Great topic Capt. and appreciate you starting it up. I do intend to try to contribute something more worthwhile than this “thanks” soon but so far I’ve been caught up in reminiscing about 40 years of backpacking, either with my best hunting, fishing, hiking, fighting, life buddy since age 14, my now adult son and/or solo. Which led to looking through those things we all used to put our pictures in…..photo albums.
Backpacking on journeys which lasted from one overnight to 5weeks & 4 days…..
All non ordered nor required. So the 4 very different packs had very different loads. BUT, some “essentials” (to me) made it every time (almost).
So if this thread continues I’ll add my own 1&1/2 cents worth.