Beginner Backpacking Questions You Might Be Afraid To Ask
video description
Bear Can: They are usually NOT waterproof. I either line the inside with a plastic bag I can seal or put garbage sack over the can if it is on the ground. When kayaking, the weight of the can is not a problem and it doubles as a camp chair - but I store it away from camp - just like hanging food.
Privacy: Not only can you bring the tarp sides down for dressing (and stand behind the hammock, you can get a hammock that has, nylon panels on the ends (doors. The extra weight is trivial and can be offset by not needing as heavy a sleeping bag or top quilt (because the tarp interior is warmer. Also the doors provide more weather protection in blowing rain.
Peeing on Shoes: It helps to find a couple of rocks or stick you can put under your heels making it easier to squat without tipping over. Also finding a log/tree branch you can grab with one hand so you can lean back a little. Note, make sure it won't break in mid-exercise; just say'n.
Ice Axe: An ice axe takes a little training to use properly, instinctively, immediately. If you need it - you don't want to think about it - just pure muscle memory. Also, unlike the video, practice with some pants on or you'll abrade you skin on course snow. See if your local mountaineering group gives lessons. It is not intuitive. For example, without training, many erroneously try to stop dragging the adz instead of the pick.
Toilet Paper: Metamucil is your friend. I'm a vegetarian, my partner is a vegan; somehow we make it work. But moving away from my diet and towards her's (she cooks, I clean, my poo turned to paste - lots of clean up. Once I started taking a spoonful of Metamucil after each meal, things firmed up such that sometimes no work is necessary; clean with one swipe.
Tyvek: There is more to consider besides just the material. Various nylon colors give you levels of opaqueness (and joy) and there are seam sealers specifically formulated for the material. When Tyvek is new and smooth, it is noisy. When it is used and wrinkled (took me four washings to soften it up, it isn't what I'd want for tent/shelter walls. But I will try it as a ground cloth (footprint. I usually use black plastic (Visqueen) for that because, being black, it drys quickly. I put a little duct tape on the corners and write TOP on them so I always orient the same side down.
Date: 2020-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 9
Paul
Dixie, thank you for your videos and for discussing delicate issues so openly. This video inspired these comments:
Bear Can: They are not waterproof so I line the inside with a sealable bag or put a plastic bag over it when I store it away from camp. The black can doubles as a chair. Weight is not an issue when kayak camping.
Privacy: In addition to bringing down the tarp's side, you can also stand behind the hammock. Get a tarp with nylon panels (doors) on the ends. More privacy, warmer environment, more protection in blowing rain.
Pee on boots: put rocks or sticks under shoe heels for better balance when squatting. Grab a branch on a tree or fallen log with one hand to aid in leaning back. Note: Make sure the branch is strong enough so it will not break in mid-exercise; just say'n.
Ice Axe: Its use is not intuitive. Beginners often erroneously drag the adz instead of the pick. To be effective its use must be immediate, accurate, without hesitation - pure muscle memory. Get lessons from mountaineering group if you are going to carry one. Practice with pants - not bare legs shown in the video - or your skin will abrade on the coarse ice/snow.
Toilet Paper: Metamucil is your friend. I'm vegetarian, my partner is vegan; somehow we make it work. But cutting out dairy turned my poo to paste - lot's of work. A spoonful of Metamucil, or other psyllium product, after each meal firmed everything up. Often one swipe and I'm done. Much less hassle on the trail.
Tyvek, Too noisy when new, too wrinkly when softened up (at least four washings. Nylon shelters have specifically formulated seam sealers and give you a choice of opaqueness (and joy) via their color choices. I might use Tyvek as a ground cloth (footprint, but I usually use black plastic (Visqueen. It dries quickly in the sun and I put a little duct tape on each corner, writing TOP on one side so I always have the same ground side down.
reply
Dixie, thank you for your videos and for discussing delicate issues so openly. This video inspired these comments:
Bear Can: They are not waterproof so I line the inside with a sealable bag or put a plastic bag over it when I store it away from camp. The black can doubles as a chair. Weight is not an issue when kayak camping.
Privacy: In addition to bringing down the tarp's side, you can also stand behind the hammock. Get a tarp with nylon panels (doors) on the ends. More privacy, warmer environment, more protection in blowing rain.
Pee on boots: put rocks or sticks under shoe heels for better balance when squatting. Grab a branch on a tree or fallen log with one hand to aid in leaning back. Note: Make sure the branch is strong enough so it will not break in mid-exercise; just say'n.
Ice Axe: Its use is not intuitive. Beginners often erroneously drag the adz instead of the pick. To be effective its use must be immediate, accurate, without hesitation - pure muscle memory. Get lessons from mountaineering group if you are going to carry one. Practice with pants - not bare legs shown in the video - or your skin will abrade on the coarse ice/snow.
