I agree with you. Especially on the subject of map and compass. We sometimes go off trail to explore or get a little summit even when I didn't think we would. I'm usually the guy who has the Map and compass. On a few occasions I was very pleased to have the map and compass along. I also, a time or two, wished like Hell I had them along. It's always when you don't expect it that you need some "essential" item.

We don't have fires very often, but it would be nice if you were benighted. When we do have fires it seems like we are so far from any established trail that no one would ever know it or see the result. We are very careful, have only very small fires, and no ranger in his/her right mind would be within miles of us... .