My car -- parked at trail head -- at the end of a very long hike. :)

LOL!!! Plus that apple left in the car!

I can't decide between my Western Mountaineering Ultralite and my Sunday Afternoons Adventure hat. The decision might go to the hat, because as I get colder with progressive old age, I'm starting to contemplate a switch to the Versalite.

Tilley hat. I wear it almost everyday around town too. If it gets dirty, throw it in the washer and it looks brand new.

Ben;

Only if it's parked at the end of the "right" trail head.

Recent trip where the car was magically *not* at the correct trail head, has made me realize how finite the circumstances of car-love can be. ;)



So what if we ended up taking an alternate trail?! The car should have known~!

I used an aluminum flashlight for my first few trips as a teenager, so I was pretty much in awe when I discovered headlamps. Also, on purpose or not, I seem to do a lot of night hiking, so mine gets a lot of use on trail.

I have a katabatic sawatch and chisos, both of which I love. So plush. Those are probably my favorite pieces of gear at the moment.

My WM Alpinlite and Puma GWS sleeping bags.

My Inov-8 X-Talon shoes then my Aarn pack followed by my Tarptent.

What piece of gear is my favorite is a tough choice. Right now there are 3 items on that list. I like my T-shirt from Decathlon because it weighs next to nothing and is super cheap. I like my Fizan Compact poles because they're relatively cheap for such light poles. Plus I had to go through a lot of trouble to get them.

The winner right now is probably my knife. It's nowhere near ultralight, but I made the handle and sheath myself, so it has the most emotional value.

I'll be the one to say BPL. It has shown me what's possible. Been an awesome piece of kit!

I'm split between my MLD Cuben Mini Solo Tarp (for trips when weight is key and the weather is somewhat okay) and Cuben Duomid (for the times when you want total protection - and weight is still key). And carried in the Burn, of course. :-)

Edited by evanrussia on 07/18/2011 07:23:13 MDT.

A tight tarp..humming during a nasty storm while I am dry and chillaxing beneath...

I guess you should go with your first thought, right? My Granite Gear Virga pack, for all the reasons anyone likes their pack. I was about to say it's also the piece of lightweight gear I've had the longest, but that's wrong, because I've had another fave piece of gear for something like 30 years. That's my Camping Gaz aluminum pot (or, rarely these days, pots). The GlobeTrotter stove they came with is obsolete, in the states at least, but I've take one or both pots on every trip since the late '70s or early '80s.

Edited by theDanarchist on 07/18/2011 08:08:16 MDT.

Humming . . . or drumming, Brent?

Edited by evanrussia on 07/18/2011 08:14:41 MDT.

Mine is my MLD TrailStar. Wish that I would have bought it sooner

North Face Triumph Anorak.

a beautiful example of less is more.

I'd have to say my Bushbuddy. The intricate details of its construction constantly impress me, so while I have multiple favorites I just think the Bushbuddy is really neat.

Hooded windshirt made from Epic by Wild Things. Love it.

"So what if we ended up taking an alternate trail?! The car should have known~!"

Indeed, Javan. Mine does that consistently. Brings a smile to my face every time I see her -- ready and waiting for me. :)

There's no question in my mind; my favorite piece of gear is my 8' by 10' camo tarp. It's the tarp that I take when my GF and I go camping. It's not as light as my solo tarp, but it's CAMO and my girlfriend likes it too. So, what's not to like??

Edited by vinovampire on 07/18/2011 19:45:48 MDT.

My oldest piece of gear that I have to have with me on every trip is my Sunday Afternoon Sun Hat.

I wear it in the sun, when it is cold, and when it rains.

It is worn, very faded, and the flap that covers my neck sounds like old parchment...just how I love it.

Plus, it makes me look Uber Dorky...hike your own hike dork style. :)

-Tony