10 Backpacking Tips
1. Use caltopo.com to find and map your route. Caltopo has multiple map layers. The route marking UI is a little clumsy, but once you get the hang of it, it’s not bad. The $20 annual plan will give you the option to save larger pdf files, which you can print at a print shop. If you are buying more than one map a year, this is a cheaper option, and you get customized maps.
2. Wrap some duct tape around a water bottle. This has been handy on several occasions, including a horrible hike with new boots that turned my heals into hamburger – I used duck tape when my mole skin ran out.
3. Get a torch lighter! This makes fire starting in damp or windy conditions so much easier. And you can refill it at home. (These lighters come in a two pack, work great, and arrive filled.)
4. Upgrade your water filtration to the Platypus GravityWorks system. It is so nice to be able to fill a four liter bag with unfiltered water, hang it on a tree, and let gravity do the filtering work. The days of mindlessly squatting and cranking a hand pump are over!
5. Keep your phone in your sleeping bag with you at night, to keep the battery from dying in the cold.
6. If you are planning to have a fire, bring along a small handsaw. This makes it much easier to gather more than just small sticks, especially if the area you are camping in has been picked over by other campers. Make sure your handsaw locks shut, or secure it with a strap or rubber band, to avoid a nasty surprise when digging into your backpack. I recommend the Bahco (saw on the left) – it’s significantly lighter than the Eversaw, has a closed locking mechanism, and cuts faster.
7. Don’t forget a few fire starters. It’s fun to make them at home, if you have some old candles, egg cartons, and random stuff to burn (shredded paper, egg carton bit, saw dust, etc). Or just buy them. These, along with your torch lighter and hand saw, will make a world of difference.
9. Bring a small shovel for burying your shit. It’s usually not possible to dig a real hole with stick. I ‘upgraded’ to the fancy light weight metal shovel after my plastic one broke, but I regret it. Having a real handle is nice, and the weight reduction on the Deuce is negligible. Just get the cheap orange shovel!
10. If you are going to hang a bear bag, find your tree / branch before it gets dark. Watch out for the pendulum back swing when throwing your line – I had a rock almost hit my face once.