What's in your backpack?

[Shambala]

I have a light mesh backback that I wear on the playa. I have fine tuned things that I think I will need on the playa during my many hours exploring. Here are some of the things I carry. Would others like to add to my list?

water bottle with a spare bottle to fill in a pinch
first aid kit. small plastic bag with bandaids, ointment and tape
goggles, dustmask, bandana (2)
snacks--cheese and crackers, breakfast bars, tuna cup.
Swiss army knife.
official guide to events and a map

[ygmir]

if you'd switch to this, you could carry me around..........I'd be quiet, and, hold all your supplies.


I don't weigh very much.........

[Elorrum]

It's true.

[ygmir]

It's true.

((((Elorrum)))))

[Shambala]

This could work out great. If it gets dusty, I could have you run back and get my goggles and dust mask.

[ragabashpup]

Chapstick and sunscreen..sunscreen is only necessary during daylight hours though

[Elliot]

Perhaps I'm weird , but I have never found need for a dust mask. I breathe normally, even in a whiteout. The dust is so fine I don't notice it.
You wouldn't want to breathe that dust all your life, but one week a year....

My eyes are more sensitive, so I agree with goggles. Clear goggles for after dark.

[ygmir]

This could work out great. If it gets dusty, I could have you run back and get my goggles and dust mask.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYEeEonPaWo&feature=related[/youtube]

[motskyroonmatick]

Hydration back pack.

2 liters water.
2 small bottles of water.
1 coke(12oz)
6 pack of TECATE or Pabst. More if I can fit it in.
Crescent wrench.
Channel locks.
Leatherman tool.
Sun screen.
Lotion.
Electrical tape.
4 multi color Sharpies.
Several BRC Welding and Repair bumper stickers.
Note pad or address book.
Useless FRS radio clipped to front of left shoulder strap.
Stag Camp pin on button near FRS radio.
Flashlight.
8 AA batteries.
4 AAA batteries.
Camera.
6 granola bars or something like it.
Cup.
Extra carabiner.
Picked up moop.
Schwag.

[Fire_Moose]

2-liter camelback...

@ liters of water
CRKT knife
Gerber multi tool
pen
hobo tool
note pad
chapstick
tin ashtray
flashlight
tea tree tooth picks
lighter
cigg rolling supplies
2 bandanas
shemagh
goggles
8AAA batteries
6 button cell batteries
juggling clubs
extra space filled with beer

[C.f.M.]

Water bladder
pee funnel
dust mask
goggles
snack
sunscreen
chapstick
gifts

Added flashlight @ night

[ygmir]

condoms?

anyone? Beuhler?............anyone?...........

[Roberto Dobbisano]

gary coleman

[ygmir]

just where would you take him?

[C.f.M.]

condoms?

anyone? Beuhler?............anyone?...........

I'm not that optimistic.

[Shambala]

It's true.

ygmir, you're a cute little thing, but I'm not sure I trust you being strapped behind me like that!

[ygmir]

how could you not trust me back there? note I'm not holding your ears.........I know, you know, your job............

[Ugly Dougly]

I went commando wherever I went last year.

One year, I used a Swedish Mauser bandolier, a la Chewbacca:


Or maybe something by Ogio.

[dragonpilot]

For daytime playa treks: add a personal mist sprayer filled with ice water...mmmmmmm!

[Elliot]

Almost a condom: Bicycle inner tube. I'm happy to do the work for you, but it really helps if you bring your own spare tube.

[theCryptofishist]

Swiss army knife.

Really? I find the leatherman to be more durable, and those pliers...Wow.

[Shambala]

Swiss army knife.

Really? I find the leatherman to be more durable, and those pliers...Wow.

I guess it's what I've gotten used to over the years. I am pretty sure that I could do a kidney transplant with my knife. I travel everywhere with it, and many of the uses are more delicate, like removing splinters and repairing luggage clasps and zippers. I will check out the Leatherman though. I can always add to my bag of tricks!

