you make a valid point on the hone. In 7 days is is debatable whether or not it would be needed. As mentioned above, neither the Aspirin, Tylenol nor the Motrin are for pain. The reason I carry the Tylenol and Motrin is to be able to reduce a fever. The reason I carry the Aspirin is in case someone is having a heart attack. Now, having said that, I am still toying with the idea of removing all of the meds since it is not possible for me to sheild them from regular exposure to temperatures well in excess of 90*F.

You'd be doing yourself out of half the fun.

But, OK, you want to make a serious run at it, I went back and looked at your original post and some of the responses.

I have, after reading your posts ADDED aspirin to mine. I've been carrying ibu only. But, I have eliminated most of the packaging of the meds. Trim down bubble packs, consolidate loose tablets -- harm in it. The things like the sting pads, they are bulky -- do you need three?

You know your usage/travel patterns: is the fishing gear urgent? Could you not elimiate a lot of it?

Is your problem primarily weight, or bulk?Your kit is so much like one of mine, I don't know what else to say. Unless you just go the Ritter Kit route for pure minimalist utilitarianism.

Brian, Late to the thread and may have been covered already. For your meds, get generic bulk and pack (vacuum if you like) in a single ziplock. Saves alot of the bulk of the individual packed meds. A typical tylenol bottle contains plenty of air during storage and use so air exposure should not be a problem for that type of med within the expiration date.

Bill

Should have mentioned, zip lock for each type, don't mix. Small ones are available at craft stores.

As it stands right now the kit has grown to the size of a Maxpedition M-2 Pack fully stuffed. This is almost double the size it was when I started this thread! I did reduce the fishing kit to a couple #8-#10 1/16-1/32 weghted hooks and upgraded the mirror, but then I added more Imodium, a Storm Shelter Instant Pocket Tent (in the outside pocket of the M-2), 15 feet of paracord and a few other goodies. This is basically the oposite of my original intention. I'm not posting pics or a complete list yet though because Im still thinking of scrapping a lot of this stuff and making it a lot smaller. I keep staring at an empty Altoids tin on the desk in my office, thinking to myself "what would I keep if forced to carry only this tin". I went on a dayhike last Saturday with my son and was quite reluctant to strap on the M-2 even though I have spent about 2 hours on the treadmill with it strapped to my hip and it really isn't that uncomfortable even when jogging. Still, it's a lot of gear for me to carry and I am honest enough with myself to realize that there's pretty good odds of my looking at my M-2 kit on the seat of the truck (as I load up my gear for a hike) and thinking, "ah I'll be fine with just my EDC (knife/firestarter/flashlight/compass)" then end up leaving the whole darn kit behind. I know a lot of people EDC kits larger than this kit but I'm used to going on comfortable 2-3 night camp trips with not much more than a small day pack, so for me this is a lot to take on a day hike. I'm a minimalist when it comes to gear. I dont like to carry much but I like to have what I may truely need to survive (just survive in good health, no comfort items) and I like what i carry to be high quality, which somtimes means passing on the smallest versions of certain items. Okay I am digressing a little now.... sorry. Point is I need to get the kit small enough that I'm not tempted to leave it behind when I head out in to the wilderness but still have the most comprehensive kit possible with the best quality gear I can get my hands on.

Oh ya .. I know carrying the sting relief pads is contrary to my statements above. Basically they are just alcohol and a topical numbing agent. The reason I carry them is because of my little 2 year old boy. It's a comfort item for him because I feel so bad when he gets stung by and ant or a spider and I cant relieve his discomfort. I try not to shelter him too much, which is why I take him on hikes to begin with without worrying about him playing with bugs, dirt, etc, but he is so young that I have to balance that carefully with also making sure that he is comfotable and has fun because otherwise he won't want to go hiking as he gets older and will miss all that outdoors has to offer. Okay now I am really digressing. I'll stop I should probably remove the string relief pads and then just stick one or two in my pocket when the kid is with me. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I know what you mean, bro. I can get down to a GI compass pouch, but I feel like a lot is left out. I have become a dedicated fan of Fat Boys. The ergonomics are so good - at least on my body - that it is more comfortable than the M2 would be threaded onto my belt.

I would think that the M2 would not be too bothersome, I mean, it's smaller than a GI conteen, for example. 'Course, I don't know how you are carrying water.

I've never been a big fan of fanny packs, but the Maxpedition Devil Dog looks promising -- it converts to a shoulder bag, which I am quite used to, anyway.

Any Devil Dog users out there?

Oh that's a whole 'nother problem in itself. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I have a real compact and useful but uncomfortabe setup right now that carries a 1 liter nagalene bottle with a fitted metal cup over the bottom. Then the cup and bottle sit in a nylon belt pouch.

I can't find one I like either, so I'm still using a GI canteen Flex plastic) & SS cup. Lots of disadvantages, but still the best compromise I've got.

I think the GSI Glacier Stainless Steel Bottle Cup is what Brian is talking about. That's what I've got. My local Galyan's was carrying it, until they changed into Dick's Sporting Goods, now I don't know anybody locally who carries it, and I'd like more of them. Maybe I'll just have to mail-roder it.

Yep that's the one. I got mine at Galyan's too, before Dick's took over.

I have that one as well.

I also have a MSR ti cup that nests with a Katdyn sport bottle purifier.

Also, can you post an "after" picture and complete inventory?