Luxuries

I was wondering, do you bring anything that should really be considered not necessary at all when you backpack?

I always bring a small container of pure Rose Oil. I take it out now and then just to take a whiff of it. It has no other use, it's a total luxury on the trail yet I always put it in my pack before leaving even if I know I've already packed too much.

Kindest Regards,

Bill

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In case you're curious, here's where I get it....

http://www.bulgarskarosa.com/essentialoils/oils/roseoil.phtml

I wouldn't go anywhere without my pillow. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Paperback books. Plural. One novel, one non-fiction, sometimes a short story or essay collection, too.

I like my pillow. Totally don't need it but it just makes the nights all the more pleasant and comfortable.

1 ***Hammock*** (I can sleep on the ground under a tarp. - I just like my luxury..)

also a luxury, because I don't strictly need it:

Camera - Olympus 725SW

All sometimes carried:

- Paperback book or two.
- Hot Chocolate Packets
- Cask Strength McCallan (or other tasty vitamin S)

This question gets asked periodically, but it is fun to revive it and let the current crop of posters loose on it.

I rarely go backpacking without a paperback book. Even my camera gets left at home sometimes, but never a book. But, of course, my second most taken luxury is the camera.

Combined, these two luxuries of mine account for about 1 pound, depending on the exact book I take. They aren't really necessary, but they do make the trip more fun.

I carry a pillow and a myriad of camera equipment. My camera equipment has almost become part of my essentials because I receive so much joy out of recording my adventures. I recently did a weekend trip where my camera broke on the first day and it kind of put a downer on the rest of the trip; not because it broke, but because I could not take pictures and video of some amazing places.

This season I started packing a frying pan for my Jetboil. It is completely not need but man it really opens some new doors for cooking in the middle of nowhere.

Camera & mini-tripod, compact binoculars, and thermometer. I got one of those Coghlan's "Digital Danglers" for Christmas (watch & min/max thermometer) which may replace my separate watch and thermometer.

I'd consider a solar shower if I had one, and I intend to try an inflatable pillow I just received.
I keep intending to take a closed-cell foam sit pad, figuring to put it under my feet at night, but I haven't yet included it.

A book. Good old thick thriller type. My MP3 player with FM, so that I can get news of the "other" world. Some moisterizer, to feel my face fresh after a quick wash.

On longer trips, I always take a book; one that I wouldn't have the patience or inclination to read at home. I have carried the same copy of War and Peace on ten trips now and am about 1/4 of the way through. And, since I discovered it, I usually take my Ipod along. There is something about listening to Mendelssohn or Mozart while watching the sun go down that I really enjoy.

A little bottle of vanilla extract. Smells really good <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> but tastes really bitter <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Would work if you had to bake something, to.

I take it everywhere on my keychain.

billk, I used to bring a solar shower my second one with thermometer, very nice to have a hot shower. I was disappointed with my straw inflated pillow. Too hard, tends to shift too much unless you stuff it into an article of clothing.

I'm surprised at how a pillow is considered a luxury. You mean you carry a regular bed pillow with you? Or, do you have one that's just for the trail?

I always fold my lightweight rain jacket into it's hood and cover it with a T-shirt for a pillow.

I got a hammock for Christmas. It's one of those with a mosquito net. I've never slept in one before so I'll probably bring it with me on my next trip.

I used to always carry a camera, but I find I'm doing that less now. Not sure why, probably just laziness. I never carry music with me. I prefer the sound of the forest. I wouldn't mind someone bringing an iPod with ear buds, but it's tough for me to listen to any kind of music playing when I'm out rambling.

The one other luxury I bring is beer. Good, microbrew beer. It's way too heavy and bulky, but if I can squeeze in a quart or two I'll carry the weight and savor it one small cup at a time <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Bill S.

Always a book and--when possible--my Thermarest 'trekker lounge' attachment so I can comfortably read in bed.

Ham radio geek stuff.
Shortwave radio...sometimes. VHF/UHF radio, always.
1/2 pint of favorite bourbon or scotch.
Huge astronomical binoculars....IF the skies are clear and I'm not hiking far.
Harmonica, or tin whistle.
Kite of some kind.
Book.

I like my toys!

Rarely all of the above and sometimes none of the above....all depends on who I'm with or solo, when and where, and how far.

Now that's all fun stuff! I'd go rambling with you anytime <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Bill S.

