Must-Have Item(s)?

[BIBE FNG]

Will be making my first trip out there in November with my brother, Burn Ban, and another friend.

I've done car camping for most of my life and am familiar with the obvious items.

However, what is/are the one (or more) item(s) that you wished you would have had your first few times out there and now can't live without?

Also, is there anything you thought would be absolutely vital but proved worthless?

Thanks.

[RichardM]

Will be making my first trip out there in November with my brother, Burn Ban, and another friend.

I've done car camping for most of my life and am familiar with the obvious items.

However, what is/are the one (or more) item(s) that you wished you would have had your first few times out there and now can't live without?

Also, is there anything you thought would be absolutely vital but proved worthless?

Thanks.

My first trip was when I was three, so it doesn't really count.  When I went back at the age of 26, I could really have used some good hiking boots.  I did the South Rim hike in a pair of high top basketball shoes with extra padded inserts.  I discovered that not having Vibram soles really let all those pointy rocks poke the bottoms of my feet mercilessly.  I had checked the local stores beforehand for boots but couldn't find any that fit within my price range.  Before my next trip, I upped my price range. :)

At the end of my first trip, I bought a good hiking staff to use on future trips.  It really helps on the steep trails, especially coming down the Pinnacles Trail.

A good camera is a definite plus.  My first few trips I made do with disposables or borrowed my Mom's.  A digital camera gives you so much more freedom from worrying about how many shots you can take.

[Lemming_of_the_BDA]

Also, is there anything you thought would be absolutely vital but proved worthless?

Thanks.

CD player.

[jeffblaylock]

I'm with Lemming on that -- CD players and any other form of modern entertainment are worthless, even if you use them. Enjoy the breezes and the birds and the other sounds and sights of nature. Another: reading materials unrelated to the trip (Why take my attention away from where I am?).

Essentials -- walking stick, as Richard said; comfy camp chair and table; slip on camp shoes; Scotch; plastic bags of various sizes; binoculars; pen and paper; lightweight, water-resistent long pants that zip off into shorts; good tweezers to remove cacti souvenirs; Scotch; fleece blanket, comfy pillow, and an air mattress (preferrably with a pump); camera gear, natch; travel pack of baby wipes; box of animal cookies; and ice.

[okiehiker]

http://www.bigbendchat.com/portal/forum/index.php?topic=955.0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=45

This link is to the page that has one of my stories about things people bring and forget on trips.  The whole thread is a good one on this subject.

[Burn Ban]

Also, is there anything you thought would be absolutely vital but proved worthless?

Thanks.

answer:  a brother

[okiehiker]

Wonderful reply burn... but my brother has always been an asset on trips, when I can get him to go!

[Undertaker]

I'm thinking Blue Bird Wonder Lodge or Newell Motor Coach with white coated black bow tied waiter, cold beer, good scotch, good food and a lawn chair. :lol:  :lol: Not sure if scotch and beer fall under hydrate hydtate hydrate.

[BIBE FNG]

Wonderful posts - except for Burn, but I should have seen that coming.

A lot of scotch drinkers, I see - I'll have to bring my father-in-law sometime.  He bleeds Aggie maroon and Glenlivet.

As I haven't hiked in many years, a walking stick is starting to sound better and better.

Thanks, and keep 'em coming.

[Undertaker]

I still love to hike, on Bright Angel Trail, when an 80 something older lady with a 60lb pack passes me going up hill (by the way whenever you hike why is any direction up hill?) and says "are you ok?" just because my nail beds and lips are blue, my face is beet red, the reply is always "yes madam, I am fine", I resolve, even if I die making this hike it will be after I reach the top of the hill. Never quit, never give up, savor life, fun, family and friends. Death is God's way of telling you to slow down, you should of stopped and smelled the roses dummie.  :lol:  :lol:  :shock:

[Burn Ban]

Never quit, never give up, savor life, fun, family and friends. Death is God's way of telling you to slow down, you should of stopped and smelled the roses dummie.  :lol:  :lol:  :shock:

"lt's better to go like this than in some senseless tragedy.  l mean, l'd rather burn in at 200 miles an hour and have some laughs...than to eat it in a car accident. l mean, that's a really dumb way to go."

[Casa Grande]

Will be making my first trip out there in November with my brother, Burn Ban, and another friend.

I've done car camping for most of my life and am familiar with the obvious items.

However, what is/are the one (or more) item(s) that you wished you would have had your first few times out there and now can't live without?

Also, is there anything you thought would be absolutely vital but proved worthless?

Thanks.

how 'bout your brother's brother-in-law?  8)

[Burn Ban]

Will be making my first trip out there in November with my brother, Burn Ban, and another friend.

I've done car camping for most of my life and am familiar with the obvious items.

However, what is/are the one (or more) item(s) that you wished you would have had your first few times out there and now can't live without?

Also, is there anything you thought would be absolutely vital but proved worthless?

Thanks.

how 'bout your brother's brother-in-law?  8)

yeah, do you wanna go?  we can talk sunday afternoon.

[Robert]

Desert gators are something I have found to be very useful in Big Bend. They keep the dust, dirt, and debris from getting into your boots.

[SHANEA]

now can't live without?  Also, is there anything you thought would be absolutely vital but proved worthless?

Can't live w/o?  R2D2 camping trailer.  :lol:  and ten tons of gear.  All the comforts of home sans the TV and entertainment system. [-X

Can't live w/o?  - H2O Bladders of the 3 liter variety.

Worthless?   Everything is vital!.