There are scanning apps that automatically crop the photo, let you make multi page PDFs, and automatically upload to your cloud of choice or directly to your computer. This has made it super easy for me. I’ve tried a few and settled on the one-time paid version Genius Scan and it works well for me.
I’m totally with you on the camping chair. I consider it a nonnegotiable luxury. Jetboils are awesome. Could cut some weight by swapping out the bear vault for and Opsak Loksak. I haven’t had any problems with critters being attracted since using that and it weighs nothing. I do put that inside a more durable sack and hang up in a tree. Another luxury item I like to take is a hand chainsaw. Very little weight and makes cutting down bigger sticks much easier and safer. Overall sounds like a great setup friend!
For the hiking parts, he likes to roleplay along the way that we’re on an adventure to slay a dragon or rescue a lost donkey (not sure where that one came from). when we get to camp I try to involve him in everything like pitching the tent, making the fire, fixing supper and whatnot.
Other than that I just let him work thru and embrace boredom. There’s certainly an adjustment for him from normal high stimulation life (we have him in daycare), but after a while he starts settles down and stops asking what time it is or what we’re supposed to be doing and starts making up games for us to play, watching ants and beetles do their thing, exploring, poking the fire, throwing rocks in creeks, etc.
I do like to take a few versatile toys, especially when I take my 2 year old as well. They have a lot of fun with a few tennis balls (which are great because they’re hard to loose, soft, and never go flat), a handful of my old pokemon figurines, and maybe 2-3 palm sized construction vehicles.
Getting my 5 year old into backpacking, so we’re easing into it by visiting state parks locally in North Carolina. So far trips to Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock have gone well, so planning some trips now to my ol stomping grounds in Western Carolina
How about posting your pack list when you get done and folks can make suggestions? In the meantime, I have a bunch of little trinkets I take with me, but as far as “heavy” or bulking nonessentials I consider worth their weight:
Here’s some small stuff you might not think of that’s great to have
Happy Trails!!!
I’m all about enjoying less weight, but I agree also with looking into a backpacking chair from helinox or equivalent. I have an REI brand chair and it’s totally worth the weight for me. Absolute luxury in the trial!
I carry a Leatherman Squirt PS4 in my pocket every day. It’s tiny and doesn’t add bulk to my pocket but is super handy and I use it all the time. Has spring loaded pliers and tiny scissors, a small straight blade and file, and both a flat Phillips head and broader flat screwdriver.