backpacking tips

“My tip: Don't pee on a yellow jacket nest.”

“LOL.@ Tilt...been there.

The dryer sheet thing is not that big a performer.

NOW Um I have heard of people eating sulphur pills or drinking vinegar (granted the smell is a #&%!$)

But I like the DEET”

“I find I can get away with the 30% DEET mix, you just have to apply more frequently. The spray version is nice. If I am going into an area I KNOW is going to be heavy with biters, 100% comes along.”

“Juts woller in the mud or lay down in a creek. It aint rokket syens! BOL!”

“Tell him the bacon ring story.”

“thriftyhiker said,

“LOL, i accuse walkntom of working in the fabric softener industry”

TH I only wanted to find a way to deplete my stock of "7 day old gym shorts scented drier sheets"
It sounded good when the woman talked about them on the infomercial ;-) duh”

“I think I ruined by Marmot Precip jacket and pants by washing it in the washing machine with Tide. The hiker funk was somethin' awful. Now the funk is gone, but so is the breathability.

Someone recommeded using Nikwax Tech wash first, and then the Nikwax DX stuff to add back the waterproof stuff. Anyway, the DX bottle was like $12 for maybe 12 oz and the directions say you have to use the whole bottle. I sure hope this stuff works.”

“CD I don't know much about tide except that it is a harsh detergent but Is'nt hanging things out in the sun supposed to deodorize?”

“Hanging the sun can work if the birds don't poop on them and the squirrels leave them alone and the skunks can't spray that high. All of which are highly problematic in some areas.”

“i can't see how nikwax is going to restore the breathability. the jacked is still waterproof and seam-sealed. it just doesn't breathe. the breathability comes from small pores in the fabric so if it doesn't breathe anymore it means the holes are plugged up. what do the care instructions say on the tag in the jacket? i could pull mine out and read it but i am lazy...”

“Here's what I used.



Wash-in waterproofing for wet weather clothing

Adds water-repellency and revives breathability to fabrics without wicking liners.

-------------

From what I have read, using a harsh detergent clogs the pores in the jacket reducing breathability and breaks down the waterproofing. I will let you know if this stuff works.
last edited: 3/29/08 5:02:45 AM”

“Mouth-to-mouth also revives breathability. Try that on your jacket.”

“I am a huge believer in nikwax. I always got good results with it.”