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Reading Glasses
Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Trekker
In all you do, do it big.
Eyeglasses followed by shoes
Good pair of comfortable hiking shoes.
Getting lost is a way to find yourself.
Cell phone!
"You do more hiking with your head than your feet!" Emma "Grandma" Gatewood...HYOY!!!
http://www.hammockforums.net/?
Car Keys are really really important to remember.
Insect repellant is a the most important piece of gear for me. If I wore eyeglasses that would be first.
Glasses, headlamp, extra pair of glasses, in that order.
uh, ... feet?
Glock 18C...
Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
My real answer?
If you are asking what one piece of "optional" gear do I consider essential, then my answer hands down is my Black Diamond hiking poles.
Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
Since you put "GEAR" in quotes, I consider that a wide open question and I'll respond with "my brain" or "uncommon sense**". There are too many pieces of gear that we all need (good footwear, shelter, proper clothing, and food), and it changes depending on specific conditions, but in a pinch (aka emergency), the best resource is your mental ability to deal with it. Other than a life threatening medical emergency, you can usually walk your way out of trouble, and find help -- if you know what you're doing.
** you know why... too few today have what should be common sense, so it's actually more accurately described as uncommon
Biggie
I can do without them but the piece of gear I miss the most are my slip-n-snip scissors.
"Hiking is as close to God as you can get without going to Church." - BobbyJo Sargent aka milkman Sometimes it's nice to take a long walk in THE FOG.
My Buff! Keeps the sweat, as well as my hair, outta my eyes, without feeling like my head is totally covered...
Ziplock bag with cash and cards.....
My backpack of course.
Hello Folks! I'm brand new to this forum, (this is my very first post) and planning to be a NOBO thru-hiker in 2013, starting in mid/late April. I'll be brand new to eastern US hiking, but spend nearly every weekend in the mountains of Colorado.
My favorite piece of gear is hands down my sleeping bag (I own 7 of them, ridiculous, I know). Having that little haven of warmth and comfort at the end of the day makes this all possible, IMHO. Truly humble opinion... perhaps in the warmer climate back east sleeping bags take on less importance, at least for the middle 3/4ths of the AT.
glasses and shoes.
If you're referring to items that are not crucial to my hike but I just can't see myself going without them, then I need hiking poles.