I have to say that I disagree with some of it. It does have some great tips, but I do disagree with the following:
Carry only enough water to get you to the next water source, with a little extra just in case you take longer than anticipated or need to wash out a cut.
I strongly disagree with this one. This has been the result of many deaths in the SW. If you bring only enough water to get you to the next hole then even something as minor as a sprained ankle can easily kill you. Always bring extra water, unless you are following a reliable creek, especially in desert regions, but in other regions as well. If it’s hot out, running out of water can kill you in a matter of hours. Even when it is cold out, always bring extra water as well. Staying hydrated is very important in cold weather as well. If you are dehydrated then you are much more prone to frostbite since the blood thickens. Always take extra water.
Not every spring or stream marked on a topo map is reliable. Just last end of May and in Dinosaur National Monument we hiked from Ely Creek to Island Park. The map shows a permanent creek at Sage Creek, about half way and we intended to camp there. The creek was bone dry. Since we had a four year old and six year old with us, I would hate to think what could happen if we didn’t take extra water. Most of the people I’ve ran into in the backcountry that were in trouble had run out of water.
Learn to identify a few kinds of plants and berries that you can eat in an emergency.
This is not always possible depending on the region you are in, or even your elevation.
Cotton has no place in the back country.
Not so. Cotton may not be good in the cool and wet alpine areas, but not all backcountry areas are cool and wet. I wouldn’t take cotton say to the Cascade Mountains, but cotton is the perfect material for places like in the desert in the warm season or in the low elevation tropics.
You don't need extra rope, "just in case". If you aren't hanging a food bag in bear country you probably don't even need to bring rope.
I almost always bring a rope for things like exploring canyons that are unknown to me or on off-trail routes. Even if I don’t climb with it, it often comes handy to lower the pack while climbing down a pitch or as a quick handline.
The list is getting long; it might be useful to divide it up into chapters like: first aid kit; shelter; cooking gear; etc.
And what would really be handy is an indication of how much weight each tip might save. Bivy vs tent: probably a kilo, maybe two. Extra gauze pads: a gram or two.
Why limit it to a short hike? Long distance hikers use many of these tips and more. The longer your hike the more you need to keep the weight down. Pack, sleeping bag and tent are great items to save weight on. My pack is a Granite Gear Vapor Trail (2 lb), tent - Tarptent (1 person, 1 lb, 10 oz, 2 person 2 lb), sleeping bag - Marmot Helium, 20 deg. (1 lb, 10 oz.) Right there I saved over 5 lbs from my old gear. Add a soda can alcohol stove, Aqua Mira water treatment instead of a filter, Classic Swiss Army knife (sissors, knife, screw driver/file, tweezers - less than an ounce!) See my (and other's) gear reviews for some of these items. As you said, lightweight shoes or trail runners and layering are also big weight savers, and leave the extra clothes at home. My first aid kit is a few bandaids and a tube of antibiotic ointment, no problem with leaves and bugs - your going to get dirty no matter what. A LED headlamp is all I use, lighter than a mini maglite.
Bill Reed - Jul 31, 2008 3:01 pm - Voted 10/10
Some great tips!Thanks for posting them.
Scott - Aug 1, 2008 10:41 pm - Hasn't voted
Some disagreementI have to say that I disagree with some of it. It does have some great tips, but I do disagree with the following:
Carry only enough water to get you to the next water source, with a little extra just in case you take longer than anticipated or need to wash out a cut.
I strongly disagree with this one. This has been the result of many deaths in the SW. If you bring only enough water to get you to the next hole then even something as minor as a sprained ankle can easily kill you. Always bring extra water, unless you are following a reliable creek, especially in desert regions, but in other regions as well. If it’s hot out, running out of water can kill you in a matter of hours. Even when it is cold out, always bring extra water as well. Staying hydrated is very important in cold weather as well. If you are dehydrated then you are much more prone to frostbite since the blood thickens. Always take extra water.
Not every spring or stream marked on a topo map is reliable. Just last end of May and in Dinosaur National Monument we hiked from Ely Creek to Island Park. The map shows a permanent creek at Sage Creek, about half way and we intended to camp there. The creek was bone dry. Since we had a four year old and six year old with us, I would hate to think what could happen if we didn’t take extra water. Most of the people I’ve ran into in the backcountry that were in trouble had run out of water.
Learn to identify a few kinds of plants and berries that you can eat in an emergency.
This is not always possible depending on the region you are in, or even your elevation.
Cotton has no place in the back country.
Not so. Cotton may not be good in the cool and wet alpine areas, but not all backcountry areas are cool and wet. I wouldn’t take cotton say to the Cascade Mountains, but cotton is the perfect material for places like in the desert in the warm season or in the low elevation tropics.
You don't need extra rope, "just in case". If you aren't hanging a food bag in bear country you probably don't even need to bring rope.
I almost always bring a rope for things like exploring canyons that are unknown to me or on off-trail routes. Even if I don’t climb with it, it often comes handy to lower the pack while climbing down a pitch or as a quick handline.
nartreb - Aug 1, 2008 11:28 pm - Hasn't voted
some suggestionsThe list is getting long; it might be useful to divide it up into chapters like: first aid kit; shelter; cooking gear; etc.
And what would really be handy is an indication of how much weight each tip might save. Bivy vs tent: probably a kilo, maybe two. Extra gauze pads: a gram or two.
Vic Hanson - Aug 2, 2008 11:58 pm - Hasn't voted
2 to 3 nights only?Why limit it to a short hike? Long distance hikers use many of these tips and more. The longer your hike the more you need to keep the weight down. Pack, sleeping bag and tent are great items to save weight on. My pack is a Granite Gear Vapor Trail (2 lb), tent - Tarptent (1 person, 1 lb, 10 oz, 2 person 2 lb), sleeping bag - Marmot Helium, 20 deg. (1 lb, 10 oz.) Right there I saved over 5 lbs from my old gear. Add a soda can alcohol stove, Aqua Mira water treatment instead of a filter, Classic Swiss Army knife (sissors, knife, screw driver/file, tweezers - less than an ounce!) See my (and other's) gear reviews for some of these items. As you said, lightweight shoes or trail runners and layering are also big weight savers, and leave the extra clothes at home. My first aid kit is a few bandaids and a tube of antibiotic ointment, no problem with leaves and bugs - your going to get dirty no matter what. A LED headlamp is all I use, lighter than a mini maglite.