#Mad pack backpacks how to

There’s more to life than simple graham crackers and Hershey’s. Place on top of a warmed individual pita (or tortilla). Cook until cheese melts, then flip the whole thing and brown a few minutes. Top with shredded cheese and rehydrated veggies. Lay pieces of overlapping pepperoni to cover the bottom of a nonstick frying pan. And pitch your shelter just in case you’ll be glad it’s there if the weather turns or you get cold. Avoid low spots where condensation collects.

#Mad pack backpacks how to

Sleep under the starsĬowboy camping isn’t as scary as you might think just know how to do it right. But always let it hang to dry when you get home. It’s also a good way to impress your friends. It’s self-tightening, and it creates a stable loop at the end of a rope, perfect for tying bear bags and lowering packs. Then fill your Nalgene with boiling water, wrap it in an insulating layer, and snuggle with it inside your sleeping bag. Aim for fats and/or protein, which takes the body longer to digest.Ĭolder Layer up. Better yet, cozy up with a high-calorie bedtime snack. Sleep warmerĬold Stoke your own fire with campsite jumping jacks, high knees, or sit-ups. (Get more tips with our guide to fire.) 8.

Blow lightly to keep oxygen flowing, and add thicker sticks when the little guys ignite. Good to go? Build a teepee of finger-width sticks around a triangular frame, then light a small pile of tinder within. Start a fireĬheck local regulations first. We partnered with the Colorado Outward Bound School to create an online course packed with essential tips, including gear selection, trip planning, packing, navigation, cooking, camping, first aid, and more. Whether you’re new to backpacking or want to perfect your technique, it pays to learn from the experts. Instagrammable tent-door views (optional).At least 200 feet from water and trails.High ground (cold air collects in valley bottoms, and small rises drain well in case of rain).Not sure what to look for? Your humble abode for the night should contain these elements: You only need to clean your spork! Pack out the empty bag, or repurpose it as your new trash bag. (LNT overachiever? Mmm, graywater-drink up.)Įasier Rehydrate your dinner in a disposable bag and eat out of it. Wash dishes the easy wayĮasy Boil water in your pot, scrub your spork with pine needles or sand, then fling the bilge in a wide arc, 200 feet from water sources. The idea is to stay put once you start cooking, to reduce the risk of knocking over the stove or kicking dirt into your dinner. Place cookware, dishes, and utensils to one side and ingredients to the other, all within arm’s reach. Set up your kitchenįind a flat spot 200 feet from your tent and clear away any dry grass or leaves. Pack out TP (double-bagged) or use natural stuff.Īre you in an area that requires WAG bags? Here’s our tutorial for eco-friendly, efficient backcountry poops. (Snow? Find the ground first.) Do your thing, fill in the hole, and cover it with branches or rocks.

Dig a hole in the soil at least 6 inches deep and 4 inches wide. Do your businessįind a spot ( bonus points if it’s scenic you’ll be spending some time there) at least 200 feet from water, trails, and camp. No splint? Duct-tape a tent stake to the break, behind the most likely stress point. To get through the night, find the tube-shaped splint that probably came with your tent (you packed it, right?), slide it over the break, and duct-tape it like mad.

They don’t snap often, but when they do-whooee, that can ruin your trip. Congrats on another successful day of hiking! (Of course, you followed these tips for leaving the house and hitting the trails, so you haven’t had any snafus yet.) Keep that momentum going with these solutions to common campsite troubles.