Most useful backpacking tips I've learne d

“Hey all, I'm new at backpacking, and i was just wondering if you guys can give me some useful tips in backpacking. Just interested in what you think was the most useful thing that you learned? Thanks”

“dehydrated food, rehydrate in the bag you brought it in! no muss no fuss no cleanup! just boil water.”

“Besides your water, carry a nalgene bottle filled with a liter of Gatorade or similar drink to sip along the way also. When you get to camp, stretch your muscles and guzzle whatever Gatorade you have left.”

“If you are just starting out, don't worry about about buying the latest, greatest, lightest gear available. Good quality gear can be found for a reasonable price. Spend some time learning your backpacking style/desires before buying the latest/greatest (and most expensive) item in Backpacker magazine. (i.e. hold off a bit on the H. Shires and/or Six Moon Designs tarptent until you learn a bit about campsite selection, and if your hikes are going to be such that you NEED to watch every ounce)”

“Don't eat the yellow snow.







Hey, someone had to say it.”

“Don't talk politics unless you can defend yourself with the knife you carry.”

“lol, well heck goat I thought that is what the Glock was for?!?”

“Seriously...
Just browse around Trail Talk and read what has already been posted about gear, techniques, and trails. Use the "SEARCH" feature to find the topics in which you are interested.

I've been watching this web site for only 7 months and have learned sooo much just by reading. Understand that many of these hikers are into counting ounces, not pounds.

Don't waste your money on subscribing to "The Rag"
http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/26250,-1.php”

“LOL CnC...

Since I've began counting ounces, I've left the Glock behind. A cleaver fill many needs.”

“a cleaver...obviously you must also carry Enertia foods "mac and cheese" entrees....:)”

“Enertia... I've never used those meals.
Actually, the cleaver is a joke. (although I've entertained the idea) Cleaver is my very favorite knife in the kitchen.
As far as my meals... Thanks to Trail Talk and those who have posted information on pepsi-Guinness can stoves and freezer bag cooking, I'll soon be eating much like prosecutor when on the trail!
Warning>>> I am still entertaining the cleaver idea.”

“lol, figured you were joking about the cleaver also...the enertia was a joke about how hard their mac n' cheese mix is to rehydrate, in our experience you usually end up having to try and chew some hard chunks of the cheese. We have gone this year to the freezer bag way of cooking.”

“Backpack in groups, and watch what equipment and techniques really work.

Almost everyone will defend their choice of equipment on the forum. After a nights rain backpacking, look to see who emerges from their tent smiling and well rested, and who is sopping up water and hanging items out to dry.”

“some people never learn anything. A true backpacker uses an ice ax instead of a cleaver or knife.... sheeesh

Do put the pack down every once in a while, sit on a log and relax... it isnt all about the miles. (or the oz.)”

“the-naviguesser beat me to the first thought that entered my mind..Prosecutor gave very, solid advice, as always..I think the most useful thing I learned was to drink lots of water..if you wait until you are thirsty, you're already dehydrated..I'm a Camelbak fan for this reason..”

“Keep things simple, remember why you are out in the woods in the first place. Beg borrow and steal gear before you buy it (then you'll know what you like and what works).As prosecutor said, hike in a group to see what others do. Most importantly, hike your own hike.”

“Good quality duct tape wrapped around one of your Nalgene bottles. Will patch a sleeping bag, tent, or even a body if the need arises.”

“Many years ago, a stranger on a group trip in the Pecos learned all of these leasons, in spite of friendly warnings.

Get your boots out of the box before the trailhead.

Don't camp where the range cattle camp.

Don't wear cotton socks with bright stripes that attract bees.

Be reasonably fit.

Know your limits.

Losing the trail doesn't mean you are lost.

Thunderstorms come, thunderstorms go.

We can't leave you on the side of the trail, the Rangers don't come by that often.

Lomotil isn't smart for diarrhea caused by eating in a cow pie camp.”

“bright stripes attract bees?

did you really have somebody do (or not do) all those things?”

“yes, really. It is fortunate the rest of us did not become axe murderers.”

“Geesh, Lumberjack, ithought you would use a chainsaw!!”

“You can get wet, and you can get cold, but do not ever get wet and cold!”

“Cotton kills.
Don't wear any cotton when you're hiking. It gets extremely heavy when it gets wet, and it doesn't trap any heat to your body once its wet, as well. Wool is great for warmth (but itchy), and a polyester bottom layer is great to wick away water from you (all those spendy 'wick dry' clothings are nothing more than a polyester blend - go to Target and get cheaper poly blend underlayers).”

“Take good care of your feet. Make sure your boots fit -- your feet don't slide around in them, and they have good arch support. Get a sole-insert if your shins ache after a day of hiking. Pack a sheet of moleskin to use if you develop blisters.”

“What JasonG said about cotton applies to cold weather.

In hot weather the reverse is true.
Cotton is THE material for hot weather.
Wet cotton will cool you faster than being naked when you have a person on the edge of heatstroke.
Cotton clothing is light cool and comfortable.

IN HOT WEATHER, Cotton rules.”

“1) boill off-color snow before consuming...

2) cotton is fine in the southwest(light color preferred)

3) Take care of your feet !!!!!

4) love thy feet.

5) Your feet are your friends.”

“Thou shalt keep thy feet before thee and away from me?

Thou shalt covet thy partners high tech gear?

Thou shalt Leave No Trace of thy presence.

chainsaws are way too heavy and you would have to keep a shovel handy as well, an ice ax takes the place of both :D”

“Deuteronomy 23:13 Each of you must have a spade as part of your equipment. Whenever you relieve yourself, you must dig a hole with the spade and cover the excrement.”