Really strikes home as a good HYOH example for me. It's funny that. I'm a band geek, and a computer geek, I typically listen to music everywhere and can really understand that. The interesting thing is since I'm usually not without an ipod or a laptop full of mp3's and headphones, I just do *not* take them backpacking.. I can't really explain why, I've thought about it, (I agree, mozart's perfect) and always decided "no, I'm happier without" - I've got an ipod shuffle, so it's tiny tiny. I wouldn't get on an airplane without it, but for some reason the thought of taking it backpacking is just, somehow, not right for me in my frame of mind when I head out.

I understand the music issue. I love music but don't carry it into the back country, for a variety of reasons. Not that it's a problem when someone's got an iPod or something out there.

I carry a pretty low powered set of binoculars. 'Bout half a pound. I also carry a little 6 ounce camera.

I sometimes bring either a relevant, in depth field guide (for example a keyed guide to the trees and shrubs of the region) or a good paperback to read. Varies from half a pound to a pound.

On my next longer trip I'm going to bring two 30 gallon trash bags, fill 'em up partway with water, leave them in the sun, and use them as a bath <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Read that online someplace, seems like it might be a good variation on the solar shower.

I guess my hammock is fairly luxurious. If a hammock is a luxury perhaps a tent is as well though <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I always take a radio, I am mostly solo so I listen to in the tent at night before I go to sleep. I never listen to it while hiking. I have a radio with short wave so I can always get something to listen to although sometimes I have to lower my standards quite a bit.

I am surprised at how many folks mention a pillow. I have a therm-a-rest stuff sack which holds extra clothes etc so it is more than just a pillow.

I consider my pack and everything in it to be luxuries <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Lol, my pillow is strictly a trail pillow. A nice light one that fits in a small stuff sack and serves the purpose of keeping my head nice a comfortable. I think I'm about to go and get a new one though because it has gel in it, but I really don't need it, hehe.

I'm with phat on this one, I always think that maybe I should take my Ipod with me, but for some reason it just never sits right with me. I do agree though, some good music with a good time always goes well together. Maybe I'll break down and bring it along one day, lol. Or I could just bring a kazoo and make my own music. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

30 gig Ipod classic and sometimes the means to recharge it. There's nothing like the sound of classical music on a high Sierra pass. And at night I like to doze off to a movie.

Hmm....

- light 8x monocular, sometimes my night vision scope (only if I plan on doing wildlife observation)

- Always take my PDA Phone and GPS module (nav, site marking, breadcrumbing, geocache finding, reading and reference, tunes, email and phone in/near town). I bring the keyboard if I think I'll be doing a lot of journaling.

- AM/FM/Weather radio on trips longer than a weekender or if the weather is very changeable.

- One of the digital cameras and now the Panasonic flash memory camcorder I got for Christmas. Which I take depends on what I plan on doing "out there".

- Bear spray (if I really expect bears) or the smaller 4-oz "Personal Protector" (for everything else). Experience has unfortunately taught me that two-legged predators at the trailhead are more problematic than all the four-legged ones on the trail.

- All those electrical devices need power, so there's one or two 5.5 Ah lithium batteries in the pack for recharging on longer trips.

I guess for me the electronics are the main luxuries. I know I could do without them but they help me document my travels so I'll have something to drool over in my old age!

-Jim

"There's nothing like the sound of classical music on a high Sierra pass."

Or the alternative...me playing 'faux' Celtic rills on my tin whistle. I keep a low profile in deer season...or any other season involving firearms. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I don't own an iPod (except my smart phone which stays behind) but my super tiny ham radio walkie talkie also receives standard broadcast as well as shortwave. At certain times of night there is gorgeous symphonic music played by foreign broadcasters and some of the best jazz on earth coming out of Cuba. I normally only listen after tucked in for the night.

Pillows...if car camping, yes, if backpacking, it's a jacket with something soft stuffed inside. I'll trade a true pillow for something with more fun value.

That's cool <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I love the scent of vanilla too. It's weird, I found out when I was around 30 years old that I was "Chemically Sensitive" when my mother told me I was probably getting headaches from perfumes and fragrances.

I started paying attention and found she was right. Banning perfumes and other smelly stuff like nail polish and remover from our house wasn't easy with my wife and three daughters waging constant protest. That's where the Rose Oil came in. It saved me when I bought some for them all to wear instead of store bought perfume. Since I don't wear it the little vial I keep for myself will last as long as I can hang on to it. I almost always have it with me.

Bill S.

This is fun!

My camera (Canon SLR) terribly heavy, so I don't always take it, sometimes just my coolpix.

My down mat (never leaving home without it now that I have discovered it!)

My down jacket. yummy...great to bury myself in if cold...and an amazing pillow otherwise!

