How “Essential” Are the Ten Essentials? According to This Study: Not Very

[skiguy]

I’ve seen more than one child of nature hiking barefoot in the Whites. Shoes not essential.

.....and on Summer Solstice some think clothes are not either.

[Mike P.]

A Monadnock study does get a fair number of people, so a decent sample number, however, it's probably skewed between those who know it well and what they are doing & also those with nary a clue. It's certainly a short enough trip where barring injury, food would likely not be needed. (But how much does a (insert brand here) bar weigh, or even some cookies? I've always brought something)?

I would think you would get a different answer waiting at the Brother's lot (Marston Trailhead? it's been too long & I'm not looking it up.) at BSP but you'd have to wait a month to get 900 people.

Depending on the weather and time of year, Monadnock and Greylock, as well as Osceola or Tecumseh rarely would require much of the gear & most of us on the board who have been to these places many time could get by without the map.

[jfb]

Depending on the weather and time of year, Monadnock and Greylock, as well as Osceola or Tecumseh rarely would require much of the gear & most of us on the board who have been to these places many time could get by without the map.

A hike up Greylock in the summer takes about 2 hours, then you can stop at Bascom Lodge for a cheeseburger and beer before hiking back down.

[dug]

Gros Morne to Denali. Pretty impressive. Oh the stories that pad could tell.

Gros Morne to the Arrigetch, but damn close! And, yes, it's seen a quite bit.

[jfb]

I’ve seen more than one child of nature hiking barefoot in the Whites. Shoes not essential.

Yup. My list has 30 non-essential items, which includes shoes.

[sierra]

I find list like this to be too subjective to be worth much. How many hikers carry a compass and have no idea how to use it? answer, most of them. I carry most of the list, always carried matches in a waterproof container. I do not carry any shelter or sunscreen, actually, I have never used sunscreen in my life, even at altitude.