The $10 Tarp Shelter That’s Better Than a $400 Tent
Sleeping Lighter and Drier
I used to haul a heavy, bulky tent on every backpacking trip. It took up half my pack. I decided to try switching to a simple, $10 hardware store tarp. I was nervous about rain and bugs. But I found that with a clever pitching technique, my tarp shelter was more versatile and kept me drier than my tent ever did, as it had better ventilation and less condensation. It weighed almost nothing and opened up a new world of lightweight, fast-moving adventures.
How I Packed for a 3-Day Backpacking Trip in a School Backpack
The Secret is to Ditch the “Just in Case”
My backpacking pack was always huge and heavy. I challenged myself to fit everything for a weekend trip into a simple school backpack. The key was a ruthless mindset shift. I laid out all my gear and asked one question for each item: “Did I use this on my last trip?” If the answer was no, it was gone. The extra clothes, the camp chair, the heavy gadgets—all eliminated. I was left with a tiny, lightweight kit that was not only sufficient but made the hike infinitely more enjoyable.
The One Food Item That Has the Most Calories Per Ounce
The Hiker’s Ultimate Fuel Source
When backpacking, weight is everything, and calories are life. I used to pack heavy bags of nuts and jerky. The real champion of caloric density, I discovered, is the simplest one: olive oil. It has a staggering 250 calories per ounce, more than almost any other food on the planet. I now carry a small, plastic bottle of it. I can add it to my ramen, my potatoes, or my rice to instantly add hundreds of high-quality calories for almost no weight penalty.
Stop Buying Expensive Hiking Boots: Why Trail Runners Are Superior
Free Your Feet
I spent years believing that for serious hiking, I needed heavy, stiff, over-the-ankle hiking boots for “support.” My feet were always sore and covered in blisters. I finally switched to a pair of lightweight, flexible trail running shoes. The difference was a revelation. My feet felt light and free. I had better traction, fewer blisters, and because my feet weren’t fighting a stiff boot all day, my legs were less fatigued. I realized my ankles were strong enough on their own.
How to Find Free, Beautiful Campsites Anywhere in the Country
The Magic of Public Lands
I was tired of paying for crowded, noisy campgrounds. Then I discovered the magic of dispersed camping on public lands like National Forests and BLM land. Using free online maps, I learned how to identify these areas where you are legally allowed to pull off a dirt road and camp for free, as long as you follow Leave No Trace principles. I’ve since camped in some of the most beautiful, secluded spots imaginable, all without paying a cent or seeing another person.
The Blister Prevention Trick That Doctors Don’t Even Know
The Surgical Paper Tape Method
I tried everything to prevent blisters: moleskin, special socks, duct tape. Nothing worked. Then a long-distance hiker told me the secret: surgical paper tape. It’s the cheap, white paper tape you can find in any pharmacy. Before a hike, I put a single, smooth layer of it over my usual hot spots. The tape’s surface is incredibly slick, so instead of your skin rubbing against your sock, the sock just glides over the tape. It’s a simple, cheap trick that has made blisters a complete non-issue for me.
I Purified Gutter Water and Drank It: Here’s How
From Rooftop to Water Bottle
I was in an urban survival scenario and needed clean drinking water. I saw rain pouring off a roof into a gutter. The water was brown and full of debris. I collected it in a bottle. First, I strained it through a bandana to remove the large particles. Then, I used a simple, portable Sawyer Squeeze water filter, which I always carry. The filter removed all the bacteria and protozoa. The water that came out was crystal clear and tasted perfectly clean.
The 5 Most Useless Pieces of Gear People Waste Money On
Dropping Pounds and Saving Dollars
When I started backpacking, I bought so much useless gear. The top five things I stopped carrying: a camp pillow (I just stuff clothes in a stuff sack), a heavy camp chair (a foam pad works fine), a camping-specific coffee maker (instant coffee is lighter), a hatchet (a good knife is more useful), and a solar charger (a small power bank is more reliable). Eliminating just these few items saved me pounds of weight and hundreds of dollars.
How to Poop in the Woods (The Right Way)
The Cathole is Non-Negotiable
The most intimidating part of my first backpacking trip was pooping in the woods. I learned the right way, following Leave No Trace principles. You walk 200 feet away from any water source, trail, or campsite. You use a small trowel or a rock to dig a “cathole” 6-8 inches deep. You do your business in the hole, and then you fill it back in with the original dirt, packing it down. You pack out your used toilet paper in a Ziploc bag. It’s a simple skill that protects the environment for everyone.
The Navigation Trick That Works Even If Your Phone and Compass Are Broken
Using the Sun and a Stick
I was paranoid about my GPS failing. An old woodsman taught me a simple, foolproof way to find direction. You just need the sun and a stick. You push the stick upright into the ground. You mark the very tip of the stick’s shadow with a small rock. You wait 15 minutes. You mark the tip of the new shadow with another rock. The line between those two rocks runs almost perfectly East-West, with the first rock being West. It’s a simple, ancient trick that could save your life.