If you're new to backpacking, or if you’re hopelessly in love with someone who wants you to love backpacking, then this podcast is for you. We’ll talk about the essentials, how to lighten your load, and how to make the most of your time on the trail.
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023: Spring Break 2015
Today on The First 40 Miles, we’ll take you on our Spring Break backpacking trip through the amazing Redwood Forest. Then we’ll talk a little trash and answer the question “What do I do with my garbage on the trail?” On the SUMMIT Gear Review™, we’ll review the #1 most popular backpacking item on our family’s Spring Break trip. Then on the Backpack Hack of the Week™ we’ll teach you a $2 trick that will get your fire started in seconds. We’ll wrap up the show with a little trail wisdom from a US President who maybe should have been in our Backpacking Pranks episode.
Show Notes: Episode 023
Opening
Spring Break Overview
* Biggest surprise of the trip
* What we’d do better next time
* Funny moments
Top 5 Rules for Trash on the Trail
Don’t bring it in the first place
* Remove excess packaging at home where you can recycle it or dispose of it
Pack it out or burn it
* If you’re going to pack it out, then use the tough plastic bag from cereal boxes. They’re hard to poke through. Made of translucent plastic that is hard to rip. Also, you can use a Pringles can.
* If you’re going to burn then, know your plastics. Polyethelene can be burned, and may even be better when burned so it won’t end up degrading over a long period of time. Polythene only consists of carbon and hydrogen, so when burnt the products will be CO2 and H20 (and possibly CO if there is insufficient oxygen available). Examples of polyethelyne: Ziploc bags.
* http://www.inspirationgreen.com/plastic-waste-as-fuel.html
Store it like you’d store food
* Wrappers still smell like food. So food wrappers need to go with your food
* Even though its not food, it still could attract curious camp visitors.
* Bear container like the Lighter1 or Ursack, or in a rodent-proof Outsak.
All trash is your trash
* Be a trail angel and pick up after others
Deal with human generated waste appropriately
* Bathroom: Unless you’re on a delicate trail where you have to pack everything (including human waste) out, use a quickly decomposing tp like Scotts One-Ply and bury it 6-8 inches under the ground. Scott decomposes very quickly.
* Helps to have a trowel. Lightweight trowel options:
* Deuce of Spades (.6 oz) Colorful, great design, easy to use
* QiWiz Titanium Trowel (.4 oz) Lightweight, strong and small
* Feminine hygiene: Pack it out using MaskIt. MaskIts are bags that are a mess free way to package used feminine hygiene products. Do NOT bury feminine hygiene products.
SUMMIT Gear Review™: ENO Double Nest Hammock with Atlas Straps
Structure
* Breathable, Quick Drying Nylon
* Aluminum Wiregate Carabiners
* Heavy Duty Triple Stitched Seams
* Bright, fun, energetic colors available
Utility
* 400 lb Capacity—which we tested
* Attached Compression Stuff Sack, nice for holding gear while you’re hanging out
Mass
* 2 pounds for double with Atlas Straps (buy separately)
* ENO DoubleNest plus Atlas Straps packs down to the size of a six pack of bagels
Maintenance
* Remove carabiners and hand wash in sink or washing machine with mild detergent like