Learn how to outwit pesky, hungry trail rodents without dangling your food from a tree. Then, we’ll expose five ridiculous ultralight fails (HINT: Bubble wrap is for heirloom vases and vintage china). Next we review a lightweight, super durable map that would leave Lewis and Clark and Sacagawea a little jealous. And you’ll learn the trick to making unscented hand sanitizer that costs less than the gel hand sanitizer you keep in your glove box.
Show Notes: Episode 008
Opening
* A bear’s sense of smell is 2,100 times better than a human.
* Mice, rats, chipmunks, raccoons and other animals on the trail also have an extremely keen sense of smell.
* They’ll gnaw through your pack to eat toiletries
* Don’t keep food in your pack!
* Protect your food from birds and rodents by keeping it in a steel mesh bag
* RatSack, OutSak, GrubPack, or FoodSack
* If you’re going to be in bear country, that’s more regulated, so find out exactly which containers are approved for the area you’ll be hiking in
The Top 5 Ultralight Backpacking Fails
Ultralight Bubble Wrap Sleeping Pad
* Easily punctured
* Cannot be repaired once deflated
* Not sturdy
Dollar Store Poncho
* Snags on everything
* Can’t be reused
* Not heavy enough to cover you if the wind picks up
* Weighs only 1.5 oz, but…not worth the weight
Eating Uncooked Ramen Noodles
* Food fatigue
* Unimaginative, disappointing
* Food acts as morale booster, but not uncooked ramen
* Comfort and safety when you bring a stove
No Toilet Paper
* Not only is it a comfort item, but its lightweight
* No guarantee that you’ll find soft leaves on trail
* I’m terrible at identifying poison oak, ivy and sumac
* Toilet paper biodegrades within days
* Is a multi-use item: fire starting, first aid, ear plugs, cleaning up odd messes where you may not want to use your camp towel or bandana.
Rationed Water
* Don’t limit your water or go from waterhole to waterhole
* Carry the weight and have the assurance of water
SUMMIT Gear Review™: Green Trails Maps S Series
Structure
* Plastic
* Lightweight, Waterproof, Tear Resistant Maps
Utility
* 462S Mt Hood/Timberline Trail
* Scale:1:25000
* Current map: Original Issue:2006, Current Issue:2013
* Updated frequently
Mass
* 5 oz
* 40% lighter than paper maps
* 18×24 inches
* 6×9 folded up
Maintenance
* Wipe with damp rag
* Do not use solvents to clean!!
Investment
* $14
* Typical paper Green Trails Map $8
Trial
* Came with two stickers declaring Waterproof! Tear Resistant! And now ultralight too!
* Tried peeling of those labels, left sticky residue
* Ultralight, loved map, durable, washable
* Found spelling error Ramona Falls (spelled “Romona”)
* Took a beating on our trip, didn’t tear or get wear marks on creases
* Didn’t get dog-eared
* Nice coloring details
* Used washi tape from craft store with arrows on it to mark spots on map
* May add DIY eyelet or grommet to secure map in heavy wind
Backpack Hack of the Week™: DIY Hand Sanitizer
* In episode 7 we talked about the benefits of bringing a bottle on Isopropyl Alcohol (Related: 007: When It Rains, You’re Covered)
* This DIY Hand Sanitizer is a cheaper,