Packing

The ten-carry kit is a thought experiment: if you could only carry ten things, what would they be? It sharpens every trip after.

Ours

knife      one good blade, carbon or stainless
ferro rod   spark that works wet
tarp        shelter, groundsheet, rain coat
pot         boil water, cook food
cord        fifty feet of paracord
compass     plus a paper map
headlamp     and a spare battery
first aid    the real one, not the stickers
water        two liters, plus a filter
food         calories, not toys

The rule

Every item should do two jobs or earn its weight. If it only does one, ask if it's worth the pack.