.jpg
http://www.amazon.com/Wenger-16999-G.../ref=pd_ybh_23

That's not a knife, that's a porcupine wearing a suit of armor!

[Hairbear]

That's not a knife, that's a porcupine wearing a suit of armor!

if you look close you can see the kitchen sink in the middle

[Hairbear]

glasses ,i cant see being without them

[RED-DOG]

I think i would have to say my FOOD BAG.

[Gray Blazer]

My lightweight waterproof hooded windbreaker-Prolly saved my life a coupla times.

[Drybones]

.........................?

Toilet paper

[AKBOb]

Toilet paper

Toilet paper!! Wiping is what my pappy said my hands was for.

[Praha4]

the waffle iron of course is first, got to cook a hot breakfast each day.... followed closely by the boombox you can play loudly at shelters ... then the Snow Peak U/L chopsticks required at all those AYCE Chinese buffets in town.

[coach lou]

the waffle iron of course is first, got to cook a hot breakfast each day.... followed closely by the boombox you can play loudly at shelters ... then the Snow Peak U/L chopsticks required at all those AYCE Chinese buffets in town.

I showed HB57 the sticks, I keep them in the fish car!

[Donde]

Cheese

If out west a Shemagh is pretty damn useful.

[SassyWindsor]

either my Fabiano or Scarpa Leather Hiking Boots.

[moytoy]

It's really hard to say. The question reminds me of a quote my John Muir.
"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else."

[coach lou]

It's really hard to say. The question reminds me of a quote my John Muir.
"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else."

Yes, I see that. 'This is all the crap I need to have to feel comfortable being out there, and if I'm missing something, I know it, so I'm not comfortable.'