Tips For Backpacking Light
You"ll notice that the tips here have a wilderness survival angle to them. That"s because in addition to the usual solution to light backpacking - buying lighter gear - knowing how to do get by with less is another great way to cut the weight safely. Lean a few tricks and you can carry less.1. Air condition your tent. If the day is dry and hot, wet any large piece of cloth in the nearest stream and lay it over the roof of your tent. The evaporation can cool the interior of the tent by as much as ten degrees (set the tent in the shade, of course). Just be sure that if you are using a shirt or other clothing that you"ll be needing, you allow enough time before dark for it to dry completely.
2. Lost and hungry? In many mountain streams you can see the trout, but it"s hard to catch them. Try a simple fish trap. Pound sticks into the stream bottom, and weave plant stems into them to make walls that water can go through, but not fish. Create a small corral, with a narrowing opening you can chase the fish into. Once they are there you can spear them or possibly just flip them onto the stream bank with your hands.
3. If you carry hand sanitizer when backpacking (easier than washing), it can be used as a fire starter too. They are normally at least 70% alcohol, and burn easily.
4. Running for the bushes? Tea made from the roots of blackberries, raspberries and their relatives can stop diarrhea. Fill the bottom of a cup with the cleaned and shredded roots and pour boiling water over them. Steep for five minutes before drinking.
5. Lost your pack? A simple way of making a backpack is to use a jacket, if it is warm enough to get by without wearing it. Zip it up, cinch the bottom shut if it has a drawstring (or pin it shut), and tie the ends of the sleeves to each other. You can then carry things in it by slinging it across your body diagonally, switching shoulders from time to time.
6. Want an ultra-light pillow? Use a heavy-duty zippered plastic bag filled (not too full) with air. Put it inside a sweater or something else soft for comfort.
Knowledge saves weight. For example, you can leave the rainwear home (except for a 2-ounce emergency poncho) if you are in the eastern Sierra Nevadas in September - because it almost never rains. You can just about leave the sleeping bag behind on summer trips in some parts. Light backpacking is easier and safer then, with a little more knowledge.