Starbursts! (I've decided they are a food group all on their own when on the trail.)

carmex

small notebook and my drawing pens for drawing/journaling

10-4 on the band thing. I've played rock and electronic music all my life and love to listen to music when I'm driving but not when I'm in the woods. It's a way to recharge my mind and soul. Sometimes, while walking, I get into a groove or pace and I'm able to write something. I usually make up a tune in my head and end up writing lyrics. Usually the title and hook and maybe a verse and chorus. It's funny what your mind can conceive without outside distractions. In essence, having very little is the Luxury.

Though I am very fond of Bach, Mozart & bluegrass, I don't listen to music on the trail or in my tent. I prefer to be alert to possible predators, especially the two-legged variety.

I'm with you Dryer. I always take a flask full of Scotch and a good book with me.

After spending a 12-hour day working my way through overgrown jungle with a machete, I could sleep on a lava rock and use a wiggling Iguana for a pillow and it would not keep me awake. However, for the nights I make camp early and am not exhausted, I NEED MY PILLOW! I don't bring my regular king size bed pillow, though I have compressed it just to see if I could make allowances... way too big! I have a little pillow that I bought in a crafts shop. It's 12 inches long and 9 inches across and 8 inches thick. It's filled with synthetic stuffing and I can compress it down to 6x5 inches and half the thickness. I use a silk stuff sack that doubles as a pillowcase. I've tried the clothing in a stuff sack "pillow", but they are not resilient enough, they always shape-shift under my head, and inevitably I end up with a zipper in my ear. My second luxury item would be my small binoculars. They save me a lot of backtracking by using them to search out a passable route far in advance. Third, I carry a Carson MA-30 MagniScope. It’s only 7 inches long, weighs 4 ounces, and includes a 3x Loupe, 8x Monocular, plus a precision 30x microscope. I enjoy the little things on the trail along with the vistas. You would not believe the variety of insects here! I carry NO music on the trail. There are too many remarkable sounds of nature to enjoy to be masking it with an Ipod. Some might consider my custom machete as being a luxury, but I can’t live without her.

I'm pretty sure that a machete is not a luxury for jungle travel. Without a machete oftentimes there would be no trail at all. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

A good book, good food and no I-Pod. I actually have to put my 15 year old son in his own one person tent to keep the noise and glow from his PSP away from me . I can always find the campsite from the "Northern Lights" emanating from his tent. He also insisted on Pacific Outdoor Equipment pink flamingo tent stakes...it must be a generational thing.

I guess about the only luxury item I carry anymore would be a camera. I go to the mountains to get away from it all and do not want books, mp3 players, or even a gps when I'm hiking. I can't imagine sitting down to read a book or even watching a movie in the woods.

I'm usually hiking around exploring if there is any daylight left and then I like to hang out drinking tea or cocoa around the fire at night (if possible). I then crash out and like to be an early riser. A fire is the ultimate luxury for me, although I haven't really tried carrying it in my pack.

Maybe some of my food is a luxury....nutella anyone?

To me, practicing lightweight/ultralight backpacking is a facet of comfort on the trail. But 'comfort' itself has many facets besides a light pack. There's the comfort of warmth or being cool, a fully belly, good tasting food, going to bed feeling really clean and fresh, a good 'bed' and getting up feeling really good in the morning, the joy of having certain 'toys' (cameras, mp3 players, a favorite piece of gear, etc.)...

It's not all about cutting out the non-essentials...at least not for me. In fact, I cut weight so that I can more easily justify the non-essentials or the extravagant, e.g., my nearly six-ounce insulated mug.

From my early days in the Scouts I've been a big advocate for comfort. Our backpacking motto back then was, "Any fool can be uncomfortable." In other words, if it's not fun or doesn't feel good, why do it?

To me, 'luxury' items have their own place in comfort on the trail. If I dropped all mine out I'd save a pound or three. But I wouldn't be near as happy of 'comfortable'. Besides, one hiker's luxury is another's essential.

FB

Big Agnes Cyclone Chair - just started carrying this. Totally cush and worth the hassle of assembly. I've even started to carry it with an old Ridgerest pad for day hikes.

8 X 20 Binoculars

GPS

Canon Digital Elph camera

iPhone - Started carrying it because I didn't want to leave it in the car at the trail head. I have a Kindle account so it substitutes for a book. Use it very occasionally for music if the trail back is long and boring.

I take my gas station type insulated mug. I like a hot drink after supper and the mug keeps it hot for at least 45 minutes. I also take a small AM/FM/SW radio. I always hike solo and it is nice to have in the evening while I am just laying there waiting until it is time to go to sleep. I never use it while hiking.