Tips for Backpacking Lighter and Smarter

1. Don’t Pack when you’re hungry

Figure out how much food you need on your trip and pack that amount. Having 2 pounds of extra food at the end of your trip, depending on how hard it was, may feel like 10.

2. Try Teamwork

Does your group really need 2 compasses? Lose redundant stuff like extra toothpaste, bug spray, etc.

3. Downsize your DEET

Practice portion control with the bug juice, sunscreen, toothpaste, condiments. Use small containers or plastic bags instead of original packing.

4. Pick items that multitask

Take things that do double duty like hiking poles to set up a trap or wearing the tarp like a shawl.

5. Forsake your fork

Make it easy do one pot meals. Essential cookware: one pot, one lid, one mug, and one spoon.

6. Carry only what you’re wearing

For short trips in moderate conditions, and only these five other essentials: Shelter/raingear, sleeping bag, water, food, and fire starter.

7. If you run out of sunscreen

No worries, white toothpaste is a quick fix in emergencies to cover crucial areas and prevent burning.

8. Think Small

Eye drop bottles are great for carrying soap, Tobasco, and first-aid disinfectant. Pop the topper off, disinfect with mild bleach, then refill.

9. Prepare for Darkness

Mark important items like flashlights, water bottles, headlamps, etc. with glow-in-dark-tape or paint for easy locating at night.

10. Use your watch as a compass

If you are lost without a compass, point the hour hand of your watch at the sun. Halfway between the hour hand and the 12 on the watch will be south. This even works with Daylight Saving Time.