Boundary Water Magazine, found at
http://boundarywatersmagazine.com/features/0801_water.htm, has a great article with other resources for further study, which deals with the combination of filters and chemical treatments. Also, further down their web page, a look at how the absence of sanitary practices leads to illness.
Proper hygiene can eliminate most of the gastrointestinal problems that hikers encounter. Always be sure that hiking partners practice proper hand cleaning if they share any eating equipment or food with you. If you take food from hiker boxes, precautions include not eating from any opened or partially used containers of food. When using a privy, or after any bathroom procedure including digging cat holes, it is recommended to use sterilizing hand gel or rubbing alcohol on your hands after you finish. Rinse out your multi purpose bandana in cold running water and dry in sunlight whenever possible. Clean your cooking utensils at night. Periodically bring water to a rolling boil in your pot. In town, clean cooking utensils with soap and hot water, especially any rims on pots and cups. Do not use a single Styrofoam cup over an extended period, which cannot be sterilized.
Hygiene
The purpose of good hygiene is to smell and look decent, prevent infections, and stay healthy. To accomplish this I bring just a few all purpose items.
My list follows:
Toothbrush (half size) with its cover, and the traveler's size toothpaste.
Waxed, mint flavor dental floss. It makes great thread for repairs, and may save you costly dental bills later on.
About thirty 100% cotton balls, which will burn, though the synthetic fiber blends will not. I use them dipped in Isopropyl alcohol (common 70 % solution rubbing alcohol), every evening under arms, feet and private parts of the body. This eliminates most odors and reduces inflammation and chaffing. After using a privy, I clean my hands with just a dab of alcohol to prevent serious stomach illnesses. Fifty percent rubbing alcohol will work for hygienic purposes, but cannot be used as a stove fuel. If I intend to use it for stove fuel as well as hygiene, I bring about 8 ounces. If it's just for hygiene, I bring 4 ounces.
An ultralight trowel was designed for its savings in both weight and volume. With a smaller pack, every item is reworked, if possible. My trowel is the standard orange hiker's plastic trowel, with 1-inch cut from the handle, and 1 ½ inch cut off at the bottom of the blade. This saves ¾ ounce. Some say they use their boot heel, a rock or stick for digging a cat hole. It is difficult to dig a 6-inch deep hole (the depth recommended by Leave No Trace) in rocky or root embedded ground. You will be especially frustrated at this task if nature has given you a "red alert".
Toilet paper is estimated on a town-to-town basis. I never bring an entire roll. Make sure you have enough when you leave town, placing it in a zip lock bag for protection against weather and critters. Shelter and privy mice love this stuff for nesting material. If it gets wet in the rain, it's worthless and very heavy. You are duty bound to pack out unused toilet paper.
A small comb, which is useful when going into town, and avoiding impossibly tangled hair. A paradox is that while some women suddenly decide to shave their heads when starting a long hike, the guys decide to let theirs grow. In both decisions, I suppose it represents freedom. If you want long hair, braiding or pony tails will prevent it from becoming too damaged. A plastic comb makes a great back scratcher as well.
A disposable razor, because I shave under my arms. I wear sleeveless shirts and like the way it looks. A case could be made for ticks sticking to hairy legs, or for shaving before applying medication to wounds. But the honest truth is, I bring it for vanity. One disposable razor weighs 6 grams. I put extras in my bounce box.
Vaseline, lotion or sunscreen are good items for keeping skin soft and healthy. Healthy, moisturized skin is less likely to crack in the desert, which is really important for the feet. Sunscreen should never be underestimated because a serious sunburn can be life threatening. Studies show prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause skin cancer. Buy the best you can find, and apply every few hours between 8 a.m and 5 p.m for desert, unshaded, snow-covered and high elevation hiking.
Bandanas and camp towels have so many uses, it's hard to imagine leaving home without one or the other. To keep from losing it, sew one corner back to form a large loop. Thread your pack strap or hip belt through. Bandanas can be used for dipping in streams to cool off during the day and for wiping condensation off your shelter. Of course, they can also be used when getting a sponge bath in the evenings. It can be used as a potholder, but only if dry. Otherwise, you may end up with a serious steam burn. Mittens are better potholders. I bring a bandana, but no camp towel. It’s the only thing in my pack that is 100% cotton.
