Your one luxury item?

[CoolBobby]

Forgive me if this thread is redundant. I've searched the forums and come up empty handed.

I am curious what is the one item that you hike with, regardless of the weight, need, and what every other hiker talking head says...

I carry my handheld thermal imager/camera. It weighs a little over 12 oz with batteries, but man it takes some cool pics! Its neat stay up after hiker midnight and watch the woods come to life with the wildlife when it is pitch black... I think most would be surprised at how much wildlife wander into our camps after we a safely zipped up in our 1 pound tents...:-)
mtm-000-a4.jpg _2895736_orig.jpg

Whats your must have item, that is not related at all to your hike?

[George]

my luxury is always food - I do without a lot to be able to carry very heavy groceries when the mood and opportunity coincide

[Traffic Jam]

My knitting, usually socks.

[BirdBrain]

My camera. Canon EOS Rebel xsi. It is fast becoming dated. Waiting for the mirrorless cameras to come down a bit.

[GoldenBear]

But the fact is that I wouldn't be out on The Trail unless I had my cell phone -- which is also my camera, GPS, map viewer, music box, store locator, etc, etc.

I myself have to consider this item a "luxury" when you consider that hominids have been doing long distance walks for about half a million years before they started doing so with cell phones.

But I just don't think I could do so without it. Without a means to contact my wife periodically (I try to do so once a day), or SOME means to contact help if I need it, I doubt I'd have the courage to disappear for even a week.

[kjbrown]

Stock picture of the telescope that I carry but have replaced the metal tube with a carbon fiber tube cutting the weight with the tripod down to 12 pounds 3 Oz

[CoolBobby]

Stock picture of the telescope that I carry but have replaced the metal tube with a carbon fiber tube cutting the weight with the tripod down to 12 pounds 3 Oz

Nice! I see a new niche market....

[Another Kevin]

I don't think I have just one luxury item, but most of them are related to why i hike, even if not necessary to making the miles. I do photography, and map making, and journalling, and want the tools for it:

Camera.
Smartphone and charger (The charger is a mil-spec 14000 mAh one, about the size, shape and weight of a small brick, because I run the smartphone GPS all day long.)
Cables for camera, smartphone, charger, AC adapter, spare camera batteries, spare memory card.
Guidebook.
Notebook and pencil for field notes.

Beyond that:

Nylon bucket. (I like a bath once in a while.)
Melitta filter for coffee. (If I can't have real coffee I'm not going!)
Tyvek tent footpint (that very seldom goes under the tent, but becomes bath mat, doormat, ground sheet at shelters, dry place to sit, etc.)

When I'm solo, or on a bushwhack, or traveling in winter, or expecting an extended period without cell coverage, add:

ARC ResQLink PLB

And every gear list that I share with others lists: "None of your business - 2.0 lb"

[George]

And every gear list that I share with others lists: "None of your business - 2.0 lb"

if you want to post in the lightweight forum quit writing "none of your business" on 2 lb clay tablets

[BirdBrain]

And every gear list that I share with others lists: "None of your business - 2.0 lb"

2 lb !!!! Holy cow AK! My "none of your business" weighs 8 oz. I sure hope "none of your business" covers more than just 1 "none of your business" item. If not, I am going to start calling you Tipi AK.

[Another Kevin]

2 lb !!!! Holy cow AK! My "none of your business" weighs 8 oz. I sure hope "none of your business" covers more than just 1 "none of your business" item. If not, I am going to start calling you Tipi AK.

How much of my 'none of your business' budget I actually use is also none of your business.

[BirdBrain]

How much of my 'none of your business' budget I actually use is also none of your business.

I will not conceal that detail. I carry 0% of my 8oz none of your business item on the trail.

Off the trail, I can be counted on carrying 100% of "none of your business".

[JumpMaster Blaster]

...

And every gear list that I share with others lists: "None of your business - 2.0 lb"

I laugh every time I see AK say that. Sometimes the weight of my "none of your business" varies. Diversity is key.

But seriously, I carry an old smartphone to use as my GPS. I keep track of all my hikes, distance, time, calories burned, etc. I use my new phone for emergencies, "come get me" phone calls, and for taking pictures/video. I recently purchased an Anker 20000 mAh charger to keep them full.

I always have a small 3x5 notepad and pen so I can update my blog. I always carry either a folding map of the area or a photocopied map section of the area.

But my one huge comfort I've been bringing lately is a book. I love falling asleep reading a book.

[Kenai]

I laugh every time I see AK say that. Sometimes the weight of my "none of your business" varies. Diversity is key.

But seriously, I carry an old smartphone to use as my GPS. I keep track of all my hikes, distance, time, calories burned, etc. I use my new phone for emergencies, "come get me" phone calls, and for taking pictures/video. I recently purchased an Anker 20000 mAh charger to keep them full.

I always have a small 3x5 notepad and pen so I can update my blog. I always carry either a folding map of the area or a photocopied map section of the area.

But my one huge comfort I've been bringing lately is a book. I love falling asleep reading a book.

Blaster, what application(s), did you use for GPS, distance, time, etc.?

[gregpphoto]

I was going to say beer, but who are we kidding, thats a necessity.

[coach lou]

P1160026.jpg

[Rolls Kanardly]

P1160026.jpg

Cheesecake, you crack me up. I want to hike with you. Rolls

[Sarcasm the elf]

Cheesecake, you crack me up. I want to hike with you. Rolls

I can vouch for the cheesecake. He has brought one to both of the winter group hikes we have been on together. The dang thing weighs almost six pounds.

[nsherry61]

I must be such a boring sot.

I don't carry any "none of your business" or any other luxury items on a regular basis. If I carry luxuries, it's because I want it or them for a particular purpose on a particular trip. . .

Although, I do carry a tent, a stove, a cooking pot, various fancy food, probably 10 lbs of "luxury items" to accommodate my wife's preferences when she comes. Thank goodness I start off pretty light so the extra 10 lbs is still manageable.

When going with my brother-in-law I generally take a flask of Scotch.

Although, I am certainly not dependent on it, I take my phone and still don't consider it a luxury item since it is (as noted above by GoldenBear) my gps, alternate map source, light, alarm clock (for climbing), camera, music box, book, communication device, trail journal, guide book, etc. . . mostly it's just my camera.

[Sarcasm the elf]

Usually a border collie, sometimes a german wirehaired pointer instead. Worth every ounce.