[Elorrum]

last year, I tried a couple of carry with systems different from backpacks. (the backpack is hot, and taking it off to fiddle inside for what I want... I wondered if having things more accessible would make a difference, or feel cooler temperature wise) a mesh trecker vest and a shotgun shell belt. both had ample room for:

- one liter nalgene with led screw on top (guyot designs firefly, great lantern)
(OR) 2 liter platypus with drinking tube
- spork, (guyot designs... check out their stuff) My first year, I forgot utensils, and had a couple of taco bell sporks in my car door. They worked fine! now I make sure there are a couple there always.
- cheap insulated mug with lid, closed loop handle, and carabiner
- ziplock bag: first aid wipe in foil packet, bandaids, small neosporin, small tube of sunscreen, chapstick, couple of safety pins, little bit of duct tape
- ziplock bag: notepad, pen
- ziplock bag: cheap digital camera
- ziplock bag: (or two) gorp
- bandana
- ziplock bag: travel kleenex, good for nose, or empty JOTS
- goggles (small fold up clear, and a larger pair of polarized sunglass type)
- small leatherman "juice" yes, the pliers! but the blade is tiny so, I always have a pocket knife with a more standard size blade in my pants/shorts pocket.
- couple of feet of lightweight rope or cord (tied to my bike lock key) and a couple of cord locks (the ones with plunger and spring) this made a good gift for someone who's hat was prone to flying off.
- small one battery flashlight, or led clip on hat light
- plastic grocery moop bag

if I was on my bike, this all went in the basket along with a nylon bag holding an alien multi tool, plastic tire irons, tire patches, small tire pump, and bike light

to be honest, neither one felt super comfortable, and neither was the perfect grab and go solution I hoped for, but practice and familiarity can be worked on. I did not miss the ache in my neck and shoulder from a hanging bottle of water, and shoulder bag. (interim backpack alternative) Lots of pockets requires some functioning memory, lol. I put patches I have received on the shotgun belt pouch, and added some blacklight plastic ornaments too. I sewed velcro on the pouch pockets to keep them closed up as well.

[theCryptofishist]

Swiss army knife.

Really? I find the leatherman to be more durable, and those pliers...Wow.

I guess it's what I've gotten used to over the years. I am pretty sure that I could do a kidney transplant with my knife. I travel everywhere with it, and many of the uses are more delicate, like removing splinters and repairing luggage clasps and zippers. I will check out the Leatherman though. I can always add to my bag of tricks! :D

Depending on the model, you can get an accessory kit of various bits and screwdrivers and other stuff. Face it, I'm a shill.

[Gawain]

I'm still a virgin, so I'm unqualified to answer what I pack in my backpack. However, I have a general idea of my plans, and after seeing Elorrum's post I just had to reply.

I've heard of a pretty awesome, if pricey invention. Clothes with hidden pockets, that pretty evenly distributes the weight. The point of the clothes is to keep geeks well connected with all their electronic gadgets while traveling, without having bulging pockets and wires poking everywhere like some sort of cyborg freak. Each item seems to be about $50-$70. I'm saving up for the cargo pants/zip-off shorts myself. I'm the boy-scout type that always has to wear a backpack because I carry something for every situation, and I rely public transportation.

If anyone is interested in the travel clothes, you can buy them at [url]http://www.scottevest.com[/url] or [url]http://www.thinkgeek.com[/url]. ScotteVest is the maker, but I found out about it through ThinkGeek. ThinkGeek also has lots of other cool gadgets and such for those who like to camp with lots of toys. Namely me. 8)

[C.f.M.]

Love Think Geek!

[Fire_Moose]

^^^^

+1

[EmilyD]

I have a light mesh backback....

I'd be grateful for more details about such backpacks...light, mesh, small, etc.

[groosh]

2 Liter Water Bladder
Snacks (Cliff Bars, etc)
Cup
Spoon
Sunscreen and Chapstick
Goggles, Headlamp, Facemask and Glowsticks.
Digital Camera
Burning man map
1.5 Liter Bottle of Mead to gift people drinks.

[clerkkent]

I have a small crescent wrench and a tube repair kit in case I come across a bike that needs help (including mine).

I bring a few extra lip balms, since I seem to lose, lend, or gift them, and one always likes to melt.

I also have a sippy cup dangling from my pack, in case I come across a kind soul distributing beverages.


One thing I plan on trying this year is to have two packs, one for day, and one for night. That way I'm not dragging sunscreen around at night, and a bunch of blinkies and lights during the day.