I'll share another "essential" that proved worthy on my last trip. Tire patch kit! I have a super-light 3/4 length Thermarest Neo-Air air mattress. I love sleeping on it.
Second night out, I laid out my garbage bag as a ground cover on what appeared to be a nice pine-needle bed, after digging out a few larger pebbles. But when I lay (laid?) down, the mattress went flat immediately. Fortunately, I had thought to bring along a bicycle tire patch kit -- glue and patches.
I found the hole -- a 1/4 inch rip, caused by the sharp needle on a leaf from a pine cone. Fortunately I found the needle right away, and I then checked the entire bedding area for more.
The tire patch worked! Applied the gooey glue, spreading it a little and allowed it to dry to a tacky consistency. The patches were barely large enough to cover the rip, but fortunately did. Pressed the patch by squeezing it between thumb and finger (no air in mattress). Then to protect the patch, I applied a square of duct tape. It held for the entire trip, and so I think the mattress is good to go on the next.
The hole in the mattress could have ruined a great trip.
