5 Backpacking Skills You Should Know
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- My go to equipment:
Backpack: bit.ly/3zmWgxH
Tent: bit.ly/2W8ZPt1
Sleeping Mattress: bit.ly/3iy1dNi
Sleeping Bag: bit.ly/2W8x5k8
Satellite communicator: bit.ly/3ryvOyw
Stove: bit.ly/3Bw8R3E
Cook Pot:
Headlamp: bit.ly/2Tq45TR
Rain Jacket: bit.ly/2UyI1qN
Down Puffy Jacket: bit.ly/3y9cmKU
Hiking Pants: bit.ly/3hVH0C8
Hiking Boots: bit.ly/3ryvShK
Hiking Socks: bit.ly/3BpBQG5
Water Purifier: bit.ly/2VY4VrS
Water Bladder: bit.ly/3iFoYmS
Camp Pillow: bit.ly/3rrfwY6
Folding Knife:
Trekking Poles: bit.ly/3wVWHxk
Hey beginners! This video is for you! Want to hit the trail but not sure where to start, this video will get you out the door and equipped for your backpacking adventure. Backpacking basics, fitting your backpack, what to pack, how to stay safe, how to get permits, what to wear, what gear to start with, this video has it all.
Gear in this video:
Backpack: bit.ly/3xkUD2h
Sleeping Bag: bit.ly/3zJ6AjJ
Sleeping Mattress: bit.ly/3l6Vb9a
One skill that no one talks about is just how to walk the trail. Most hikers I observe are frequently tripping over common obstacles (tree roots, rocks, etc) - which do often lead to potentially harmful falls and it saps energy. First, learn to just pick up your feet and be a little careful with foot placement on each step. Second, I use trekking poles and I place them near those obstacles as I walk so that the pole acts as a bit of a fence. I rarely stumble or trip. In addition, I see people stepping on top of many of these objects which neeedlesly raises their full body + pack weight - like climbing an extra set of stairs every quarter to half mile. Save energy by just stepping over low rises or troughs. And please practice leave no trace by STAYING on trail even if it looks a little difficult - keeps our precious lands more natural.
Safety pin :-) that's what we call that thing you use to prick the blister with. Great video
Hey Eric, those are great tips! You probably don’t remember, but you are the one that got me into backpacking a little over a year ago. I wanted to Thank You for draining THOUSANDS of dollars out of my account! Lol I chose to buy good gear from the start and it has been great! You also talked me into Mystery Ranch packs. I actually bought the Sphinx, which you showed on this video. It’s been a great pack! Some people will go on and on about how heavy it is, but I think it’s worth the weight to have a bombproof pack. They also say the same thing about the Grayl purifier, but I Love mine as well. I’m getting ready to spend a week doing the Capitol Creek to Haystack Mountain Loop in Colorado Rockies at the end of August. I figured I better learn how to use a compass and read a topo map. I will feel much more comfortable knowing how to do this…just in case. I am carrying a huge Anker charger, but you just never know what will happen. It will be my first backpacking trip in the high mountains, and I can’t wait! Thanks again for all of your helpful videos and once again, this is a great video that every new backpacker should watch!
Wow thank you! And sorry about your bank account. I need to put a disclaimer on my videos I guess! 😂
@@BackpackingTV 🤣🤣🤣
Good video Eric, I would also recommend BSA Merit Badge pamphlets for learning new skills especially for beginner backpackers.
I use them as handouts in my classes, they are written to be easily understood and have great pictures and photos.
Backpacking, navigation, first aid, survival, knot tying, etc. are just a few examples!
Yes that's a great idea! Helpful ideas for newer backpackers.
What a fantastic idea. I didn’t know the BSA still taught those skills.
Shout out to my Grade 10 geography teacher, Mr. Sweatman. He taught me how to properly use a compass to navigate precisely as well as how to read maps, as you mentioned. He’s a military guy and was really passionate about it all and even took us on adventures outside to learn
A recommendation for blisters - use StrengthTape or Leukotape to cover hotspots. Benzoin tincture painted on the blister area will keep the tape from pulling off for a couple days. Round off the corners to help keep your sock from peeling the tape up. If you’re blister prone you might want to apply tape before you head out.
