Backpacking
Tips and Tricks

Sunburn occurs many times more rapidly at high elevations and even at freezing temperatures. Always take lipbalm and sunscreen.

Boots should feel snug but comfortable, so you can still wiggle your toes. Most hiking boots won't feel as instantly comfortable as sneakers, but they shouldn't pinch, cause hot spots or constrict circulation. They should fit securely around your ankle and instep.

To sleep warmer at night, change into dry clothing or polypropylene before getting into your bag.

Watch for signs of hypothermia: uncontrolled shivering, poor motor coordination, mental confusion and mumbling. If someone exhibits these symptoms, get them into dry clothes or a sleeping bag. Have them huddle close to a warm, dry person and give them a warm beverage.

Trekking poles give you better traction and help distribute your weight. Going downhill, lean on them slightly and step with your feet directly below your hips.

Cold temperatures require more fuel, and cooking time increases with elevation. When in doubt, take an extra fuel bottle.

To eliminate friction on your feet, use a foot lubricant like Hydropel or Bodyglide. You can also use powders such as Gold Bond, BlisterShield, or Zeasorb to keep feet drier.

Pack carbohydrates and energy bars, granola, candy, gorp and fruit provide an instant pick-me-up on the trail.

Many outdoor stores will rent out equipment such as shelters and packs. This is a great way to test out backpacking gear before you buy it and cut down initial costs.

Carry clothing, cooking essentials and food in the main compartment. The heaviest gear should be stowed toward your back and centered in the pack to provide proper balance. It helps to use a soft garment as a buffer between your back and hard-edged items. Midweight gear should be carried toward the top and outside portion of the pack.

Use alcohol prep pads from your first-aid kit for a quick fire starter with flint-and-steel. It burns for a minute with no mess to clean up.

Any canned food and MREs are not a good idea for backpacking because of their weight. Try ziplock bag recipes or purchasing just-add-water camping packets.

On steep terrain and higher altitudes, use the "rest-step" technique- before the next step up, rest for a moment on your rear leg with knee locked, and take a couple deep breaths.

The amino acids in proteins help regulate your metabolism. Without them, your body can't produce energy. You need plenty of protein, 15 percent of daily calories, so your body doesn't start to break down muscle tissue.

Boiling water is 100% effective, no living microorganism can survive at a full boil. This doesn't remove solids and requires more fuel, but it's inexpensive and simple to perform.

After adding raisins and peanuts to your GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts), some ideas for additional items could be M&Ms, coconut, carbo chips, malt balls, walnuts, dates, dried apples or pineapples, banana chips, and sunflower seeds.

To avoid mosquitoes, wear neutral colors. They are attracted to contrasts of light and dark.

To remove a burrowing tick, grasp it tightly with tweezers as close to the skin as possible, and pull it out in a slow, steady movement. Ticks can usually be found in the armpit area, the back of your knees, and in and around any hair.

Pack about 1 - 2 pounds of food per person per day, or 3000 to 4000 calories, for typical mountain backpacking.

When lightning strikes, head to low spots away from tall trees and water, and insulate yourself from the ground by sitting on a pad or backpack.

To save energy and move faster on snow-free terrain, consider wearing trail running or hiking shoes, instead of hiking boots.

Should you get lost, S.T.O.P. (Stop, Think, Observe and Plan). Try to go back to your last known location if it is within a reasonable distance. Decide on a course of action and stick to it. Most important, don't panic. You will be using up energy that you may need later on.

Do not use discarded film canisters to store food or spices. They contain chemical residues ethat can be harmful if swallowed.

Air-dry boots upside-down in a cool place. Crumple up newspaper and stuff it inside to speed drying time. Never use an artificial heating source.

To avoid mosquitoes, don't camp near swampy or wet areas.

Rattlesnakes can strike from a distance of half their body length. Let the snake slip away, or walk around it. When scrambling up rocky trails, watch where you put your hands, especially on sunny ledges.

When dehydrating food for a specific recipe or trip, dehydrate several pounds of each food item for quickly planned backpacking trips.

After frequent use, waterproof and breathable fabrics lose their edge. Help restore it by washing them with a mild non-detergent soap, machine drying, and lightly ironing the outer fabric on a medium temperature.

Organizing your gear in color-coded stuff sacks makes packing easier and helps you locate supplies quickly on the trail.

Maximize traction on steep rock slabs by smearing the surface with your entire shoe, not just your toes.

When placing a piece of tape or moleskin on your skin, round the corners off with scissors. It will stay better in place, since sharp corners tend to peel off easier.

Modern performance underwear, made from polyester or polypropylene, is most effective in moving moisture away from your skin and into outer layers of clothing where it can evaporate.

Several light, loose fitting clothing layers are more effective than one heavy article of clothing.

For maximum comfort and blister prevention, wear two layers of socks and a thin polyester sock liner with a thicker outer sock. On overnight or extended trips, be sure to carry enough socks to be able to change into a fresh set each day.

Before your trip, fire up your stove, check flashlight batteries, double check everything using a gear checklist.

On the trail, if a blister or hot spot develops, place padding such as moleskin or an adhesive bandage over the area. You can cut a "donut" in the moleskin to create a buffer around the blister.

Contaminated foods may give backpackers Traveler's Diarrhea. To prevent dehydration, drink a lot of water. Use rehydration salt tablets or sport's drinks. For severe cases, avoid taking medication which will keep the bacteria in your system longer and extend your illness.

Empty your water filter! After using your water filter, pump it to flush out remaining water.

If water suddenly gets deeper, faster, muddier, or begins to carry debris, head to higher ground, as it a good sign of a flash flood.

An uncovered head accounts for 80% of body heat loss, so always pack a warm hat.

Cotton is the worst thing to wear backpacking, it may be comfortable when dry, but it is difficult to dry, loses all insulating value when wet, and absorbs water, causing increased heat loss.

Your goal should be to keep your base weight (everything but food and water) below 15 pounds. Lighten your load by making important gear upgrades: Ultralight packs, shelters, and bags are often one-third the weight of their traditional counterparts.

To remove pine sap from your backpacking gear, scrub the sticky area with a sponge soaked in mineral oil, then rinse the area thoroughly with hot water to remove the residue.

Always carry plenty of water. Three quarts per person per day is a good rule of thumb. Warmer conditions and/or rugged terrain may necessitate carrying more. Take drinks often to stay well hydrated. Filter or treat water from natural sources.

Always bring at least two forms of identification backpacking, in case authorities need proof of identity. Keep copies of them and do not store them together in case of theft.

The mummy-style sleeping bag is ideal for backpacking. In general, a bag with 2 pounds of down or 2.5-3 pounds of synthetic fill will work for 3-season hiking season (spring, summer, fall).