Medical/Emergency/Repair
First, my credentials and a disclaimer. I am not a doctor or a nurse. My medical training is limited to current certification in CPR Adult, Child and Infant, and First Aid, through the Red Cross. I raised six children with all their various health needs and adventures. I worked at a hospital for three winters, and am certified in Food Sanitation in the state of Illinois. In the last 3 years I have hiked over 5,000 miles.
So, with that in mind, please take all ideas, personal stories, references and gear lists as suggestions only. Consult your doctor or a medical professional for all your health concerns.
One of my favorite quotes is, “Most emergencies can be handled quite nicely with the proper application of a Master or Visa Card.” Even though it may take a few days, or require a runner to hike out to a place that accepts plastic, this statement is true. The application of money to any given situation will usually generate action.
There is the opinion that a person is strong enough to carry in his or her pack only enough things to solve the simplest of emergencies. I tend to agree with that. But, I also think we usually have things in our packs or our surroundings that can be utilized for more serious medical needs. Some of these items may have originally been intended for pack repair, hiking poles, or clothing.
This is what I bring on long hikes:
Super-Glue, the kind that is free flowing, and can be reclosed. Although I wouldn't recommend it to others, Super Glue has been used instead of stitches to close wounds on animals and humans. It also secures a piece of electrical tape to silnylon packs and shelters, for emergency repairs.
Cotton balls and Isopropyl alcohol. The 100% cotton is preferable to any synthetic blend because it will burn, and can be used as fuel. The alcohol is for cleaning and sterilizing hands and wounds. I usually list this in my hygiene category, and carry just one 6 or 8 ounce capacity bottle, which is sufficient for these purposes. Some well-respected hikers bring hydrogen peroxide for this instead, because it is not damaging to tissue.
Tweezers, the standard kind with the angled edge weighs 6 grams. I found one in a Red Cross toothache medication kit that did not even register on the electronic gram scale. Tweezers are useful for removing ticks, splinters, and small tablets from vials (if you use Iodine tablets, for instance).
Sewing Needle with a medium size eye, to use with the dental floss for sewing gear, removing splinters, and popping blisters if you do that. There are other applications for advanced emergencies.
A Nail Clipper, weighing 16 grams, is much better than a knife for trimming nails that could become ingrown, have blackened and died, or become ragged and snagged. By maintaining short nails, you will cut down on dirt, possible infections, and pain associated with torn finger and toenails.
An ultralight mirror, especially for a soloist, can be used for examining your body for ticks and removing things from the eye. It could also be a signal mirror, if necessary.
Electrical tape wound tightly around water bottles can be used for repairing gear, and taping cotton over wounds when necessary. Some hikers use duct tape, but I find duct tape to be heavier, less dependable in wet or humid conditions, and leaves a sticky residue. I use electrical tape with cotton for anything that would require a large band-aid. I don't bring
band-aids.
A 9-foot length of 1/8-inch diameter cordage can be used in a multitude of ways. It doesn't take up much space in the pack, and weighs only 6 grams. A 9-foot length of 1/4-inch diameter cordage weighs 10 grams, and takes up twice the space. Use nylon or polyester, and heat seal the ends to keep it from unraveling. Do not bring a three-ply braid; it will fray when you need it most, fulfilling Murphy's Law of Backpacking.
Ibuprofen should not be underestimated. It relieves pain, reduces swelling, and can help you hike out should the need arise. Always take these with a few bites of food, to avoid stomach problems. Some hikers bring Aleve, because it is a more concentrated pain reliever. Sometimes I vary the dosage, using as little as 200 mg to a maximum of 800 mg at once. With tablets of 200 mg, I can self-medicate as needed.