If you already have a blister, cut a piece of something for padding - gauze pad, piece of CCF sleeping pad, etc - and tape it TIGHTLY over the blister. The foam is also handy to make that protective donut around the blister, which you can then cover with gauze and tape. Then use the StrengthTape and benzoin tincture to hold it in place. Use 2 or more pieces of tape if you have to.
Eric, I am an experienced backpacker but I still watch your videos because you explain things so well! I sure wish you were available when I started out. Very good tips and very well covered! Experience is the best reference honestly. Just get out there and figure out what works and doesn’t. Take care!
Thanks Kevin, you're too kind! We're all still learning, myself included!
The coat is amazing !!!! I think it’s important to mention the temp of the water … don’t take cold or icy water in your pack… carry room temp . It’s not good for your back or the things along side the bottle in the bag… you also hydrate a lot faster with warm water .
Great advice, and on a positive the skills and lessons weigh nothing and take up no space in your pack!
That's a great way to frame it!
Ever since I started wearing Darn Tough I’ve never had a blister.
Before I would preemptively place leukotape on my heels. Sometimes I don’t feel hotspots, like I said, I don’t get blisters, and I end up with a lot worse. Hence, prophylactic leukotape.
Safety pins are best used to hold an airway open. But I carry at least four.
Problem is that your feet stink to high heaven. Wool will turn a foot that never noticeably smells into the Bog of Eternal Stench.
Love Darn Tough socks AND love leukotape!
@@mtpstv94 It depends on the person. I wear 2 pairs of Darn Tough for a week at work, alternating days. Even in 800g Thinsulate boots my feet don’t stink. On trail my sleeping socks become my trail socks the next day, and my trail socks get aired out overnight and become my sleeping socks next night. Even with leather GTX boots my feet don’t smell too bad.
10l collapsible sink and a usb powered aquaruim bubbler makes a nice footspa for those achy foot days, drop of teatree oil in some warmed water and you're living the dream 🤘
Outstanding!
Thank you!
Hi there totally love your videos…could you please do a video on how to choose hiking shoes please…thanks and namaste from india🙌
Hey there! I do have a video on coding footwear. But I could probably do an updated one. Thanks for your input!
@@BackpackingTV Thanks a ton …😻🙌
Essential spare socks 3pairs stop a lot of blisters if changed couple of times a day especially in Australia great vid
Changing out socks is great blister avoidance!
Excellent introduction. For the first few times, go with what you have, consider staying within an easy walk of your car, and see how it goes. We all learn through doing, so go put the knowledge to use in a safe and easy way and see how it goes. Then, learn, adapt, and try again.
Thanks Scott! I like your approach for beginners. Great ideas!
All excellent points Eric!..
I hereby make you an honorary Canadian for all the effort you put into these videos to promote the great outdoors!⛺🏔🗻🌲
Cheers bud!
Aww thank you so much! Question, does that mean I need to wear more flannel?
@@BackpackingTV But of course!...flannel shirt and jeans or the Canadian tuxedo as we call it 😁
@@BackpackingTV here's my only tip for beginners .... pure Canadians always backpack with pure maple syrup in their backpack so always backpack along with a friendly Canadian!! Maple syrup surely can't fix a blister but it surely makes your morning camping crepes much better!! Bon Appétit!!
I love your videos and how you explain things. Thank you!!!
Thank you so much! Glad they are helpful
How good is the grayl if hiking in an agricultural area? I've always been perfectly happy using normal filters or chemical treatment when in unimproved hilly and mountainous areas, but I worry about fertilisers, pesticides etc when on or near farmland.
Awesome video. Thanks
I'm gradually getting things together and getting out hiking with a backpack in tow and your videos have been very useful to me. So, thank you. I definitely have to get an actual backpacking backpack soon, because the rigged up ways I'm making regular bags work is going to be the death of my already bad back, but it hasn't been a terrible overall experience, and has helped me to be able to test the waters on if backpacking is for me or not before investing too much more money. Thanks again for all the great, educational, and useful content you put out on this channel.
Thanks so much Nickie! I can't wait for you to get a nice backpacking backpack, it'll make such a huge difference for your back and your enjoyment! But way to get after it and test if you want to invest in this!
@@BackpackingTV you're welcome 😁. Thank you for the reply and the compliment, as well.
