What I didn't use

[sargevining]

When I was younger, many, many moons ago, Ultra Light hiking and camping was controversial. It was controversial because of the possibility that hikers and campers would leave behind essential survival gear in the name of saving weight.

Everybody who gets lost in the woods or becomes non-ambulatory because of injury did not expect it to happen to them.

Those who are prepared don't always live, but those who are not prepared almost always die.

Nobody gets lucky in a survival situation. You're there because you got unlucky. You get out of it because you're prepared.

It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Two is one. One is none.

The most essential survival tool is a knife. Never be without at least one.

10 Essentials You should never go into the woods without:

Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
Water
Compass
Flashlight (with batteries)
First aid kit
Emergency space blanket
Matches
Sun protection
Map
Extra food

Always prepare for one additional night in the woods---even on a day hike.

[Siggy]

I don't think you can argue with that. The only things on that list I didn't take are a map and compass and that's cos we were just down the road from the pub. But yeah, all this talk of leaving stuff behind does need to be responsible. I have never needed my first aid kit. But I'll always take it.

[Siggy]

Stop it, your embarrassing me now!

Well it's true. You are my Shug. Haha. Seriously though, I did copy your tarp setup when i got home and it looks cool. Can't wait to use it in the field.

[sargevining]

Knife---Essential item. If you only have one, get another.

Folding Saw---nice to have, but not essential

Ground Sheet---Essential item.

Honey Stove---nice to have, but not essential

Teabags---nice to have, but not essential

Spare baselayer---depends on the weather. Hypothermia kills more people than injury does. If its cold and you've gotten wet and you need to spend the night in the woods, you're going to have trouble.

Eye mask---nice to have, but not essential

Toothbrush & Toothpaste---nice to have, but not essential

Walking poles---nice to have, but not essential

There.

You've saved enough weight on the non-essential items that you can get a good bivy, survival knife, and a poncho. You might never use them.

[olzeke]

Last trip, I took the following items that I did not use: layer of long underwear; lines of Amsteel; small knife; second collapsible canteen; spare pr of socks.

Most of that stuff i will take anyway, as one never knows about weather conditions. I carried several lengths of Amsteel and Zing It! that stayed in the ziplock, but I did use one of each to set up my tarp around some trees that were in the way of my normal set up. I used a single edged razor blade to open my drink mixes, instead of my small knife. I try to reserve the razors for food items, and the knife for other use. I carried my water in 1 3L canteen, and carried a spare in case it sprung a leak. Too many years of camping in the desert to trust my water supply to a single container. The socks I could have left at home, and probably will on the next 1-2 night trip.

[sunshower]

Well it's true. You are my Shug. Haha.

now that's a complement :0))

[mrmike65]

Yeah, what he said! Those 10 essentials make the base from which I build my pack.

When I was younger, many, many moons ago, Ultra Light hiking and camping was controversial. It was controversial because of the possibility that hikers and campers would leave behind essential survival gear in the name of saving weight.

Everybody who gets lost in the woods or becomes non-ambulatory because of injury did not expect it to happen to them.

Those who are prepared don't always live, but those who are not prepared almost always die.

Nobody gets lucky in a survival situation. You're there because you got unlucky. You get out of it because you're prepared.

It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Two is one. One is none.

The most essential survival tool is a knife. Never be without at least one.

10 Essentials You should never go into the woods without:

Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
Water
Compass
Flashlight (with batteries)
First aid kit
Emergency space blanket
Matches
Sun protection
Map
Extra food

Always prepare for one additional night in the woods---even on a day hike.

[Darkale]

I feel naked without my leatherman wave. Its not the lightest multi tool I have ever owned but it has the tools I need at work and in the field. All of the blades and tools lock as well.

[born2roam]

....Two is one. One is none.

Although I agree with a lot if not most in your post, too many people quote this.

Following this quote you should take THREE knives ..... to me that is overkill.

Remember other sayings/adages as:

improvise, adapt, overcome
there is no shortcut for experience
and
if you need it and don't have it, you don't need it (R. Jardine afaik)

Now that last one, I mostly use to train myself to find different solutions. I too, used to carry multitool and a fixed blade knife and depending on trip axe or saw. Nowadays I try to get everything done with just a Mora (or equivalent), stimulates my brain... Next step ... flintknapping Just kidding....

Btw, good idea to list the items you didn't use. Think about the items you did use too and find different solutions or multi functional items. All that aside: HYOH and stuff...

Grtz Johan

[titanium_hiker]

didn't use my first aid kit on the last trip out- but I won't be leaving it out!