There are new AAA-sized Energizer "e2" lithium batteries that should give you quite a bit of run time.
Also there are AA-sized lithiums, but those have been out for a while.
If I know I'm going to be in the woods and I can't remember the last time I changed the batteries, I'll put in fresh ones. I'll also carry backups, too.
Those "weird thoughts" are normal thoughts on the forum. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />