Ten, excluding your belt-order EDC?

In that case, I'd grab one of my packs and toss in the following:
1, 2. 1 liter nalgene bottles, filled
3. swedish surplus mess kit w/ a trancia stove, 2 fuel bottles and a small thing of matches already in there
4. my camping firetin (lots of matches, lighter, a magnesium firestarter, sparklite, tinder, stay-lit candles, 2 real candles)
5. 100m spool of paracord
6. Socks!
7. poncho w/ liner OR jacket, based on weather
8. boonie hat OR wool beanie, based on weather
9. my Pack-Rat
10. my UK mess kit-based survival kit

Are the last two cheating? Yes, and no. Yes, they do contain a multitude of useful items. But also no, becuase they are one item if you can pick up one THING as one of the ten items.

Besides, if you aren't cheating, you aren't trying. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Of course, that would include my normal pocketed gear.