Really damn i do some multiple day hikes but never that monster of multiple months...i personally carry my gun, waterproof bedding, water, water filter as a must... but i hear you talking about free stuff weak hikers be dropping where do i pick up this lootHikers companion??????? Man I know guys that cut their toothbrush in half to conserve weight. I assume we are talking about day hikers not through hikers. If you ever want to pick up a ton of free outdoors equipment just hike the first few days of the AT from springer Mt. It looks like a sporting goods store from what everyone ditches.