Hardly Used Items

Items I had kept the entire way, but did not necessarily need.

Cook:

  • Small Partition of sponge (1/3 piece of a sponge)
    • I used this very rarely on the trail and instead started using the wash clothes/towels (after washing myself first).
  • Waterproof Matches
    • Kept always just in case. Never used them.

Miscellaneous:

  • Rubber Bands
    • I got by without using them, but it would have been nice to know that I had them to use.
  • Glasses with hard case
    • I never used these so clearly I did not need them, but even still, I would never risk not being without them.
  • Scissor Clamps
    • In my opinion, this was an unnecessary addition to my pack. On occasion, as in maybe three total times on the trail, I managed to tighten my NeoAir Sleeping Pad too tight to the point where I needed to pull the lock out completely just to deflate it in the morning. The first occasion, I ran into someone who was carrying a multi-tool with pliers and the second time, I used a set of pliers hanging in a store in the next town. I added these to my pack at mile 1219.2 from Cabela’s. Cabela’s gives free shuttles to town, well rather to their store, so I felt obligated to give back the generosity at the time for the ride. The idea behind this purchase was not only an obligation, but to avoid the inconvenience of having to barrow clamps, while I could have easily avoided the issue by being more careful. Also, these lightweight clamps, doubled as a pair of scissors so I could eventually could have gotten rid of my scissors, which I didn’t end up doing because the clamps could not replace my ability of opening avocados so I just ended up carrying them both until the end of the trail.

Sleep:

  • Thermarest NeoAir Pump Sack
    • While it very nice to have the option to quickly pump up my Therm-a-Rest in three to four pumps instead of twenty or so breaths of air, it was not necessary and required lots of physical space to gather air, making it very awkward to blow up.

Medical:

  • Tincture of Benzion
    • Never used.
  • Neosporin Original Ointment
    • Never used on myself, though I would not risk being without this item, for it is apart of my blister kit.
  • Iodine Tablets
    • Never used, though I would not risk being without them.
  • Dynarex Alcohol Prep Pad
    • Never used on myself, though I would not risk being without this item, for it is apart of my blister kit.
  • 2nd Skin Gel Squares
    • Never used on myself, though I would not risk being without this item, for it is apart of my blister kit.
  • Bodyglide Liquified Powder Skin Lubricant
    • Used once, but not convenient as my Beeswax Lip balm for chafing.
  • Aveda (Travel Sized) Foot Relief Moisturizing Crème
    • This item was sent to me as a gift from my Mom, hence I felt obligated to keep it, even though it was necessary.
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