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[at-l] re: Hiking without a pocketbook??

patty,

it's not just your pocketbook, ya know.  paring down non-essentials applies
to your entire pack.  and only you know what is essential.  once you get
out there and feel the weight on your back, a lot of previously 'essential'
stuff is seen in a new light.  one saying out there for thruhikers is: if
you don't use it at least once a day, discard it.  i try to stick to this
except for my first aid kit.  SOOO... time to tuckerize your 'pocketbook':

>What am I going to do about things like hair brushes, 
don't bother for short hikes.  if you MUST, get a folding travel one.

>make-up (not kidding) 
hopefully after your first trip you will see that this is completely
unnecessary.

>bank cards 
take one credit card and one ATM card - better yet, take an ATM/credit card
combo.

>pictures of my grandkids for bragging when I meet people on the trail, 
use words instead

>kleenex, (have to have especially when you might find yourself without
toilet >paper), 
just take toilet paper, only enough for the length of trip plus a little
extra for emegencies.  you have to take it anyway, so why bother with
kleenex, too?

>all that loose change for the phone (opps)
spend all change on candy, use a calling card number (don't take the whole
card)

>spare keys (even if I dump the ones I've been carrying for years and have no
>idea what lock they go to, that will leave a bunch of keys), 
you'll only need one car key while actually on the trail - the car towards
which you are hiking (or to which you will be shuttled)

>all my membership cards like the Price Club and library (well you never
know) 
dump em

>and just...well...STUFF.  
if you don't use it every day, loose it.

TP goes in its own ziplock, brush can go with grooming/first aid kit, all
the rest fits easily into a pint-sized ziplock.

if you just can't bring yourself to part with it, take it along.  sometimes
you trade weight for peace of mind.  but think hard if you'd be having more
fun with a lighter pack.


mike
ke kaahawe   AT92 TYT94 PCTsoon
mikeh@royalrobbins.com
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