Your one "must have"

[Old Griz]

What one thing that is a must have for you that most folks probably wouldn't think to bring?

For me it is my Vitamix blender because I can no longer swallow food so I have to juice or puree everything I eat.
It is a major PITA but I'm alive to complain about it, so it's a good trade off

 

[Bama_Kiwi]

I don't really go on extended trips that would require multiple days' worth of clothing, however, I always take a change of clothes, even on a day trip. You just never know.

 

[1derer]

The Dog... Sure that is not what you mean but don't go camping without her.

 

[Old Griz]

I know what you mean.
We have 2 German Shepherds and a Husky that never miss a trip.

 

[Anak]

Patrick F. McManus.

He is a family camping tradition. If we are camping then McManus comes along. Come bedtime it is my job to pick and read one of his stories. I think the rest of the family most enjoys watching me struggle to read aloud as I nearly die laughing.

Of course I have to hide him away during the day or The Varmints will find him and spend hours reading when they should be running around living McManus.

For those who don't know him, Pat McManus used to write "The Last Laugh" for Outdoor Life magazine. All of those articles have been compiled into books. They are essentially collections of short stories, each of which can stand on their own, although character development does increase the more of them you read. They are largely humorous accounts of the various trials and tribulations endured by those who spend any amount of time outdoors. Do a Google search for "The Art of Trailering" and you should be able to find a pdf of one of his original columns. That will give you a taste of his style of humor.

 

[Old Griz]

I hadn't thought about "Outdoor life" in ages

 

[M Rose]

Patrick F. McManus.

He is a family camping tradition. If we are camping then McManus comes along. Come bedtime it is my job to pick and read one of his stories. I think the rest of the family most enjoys watching me struggle to read aloud as I nearly die laughing.

Of course I have to hide him away during the day or The Varmints will find him and spend hours reading when they should be running around living McManus.

For those who don't know him, Pat McManus used to write "The Last Laugh" for Outdoor Life magazine. All of those articles have been compiled into books. They are essentially collections of short stories, each of which can stand on their own, although character development does increase the more of them you read. They are largely humorous accounts of the various trials and tribulations endured by those who spend any amount of time outdoors. Do a Google search for "The Art of Trailering" and you should be able to find a pdf of one of his original columns. That will give you a taste of his style of humor.

I was hoping for a Pat quote...

"Before committing yourself to a hunt with any new acquaintance, you should first take him on an overnight camping trip, one of the very best of all psychological tests."

 

[JCWages]

I grew up with those McManus columns.

 

[J.W.]

Dental floss.

I know it sounds weird but you’d be surprised how useful it is. I’ve fixed a tent in the middle of the night with it. It’s crazy strong, sanitary, and doesn’t take up hardly any space. Plus you can clean your teeth with it.

 

[stoney126]

I take some sort of shower or at least a way to rinse off. Nothing more than a get wet soap up rinse off very little water use. Being a laborer my whole life I've showered at the end of the day especially as a mechanic. The big wipes dont work either. It's a weird quirk

 

[SaltyJinx]

I run somethings in the truck at all time. It’s just a mater of having the basics even on a road trip.

Cook set and Emergency Stove
Bushsaw and Hatchet/Axe
Med/TCCC Kit
Tarps

 

[Boostpowered]

The one thing i never leave home without and is always with me is a firearm you can protect yourself, aquire food or start a fire if needed

 

[Lanlubber In Remembrance]

Making my list and checking it twice ! Ho ho hooooo, Merry Christmas my fellow OR'ers.

 

[Outbound]

Patrick F. McManus.

He is a family camping tradition. If we are camping then McManus comes along. Come bedtime it is my job to pick and read one of his stories. I think the rest of the family most enjoys watching me struggle to read aloud as I nearly die laughing.

Of course I have to hide him away during the day or The Varmints will find him and spend hours reading when they should be running around living McManus.

For those who don't know him, Pat McManus used to write "The Last Laugh" for Outdoor Life magazine. All of those articles have been compiled into books. They are essentially collections of short stories, each of which can stand on their own, although character development does increase the more of them you read. They are largely humorous accounts of the various trials and tribulations endured by those who spend any amount of time outdoors. Do a Google search for "The Art of Trailering" and you should be able to find a pdf of one of his original columns. That will give you a taste of his style of humor.

It's not a camping trip without Pat McManus! I "discovered" him as a kid and remember reading A Fine and Pleasant Misery by flashlight in the tent for the first time while camping with my dad. I woke dad up with my stifled laughter. These days, I read McManus books to my wife before bed while camping. Sometimes it's hard to read aloud through the chuckles.

 

[472HemiGTX]

Patrick F. McManus.

He is a family camping tradition. If we are camping then McManus comes along. Come bedtime it is my job to pick and read one of his stories. I think the rest of the family most enjoys watching me struggle to read aloud as I nearly die laughing.

Of course I have to hide him away during the day or The Varmints will find him and spend hours reading when they should be running around living McManus.

For those who don't know him, Pat McManus used to write "The Last Laugh" for Outdoor Life magazine. All of those articles have been compiled into books. They are essentially collections of short stories, each of which can stand on their own, although character development does increase the more of them you read. They are largely humorous accounts of the various trials and tribulations endured by those who spend any amount of time outdoors. Do a Google search for "The Art of Trailering" and you should be able to find a pdf of one of his original columns. That will give you a taste of his style of humor.

I rotate McManus books in me expedition trailer. Back in Junior High, our woodshop teacher was a fisherman. My best friend (who's goal back then was to be Rancid Crabtree) and I would sit in the backroom of the woodshop, tie flies and read the The Last Laugh column from the Outdoor Life magazines that we "borrowed" from the school library. Now 45 years later I still have the same best friend, tie flies and read McManus. No reason to change things that are that good.

Merry Christmas!

And my must have is my EDC pack with a firearm and my ESEE 5 knife.

 

[Billiebob]

A book and headlamp.... everytime.

 

[JimBill]

Pocket knife. I always have a pocket knife with me just like my wallet and keys, and feel a little anxious when I have to leave it in the car for events (like concerts, airport, or court).

 

[HeliSniper]

Crocs, love taking my boots off and slipping into my Crocs, great camp shoes, very comfy but not fast for running, the bear will eat you......

 

[MidOH]

Foam ear plugs.

 

[CurrentlyRockhoundin]

Gotta have a ferro rod and the knowledge on how to start a fire with a spark in any condition.