>>618487That's just soot, completely harmless. I'd recommend at least a pot, though, to keep the sooty shit in your pack to a minimum.
Hydration bladders are convenient while moving, but require more maintenance, aren't as durable as a hard water bottle, and are a pain to fill. Especially innawoods.
You don't need to boil filtered water. Filtering is generally the safest way to purify water after boiling, but the difference is negligible 99.9% of the time. Stay away from stagnant and/or murky water if you can help it, and pre filter if you can't. e.g. strain it through a bandanna or t-shirt or something first. Chlorine/Iodine tabs weigh practically nothing, and can be used if the pump breaks. iirc neither of those kill cryptosporidium or giardia, but if you're at the point where you're having to use tabs, a little infection is the least of your problems. Also, iodine tastes like shit, go with chlorine.
Boiling should be a last resort unless you're in an area where wood is plentiful and fire bans aren't in effect, since it uses a lot of fuel.
Are there bears in the area? Are you going someplace they're required? If so, then yes.
They're usually not that heavy, and you can store stuff in them in your pack, so they don't take up much room, either.
A first aid kit with tons of moleskin. A hiking stick is nice, but not necessary.