Toilet Paper: Metamucil is your friend. I'm vegetarian, my partner is vegan; somehow we make it work. But cutting out dairy turned my poo to paste - lot's of work. A spoonful of Metamucil, or other psyllium product, after each meal firmed everything up. Often one swipe and I'm done. Much less hassle on the trail.
Tyvek, Too noisy when new, too wrinkly when softened up (at least four washings. Nylon shelters have specifically formulated seam sealers and give you a choice of opaqueness (and joy) via their color choices. I might use Tyvek as a ground cloth (footprint, but I usually use black plastic (Visqueen. It dries quickly in the sun and I put a little duct tape on each corner, writing TOP on one side so I always have the same ground side down.
reply
travel
About the solo hiking thing. Haven't any of you learned who David paulides is? Not good for anyone to solo hike alone even on the AT. Thousands and I mean thousands of people have disappeared in national parks all over the US and the world without a trace never to be seen again. He has written several books about this. After these people disappeared SAR found no trace of these ppl in a lot of cases or they find remains. The Smokey Mtn. National Park is very notable for these disappearances for example. In fact ppl have disappeared in the thousands along the AT, PCT, and the CDT. Yosemite and the Sierra Nevadas have seen many disappearances as well. Yosemite has the biggest cluster of missing persons in the United states. I would not recommend solo thru hiking at all because there is something strange happening in our national parks. Paulides is not doing this to make a name for himself. Some park rangers approached him at one time asking him to look into why ppl are mysteriously disappearing without a trace in their park because paulides is a retired police officer. Most disturbing and suspect. Don't go alone.
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About the solo hiking thing. Haven't any of you learned who David paulides is? Not good for anyone to solo hike alone even on the AT. Thousands and I mean thousands of people have disappeared in national parks all over the US and the world without a trace never to be seen again. He has written several books about this. After these people disappeared SAR found no trace of these ppl in a lot of cases or they find remains. The Smokey Mtn. National Park is very notable for these disappearances for example. In fact ppl have disappeared in the thousands along the AT, PCT, and the CDT. Yosemite and the Sierra Nevadas have seen many disappearances as well. Yosemite has the biggest cluster of missing persons in the United states. I would not recommend solo thru hiking at all because there is something strange happening in our national parks. Paulides is not doing this to make a name for himself. Some park rangers approached him at one time asking him to look into why ppl are mysteriously disappearing without a trace in their park because paulides is a retired police officer. Most disturbing and suspect. Don't go alone.
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Kevin
Great info. Glad I found these Q&A videos. One suggestion on the air travel with a backpack. I have traveled a bunch for work. Used to be a road warrior for a while. I've had airports destroy luggage on a few occasions to include a hold-over for an avionics problem causing my luggage to stay in the cargo section for 4 hours during peak summer afternoon heat in Georgia. This melted parts of my luggage. I've had buckles and straps torn and broken too. If you box and ship your gear by UPS or FedEx to the nearest depot for pickup, you might very well save on a ton of heartache. Our packs aren't cheap. Some of our gear can be banged around also (titanium cookware, etc. I've shipped luggage, duffels, camera gear, and engine parts ahead of my trip and had a much better experience knowing I had a tracking confirmation and could be sure that any issues were covered by the insurance.
reply
Great info. Glad I found these Q&A videos. One suggestion on the air travel with a backpack. I have traveled a bunch for work. Used to be a road warrior for a while. I've had airports destroy luggage on a few occasions to include a hold-over for an avionics problem causing my luggage to stay in the cargo section for 4 hours during peak summer afternoon heat in Georgia. This melted parts of my luggage. I've had buckles and straps torn and broken too. If you box and ship your gear by UPS or FedEx to the nearest depot for pickup, you might very well save on a ton of heartache. Our packs aren't cheap. Some of our gear can be banged around also (titanium cookware, etc. I've shipped luggage, duffels, camera gear, and engine parts ahead of my trip and had a much better experience knowing I had a tracking confirmation and could be sure that any issues were covered by the insurance.
reply
Michael
Toilet paper comment: we hiked with our 2 daughters on the pct in the eighties and ran out of toilet paper on the 3rd day of a 6 day hike in goat rocks. Our five year old was having non of that, and proceeded to strip every large leaf she could find along the trail, and stuffing her pack with leaves. It was imperative that we figure a solution quick! We had a few extra wash cloths with us, so we designated one wash rag as a bottom rag and one as a face rag. These rags are kept in separate ziplock bags with separated soap for each bag. We discovered, we stayed a lot cleaner and less smelly using this technique. So we never packed toilet paper again. We have hiked hundreds of miles since then using the old bottom rag/and face rag system.
