Bill, I think it fits right in with my original intent: it's backup gear people carry, they just don't know it because it's in your pack.
I tend to do the same, and toss in some extra stuff if I know I've got a rookie (or an incredibly disorganized veteran) backpacker with me. It's sometimes an extra plastic spoon, or a pair of socks, or a mug, or a sweater or down vest. Because, yes, I've had a guy come up to me at supper and say, "Umm, I don't know how to say this, but I guess I forgot my bowl and spoon, heh, heh..."
I find I do this more often with people who have their own gear. If they're relying on loaner gear, I've got more control: I know my spare pack has a poncho, a small first aid kit, eating and cooking utensils, and so forth already in it when I give it to them at the trailhead and watch/teach as they pack it up.
balza I didn't say I have never used a compass, I said I have carried one that never gets used, because I have a GPS sometimes, and because generally I am in mountain country where only a complete ditz could get lost. In fact I have studied celestial navigation etc etc for the purpose of navigation at sea, and I was a boy scout, and I actually know how to orient a compass and chart a route, however I find that I never need those skills, perhaps because I have them, but this is why I am so persistent in my feeling that a compass is just not worthy of being on the ten essential list. And of most people don't know how to use it or read a map so why carry them? Jim
Glenn, When I can if I take a newby camping I supply a pack and everything in it. I tell them to bring 3-5 items, their own pants, shirt underwear, and other than that I say "pick up that pack and lets go", then I KNOW they have what they will need.
Edited by Jimshaw (08/11/1002:08 PM)
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
It's scary that we think so much alike. Very scary.
I also keep a second complete set of gear to loan to someone new to backpacking; they only have to bring their clothes and toothbrush. I do make them take everything out and pack it themself, while I explain what the different items are and how to pack a pack.
I usually give it to them at the start of the trip - at the trailhead, or maybe the night before as long as it goes straight into my car. Learned that the night I sent it home with a guy who just couldn't resist looking at it one more time and practicing how to pack it. Said it felt a bit lighter the next morning. Maybe that was because he'd set the tent poles aside and forgot to put them back in before he left.
I find it removes my worries to have control of that part of the trip (accountants barely missed taking the anal-retentive championship from engineers), and it also removes some of the newcomer's trepidations because they have a certain comfort level in knowing that I think they have everything they need. (Silly newcomers! )
At least you exercise SOME restraint: I used to take a PAIR of shoelaces! (Then I learned to check my laces before I left, after which I also found out that the paracord I already had will also work.)
Glenn, Aimless, Shoelaces? (a pair of them????) I think I broke one when I was 19, but not since. Now check my gear before I leave. I believe a piece of my food hanging cord would suffice to get home.
One time I was on a design team and they were trying to figure out to make a machine self testing. I said "All of the self test circuits complicate the design, create potential failures, and anyway this stuff is all ruggedized. I suggest instead that we find a way to test something with a higher failure rate, like the on/off switch." The team agreed with me and we dropped it.
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
accountants barely missed taking the anal-retentive championship from engineers
We could have won, if you and I were on the team. OM, however is pretty normal.
I took a guy that had NEVER backpacked on a 4 night trip into the Grand Canyon. I provided the complete kit except for clothes and hygiene. I told him I was more worried about him bringing something he did NOT NEED than not having something he needed. He did great.
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"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not." Yogi Berra
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6800
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Quote:
OM, however is pretty normal.
That's probably because I didn't start my accounting career until age 45 and have now been retired for over 20 years! I had plenty of more "broadening" experiences (both physically broadening, like several pregnancies, and mental, such as a degree in literature) beforehand, and have stayed away from accounting in the 20 years since!
I must admit, though, that I do have my gear list divided into "fixed" weight and "variable" weight instead of "base weight" and "consumables"!
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey
Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Quote:
I tend to do the same, and toss in some extra stuff if I know I've got a rookie (or an incredibly disorganized veteran) backpacker with me.
Among the small things I started bringing is a little box of temporary dental filling in my first-aid kit. It made it in there about 20 years ago after someone I was with lost a filling and was in pretty bad pain as a result. I replace it every few years, and about 7-8 years ago I had it when this happened again.
I carry about 20-40 ft of "Trot Line" with me. I can use to hoist food, help tie off a tent, tarp or hammock, and replace a broken shoelace. It won't help you repel down a cliff face, but it has many uses and I almost never use it for myself.
I carry a big curved needle and heavy black thread. This I sometimes use as a deterrent to what I perceive might be upcoming stupid behavior. I pull it out and announce "Hey, if anyone gets a good cut or gash I have my needle and thread with me and I've always wanted to stitch someone up with it!"
So far I've only stitched up a few cheap day packs.
I carry a few "Imodium", aspirin, Advil, Tylenol, generic OTC allergy pills, and some antacids. I've only used the aspirin or Advil, and very seldom used those. I really bring them to give away to others and often do.
To be honest, pulling these little "Rabbits" out of my pack is kind of fun, the guy who lost the filling was amazed when I pulled that stuff out of my pack and so was I when it worked
Having something that someone needs or forgot also provides a good excuse to pester them with some of the lessons you've learned. Who doesn't enjoy that?
Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 3293
Loc: Portland, OR
Shoelaces?
When you are out for a couple of weeks with no resupply and a bootlace breaks, it is not a fun situation. Not fatal, but well worth avoiding.
I can tell you this from experience. I don't know how it happened, but Vasque was sending out its brand new Breeze boots with some very inferior laces. I have owned two pair of Breeze and all four laces on them failed within 250 miles - an exasperating thing to have happen.
So yeah. I bring an extra bootlace. I think it weighs two grams. (looks pugnacious) You wanna make sumpin of it, buster?!
Xtra Bic lighter and a pepsi-g stove to back up my pocket rocket. Seems isopro can be hard to come by sometimes and at 1/2 gram the pepsi-g is cheap insurance. Also clean dry socks and extra gloves in winter will always be in my pack. ClO2 backs up my filter and Stanley makes a really light tripod light that uses watch batteries which backs up my headlight. I think that's it.
BTW- has anybody seen the baseball cap w/built in light in brim? My buddy picked one up from Lowes. Forgot to ask how much he payed though it looked well made.
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