What is something or things you took with you that you now know to never take again? Seems like I find something each year that I could've lived without.

a bag of potatoes....as good as they tasted, they were a pain...we also took carrots that were rarely eaten, too much oatmeal/brown sugar, too much oil, etc. basically figured out that I brought in way to much food...will be more accurate next time, maybe on the soft side and rely more on fish, bring in instant potatoes, hash, and foil pack chicken...and more trail mix (u could live on that all week)

also could limit my tackle a bit...maybe just three boxes vs my six :)

Bring less clothes but more underwear .

Cotton anything. Eliminate the cotton tee shirts and the weight of your clothes pack drops by 30%.

Forget the folding camp chairs and replace with Kitty Litter buckets and Crazy Creek chairs. Great improvement on many different levels.

Coleman Fish Pen. Got it as a gift from a trip mate so I had to take it. I think she was trying to get back at me from the time I didn't bring enough tp. :)

Here is how I approach my trips where weight and space are critical.
First - I make lists - groceries, meals, personal gear, group gear, fishing tackle, etc... everything that goes on the trip is on the list. At the end of the trip, I look at the list and check off things that I didn't use or said we don't need. Then I add things that I missed or wished I would have had, etc.... I have some things that come with depending on the weather forecast.
Over the years I have dwindled our gear down to the basics. Our cook kit consists of a griddle, 2 pots, aluminum foil, and necessary spatula, spoons, forks, plates, etc.... sometimes for 8 people. Clothes are down to one set of clothes that I wear and a spare change of clothes. I agree on the cotton - leave it at home. If you think you can do without - do it.
We are down to single portaging everything and we trip in mid-May so that means heavy clothes, boots, jackets, heavy raingear, etc...
It all depends on who you trip with, how far you want to go, and how muc work you are willing to do.
Things not to skimp on - first aid kit, duct tape, repair kit, raingear, rope, and a method for making water safe to drink.

Wow, I sure have made a lot of changes in the past few years. I didn't realize it until I made this list.

The folding camp chair (4#) is soon to be replaced with either my Crazy Creek or an Alite Monarch Butterfly (1.5#).

Last fall I dispensed with the Coleman multi-fuel stove (and the pint of extra fuel) and just used an Esbit stove. Saved about 5#.

No more hand axe, telescoping tarp poles, or rechargeable shaver.

No more tortillas, bagels or other forms of bread. Make bannock over a fire.

No more utensils other than a small pot w/lid, fry pan, metal plate with lid, pot lifter and spatula.

I keep telling myself no more than two books but that's a tough one.

I always bring a few too many clothes and that's not likely to change. I've been blessed with good weather, and that is quite likely to change.

Got a 6# tent to replace the 9#. Gotta have room for the dog.

I still bring an extra tarp - very lightweight poly, weighs about 1# if that. I hate dealing with TP in the rain.

I used to use a Pelican case for SLR camera gear - weighed 9#. Got a different zoom lens (18-200) so now I leave the 75-300 lens at home. With a different waterproof box, the camera pack is now about 5-6#. No more tripod either (the good one is about 5# and the lightweight one isn't strong enough).

The biggest weight loss involves going solo, which drops 170# plus my son's food and clothes and the third paddle. Not sure I like that tradeoff.

Always seem to bring too much fishing tackle...whittle it down each trip, but still seem to bring more than I'll ever use...

Same here...too much fishing tackle...but I really need it! (I may need intervention)

Each year I make a list of the things I brought, and did not use.
Then evaluate if any of the items are essential for future trips.
Like a first aid kit for example, even though I didn't use it, it is still essential.
Clothes is where I have really wittled down the weight.
Fishing gear is still a problem.

i've left stuff home that are really just gizmos like sun shower bags,a bucket over the head works better.a hand grinder for coffee,in the AM i want coffee NOW and not sitting grinding it.big knives,fun on the belt but heavy on the carry.two back up sets of clothes where one is enough.
i find that the extra stuff comes as a result of a problem on the trip before.a stove breaks down so you take an extra or somehow you get really wet and the weather stays bad and one change of clothes will not keep you dry so next trip you over do it.

20 pound fishing satchel!

My last trip which was my first solo, I was *extremely* happy with my gear decisions. The only things I took that I didn't need were

extra tarp
first aid kit
rain gear

which of course I wouldn't trip without any of those.

I had more food than needed, but that was along the same lines, if things had occurred differently, I would've needed that, so I wouldn't change that either.

But on the topic of learning, some stuff that I learned I need to upgrade at some point, because my gear isn't as good as it could be:

sleeping pad
stove

its ALWAYS too much food for me. ive gotten everything else trimmed down pretty well.

my group trip last summer I made maple syrup from brown sugar.

I ended up making WAAY too much, and we had to pack out easily a quart worth of syrup.


how embarrassing. I felt really bad.

I also bring home extra oatmeal, drink mixes, smaller snack foods. I usually trip in spring and fall so clothing during the day is too much but at sunset just right. I should get a warmer bag to decrease sleepwear, I guess. And why the hell do I bring a travel alarm clock? I read it twice a day, usually for the thermometer feature, bedtime and wake-up. I can feel if I'm warm or cold. What bothers me is what I forget by the time I get home what I wish I had? I did order a folding telescopic net when I returned last year.

The fax machine and curling iron did seem a bit much.