[Tom]

I used to think a water carrier was necessary until Dante showed me I could connect the hose on my 2L platypus directly to my water filter. Now, instead of going thru the hassle of filling up a water bucket (i.e. in a shallow outlet) I just pump the water directly into my platypus and use it as my water carrier. IMO it's also a safer way to go because you do need to wash your hands, dishes, etc. with filtered water to the extent you're worried about giardia (I've read more folks get it from poor hygeine than from drinking contaminated water).

[Slide Alder Slayer]

My Wife...Pack Pup!

[Dave Weyrick]

My Curtis raft. It can double as a sun bonnet.

raft

[Stefan]

Toilet paper. I count that as a luxury item.

[Allison]

Backfilling directly into the hydration system is definitely easier, but I never go anywhere overnight without my trusty Nalgene Cantene (AKA Old 96, in honor of its capacity in ounces) because using your hydrations system is a pain in the neck way to handle water that's going anywhere but through the bite valve and into your mouth! I think that size Canteen runs about 4oz in weight.

[Top Secret Joe in Ohio]

Good for you Thomas. Going lite is great. The last Dante trip I had 17 pounds, (including 64 ounces of water) I like my shamy (spelling) my mid weight boots, and now my titanium trekking poles.

[Mike Collins]

"Shamy" is spelled correctly as chamois. It is a mammal found in mountainous areas of Europe.

[salish]

Chamois - native to France, right? I understand the Iceman was wearing a skinned chamois when they hauled him out of the deep freeze.....

[Lead Dog]

I use a film container filled with Purell hand cleaner for hygine purposes. And I wash my spoon and bowl with a little hot water left over from my evening coffee. I,m a semi converted Jardineite. Also once in awile I use one of those Safe Water Anywhere water bottle/filters with good results.

[McPilchuck]

Whiskey!

[Erik the Nav]

no, no, McPilchuck, we're talking -extras-, not essentials. Single Malt, Sour Mash, either way. Winter, maybe Brandy instead. I gotta try hot toddies in the snow this year. And I keep meaning to, now probably delayed to next summer.. anyway, I keep meaning to mix up some margarita and try shaking it on snow up high and straining off .. a little salt on the rim of the coffee mug, and I'll be good to go.

[Brian Curtis]

I was out on a particularly hard hike a couple years ago when one of the guys I was with pulled a fresh lime out of his pack. A bag of salt and flask of tequila and everything was set. A bit of salt on the back of your hand, a wedge of lime and a shot from the flask and and you are ready to relax. A definite step up from the Everclear and Kool-Aid I take on long (8+ days) hikes every year.

[Rich Baldwin]

I take a gardener's pad for sitting on. Costs about $1.50. It is about 8" x 14" and 1" thick, closed cell foam, and weighs very little. I always bring a journal and a little ELPH camera.