Ken, an Eagle Scout and Scoutmaster from Raleigh, N.C., commented on my post about gear lists not necessarily preparing you for the backcountry. He wrote that his Boy Scout training focuses on being prepared, but he has found himself trying to balance taking everything but the kitchen sink to taking a more common sense approach. [...]
Some people mistakenly believe that you can only get hypothermia when it’s snowing outdoors. At Caribou Lakes Wilderness last year, backpacking buddies Duke, Wild Bill and I walked a 10-mile day-hike loop in t-shirts. When we returned to base camp, the sky was clouding up and Bill decided to go for a quick swim in [...]
Putting you trail map in a plastic bag will protect from tearing, rain and dew. A simple idea, but one you might not think about as you jam it into your pocket or stuff it into your pack. Some maps are made of waterproof material. However, I often Xerox a copy of the portion of [...]
It’s simple to obtain gear lists, fill your pack and head out on the trail. Problem is, that approach doesn’t necessarily prepare you for the real conditions you’ll face. Let me share one of my own experiences with starting fires. A few years ago, on a backpack in the Ansel Adams Wilderness, I set up [...]
The California State Department of Fish and Game is advising campers, hikers, hunters, fishermen and golfers to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in the Yosemite and Mammoth areas. People are advised to wear noise-producing devices such as little bells on their clothing to alert, but not startle, bears unexpectedly. The department [...]
The list of essentials seems to expand and contract, but conventional wisdom a long time ago figured out “must haves” for survival and / or comfort. One is a pocket knife. If you’ve read any of my posts you know I big on looking for alternatives, especially lightweight or ultralight weight versions. I have two [...]
I’ve been writing about all the “little” items that fill a backpack and how to make them smaller and lighter. Perhaps you don’t take any prescriptions, but a small plastic pill holder for aspirin, antihistimine, or anti-diarrhea tablets can come in handy. You want something small and light, which is why I have chosen the [...]
The little things make a big difference on the trail. Bathing (getting the trail dust off) is one them — even though I don’t do too much bathing when on short (two-day) backpacks. Diving into a lake or splashing your face in a cool stream are two of the more refreshing ways to get the [...]
Just because you have escaped the city doesn’t mean you want to escape basic personal care on the trail. Actually, flossing and brushing can be refreshing when you’re covered with trail dust. My floss, toothpaste and brush weigh in at 1 ounce. You could go lighter by eliminating the brush and using your finger. But [...]
