Hey! I've got a tip I'd like to pass on to you and your subscribers. I picked this up in the military years ago: everyone knows warm or tepid water sucks, especially when it's hot as hell outside. But if you carry some mint flavor tic-tacs and suck on one a few minutes before you hydrate, your water will seem cold when you drink it. Less suck is good. Peace, brother!
also if you can find some fresh mint you can put it in the water itself and it makes it a little more refreshing the convenient thing about that is its usually found near water sources however always use caution when eating wild plants
Two things: -after you take the center out of the TP, wrap the outside w/ duct tape (I like this better than putting it on my poles). It will help to keep you TP clean, tear-free, and from rolling away from you. -yes rip apart your book. But, send it to yourself when you get in to town. I like to write/journal/make notes (even note where some awesome pics were taken, etc. in my hike guide ...then I mail it to myself which lightens the load, but allows me to keep that memento for future. Another tip (that I haven't done) is to pre-dismantle your book, and send the sections you'll need in your food re-stock packages.
M8, i am a dead set new fan lol. My son and I r looking at walking the Bicentennial National Trail (Australia - 5330kms) in 2023 and have started looking at tips and tricks for long hauls already. U sir, r a legend! Ty for ur videos, both my 11yr old son and I r finding them extremely helpful 👍👍👍
I used the margins of my guide book to note where I stayed each night, mileage/day, people I met, events from the day or places I wanted to hike again. I would then send those pages home. I put those pages into a photo album book so now I have a record of my hike that's fun to look back on and read about my experiences on the trail.
For the Ass Pad, I actually make my food coozie big enough to do both. So the only time it doesn't work as a pad is when I'm letting my food sit in the coozie. The rest of the time, it does the same as the Z-seat and bonus is that after you are finished your food, the seat is warm from the hot food. Just heat up your food first, then while it's hydrating in the coozie, set up camp. Then come back and take out the food and sit on the now warm sit pad, also good for fanning a fire.
Darwin, Thanks for all the great videos. I can't say that i will never do a thru hike, but I believe I am happiest as a section hiker. I have almost 800 miles of the Ice Age trail in Wisconsin completed. Still enjoy your vids and find them very useful. Anyway, numbering your food bags is a great tip. Philmont Scout Ranch(out in your neck of the woods)has been doing that for years. It's just a great way to keep it all straight. I know some people do not carry trekking poles. Duct tape around water bottles works great too. It also makes them less slippery and keeps them from slipping out of side pouches. Keep up all your hard work
Great advice. Im not a hiker but a motocamper. Adventure camping on a bike. Many of your ideas come in handy for my adventures. How do you dry gear on trail. On a bike we hang our gear in net bags and let the wind do its job. Of course we are going at speed while riding. One thing I use all of the time is SundayAfternoons folding hats. When not needed fold in half and carry on. Thanks for the great videos and information. Bryan
Well, if you're using "bounce boxes" or sending yourself supply boxes, why not divide up the book BEFORE the hike and pick up the sections as you go? At the end of the hike, you STILL have a book.
If you take Wet Wipes you can dry them out before hiking to reduce the weight. When using one, just add a splash of water. I usually carry the dried wipes in a Ziploc quart-sized plastic freezer bag.
Check out these little beauties . . . add about a teaspoon of water and you've got a WONDER WIPE: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071NZG9H9/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Reusable a few times (but I don't recommend using it on your nether regions and then reusing on your facial regions).
I use a slightly larger ass pad to serve as a door mat for the tent. I'm old and make a couple "trips" each night. Really handy to roll out on the clean cushion. Keeps the tent clean.
TIP: Extreme outdoor industrial Velcro. Available at your local hardware shop. If you have items you attach to the straps of your pack with a carabiner , you can prevent them from "bouncing" around by clipping them on and using the Velcro to hold them in place. It weighs next to nothing and can keep things tight and in-place. They also have "cable management" tie-ons that you can use to fasten poles together, etc.
What I do instead of taking the whole AT Guide I took a picture of every page, put it on a 1gb sdcard and just pop it in my camera to read it! It weighs less than a gram! Hope that helps.
Big ups on the dental floss! It saved my hike a few years ago when I used it and some super glue to repair a trekking pole. Two years later the repair is still holding.
