Knob Creek is a small-batch bourbon made in Clermont, Ky., and marketed by Jim Beam.

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Heh, that stuff is too heavy compared to the greener option.    [/quote]

When in doubt, take both.

kypaddler wrote on Sep 29^th, 2011 at 2:50pm:

Heh, that stuff is too heavy compared to the greener option.   

Knob Creek?

Quote:


Kerry, you beat me to it, tho I'd insist on "bourbon" instead of that whiskey crap.

Not a necessity? Picture this: Traveling all day in late September in cold rain and blustery wind, from, let's say, Glacier way down to Louisa.

You pull up to a campsite, shivering. You know you have to build a fire, get dinner going, pitch some tents, set up a tarp, and a clothesline, then cut some more wood.

What's the first thing you do?

Why I dig in a pack, take out an old, olive-green, hard plastic Army canteen filled with a great Kentucky invention (small-batch or single-barrel bourbon) and pass around a little burning warmth, saying "Boys, congrats ... now let's get to work."

-- kypaddler

On Glacier there's that rock campsite with all those ledges and shelves. I have a pic of four such "flasks" in one of those ledges, a la a "liquor cabinet." Not that we drink all that much, but it was kinda neat to see, left to right, Old Weller, Blanton's, Four Roses and Knob Creek.

Having said all that, we usually each take a book, there's always a camera or two floating around, and we take a cast iron skillet! (because the cook of the crew insists it's the thing for best-tasting fish, and having eaten his fish since the mid-1990s, I can't fault him for it and usually even carry it.)

I put fishing gear into a "must go". It is one of the reasons I go to the Q to begin with. That said, I may pack a little heavy in that category, but to me it is worth every ounce.

Considering the old time outdoor guys got along with just one pair of clothes/wool coat and hat.
Wool blanket/canvas tarp and a pot/fry pan and firearm/fishing rod/ good knife/axe, almost everything we take is a "necessity"

But I take or have taken just about everything mentioned. Until weight becomes a major factor due to age/physical issues, I like a little comfort after a long day. What ever gives me that I'm willing to lug along.

I have been very pleased with my 1.5 pound REI trail chair, which replaced a Crazy Creek seat.  I use at night under my head for my outstretched elbows.

Fishing gear is about as unneccessary as I get.

Having said that, whatever anyone is willing to carry is valid.  On longer trips these amenities can make the difference.  After any trip I find a real chair to be a welcome luxury.

I've gone without a chair, but find it nice to have. This is a comfortable chair that packs down small. My girlfriend didn't care for my old chair but found this one so comfortable she wanted one too.

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I take too much clothing. Enough for the absolute worst weather, bad luck trip I can imagine and consider myself blessed when I only use a pair of socks or two and maybe a shirt. All that unworn stuff would be sorely missed if the weather turned sour so it still goes. Plus I have room in that pack when solo. Having a smile on your face because you are physically comfortable after three days of cold and rain and wind is priceless.

Last trip I forgot my mattress pad which also means I forgot my chair. I was able to get a pad from an outfitter but my back really missed the chair aspect the first few nights. Even once I adapted, I missed it. It's a necessity for me. Adds weight but the space is seriously minimal and goes unnoticed.

Big luxuries for me is my camera gear, fishing gear, stove/fuel, and tarp. I'd go w/o them if I had to but considering the ease and/or pleasure they bring, why?

I do take a thermos I'd bet most people would poo-poo but I have room for it and enough hot water for two cups a joe and a pack of oatmeal is convenient for early starts. Helps warm the bag on cold nights too.

I did stop taking a ground cloth a few years ago. My old one probably has a years worth of use and looks to me to be in fine shape and will probably outlast that tent. A sun shower is nice for heating water but for actual bathing I find a couple pots of water work better so that stays home lately.

The five Ws define what's necessary or not in my book. WMMAV.