p.1 #1 · Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
Show and or tell us about your most important gear used in pursuit of your landscape photos. No cameras, lenses, tripods, etc.
For my back-country explorations boots are #1 and I'm due for new ones this coming fall season. I've had good luck with La Sportiva boots for both climbing and hiking. Next for me is my pack. A couple years ago I got a new Osprey 50 L for overnighters, but have ended up using it as my daypack too when bringing much camera gear since it is as light as my old big daypack, and carries a load much better. I don't use a dedicated camera pack for long days since I carry too much other stuff to stay safe, fed, and hydrated.
The most important gear though is my vehicle that takes me on longer trips, and enables camping in remote locations, close to where I want to shoot sunset/rise. For 20 years we had a simple Chevy Express van with a bed/couch and a cabinet that worked great.
After we retired my wife said she wouldn't do another multi-week trip in it with me so we tapped some inheritance to get a Northern Lite 8-11 truck camper on a RAM 3500 4x4. The bathroom and heat were the most important for her, but I sure appreciated the ability to stand up, esp. on stormy days.
p.1 #2 · Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
You've hit the highlights as far as pack, boots, vehicle. Outside of those I'd have to pick a headlamp. I couldn't tell you the type/brand of mine, just that it's USB rechargeable. Absolutely necessary for sunrises and sunsets if you're going further than an overlook with a parking lot.
Navigational aids like a Garmin or GaiaGPS are also mission critical. (And of course having a paper map and compass backup.)
p.1 #4 · Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
For me, it's the companionship of another photographer friend on long multi-day backpacking trips. It helps to keep morale up when things/weather don't go quite as planned
p.1 #5 · Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
Thanks for the contributions guys.
Rat, of course I always have a headlamp and extra batteries along on every hike. You are right about that being critical, both for predawn approaches, and post sunset death marches to the car
Chez, I haven't been flying much for photography the last 30 years, but am just now planning a month in Equator and really looking forward to the birds and animals.
Gray, I am 100% with you on companionship, although I wouldn't refer to my wife as equipment! I can go on short trips on my own no problem, but have much more fun with her on our month long trips to Canada or the SW desert. On the other hand I've found that none of my ski/climbing partners are into photography, so if I'm on a photo focused hike it is better to go solo so I don't impose my pace, timing, and choice of camp spots on my friends.
p.1 #7 · Your most important non-camera gear for landscape photography
My RV, the motorcycle a backpack with gear and of course my tripod strapped to the back of the motorcycle.
This is my favorite way to travel for photography..
The most important part, a wife of 25 years that loves travel and adventure..
