Three backup items: the free "sunglasses" (more like a rolled up piece of exposed film) from the eye doctor, one of those little photon LED lights (around my neck on a cord along with my compass and whistle), matches as a backup for my lighter.

I have some chlorine dioxide tablets in my first aid/"essentials" kit, but now that I use only chlorine dioxide to treat my water, that's not so much backup but an item that goes with me on dayhikes (since the first aid/essentials bag goes with me either way).

One of the big sources of unnecessary extra pack weight is carrying changes of clothing. I take no backup clothing except socks, but since even when it's cold I don't hike in my base layer top and bottoms, they are available as a clean dry layer to wear inside my sleeping bag. When I wear them in camp they're under my other clothing, so they don't get dirty--and I make sure they stay dry!


Edited by OregonMouse (08/05/10 12:46 PM)
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey