> When you carry your gear for a thousands of miles, you reevaluate what you really need. True. There is one interesting exception though: everyone I met who

> When you carry your gear for a thousands of miles, you reevaluate what you really need. True. There is one interesting exception though: everyone I met who traveled (not hiked per se, but lived out of a backpack), had one "luxury item". It was something that was absolutely not necessary, but they lugged it around with them anyway, because it made sense strictly for them. One dude I met had a folding camping chair. (relatively) big, awkward, weighty. But around the campfire, everyone was sitting on rocks like cavemen -- except he was enthroned on his camping chair. Before you ask: my luxury item was a discman (this dates me, I suppose :-) ), plus a few CDs. Really awkward. Susceptible to impact and moisture, requires batteries, etc etc. But I just love to get lost in rhythm and let it drive my thoughts while I'm out hiking or biking.