A cutting implement, such as a knife or scissors is important. A dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one. I use a tiny retractable razor, designed for cutting envelopes, and found at office supply stores. It weighs 5 grams, but is sharp enough to cut fabric, paper, and dental floss. I do not bring a pocketknife, for various reasons. Some say a knife is a defense weapon. I feel that it would probably be used against me if the attacker ever saw it. The razor knife is small enough to be hidden in one's hand, yet do some real damage should the need arise. Some use a knife to cut their bread and cheese. Food items taste just as good broken into pieces. Knives are definitely not needed for snakebites. Snakebite kits are not recommended, because studies show that most methods of self-treatment cause more harm than good, leaving a dangerous wound without solving anything.
A bandana or synthetic camp towel, measuring 12 x 8 inches is already listed in the hygiene category. I bring only one, and it has multi-purpose use. It can be used to stop bleeding, clean larger areas, and provide a compress when cold stream water is available. A bandana can also be used for straining water at murky sources. Rinse it well as often as possible, and subject it to bright sunlight whenever you can.
Two photon lights, one red, the other white, and each one weighs 6 grams. I use them sparingly and both have lasted for over 10 months of trails, the PCT and AT, besides numerous short trips. So far, I’ve not changed the battery on either one. The minimalist way of utilizing light is to rise with daylight, hike, write journal entries, read maps and books, set up the shelter, cook and wash before dark. When it gets dark, you talk, sleep, or otherwise entertain each other. When there is a full moon, one seldom needs additional lighting. Applying these methods will prolong the life of batteries and photon lights, saving money and weight. When there is a lot of darkness, one gets plenty of rest.
Luxury Items
Cell phones, radios, and Pocket Mails are becoming quite common on the trails now. A case can be made for each one. Remember, they all take batteries, which can add up in weight and expense. When the batteries go dead, they are worthless weight.
Cell phones have many calling plans. If yours is geared towards local use, you will probably use it only for emergencies when out of your calling range. I decided after a week that its 6 ounces of weight didn’t merit any perceived advantage. If you get the nationwide plan while hiking, you may find that the folks at home expect you stay in touch. That has its own set of obligations, which again may not merit the advantages.
There are ultralight radios, weighing a few ounces, but reception and headphones aren’t always good. Some hikers use theirs only in camp for weather and news updates. I finally sent mine home after falling asleep with it on, battling commercials in the quest for music, and general disgust with reception. Remember, it is poor trail etiquette to play or use any electrical device that makes noise without checking with the other human inhabitants of your campsite.
A Pocket Mail, an electronic e-mail and document-keeping device, is handy for those who keep online journals, have e-mail correspondents, or have bad penmanship. They are very useful when you are in areas with only satellite phone access. By writing e-mails, then downloading on the satellite phone for one minute, you can contact everyone with one call, saving vast amounts of money.
Almost everyone brings a camera, though it is not strictly necessary, so I have placed it in this luxury category. A 5-ounce digital camera has the advantage of instant confirmation that the photos taken are acceptable. These photos can be kept on memory cards, downloaded to your computer’s hard drive, and e-mailed later. These cameras will not work without batteries, however, and you will not have a hard copy unless you chose to print.
A disposable camera is a neat item, weighing about 4 ounces, and is self-contained. They can be mailed home when finished, and if lost or destroyed it is only a matter of $5 and your lost photos. They are susceptible to light and heat, so do not set them in the sun, or leave them in a hot car for any length of time.
Camera buffs will bring their own special model, regardless of weight. Of course, there is always the risk of losing it. Mark all your gear with real name, trail name, address and phone number. One thru- hiker I know left his $400 camera in a car when he hitched into town.
The portable CD players, with various music disks and headphones, are carried by hikers who cannot or will not do without their music. Again, trail etiquette mandates that permission be requested and granted unless you are using headphones. Not everyone enjoys heavy metal or rhapsody in blue.
Each electronic device can be kept dry by placing it in a quality zip-loc bag and then a silnylon ditty bag. Place your trail name, real name, and address on each item, in case you lose it.
Some people will pack knee braces, just in case of an injury. My set weighed 16 ounces. If you feel you need to bring them, try bringing only one, and alternate which knee receives the benefit.
Reading material and books can be very relaxing on easy hiking days. Some hikers bring magazines or newspapers to share, leaving them behind in shelters or hiker boxes when they finish. But, books and magazines are heavy. Paperback books can be cut apart, and the sections mailed ahead to post office drops. When a section is finished, it is left at a shelter, and hikers following behind read the same novel. Opinions vary whether this is good. The shelter maintainers may decide to carry reading material out as trash if the publication is offensive to a segment of the population.
