Luxury items?

[Bear Cables]

When I hike I carry my Contrail TT and I also bring a 7x9 sil tarp. I know it adds 16 oz to my weight but I don't care. I want shelter from the storms on the trail or a dry place to cook and hang out that is not in my tent. So I guess some would say it is a luxury item. What do others take that might be considered a luxury item but for you it's necessary?

[Bucherm]

Camp chair, and my Nikon D3000 DSLR. But then I've only been doing weekenders.

[Hikes in Rain]

Good book. Lexan pepper grinder.

[Mrs Baggins]

Nalgene bottle of good red wine.

[SGT Rock]

Sudoku, cigars, bourbon, music, attitude.

[Just Jeff]

Always a camera, usually some kind of journal, sometimes a GPS just so I can record where I've been...I don't use it to find my way b/c I like a map and compass. Every now and then I'll bring my iPod for music/movies at bedtime.

I guess the extra suspension goodies for my hammock are luxury...I could do it with just cord and huggers but instead I use whoopie slings, dutch clips and huggers.

[Tilly]

Um I carry alot of luxuries.

Book, journal & pen, camera & case, cell phone (more out of a convenience factor than anything else, also I never have a 'home base' so sometimes I do need a way for the outside world to reach me) a 1/3 oz. container of oil for my hair, 2 extra pairs of underwear, clean sleeping clothes. I guess I could cut weight with all that but for now I'm okay with carrying it.

[sbhikes]

might be considered a luxury item but for you it's necessary?

A cup.

It depends on your base of reference as to whether it's a luxury or a necessity I suppose.

[Tilly]

OOh, a cup! I forgot about the cup. I actually carry two cups (tho one is for someone else.) I also carry a knife for peanut butter. I don't like using my regular knife. Maybe that's a luxury item too?

Now thinking about it I also carry a stove, pot, instant coffee, cream, sugar, and tea. And hot chocolate.

[David@whiteblaze]

I brought a hatchet on my trip this past monday...and a phone... well worth it.

[Two Tents]

Jiffy Pop so I can have pop corn then use the 'fry' pan for eggs and or pancakes. It took some trail and error but I can make it happen pretty good now.

[David@whiteblaze]

hot chocolate is not a luxury, it is a necessity... and Tang (instant breakfast dring with more Vitamin C than Orange Juice!)

[safn1949]

1 oz nalgine bottles of Capt Morgan and 1880 tequila,just enough to mix with a can of soda.And snickers bars.

[scope]

...attitude.

This is a must-have (I assume you mean positive), not luxury.

[Monkeyboy]

Backpackers pillow.

[scope]

Dales, Old Chub, Little Yella Pils, TenFidy, Pork Slap and occasionally a little Yeungling, in various quantities.

[chiefduffy]

Cell phone.

[Bear Cables]

Nalgene bottle of good red wine.

Like it

[Just Jeff]

I guess I'd consider my cup a luxury b/c I never used to bring it. I cut down a flexible Nalgene (not the bladder kind) to make a gravity filter, then I cut off the bottom at 500 mL / 16 oz. Now I use it to measure with, drink out of, and put my freezer bag inside to keep it standing up while I eat. Multi-use, but not really necessary. Sure is convenient, though, and since it's the soft kind I don't have to worry about it cracking.

Works well for Maker's Mark and Knob Creek, I found.

[fiddlehead]

Gps and guitar.
I always seemed to be a sucker for using my spare time to learn something.

SBhikes: consider a styrofoam cup. Lighter than air so you are not really carrying it.