Honesty Question? Total items carried in pack:

What counts as an item? For example, if I have a sheet of 6 water purification tablets, is that 1 or 6 items? I assume we're counting containers too…ziplocs, droppers, stuff sacks, etc. I can't think of any other weird questions at the moment! lol

"More experienced backpackers can reduce items from there gear list and less experienced backpackers will always have more items."

I'd disagree in some ways – the more you get out, the more you refine your list but you also find what works and what doesn't. I'd say in the past 2 years my pack has gained back items after going super light.

I found my happy spot – and I am sure I carry a lot more items than some would. And that is OK. It is what I prefer and am willing to carry.

A good example would be my first aid kit – I carry a lot more than most people. That alone has at least 20 items in it (lots of blister care/oral health stuff). I have long decided that I have a comfort issue and just don't like going under what my level is ;-)

I'd have to think about it to get my number – my pack changes based on where I am going often. An interesting thought though!

So before I count everything – do the stakes for my tent count as part of the tent?

I'm interested in an evermore refined packing list. I'm interested in overall pack weight too. But counting items? What the heck for?

Clarification, I consider a first-aid kit as one item and my tent stakes as one item [not all 14 of them].Back in the day I think I brought over 90+ items on a weekend trip. Over the years I have refined and reduced the items I carry and I hope from some of the great ideas [members] of this website I can even carry less items with the use of multi-use items. Mr. Tang is Mr. Positive! Read Ryan Jordan's Bio- member profile about less items carried.

Ooooh – I've struggled with this, long conversations on the trail with Phil (who is good at math). The conclution? Well, from my limited experience trying, It's unanswerable.

If you carry a tiny ziplock baggie with 10 ibuprofen tablets, is it 11 things?

The number would be absurd, if taken literally.

The mystical truism is that the LIGHTER you travel, the LESS STUFF you need to deal with – and consequently – the SIMPLER life becomes.

I'm still not sure if some items count or not, but worst case scenario I have 53 items. (That includes some consumables like 6 baby wipes and 3 pieces of dental floss.)

outside backpack:
2 platypus
sleeping pad
bag with stakes

inside backpack:
dry bag – tent
dry bag – sleeping bag
cooking pot – lid, stove, and fuel
stuff sack – food and ziploc for trash
zipper dry sack – contains the items below

poncho
lighter
compass
headlamp
paracord
cooking cozy
pair of socks
craft bag – spork
craft bag – filter
craft bag – 6 baby wipes
craft bag – survival kit (6 items)
craft bag – first aid kit (20 items)
craft bag – toothbrush, toothpaste, 3 pieces of floss
craft bag – deet, soap, sanitizer, and suntan lotion droppers

I think you have to count all your stakes. A hammock that uses 4 stakes is simpler than a tent that uses 14.

However, you should not count consumables. The first aid kit is mostly consumables.

Good point about the tent stakes Richard- I need to re-think that item a little better and I do count my first-aid kit as one item. I brought up this question because I see a lot of newbies with there gear list and ALL the STUFF they carry. I used to bring in everything [just in case] and the kitchen sink. Less is more and keep it simple stupid !!!!!! Work in progess.