BlueTrain
Trail Blazer
I've been making lists for a long time, long before I could do one on a computer. The use of a computer did not produce a better list however. But I approached my lists differently.
For one thing, I gradually realized there was little difference in the list according to the season. The only real difference was in the clothing, either actually being worn or carried. But I still developed two lists.
The first list was a basic list with everything sorted by category, like kitchen, bivouac, first aid, and so on. The second list was the packing plan. Each pack had a slightly different packing plan because of different arrangement of pockets and so on. It was mostly a theoretical exercise that held up well enough on the basement floor and was mainly intended to prevent something being forgotten. In that respect it was not failsafe. Over the years, however, you know what you're going to use or want. I usually also have something along that's new that I'm trying out, too. And I usually have something along that doesn't get touched. I find maps fascinating and refer to them constantly on trips but a compass, on the other hand, never seems to be particularly necessary.
Two other things: there are no brand names on my lists because most (but not everything) thing are of a generic nature or they're so old the name no longer has any relevance. And although I sometimes weigh the full pack, I have never listed individual weights. I did go through an exercise weighing a lot of different things on the mailing scale here at work but the results, although interesting, were not especially useful.
I also keep two other lists. Food or rations gets a list of its own. Consumables have to be stocked for each outing, of course, and there are some things that have to go together with the ration list, like certain cooking utensils.
I also have a list of things that get taken on a trip away from home but are left in the car. It's a short list and is nothing more than lots of extra water and a complete change of clothes.
That just about covers it.
For one thing, I gradually realized there was little difference in the list according to the season. The only real difference was in the clothing, either actually being worn or carried. But I still developed two lists.
The first list was a basic list with everything sorted by category, like kitchen, bivouac, first aid, and so on. The second list was the packing plan. Each pack had a slightly different packing plan because of different arrangement of pockets and so on. It was mostly a theoretical exercise that held up well enough on the basement floor and was mainly intended to prevent something being forgotten. In that respect it was not failsafe. Over the years, however, you know what you're going to use or want. I usually also have something along that's new that I'm trying out, too. And I usually have something along that doesn't get touched. I find maps fascinating and refer to them constantly on trips but a compass, on the other hand, never seems to be particularly necessary.
Two other things: there are no brand names on my lists because most (but not everything) thing are of a generic nature or they're so old the name no longer has any relevance. And although I sometimes weigh the full pack, I have never listed individual weights. I did go through an exercise weighing a lot of different things on the mailing scale here at work but the results, although interesting, were not especially useful.
I also keep two other lists. Food or rations gets a list of its own. Consumables have to be stocked for each outing, of course, and there are some things that have to go together with the ration list, like certain cooking utensils.
I also have a list of things that get taken on a trip away from home but are left in the car. It's a short list and is nothing more than lots of extra water and a complete change of clothes.
That just about covers it.
....and they forget to include their car keys....
?