Great show very informative and key points
do you have a video of what should be in a backpack left in the trunk of your car in case SHTF while driving or you break down in the middle of no where?
I got a blister on one big toe, finding it at end of trip. Whew! Got a blister starting on other big toe on my next trip. Grit in socks also started an abrasion on another toe. I put a silicone toe cap on each "owie" toe for daytime fun and removed/washed at bedtime. Also brought blister bandaids, but the y weren't needed. Toe caps also provided some cushioning at some of my toenails.
Toe caps, that's a new one to me. Where do you get them? Sounds like a cool idea.
@@BackpackingTV Amazon. I found a thickness and diameter that worked well for me. :)
@@BackpackingTV www.amazon.com/s?k=silicone+toe+caps+toe+protectors&sprefix=silicone+toe+caps&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_17
I love backpacking thanks 😊 dude
You're welcome!
Grst tips, crystal clear!! Great work! Cheers from Chile
Thank you so much! Me encanta Chile, disfruta!
New Sub. Getting caught up on back content. Man am I glad that I’ve stumbled across your channel!
I’m looking for a really good backpack. style is also something I’m interested in I’d like the Terraframe 50 and one of your other videos on how to pack a backpack. I’m not sure if that’s going to be big enough the black one. i’m looking for one for survival. Worst case scenario like a bug out bag. World is coming to an end, how many cubic inches or liters should I look into?
20:29
I think the implied 6th skill is get gradual experience once youve done the planning. Like any new thing there is a wealth of knowledge to learn about yourself in the environment. Learning what yourself needs is only really understood "out there". Start small to mitigate fears and risks and go with at least one other person. All that will hopefully maximize the rewards. Ideally the other person will come with experience. You'll learn what you need to take care of better the next time, you'll learn what excites you about backpacking. You'll gain investment and hopefully motivation for the next one.
Fantastic video!
Thank you!
Very good tips!
Thank you!
I use a pre wrap with medical tape that has worked well for me with blisters in the past.
That's a good way to go!
I still think the ability to light a fire when everything goes south is still the one key skill. You can argue that’s bushcraft and not hiking but it’s in the level of having a blister kit ready.
Great content and channel - thank you!
Why thank you!
11:10 In Poland, we call it Agrafka
I tend to get dehydrated even though I carry 5L of water. Can you give any tips on staying hydrated? Should I carry water or add electrolytes?
5L over how long of a time span? Knowing a way to get more clean water on the trail is also key. Also, hydrate well before leaving on a trip
To deal with blisters, If I've already got them, I use Compeed blister plasters. Compeed is a lifesaver, and works incredible well. Try it, you will not be disappointed.
If you don't have a dedicated water filtration system, and depends on boiling water, you should as a general rule get rid of sediments in the water before drinking it. Sediments can upset your stomack, or cause irritation. Dependent on what the sediments consists of, sediments could also be harmful in a number of ways, so best get rid of it. One of the ways to do that is with a "Brown filter bag" or "Millbank bag". You can use this bag to filter out sediments before you boil the water, or use a steripen, and get rid of the sediments all together. And of course it's also much more pleasant to drink clear water. My choice though, would be the Guardian filter that you're using. From what I understand, it's a pretty bomb proof system. Only thing it's extremely expensive in Norway ($ 665), and I haven't been willing to spend that kind of money on a filter yet. Hopefully I will get a good deal in the future.
I gotta try that blister stuff! Sounds perfect. As for the water, I'm not a big fan of Steripen because it doesn't remove anything from the water, just neutralizes them ( hopefully). Guardian is the best system I've used but it's quite expensive and is not compact.
It's called a safety pin and thank you for the tips. :)
Sometimes words elude me, haha!
Eric thank you for all the tips and tricks. Next week doing my first backpack trip. Maybe a good idea is have a small tube off tigerbalm and footcream. Greetings from the Netherlands ;-)
Heck yeah! Good luck on your trip! And yes, balms and footcreams are clutch!
Tigerbalm really smells - if you have bears, that's a problem. Take something unscented.
What if I need to carry approximately 15 Liters of water in one trip ? Yes approximately 4 gallons for a 2 night trip out to Big Bend National Park ? What ia the best way to carry such a large quantity of water along with all the backpacking essentials ?
