Quote Originally Posted by Heroique View Post
Do you always carry the famous 10 – or just this or that item, depending on hiking terrain, distance & duration?

If you have to make a choice, does your photo gear trump the essentials, or do the essentials trump the gear?

What lessons can you share for the over-burdened LF photographer? ;^)


1. Topographic map (rarely, GPS has taken over in this department, but I still use topo maps on occasion)
2. Compass (always)
3. Flashlight/spare parts (flashlight with extra bulb & batteries, always)
4. Extra food/water/clothing (extra water and Potable water pills, always)
5. Sun protection (never)
6. Matches (never, I carry a flint)
7. Knife (always, I have a skinner attached to my backpack harness plus I almost always have my SOG folder in my pocket)
8. Signal mirror (always, it's attached to the compass)
9. First aid kit (always)
10. Emergency shelter (never)

A few other things that I always carry are a cable saw, fire-starter, and flint. I usually have a GPS with me as well.