[SvilleKid]

Last trip I went on that required/desired fishing equipment, I found a collapsible rod that slid down inside itself to less that 18 inches. A great item for backpacking, and it wasn't expensive, and actually held up excellent. I can't add much to Jeremy's List. Cooking gear will depend on what you plan to eat, and how many you will be cooking for. If there are several people along, and it's hiking, split the load. One carries the stove and fuel, one carries the cook gear and one carries the food. The variations are endless, but similar characteristics to consider. Regardless of size (individual cookset verses base camping set and in-between), you will want a kit that "nests" in each other. The main differences are size of the pots and the material. Aluminum is lighter, but I've never had good luck with it, just heats too uneven on anything but water. Stainless steel is what I've always used, but boy can it be a pain to clean if you burn on anything. Titanium is a great choice for weight and quality, but expensive. I don't recommend non-stick, as I've never seen it hold up over any length of time, and cook stoves tend to produce really hot flames. I have two different SS MSR sets, one for individual (or two people in a pinch), and one that will cook for 3-4 while backpacking. Campmor is a good source for these. On any of the kits, I'd recommend a diffuser plate that goes between the flame and the bottom of the pot. It really cuts down on scorching food, and keeping the flames from the bottom of your pots/pans keeps soot cleanup to a minimum. A good tip for soot removal..... Before you start to cook, take little liquid dish soap and rub on the bottom and lower sides of the pan/pot. The soot sticks to the soap, not the pan, and you simply wash the soap off with the soot during cleanup. Carry a pair of good leather gloves. For fire work and cooking, cause those handles are ALWAYS hot!

I've tried the filter bottles where you fill them with stream water, and then squeeze the water out thru a straw to drink. It's a slow process, especially when you are thirsty. And poor choice for getting water to cook with. Most water you use to cook with is safe after about 5 minutes of a good boil. But a good water filter is hard to beat!!! If you go with a white-gas stove, most new stoves are multi-fuel, and you can use white gas and even unleaded gas. Fuels that are under pressure, or can be put under pressure will heat the fastest and most efficient. White gas (IMO) is the best and fastest, and works regardless of the outside temperature, because you provide the pressure by pumping. Propane is next (for me), but it and Butane (or a mix) will lose pressure and take longer the colder the outside temperature. However, be aware that the Boy Scouts no longer allow liquid gas appliances (stoves or lighting), so some of my suggestions would not be good if the gear is to be used in the future for a potential scout. Regardless of the stove you chose, make sure it has a stable and sturdy base. I've seen many meals ruined when a stove turns over because the feet are poorly designed or too close. Stability becomes an issue once you get a cookpot full of stew or soup sitting on the stove. That's a reason I like liquid fuel stoves. The have that fuel tank below for extra weight and stability. Most Liquid-fuel stoves do come with a liability, in that the controls are usually harder to get to once the pot is on top, and the heat is going due to valve control placement. Gloves! Or, consider a stove with a fuel tank that is connected by a fuel line. The pump and control valve is away from the heat source (doesn't burn you and safer). And most of these are easily disconnected, allowing for re-fueling away from the cook/flame area, without waiting for a stove to cool down. These stoves also tend to sit lower, which gives a lower center of gravity for your cooking, and less spill chances. Just DO NOT get a stove with a remote fuel tank that uses a PVC/hard rubber hose. In even moderately cool weather, these hoses are stiff, and it's usually a PITA to position the hose where the hose isn't flopping the stove all over the place because the stiffness of the hose.

The suggestion for a tarp for the tent is a good on. Small poly-vinyl tarps are usually only a couple of dollars at Harbor Freight, light weight, and have a hundred uses. Pack them on the bottom of your backpack, so when you sit your pack on wet ground, the tarps are on the ground, NOT your sleeping bag or clothes or tent!!

Carry extra rope. Paracord is an excellent choice. Wind some duct tape around a stub of a wood pencil. You can put a couple yards on one, and it will take up only a small area. Carry a small thing of dental floss. It can be used for 100 things, and is light and small.

Ray's suggestion of a fleece/micro-fiber bag liner is a good one. This gives you many options, including using ONLY the liner if the weather turns warmer, or adding the liner inside the bag if temps turn suddenly colder (we've been camping before where it was 70-75 in the day, but by the night, it was snowing, and temps fell into the high teens). Liner can be a life saver.

If you are hiking, carry moleskin for hot spots/blisters. Carry a small bottle with rubbing alcohol. Stop if you feel hotspots. Wipe feet with alcohol. It self dries quickly, and will make your feet cooler and feel refreshed. Then put on that dry pair of extra socks you are carrying. Make sure the socks are "wicking" socks. If you are hiking, and going decent distances, go with modern fiber pants, NOT blue jeans. Denim sucks up moisture, takes forever to dry, and weighs a ton (especially when wet). Wicking garments like Under Armor is a great choice.

If you will be roughing it, and fire cooking, consider a camp/hiking axe like the Zippo 4-1 camping axe with a neat saw design. I shy away from machetes for the most part, unless you plan on jungle hiking. They are lighter, but flex too much for anything but small sticks and leafy plants.

I've always preferred Thermorest brand pads/air mattresses. They come in all sizes and lofts. I use their longest and highest loft (think its two inched thick, 6 1/2 feet long) when base camping. I've used a 2/3 length for backpacking in mild weather. Remember, the pad is as much for separating you from the effects of cold ground as it is for providing comfort). Don't forget a pillow. It will save you a neck crick the following days! I have used them from microfil (flattens out to minimal loft, not worth much, IMO) to memory foam (great comfort, but heavy). Usually go with an inflatable one that has a pillow case large enough to add some of my clothes to as a softener.

Not many links I can give, but Campmor has been a go-to source for me. Bass Pro Shops and the like are also good choices. If you are backpacking for any distance, pack up your stuff. Then take it all out and cut it down by 1/3 to 1/2 the weight if possible. The rule of thumb is no more than 25% of your body weight. If you are in really good shape, and the trails are minimal elevation changes, then the 25% rule might work. It didn't for me on the Appalachian Trail! Nor did it for the two 18 year olds with me (son Jeremy and his best friend - also an Eagle Scout). I ended up cutting my hike short, catching a ride back to the truck, and taking about half the gear from their backpacks with me. They took ALL the food. And still came up short.

Heavy trails need extra food. Dehydrated is the only way to go, but you need to make sure the trails have adequate sources of water. And a meal that says its for two people.... ISN'T. If the trail is tough, re-plan your food needs by at least 50% more.

Just like a two-man tent ISN'T! Two people, either go with individual bivy or a three-man design. With vestibule for gear storage if possible.

If you are base camping, then most of the above goes out the window! The bigger, the better on the tent. Heavy cast-iron dutch ovens and charcoal for most of the cooking, and big tarps for overhead in the cooking/eating area. And Cots to put under the biggest Thermorest pads you can get!! And ice chests of fresh foods.

Either way, make space for a travel humi with at least 5 sticks per person that smokes. A nice cigar around a campfire is hard to beat, on the trail, or beside the truck overlooking the lake!!!