Great tips, except for some of the information on water treatment. The video suggests that you can bring water to the boil and let it cool. The water should be boiled for a few minutes to kill all the the pathogens. I have seen 2 or even 3 minutes suggested, and for altitudes over 6000 ft (because the boiling point is lower) I have even seen 5 minutes suggested.
One more small thing, the Grayl is not a water filter, it is a water purifier which is a more sophisticated bit of kit than a filter. The Grayl also filters out most viruses and heavy metals too.
As I understand it, bacteria and protozoa can't survive in boiling water. Once it achieves boil, mission accomplished. Extra boiling is just using extra fuel. But I suppose it could be a good precaution at high elevations. And yes on the grayl! I've made that filter/purifier distinction elsewhere.
Foot care is so vital
Footcare: the sole of backpacking ;)
@@BackpackingTV I backpack a lot and have skin graphtings on both of my feet from 3rd degree burns it's everything to me!
Wow the video is so good !!
Thank you so much!
10:16 In my area an item like that would be referred to as a “chingaletta”.
Great advice except for the 'boiling water' bit - water should be kept at a rolling boil for at least 5 minutes at sea level and even longer at altitude.
I’d love to know if I’m wrong on that one. But that’s what one of the engineers of a water filtration company told me and said the 5 minute boil was not necessary. However I’d rather be safe than sorry!
Hi mate sorry to comment on your video just wondering how you did your channel art and profile photo As I am a new Vlog channel just started out on RUclips I would like to make my channel a bit more attractive to my viewers
Don't see any links to the videos mentioned 😐
That’s a safety pin 🧷 Sir 😊
I see you're going to the Escalante.
Escalante is one of my favorite spots!
Add 2 Tbs spoons of baking soda to your medical kit … instant disinfectant with or without water ;)
Thanks for the tips. What's the guideline weight for a 72 kg woman to carry comfortably?
Around 14-15 kg. Maybe a bit more. But less is better
... Good video ... what is it ?? ... it's hell to get old .....lol..
... Don't rely on high tech 100% in the backcountry ... Always have a compass and quality topo map of the are you will be in ..... Most newer Nat. Geo. maps and similar designs are current and well marked i.e.,, elevations ,structures of interest .. unless you are bushwacking an area with NO trail ... you really don't need a compass ,, but after stopping and setting up camp gives something to do just to get oriented with your location ,, and a great time to teach new hikers ,,young and old ,, the how-tos' of map and compass ..
It’s called a safety pin
facepalm. Thanks!
@@BackpackingTV And you need to sterilize the safety pin with a lighter or alcohol before you pop the blister.
Safety pin
Absolutely! They can be clutch.
Can you spell safety pin?
What is the name of that place in the thumbnail?
That's Custer State Park in South Dakota.
@@BackpackingTV
Thanks
LOL - "Safety pin" ;P🙃
safety pin!
Its a safety pin.
*shouts to screen* Safety Pin!! ( should probably reevaluate how i spend my Saturday evenings..)
Sounds like a perfectly acceptable way to spend a Saturday! And you're not alone with the safety pin remark 🤦
11:20 a pin?
Never use mole skin..luco and slick runners tape. White paper medical tape
I've been watching this guys videos and he gives a lot of subpar advice
Dhoes
Saftey Pin!
Safety pin.
Safety pin. :)
these are "products" more then skills as said in title
Lol packing an art form. Lol
Diaper pin
Totally. Super helpful!
Americans are so strange about measurements. They refuse to go metric yet will tell you that water weighs over 2lbs per liter. Pounds and liters in the same sentence, it just doesn't make sense.
Making sense is not something Americans excel at.
@@BackpackingTV @BackpackingTV Ha! I live here, Portland, OR but am from UK so very acquainted with you Americans. I got into making espresso at home and in online forums Americans measured their coffee beans by the gram and the resulting weight of the poured coffee by the ounce! Truly nonsensical. 😂
Anyway I'm a recent subscriber & love the channel. Cheers! 👍
Halluzinogenia Magic Mushrooms
I thought only women have alot of shoes.
Oh man, I've got tons!
@@BackpackingTV Is it true that you are better off just using sneakers then high priced boots?
It's called a safety pin