| DAVE�S AZT TOP TEN THINGS NOT TO PACK (Or do I really need this?) The backpack will get heavy. After the first few days on the AZT, you�ll be getting rid of what you considered essential a few days before. Here are some things to consider not bringing? 1. Guns � Amazing how many times I was asked �Did you carry a gun?� 2. Underwear � They just get stinky in a few hours. Why carry more than the pair you wear? Or consider au natural. 3. Stoves, fuel etc � Think about �going cold�. Hey you probably drink that high priced cold coffee at Starbucks anyway so why not on the trail? But, �going cold� will make you crazy with a craving for a double bacon and cheese hamburger. 4. Cell phone � �Hi, guess where I�m at?� Actually there are not a lot of places to get a cell phone connection on the AZT. 5. The laptop. I mistakenly carried mine for a few days. I was too tired to think about using it on the trail. A pencil and paper work just as well. 6. Poop hole digger (one of those little orange shovels) � your foot or a rock or a stick will work just as well. 7. Food � Somehow I always carry more than I can eat. �Just in case� my mind says as I throw more food into the pack. Realistically, I don�t think anyone will die of starvation on the AZT before they are found or before reaching the next convenience store. Dehydration? Well that�s much more likely. So always carry lots of water. 8. Combs, brushes etc. Who in the hell cares what your hair looks like out here? Bring a hat or bandana and cover up! 9. Wallets and purses and all those things we have in them. You won�t need a Blockbuster rental card or a JC Penny charge card on the trail. Leave em at home. And all that other stuff in them too! On the trail all you�ll need is a few $, your VISA card and an ID card in case of an accident. You may not need the ID card, but it beats having a loved one identify your carcass after its been laying in the desert a few days.. 10. Cards � expecting to play poker at 8,000�? At the end of an AZT hike day, you will be too tired for any card games. EMAIL ME HOME NEXT CHAPTER |
 |
| "I only brought the essentials." |