The most important thing you have forgotten

[lawnmowwer]

 I did the worst one I think I have ever done last weekend. The only thing worse would have been to forget my backpack.

A little background. I have been camping for 20 years +. I did a no-no right off the bat. I got home late Friday night. I hadn't packed anything. So of coarse I promptly got a scotch on the rocks and started packing. I though of everthing. I got it all packed and ready to go. I took a shower and headed off to bed.
 
Sat. morning I jumped out of bed threw on some clothing, shoes and did a final quick check. I had everything so I started loading the FJ. Pack for me and the dog. Chased down the dog as she wanted to play, but we were in a hurry. We still needed gas.

We made good time on the way to the trailhead. Got there just before the 10 leave time. I realize I hadn't checked to see what everone was driving. No worries, I could ask around to find them. Little did I know as I was taking my sweet time they were walking off. Still no big deal I have camped in Sipsey many times solo. So what did I do. I discovered My big mistake. I went back to the truck to suit up. At wench time I found I had sat my boots on the box next to the truck in the basement to unlock the back door. Where they still sat.

 So I milled around a bit and looked down at my Chacos. I threw on my pack and the dogs and put on the trail. Probably not the best decision but it wasn't that bad. Made the river crossings a lot faster.

[auwesman]

Fuel canisters....I usually it in the pot with the stove.  Boy was I hot at myself when dinner came after a 16 mile AT hike...........

Chacos are great by the way aren't they?  I've actually done a little hiking in them (2 night trips) and they're very capable as long as you don't have to do any scrambling.  At least you had a trusty pair nearby so you could still head out!  I have to say, if all I had were Tevas, I would have thought twice

[lawnmowwer]

 Chacos are great. I have two pair. I think next time I will pack at midnight two days out and load at midnight the night before.

[WolfVanZandt]

I don't know what the most important thing is that I've forgotten, I've forgotten so many things they all tend to blur into obscurity.

[Nalgene Ninja]

Gloves for an October AT section. I was comfy except my hands stayed cold the whole time.

[Mountain Dog]

spoon

[Pointman]

Years ago my buddy and I were planning to hike up into the mountains in Sequoia National Park to do some Trout fishing. We had backpacked several times together and I always carried the fuel and stove. I inspected my pack, ensuring everything was there including my fuel bottle. Unfortunately when we reached camp and wanted to warm up some coffee, I discovered I had brought an empty fuel bottle. My buddy was less than happy since we were planning on being in the back country several days.

To get away from my unhappy buddy for a few minutes, I decided to walk down and talk to a couple who was also backpacking and had setup camp not too far from us. After chatting a short time, I asked if by chance they had any extra white gas for my stove. The guy immediately spoke up that he had accidentally brought 2 fuel bottles and was willing to swap my empty bottle for his full one. The funny thing is he then asked if I had any extra tent stakes because they could not set up their tent since they had forgotten their tent skates and since there was snow on the ground and we were above the tree line they were having problems finding something to use to improvise tent stakes with. Fortunately, I had extra stakes and we both solved our problem and had a great trip.

[mich4076]

This past weekend I left my treking poles at home... they would have helped x.x

[Lesley]

The stove was the top item on a car camping trip, but it just got beat due to the recent forgetting of rope/string in bear country on a 3/4 night backpacking venture. Thank god we were hiking with people who came better prepared 

[Nalgene Ninja]

Ya'll back already?

[Lesley]

We left out last Thursday night and got back yesterday. Today will be spent unpacking and cleaning stuff.

[highlife]

We left out last Thursday night and got back yesterday. Today will be spent unpacking and cleaning stuff.

and resting sore feet

[Magic City Matt]

We are leaving again for Texas in the morning.

[Nalgene Ninja]

<quietly picking up beer cans and overflowing ashtrays>
That's cool. Have a good trip. 

[Joshua Szulecki]

Tripod. Always the tripod.

[lawnmowwer]

spoon

I have had to make a wooden spoon before. 

We are leaving again for Texas in the morning.

Glade y'all made it back safe. Also hope the next trip is a good one.

[Lostsheep]

Sadly, I forgot my tent stakes once. Only once.

The worst part is that my tent is NOT freestanding. W/out stakes, I'm screwed. I added rocks to the corner and just had a saggy tent for the weekend. Luckily it didn't rain and didn't bother me too much.

[Rigormortis]

Flashlight one time, spoon another.

[Tim Rich]

That it's better to carry too much water than to be out of it.  I've forgotten that many times.

Tim