I never could remember the Mace in my fanny pack when it was most needed, so I quit carrying it. Some people think it would come in handy against mean dogs, wild animals or human intruders. If one chooses to bring it, a test fire and safe carrying place would be wise.
Pets are a luxury and a headache on any long trail. They will have health issues just as you will, perhaps even requiring medical attention. They need a lot of food, and water. Sometimes they become weary and cannot carry their own supplies, which means you will have to do it. Dogs chase small animals, as well as bears, and they can get lost. Dogs have chased goats right off a cliff. Cats have been known to wander off completely, or needed to be carried on top of the pack.
Pets are illegal in National Parks, and you will be required to board your pet, skip that section, or try to hike through and risk fines and expulsion. Not everyone likes animals, however well behaved. Before bringing your pet, research the terrain, services available, and back-up plans in case they are injured. Pets make great companions, but they require energy, money and wisdom to keep them safe, happy and inoffensive to others.
Perhaps I shouldn’t list rope as a luxury. It can be used to guy-out non-freestanding shelters on wooden platforms. It is useful for hanging items, like food bags, packs, and dirty or wet laundry. Not much is needed, but if you decide to carry some, a test weight of about 40 pounds would be adequate. I never carried more than a couple feet of cordage, as listed above, and then got rid of that on my AT thru hike. I just never used it.
Chapter Eight
Applying the Techniques
In this final chapter, we will apply all ultralight tips discussed in Chapter 7 by beginning with 12 patterns for gear you can make your self.
Make Your Own Gear
&nb
sp; An important benefit to making your own gear is that you can have it the exact dimensions you need, and use the lightest fabric available. Clothing and raingear that fits well is not too large, packs easily and keeps you warmer. Tarps can be pared down and shaped for your preferred configurations. You can choose how many cubic inches your pack will be, adding custom shoulder straps and a hip belt, if you want. A pack cover can be made to fit that pack specifically. Stoves, windscreens, pot supports and cups can be made to nest within your pot, which is much more efficient concerning both space and weight.
Special features can be added in the process. Ditty bags sewn on to rain jackets and ponchos serve as gear pockets when hiking, and as self-stuffing bags when the item is not being used. A stuff sack sewn to the inside of a sleeping bag serves as vapor barrier on cold nights. Tarps can have ditty bags sewn in for gear pockets, which then serve as self-stuff sacks. No-see-um netting can be added to tarps, making them nearly bug proof. Loops and ultralight hooks can be sewn onto just about any gear item and are useful for hanging it when drying, clipping on various items, or securing it to your pack. The list of potential features is limited only by your imagination.
If you simplify designs and eliminate extra zippers, closures, seams and other breaches in the fabric, it will make the piece lighter, cleaner, and less likely to tear or leak. By using tucks and folds, and cutting the fabric correctly, the weight of seam sealing material can be reduced.
Among the many shelters I designed and used extensively are the Cherokee and the Tacoma Solo. Reading my comparison of these two ultralight solo tents should be helpful before you design your own. Both had seamless canopies, reinforced silnylon-staking loops, and were designed to use hiking poles as the frame.
The Cherokee weighed only 19 ounces, and needed a minimum of 4 stakes for pitching. It was shaped like a long tapering pup tent, was aerodynamic, and had reinforced stitching and side pulls. While testing it on the first 1,089 miles of the PCT, I noticed that the Cherokee held up very well in high winds. None of my staking loops ever tore lose, even when rocks were required to keep the stakes from pulling out. However, the back pole, a café curtain rod, bent from the wind. This tent required both hiking poles for the front, so a third pole had to be brought along to support the back. The Tacoma design solved this problem. Only one hiking pole is required to set up this spacious tent, which is pitched like a 5x9 tarp with a floor and beak. Some backpackers use only one hiking pole, some don't use any hiking poles. A tent that required 3 poles seemed excessive.
My Journey to Freedom and Ultralight Backpacking Page 20
