The things we forget....list!

[Joezilla]

I just got back from a backpacking trip in grayson highlands. It was a quick overnight, but it was fun, and of course the coyote and Bear I saw there were awesome bonuses (pics later). The goal of the trip was to review gear, but when I was out there, I was surprised at some of the stuff I forgot. Essentials were well taken care of, but I forgot a cup to make coffee. Also, once again, I thought I would go in "don't eat alot mode", which always works, I had food for each time of day, but once again I was next to the fire, alone, at night, thinking about how wonderful it would be to have a small block of cheese and trail bologna. So, cup, and fattyJoe foods.

What are some of the items that you have forgot, creature comfort wise, that you need to make a note about so that you remember?

 

[VTguy17]

Toilet paper, every time. I've been backpacking for a long time, done many long distance hikes for weeks at a time and I forget TP every time!!! I've had to wipe with some strange things Most trips I come home with less socks than I brought!

 

[crazyengineer]

Toilet paper, every time. I've been backpacking for a long time, done many long distance hikes for weeks at a time and I forget TP every time!!! I've had to wipe with some strange things Most trips I come home with less socks than I brought!

watch out for poison ivy!

 

[dipbait]

Binoculars. I always wish I had them with me. they are just to cumbersome. I need to get a nice small set.

 

[edctac]

watch out for poison ivy!

Yeah my roommate and camping buddy always makes a refference to running out of sleeves, and has many sleevless shirts to prove it. I usualy bring a pack of baby whipes

 

[baldtaco-II]

Struggling to recall now 'cos it tends not to happen. In recent years it's only been little niggle ones on spontaneous overnight trips, silly stuff where paying attention isn't critical: I've forgotten to top up the coffee container and had to space out what I did have. I've not topped up the batteries on the tredder so I've had to limp round on reduced lm and pitch sooner than I would have. From the way back when I can tell you that took out .177 pellets rather than switching to .22 when I swapped between two otherwise identical Weihrauchs. That pissed me off no end not only 'cos of the lack of nosebag but also because all up that was then a 10lb useless lump to tote for the weekend. In hindsight I'm glad I pressed on anyway and didn't bail on the punishment, but still, grrrr.

 

[555]

Group 30 mile 2 day 1 night canoe trip.

The mess kit was left in the car and I was the only one who had a Knife or a Can Opener on them. Cooked in Soup/Bean cans on the fire and we almost lost the only knife in the river with a bad pass/weak throw back to my canoe.

It was one of these with corkscrew from the 1960's that saved the trip and our bacon.

Proving again, the best Knife for in the wild, might be the one you got.
BTW Still have it today.

 

[dboles]

Ah forgetting things-best way to get experience,Been canoeing with no paddles snpwshoeing with no shoes hunting with no bullets.Worst was the sleeping bag.Ever been wrapped up in a rainfly while listening to to your pals snore and hoping it doesnt rain.
One of the best things I ever found on the internet is printable checklists for various activities hiking canoeing etc
Even with that, last trip out forgot crackers which were to be an important item on the menu for lunches.Made do like we all do when something is forgotten.More experience? you bet will I forget those other things I mentioned not likely Something else?Maybe
Good post
Thanks
Dan'l

 

[Mistwalker]

I always have mu cup, but the last time I forgot the coffee, and my monocular laying on the counter. After going out all summer I always forget to throw a hunk of cheese and a couple of rolls in the pack for snackin' on around the fire at night and the warm beverages. I usually get so annoyed with myself that I remember it on the second trip though.

 

[batosai117]

I think an item that would help with groups that I always forget is a simple deck of cards. Always fun to sit around a good campfire and play spades with the guys. Something that I've learned to trade out is toilet paper for a nice pack of wipes. It cleans better and takes less maintenance to keep wipes in good condition for an extended time - get TP wet once and that's it

 

[kgd]

My trip this weekend I forgot to bring any type of eating utensils. No biggie as I just carved a stick into a shovel (spoon wouldn't be correct terminology), but it is still a pain and I never put enough effort into carving one that I'd keep it for the rest of the trip - so I had to make a new little shovel every meal. Probably would be worth it just to carve something usable and keepable the first night. This time around I also didn't stock up on some simple drugs - no TUMs in my kit which I often take and suffered for from the more fatty foods eaten than I usually consume and I had a splitting headache on one night without any pain meds - an advil would have been nice.