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Toilet paper comment: we hiked with our 2 daughters on the pct in the eighties and ran out of toilet paper on the 3rd day of a 6 day hike in goat rocks. Our five year old was having non of that, and proceeded to strip every large leaf she could find along the trail, and stuffing her pack with leaves. It was imperative that we figure a solution quick! We had a few extra wash cloths with us, so we designated one wash rag as a bottom rag and one as a face rag. These rags are kept in separate ziplock bags with separated soap for each bag. We discovered, we stayed a lot cleaner and less smelly using this technique. So we never packed toilet paper again. We have hiked hundreds of miles since then using the old bottom rag/and face rag system.
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christine
I love watching your videos. easy to understand and entertaining. Im fairly new to backpacking, even though i was with the boy scouts for years. I am starting to do multiple days hoking trips and you have shown me good ways to lighten up. The AT is on my bucket list, and i want to do that before i turn 60. I am 55 now, but i just discovered i have a hole in my heart ( which they found after i had a mini stroke. So, i will have that fixed and then start getting ready for that hike. i will do the Midstate trail and 100 Mile Woods first to make sure i will be ok. plus, all your viewers are great sources of info, too. keep hiking and smiling!
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I love watching your videos. easy to understand and entertaining. Im fairly new to backpacking, even though i was with the boy scouts for years. I am starting to do multiple days hoking trips and you have shown me good ways to lighten up. The AT is on my bucket list, and i want to do that before i turn 60. I am 55 now, but i just discovered i have a hole in my heart ( which they found after i had a mini stroke. So, i will have that fixed and then start getting ready for that hike. i will do the Midstate trail and 100 Mile Woods first to make sure i will be ok. plus, all your viewers are great sources of info, too. keep hiking and smiling!
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Isaac
Hi Dixie. Love your videos. I was wondering if you ever go back to an area that you went through during a thru-hike, with more time to enjoy the area? What I was specifically thinking about was the Sierras. I have spent a lot of time in the Sierras. They are beautiful with all of the snow, but, they are incredible in a completely different way with the green meadows, wildflowers, being able to explore, etc. There is so much to see and enjoy that you are enjoying in a completely different way when there is a timeline. Just wondering. Thanks
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Hi Dixie. Love your videos. I was wondering if you ever go back to an area that you went through during a thru-hike, with more time to enjoy the area? What I was specifically thinking about was the Sierras. I have spent a lot of time in the Sierras. They are beautiful with all of the snow, but, they are incredible in a completely different way with the green meadows, wildflowers, being able to explore, etc. There is so much to see and enjoy that you are enjoying in a completely different way when there is a timeline. Just wondering. Thanks
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Darin
I've only gone on short weekend backpacking trips, and never in bear country. We've used bear bags to protect our food from other critters like racoons. But I've been told that if you do go into bear country, then you need to use a bear canister that is approved for the location you're backpacking in. Apparently, some bears in some areas have figured out how to open certain bear canisters, so those bear canisters are no longer approved for those areas. But it varies regionally.
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I've only gone on short weekend backpacking trips, and never in bear country. We've used bear bags to protect our food from other critters like racoons. But I've been told that if you do go into bear country, then you need to use a bear canister that is approved for the location you're backpacking in. Apparently, some bears in some areas have figured out how to open certain bear canisters, so those bear canisters are no longer approved for those areas. But it varies regionally.
reply
Jack
What if a company like REI hired you and you could do in person and virtual hiking work shops, was a spokes person and model for a clothing company including modeling the clothing line in your workshops and lead multi day hikes on major trails. You have the good looks to be for sure a hiking and outdoor super model, if there is such a thing. I follow a few blogs and have found your content right on target, honest and credibility is your brand. Thanks. Texas Jack
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What if a company like REI hired you and you could do in person and virtual hiking work shops, was a spokes person and model for a clothing company including modeling the clothing line in your workshops and lead multi day hikes on major trails. You have the good looks to be for sure a hiking and outdoor super model, if there is such a thing. I follow a few blogs and have found your content right on target, honest and credibility is your brand. Thanks. Texas Jack
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emma
Hey Dixie, although Im not a hiker much, i do pee out in the bush when camping. I find if you dig a small hole or divit with the heel of your boot and if you aim right, the pee lands in the hole and the splashes can't get out, thus saving your boots. It only needs to be about 4cm deep and it greatly reduces the splash effect. Cheers Emma
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Hey Dixie, although Im not a hiker much, i do pee out in the bush when camping. I find if you dig a small hole or divit with the heel of your boot and if you aim right, the pee lands in the hole and the splashes can't get out, thus saving your boots. It only needs to be about 4cm deep and it greatly reduces the splash effect. Cheers Emma
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