Do You Have A "Luxury" Item?

[Colberjs]

I was just wondering. Is there one thing that you guys take with you that isn't exactly a necessity and that others would probably tell you to leave at home but that you take with you just to make the backcountry experience a little more comfortable?

I haven't done a backpack hunt yet but I'm hoping to this year. The one thing I think I will have to have is a way of taking some sort of bath/shower at least once or maybe twice during the week if weather allows. I can't sleep very well if I'm dirty or my skin is oily from sweating. I feel like I'm sticking to myself and my bedding. So I think I'll have to take some sort of camp soap and a light, packable towel to dry off with. I feel like a brand new man and have a whole different outlook on life after I've freshened up.

What about you?

 

[Warren1726]

Some way to brew coffee!

 

[colonel00]

A book. I don't read much at all at home but always take a book with me now. No batteries required and it's a great way to pass down time or wait out storms. Plus, in a pinch you have some fire starting material.

 

[BRobertson]

Some way to brew coffee!

This !!!!

 

[Colberjs]

Some way to brew coffee!

I have to have caffeine also. My addiction is Diet Coke but that is obviously not feasible. So I'm going to try the Starbucks instant coffee packs. I like coffee so it should work fine to keep me from getting caffeine withdrawal headaches. I have a coffee press for my Jetboil but I don't like the extra mess.

 

[Tony Trietch]

Sea to summit back pack towel and wet wipes (dehydrated and wet).
Like to be able to clean up before bed.

 

[muledhunter]

Copenhagen. this doesn't exactly qualify as I probably would bail off the mountain if i ran out.

 

[orionsbrother]

I feel better if I'm not horribly slimey too. It's amazing what you can do maintenance-wise with half a dozen scent free baby wipes though.

My luxury is some extra weight in my pad so this princess isn't disturbed at night by any peas.

 

[5MilesBack]

So I'm going to try the Starbucks instant coffee packs.

The Via's are great, especially the Italian Roast.........but not a fan of the French Roast flavor. They're quick and easy and no mess. Would be better with some 1/2 and 1/2, but I'm not hauling that in.

I can't think of anything I take that's a luxury item, except maybe a sleeping pad. But many would agree that a pad is a requirement, and it is if you want a decent night's sleep.

At base camp I always have ice cold A&W. That's my luxury item after spending a few nights roughing it.

 

[StrutNut]

A victory cigar. I have been doing this hunting turkey, bear, deer, elk, and hopefully some day a moose. I always have one with on every major trip. It always gets lit and most of the time it gets lit because of a kill.

 

[ndbwhunter]

Dehydrated scent-free baby wipes are coming with no matter what. I wouldn't mind having some whiskey and a cigar after a long hunt. Can't really think of anything that I couldn't live without.

 

[Colberjs]

The Via's are great, especially the Italian Roast.........but not a fan of the French Roast flavor. They're quick and easy and no mess. Would be better with some 1/2 and 1/2, but I'm not hauling that in.

Coffee-Mate makes a little 3-ounce squeeze bottle of liquid creamer that you can get in regular sweetened or flavored. I figured I'd toss one of those in.

 

[Mike7]

Luxuries...baby wipes, Glock 20, heavier but good food sometimes, chapstick, tactical light, and an ultralight Granite Gear clothing stuff sack with fleece on one side to be used as a pillow.

 

[Jeff Martin]

Camp Shower - Filter water, hang it from a tree, and have a shower almost every night. It can get cold, but worth it.

 

[jmez]

Appples. Take in 10. I for lunch every day. Worth the extra weight packing into spike camp to have fresh fruit every day.

 

[ndbwhunter]

How many of you use pillows? I've got some leftover climashield apex 5.0, and thought about making a packable pillow for some added comfort.

 

[chenger]

I'm very weight conscious about all my gear and food so typically end up eating rehydrated food with olive oil as my main calorie source, but I like to carry a real meal for my first nights dinner - something like a steak (pre-sliced), already dressed baked potato, and some sort of vegetable.

 

[lintond]

Put a flask of whiskey in my buddies pack Small inflatable pillow isn't too heavy and definitely helps improve sleep. Some soap and towel is pretty nice refresher too.

My opinion on the UL thing is similar to what Aron has talked about in some of the podcasts. Adding half a pound in luxury is far better then saving the weight and being miserable. You'll hunt harder and stay on the mountain longer if you are happy.

 

[orionsbrother]

Appples. Take in 10. I for lunch every day. Worth the extra weight packing into spike camp to have fresh fruit every day.

I'm an apple fan too, but I bring in some sulfured apples.


For a pillow, I use one of the z-packs micro fleece lined cuben stuff sacks. Some guys don't like the crinkling of the cuben. I'm usually tired enough to not care.

 

[7mag.]

I take a heavier pad. Exped Downmat UL7 wide/long. It's much warmer and more comfortable than other pads I've used. I found I sleep much better with this pad.