Packing List Oddities

[ian wright]

Is there anything you carry that may be overlooked by others, serves an unexpected purpose, serves a special purpose for you or maybe just plan wierd !

Something that some of us might be glad to drag along with us.

For me, if I do an extended trip I have to carry nail clippers as I can’t stand long nails. (boring – sorry !)

[Brett .]

..and a mini-inflator and needle. As a camp chair it is higher and softer than a pad (the volleyball, not the watermelon). I lead small group hikes, and when I pull out the bright yellow ball with the smiley face on the side (brought all the way from walmart in the US); I get great reactions. We sometimes hit the ball around after camp is set up, or at full stops. It has a high enjoyment/weight ratio. Maybe I approach this LW hiking thing upside down; since I am never the slowest in the group, carrying lightweight, low-volume gear allows me to actually carry more luxury items for the same skin-out weight. In my hiking circle, I started a tradition of carrying a (small)watermelon to the first camp meal. Again, great reactions from the newbies when I take it out for our desert. I eat my share with my BackpackingLight Ti spoon.

[ian wright]

Great ideas !

I believe that one of the big advantages of travelling light is being able
to afford carrying some goodies.
Especially for that first day or two like you mentioned.

I sometimes CAREFULLY pack a few bananas
and have even carried milk to make a decent coffee.

[Steven Hanlon]

i’m into ham radio and i bring along a Morse Code tutor when i solo. it weighs 8 ounces and gives me something to do once it gets dark and i climb into my sleeping bag.

at some point i’ll invest in a backpacking ham radio that runs on 6 AA batteries, but i need to improve my code skills first – seems like a fun way to wind down the evening.

-steve

[Linsey Budden]

Someone on a BPL forum once suggested a squirtgun as a bidet. That sounded great to me and I took one out for 2+ weeks with splendid results on a TP free trek. It also works great to chase away the camp robber birds that pester at mealtime. Besides a converstation piece, I never came up with a third use, but would take it along again.

[John S.]

Fill with alcohol for a flame thrower?

[Tom Casperite]

I brought a frisbee once. It wasn’t official weight, so it was a tad lighter. It has a fantastic entertainment value with a group. Also, it seems it is always in use to gather odds and ends while in camp. You could also use it to collect water or as a plate in your lap so your boil in a bag meal doesn’t burn you. Lastly, it packs rather well. Placing it right against your back or pad it can add to your virtual frame in your pack.

[Roger Caffin]

> have even carried milk to make a decent coffee.

I find the words ‘milk’ and ‘decent coffee” incompatible …
ymmv :-)

Cheers

[ian wright]

Down here near Bega there’s not enough rain for us to be able to use water in our coffee ! I use 100% milk !
But if you can bring some H20 I’ll make you one !

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