Favorite luxury items?

Hi Max

Kindle, smartphone and camera.

This thread is till going. Same subject.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=63530

comfortable sleeping pad
warmer bag

Whoops! Didn't see it, Ken!

Astounding how a couple of swigs at the end of a hard day of hiking makes everything feel better.
There is no greater luxury than that.

Ha! Love it.

I carry everything I need, so nothing is a luxury. I assume everyone does the same. Need to one person maybe a luxury to others. It doesn't matter.

well said Nick.

Need VS want, I could ditch a lot.

I don't need a pair of sunglasses, but I want them.
I don't need a sleeping bag when I pack my coat, but shivering for 6 hours is no fun.
I don't need a camp towel, but it makes a number of jobs easier.
I don't need a spork, but it makes eating a lot less messy.
I don't need a pack liner, but I like dry clothes.

The list goes on….

I think some of my items pass the need/want barrier quite obviously, like the above, but others are definitely luxuries that I do not need to have a good trip. I wouldn't miss my sit pad, but I certainly enjoy it when I do have it.

Then again, I am very masochistic when I camp, so going without something feels like adventure more than sacrifice. For me, the line between luxury and essential is clear.

I concur with Nick. Some would say my 6 oz. chair is a luxury but not for me, it makes my long nights in camp extremely comfortable and inviting.

Never all at once but some of these at times

1. An unread copy of Harper's magazine: brain massage and fire starter
2. good watercolor paper pad, my travel brush set and a small palette of my favourite paint pigments
3. A few drops of Everclear added to a cup of hot chocolate
4. Have yet to try it out yet but my new Tenkara Iwana rod when fishing will be a possibility.
5. On very rare occasions these days, climbing gear
6. binoculars

Max,

For your personal comfort and general happiness it sounds like you need sunglasses, a sleeping bag, a camp towels, a spork, and a pack liner. Why apologize or even consider what others think? Why even ask?

1. Full length Theremarest ProLite

2. Olympus TG-1 camera (waterproof to 30 ft., drop resistant, intuitive menue)

Everything else including a GPS I truly need.

(Unlike a new Bushnell HDMR riflescope which I only "need".)

1.A book. Especially in summer when days are long here in the Northern Rockies. Something to do when it's still light and camp chores are done.

2. Reading glasses. Needed for item 1.

3. A flask with Jack Daniel's. Perfect ending to a great day.

Nick,

I tried to explain this. I think we view luxuries differently. When I give up those things, i'm not less happy, i'm differently happy. Still happy. They are definitely ancillary to me having a good time, so I consider them luxuries for a different kind of fun.

This thread? Curiosity, not self-actualization.

Kobo Mini Ereader

Air pillow & down-filled pillow case

MYOG Camp chair

adds up to 20 pounds

I understand Nick's interest and perspective; it's similar to mine.

A list of things that I COULD leave home, but usually don't:

– a larger than necessary knife (sometimes up to 6 oz)
– a pair of silk longjohns to sleep in (a 7 oz penalty)
– a pair of rainpants (4 oz penalty)
– a watch
– a drinking "tumbler" fashioned from a soda can — not necessary but handy
– scissors from a victorinox swisscard (knife would probably do)
– note pad for scribbling
– sit pad
– cell phone (sometimes)
– items in med kit that are for comfort, not for staying alive

Add these up and I could save well over a pound and a half, leaving them at home.

if there's water, a fly rod about 10 oz. with reel and a few flies;

often a relaxing adult beverage (for night time and in case of snake bite or need to sew myself up a la Rambo); and

That's about it. The sit pad (2 oz.) is factored in to my weight already, serves as my pack's back pad and has too many other uses to leave behind. My cell phone is also multi-purposes, reasonably light and already factored into my base weight.

I guess this thread has made me realize I'm a totally boring hiker. Maybe I'll buy a Gameboy.

I like to bring a couple of fresh Valencia oranges. They are rather heavy but amazingly delicious and refreshing on a hot afternoon!

The definition of need needs to be set if this discussion is to make any sense.

I need to stay hydrated, reasonably well fed, and have the possibility to be warm and dry. And enough sleep. That's it.