-first, tell DS and DH, if they want to eat, they pack their own food. You're not a pantry.
DONE! DS has aready started.
-Ditto shelter - why on god's green earth are you carrying 2 rain coats? You have 2 torso's that I don't know about? And 2 ponchos? Pick one.
The pochos disoosable and the rain jackets a bit heavier. Ditched they jackets for the summer and DH can carry his own, just like DS is already doing.
-1 flashlight. One. Not 3. Worst case scenario if your lights die? It's dark. Big deal.
Smart! With an 8yo, darkness, especially if it was an emergency like and injury can become a big deal fast. I've got a keychain LED on my lanyard and in my PSK, as well as a AAA mag in my Leatherman sheath. DS carries 2 as well. That's enough redundancy.
-1 knife. Fixed or folder, but only one.
Fixed blade is out. It's bigger, heavier and I have the saw for bigger jobs.
-Mylar sleeping bag or heat sheet. Not both.
Mylar is out. Heatsheet is tougher.
-Fire: pick 2 methods, and 2 fuels. You're way, way redundant there.
Bic and matches are out. Butane lighter and firesteel are enough, with tinderquicks.
-Ditch the sunscreen. You're in Canada. Not exactly the sun-burn capitol of the world.
Nope. 8yo on the beach means sunscreen. We can burn badly enough to blister up here in the igloo land.
-Baby wipes and TP? Pick one. Unless you have diapers to change or raging hemorrhoids, ditch the wipes. I bet you even carry a full roll of TP too, don't you?
Smrte A$$!
It's only about 1/3 of a regular 1ply roll and tube is gone.
Again, 8yo and wipes are a good pairing.
-Ditch half the food you're carrying. Again, you're not a pantry. Let your DH and DS carry their own food. If you get stuck overnight and don't eat for 24-48 hours, no big deal. Try that cord and catch some fish.
DONE!
Sorry to be harsh, but look at all that crap you're lugging around. I bet that's not helping your shoulder. Tell your DH to get off his duff and pitch in. I bet he weighs more than you - he should be carrying more than you. He's not your "pack mule" but it's ok that you are his?
Not harsh, exactly what I was hoping for. I just keep adding stuff, little by little. I love the idea of keeping a list to keep track!