“Get out and dayhike as much as you can to get in shape for the trail, try out different foods and how much your body needs, try out clothing layers to stay comfortable, toughen your feet, try socks combinations, etc. Wear a loaded pack to build yourself up. Nothing is worse starting a hike and feeling like you're going fall over going uphill and winding up sore and miserable the next day because you have haven't prepared physically. There are some things nobody can teach you and you have to learn them on your own by going out and hiking and finding out what works for you.
last edited: 3/27/05 11:19:22 AM”

“...just DO IT!

Now go and hike!”

“sure that wasnt DoDo-onomy?”

“Here are a few tips that my Venture Crew learned the past few days in Coyote Gulch:

1)Leave the canned food at home

2)A sleeping pad is more than a good idea.... it is an essential in cold weather

3)Don't store your cooking alcohol in a Dasani bottle

4)Cooking alcohol doesn't taste good, and will NOT quench the thirst

5)Keep your sleeping bag in a water-proof stuff sack, or line your stuff sack with a plastic bag.

6)Just because it's a desert, doesn't mean that it's not going to rain.

7)Don't leave your only jacket at Wendy's on the way to the trailhead

8)If you are 6 ft. 4 in. tall and only weigh 140 lbs., perhaps you should bulk up a bit before you attempt to carry a 60 lb. pack 15 miles.
last edited: 3/27/05 12:56:54 PM”

“1) Always take 2 bandanas.. immerse in pool of cold water (or any water for that matter) and wrap around your head to cool off, use for cleaning up yourself and your gear, use for the obvious, use to tie together to hold your broken arm in place.
2) Do not try to save ounces by using the travel toothbrush or drilling holes in your toothbrush. Pick out the strongest one you can find... your teeth will thank you!
3)Duct tape is your friend
4) A fly rod is worth the weight

(think very carefully before hiking with the guy with the cleaver.. make sure the guy with the power saw is not on the same trip)”

“Tevas are great hiking shoes.”

“Don't get hung up on mileage.
I've had some great camps 1 mile in and 50 yards off the trail.
You're doing this for the fun of it not to prove what a MAN you are.

Water is a magic elixir.

Tequila is your friend.”

“Birch said the most important thing to me: 1- Hike your own hike. Currahee is 6'2" and likes to power up the trail. I'm 5'2" and like a leisurely hike. It didn't take long for us to realize that just meeting up for lunch and at camp was enough, we don't have to hike with each other (actually, we get along better when we don't).
2 - Tuna in the pouch and pita pockets and peanut butter, honey, tortilla roll ups are great for lunch on the trail.”

“let someone else carry your heavy gear and you take a light weight daypack”

“Pictures, we want lots and lots of pictures. They are not just for you to enjoy and reflect back on your hike. We need your pictures posted here so that we can live vicariously through you, while we are stuck at work.”

“What kind of foods do you dehydrated and rehydrate, and how exactly do you rehydrate them? Also, how do you guys keep your mess kits clean? just wash it in some water?”

“There are several things you should not skimp on in my opinion:

boots (and socks)
bag
pad
tent

You boots are what keep you comfortable during the day.

The other three things keep you comfortable at night and in bad weather.

If you want to add a 5th thing to the list, it would be your pack...one that will handle your weight load without tearing up your shoulders and hips.”

“Bring plenty, Burn and bury it with your "doo-doo,"

A cotton t-shirt is great all year round, especially if you live in an area with a mild climate. Winter daytime temps in some southern climates can get mighty warm.”

“I carry a snakebite kit, and a good basic first aid kit. Plan it so you have plenty of water, if you can. Always let someone know where you are going if you hike alone. Always carry a flute to charm the wild ones! :~>”

“You're lucky, that there is the net and sites like this. I learned primarily through trial and error while on the trail by myself or with others.

You want a tip,,,got a buckle thats not fastening well and popping open,, it might be fixable with a couple of licks from a file blade on the 'male' part of the buckle.”

“Someone said to keep things simple, and that's what it's really about. The more you can simplify, the less likely something will stress you out. And that's really the most important thing. You should never be stressing out in the woods. Otherwise, you really need to sit down and re-evaluate why you're there in the first place.

Of course, you get to define what "simple" means for yourself, but hey, that's part of the hike your own hike thing, eh?”

““What kind of foods do you dehydrated and rehydrate, and how exactly do you rehydrate them? Also, how do you guys keep your mess kits clean? just wash it in some water?”
tony83
5:06:27 PM
3/27/05

Foods like beans and rice, soups, and pastas tend to dehydrate/rehydrate very well. The key is the foods need to have a good water base to them. Rehydrating them is easy, especially if you have a stove that simmers. Put the food in your pot and fill with water to the point where it's about a quarter inch above food. The trick is to remember that it is easier to add water than it is to take away, so go a little light if you are in doubt and add as needed. Simmer it and depending on the meal, it'll be ready in about 15 minutes.

As for cleaning mess kits, just take a handful of snow or dirt and leaves, and scrub your pot good with it and rinse thoroughly. Pennsy taught me that trick.

Best of luck.
last edited: 3/28/05 5:06:12 AM”

“Always use a check list to make sure you have TP on a desert hike.”

“and if you for get TP DON'T use plants with 3 leafs.”

“and w/o offending anyone as often as possible, swim naked”

“NEVER leave without rain gear, not even for a day hike, not even if you can't see a single clowd in the sky.”

“Agree with Gemini on that one.”