The problem with lip balm is the damn stuff melts if you leave it in a hot car, so its hard to just pick up a stick and forget about it.

Sunburned lips really suck.

Lip balm was a great idea for the list. I never used to carry it until I blistered one time. I never new that was possible. Thank you for a truly great and interesting article!

I personally always have sunscreen, deet, extra batteries, moleskin, gloves, and a backup light, but these are probably not necessary.

GPSs are a bit of a religious issue. I find them very helpful in the winter or under low visibility conditions when navigation by map/compass is difficult or impossible.

-fedak

p.s. I have used camelbacks for years and lately have moved back to water bottles. I find that I tend not to drink enough when using the camelbak hose vs. a wide mouth nalgene. (The hoses also tend to freeze in subzero conditions)

I used to carry just a water bottle in my hand and a power bar in my pocket, but that didn’t last too long. About four or five years ago, after being dissatisfied with a series of fanny packs, I graduated to the Camelbak and, because I wanted the capacity for my own gear plus what my guests might need, purchased the Peak Bagger model, the highest capacity Camelbak. For the excellent reason you state - hands-free convenience - I’ve never once regretted my purchase.

Certainly a Camel Back is not a necessity. Any kind of bottle will do, but CBs really do increase my quality of hiking life.

~CG