TP on occasion but fortunately I remembered it this time. Bug dope and sunscreen forgotten on occasion with big regrets. I forgotten flashlight or headlamp on occasion - not the end of the world but inconvenient. Spare batteries - especially for the camera. Sometimes I've left the memory card of one of my cameras in my laptop during the last downloading event. Nothing worse then lugging a 2lb SLR only to have no memory capacity. Tripod - how many times have I brought a tripod but forget the little adapter piece that screws into your camera at home or stuck on another camera? The list is endless!

 

[Codger_64]

You would think I would have it all down pat by now. My last overnighter I forgot the coffee. But remembered it on the road and bought some. But the next morning I also discovered that I had left my coffee cup on the gear shelf at home. So I drank coffee from a bowl. Speaking of which, I forgot the dog's food bowl. He didn't complain about eating off of a flat rock "plate", but I'll remember it next time. I never go without toilet paper. I have a roll or two of backpacker's coreless toilet paper stashed in evey pack and drybox. I did remember my miniflashlight, but not the headlamp. And next time I'll remember that they still haven't perfected dried eggs. Blech!

 

[555]

You would think I would have it all down pat by now. My last overnighter I forgot the coffee. But remembered it on the road and bought some. But the next morning I also discovered that I had left my coffee cup on the gear shelf at home. So I drank coffee from a bowl. Speaking of which, I forgot the dog's food bowl. He didn't complain about eating off of a flat rock "plate", but I'll remember it next time. I never go without toilet paper. I have a roll or two of backpacker's coreless toilet paper stashed in evey pack and drybox. I did remember my miniflashlight, but not the headlamp. And next time I'll remember that they still haven't perfected dried eggs. Blech!

Back, way back in my scout days, we would be tested on our cooking skills, on and with whatever was found in the outdoors. Dished out rocks, sticks, in the coals, you name it, it was fair game for cooking. I used to take a Flat Sandstone and use it as a Griddle to cook the meat I carried. Yes there was a few explosions and eating sandy cooked meat isn't for everybody.

The bottom line is: Now I know where the Gravy Train after taste came from.

 

[Codger_64]

The bottom line is: Now I know where the Gravy Train after taste came from.

Actually, Jake only eats Alpo Select Cut steak and Beneful dry food, neither of which want to stay on a flat rock for him. I've already scoped out my stash of "Jimmy Dean Breakfast Bowl" bowls, cheap black plastic that I keep a pile of. I still want a real cup for my coffee though. And yeah, I've cooked on a rock. Great for baking fish or bread. Not so great for licking though.

 

[555]

Actually, Jake only eats Alpo Select Cut steak and Beneful dry food, neither of which want to stay on a flat rock for him. I've already scoped out my stash of "Jimmy Dean Breakfast Bowl" bowls, cheap black plastic that I keep a pile of. I still want a real cup for my coffee though. And yeah, I've cooked on a rock. Great for baking fish or bread. Not so great for licking though.

I think I should look into a Feed Bag for my animal. Even when being fed with a Bowl, a lot of food ends up on the floor around the Bowl.

And when I do feed him outside and don't have a bowl, I'll put the food on some thick grass, where he doesn't miss a scrap of food. I don't get it. Maybe I should cover the floors in the house with AstroTurf.

 

[mcjhrobinson]

forgot my shoes once! (i wear slippers most of the time).

forgot my main hiking knife today....of couse i had my backups in my pack

 

[Wildewinds]

I have a list that I tweak after every trip. It's very long and extensive, but I always have everything I need. Though, last time I still forgot something (ketchup), but remembered on the way there.

 

[Murphnuge]

I forget my e-tool almost everytime I go out in the last couple years. I go through phases. Before the e-tool I used to forget my poncho liner. My pak-towel also gets forgotten on occasion.

 

[SouthernCross]

g'day Joe

What are some of the items that you have forgot, creature comfort wise, that you need to make a note about so that you remember?

If there is an advantage in having 40+ years experinece in venturing outdoors, is that you rarely forget anything.



Kind regards
Mick

 

[Woods Walker]

1. TP. This is only a short hike and those two bean burritos and left over fish from last night will hold me just fine so don't need any food.

2. Tent stakes. Yup I can use sticks but hate when these are MIA.

3. Did anyone see the Spork?

4. Don’t worry I got another set of batteries someplace in the pack. Well I did….. Oh come on!

5. Darn it. No sugar again!

6. Hold up everyone….I just walked off without my hiking pole/staff. When was the last time we stopped?

7. WTF! No cordage…how….why…..

8. At least there is that extra pair of socks in my pack. Darn it! Not again.

9. Yahoo weather says 0% chance of rain on day 1 and 2 with a 10% during the hike out. No need for the raingear. OMG! It rained again!

10. Wow I can’t believe there are so many mosquitoes this early/late in the season. Maybe I should have packed the DEET.