What is that one or two pieces of gear you only carry for a zero day? Regardless of weight or lack of use, you carry it to enjoy on that lovely day off resting in the back country.

Tenkara rod?

In the Sierras, sometimes a fishing pole.

Binoculars.

Camera, since I don't usually take one.

For me, I don't carry anything for enjoyment. The hike itself is the enjoyment! Yeah, I once took my mp3 player with me -- and found that songs I liked to listen to at home became somehow annoying and distracting. YMMV on this one, definitely.

a kindle is a nice thing to have on a zero or low mileage day.

What is a zero day? sorry for being clueless ...

A zero is a day off from a long hike. Zero day = zero miles. Nero = nearly zero.

I don't really carry gear for a zero, but I guess I use my journal and camera on zeros. Also my sleeping pad for a lot of lounging around.

Noel: It's a day where you don't log any miles. So say you're doing the 212 mile John Muir Trail, you've gone for five days and you're sore and in need of R&R, you decide to just "hang out" and not move to the next camp. That's a zero day

+1 on bringing a kindle and reading outside!

@ Michael:

Thanks for the definition. I mistakenly assumed "day trip". But using your definition of a day's break from a long trip, I can't imagine lugging a Kindle (etc.) all the rest of the time (and somehow keeping it charged).

But even with this definition, for me, I still wouldn't bring anything extra.

Edited by ben2world on 02/21/2012 17:50:05 MST.

a book which can be swapped, deck of cards and red and black poker chips for playing checkers.

Dunno what you are thinking, but e-ink e-readers have very long battery life, unlike LCD e-readers like the kindle fire and B&N nook, which are essentially crippled tablets.

BM

Patrick,

I'm with you. Wash some clothes, lounge, swim, maybe fish. Usually it is a little bit of exploring too. Books/Kindles... nah. There is too much other stuff to enjoy. I can read at home.

I bring a basic hammock to chill in after a lazy lunch.

Edited by krshome on 02/25/2012 20:01:05 MST.

Fishing gear and a IPOD with small speakers and listen to some chill-out music.

E-Ink Kindle weighs 6-8 oz depending on model and have a month or more of battery life. They're on par with a paperback for weight but much more functionality.

That said isn't carrying zero day gear like carrying bivy gear on climb "If you bring it, you'll use it" ;)

Granted I've never done a long hike but I find boredom with no indulgences is a great motivator for moving around!

"What is that one or two pieces of gear you only carry for a zero day?"

Nada, zip, nothing. Zero gear for zero days. In the places I visit, simply wandering around experiencing the "unbearable lightness of being" provides all the enjoyment I could possibly ask for. About as SUL as it gets. Actually, I have always allowed for a substantial number of such days when planning my trips. It is a major reason I go to the mountains. Some go to pick 'em up and put 'em down; I go simply to be. Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks, I guess.

Although I rarely bring it, if I know I will be taking some zero days then a nice bird identification book is what I bring. Although I tend to take short walks from camp when doing this so not sure they are technically zeroes

Edited by youngster on 02/21/2012 17:41:04 MST.

"Although I tend to take short walks from camp when doing this so not sure they are technically zeroes"

That would be a perfect zero. A little exploring of whatever strikes your fancy.