I started using those towel tablets that you wet and they expand, for TP. They're lightweight, come in packs of 500 (although I wouldn't carry the whole box), and work surprisingly well. I even use my knife to cut the expanded towels in half for TP use. Of course they're good to cleaning up and you can use them for that purpose about 3 times. After that, they don't seem to dry out as well. Not sure why. Nice list of things though. Cheers! DonP
I found a FREE alternative material to make cook pouches with. If you know anyone who gets grocery deliveries like "Blue Apron" they are usually packed in a foil sided bubble wrap that works perfectly. Super light insulation, duck tapes nicely, and enough in each delivery for a couple of pouches and cosies. You can even double wall it for better insulation. Thanks for great videos!
When I used to go hiking and camping I would make and take with me some Fixin Wax. It's got so many uses it was always getting used up. A good example is my friend had a spot on his pack that was rubbing together, (he over packed this time round), so I pulled out the fixin wax and put some on where the fabric was rubbing and this kept it from wearing out.
BRILLIANT!! Best idea for arse pad. I sleep with a pillow between my knees at home, I miss that when sleeping out in the bush and sleep less comfortably as a result. I love my arse pad, I love it even more now that it has yet another use.
I put duck tape around everything. A must have. Never have enough food for the dreaded hiker hunger. Knocked Knees,Sticky Feeling, sounds like a 60's song title. I like using the toilet paper tabs; Bio-degradable, light, durable,and takes up very little space. They also have many other uses. The tabs are a bit costly and they suck when it's cold. I use them often and for about 6 years now. Now it's hard to go back to traditional toilet paper. 500 tabs for approximately $30. Good video. Thank You. Enjoy Life!!!
Another one: If you carry a small plastic round container with a screw-on lid (made by Glad, Ziploc, etc.) you can pre-soak dehydrated vegetables, Ramen, rice sides, and the like during the day as you hike. Adds a bit of weight with the soaking water (maybe half a pound... but you only need enough water to hydrate the food a bit), and the round container is useful for drinks, mixing powdered peanut butter, eating oatmeal, too. Noticed on UA-cam some of the PCT hikers are doing it this year.
s k 1 second ago In the camping sundries aisle of the store, you can usually find mini rolls of duct tape that don't have a center. The roll is only about 3/4 inch diameter and has a few yards of duct tape. Very handy to carry and you don't have to worry about the tape weathering on your trek pole.
Take a piece of Reflectex and cut it into the small shape of your body. This is one of the most versatile equip pieces you can carry. Weighs about 4 oz. Uses: Replaces sit pad by performing all those functions PLUS.....Place inside sleeping bag/quilt on top if you to create extra warmth on cold nights. Like having your own personal heater. (Replaces heavier bag/bag liner, heavier clothing). Can be used under sleeping pad to protect from punctures on rough/poky ground. Use it under bag for cowboy camping. Instant shade in exposed treeless areas by rigging it to trekking poles/bush/backpack creating your own shade to rest under. Water proof and wind proof uses. And so many more uses and weighs so little.
I loved the video, Darwin. Keep them coming. Just an FYI for those of you who are looking on Amazon for an "ass pad." "Cushion seat pad for camping" brings up MUCH more relevant results than a search for "ass pad." ;)
lol... That's why I put the link in the description box above. hard telling what you'll find if you search for "Ass Pad". Thanks for Watching! Hike On, Darwin
Darwin onthetrail Litesmith.com has a sit pad for $3.95 that measures 15.5"X10.75"x0.7" and weighs 0.98 oz. (I'm not affiliated with the company, nor earn any $)
The bounce box free forwarding mentioned is good only if you do not open the box, otherwise more freight to pay for. I worked for the USPS for a long time.
I started with $0 and hiked over 1000 miles of the AT this year. I played harmonica in town for food. So I would reccomend an instrument even if your not good at it the trail is a good place to learn.
Just found and love the channel. I'm 40 and have a bad hip so hiking distance is limited now but in boy scouts at 13 years old we did a 60 mile section around Buzzards peak/Iron Mountain/Harpers Ferry if I recall. Loved reading the journals of hikers in the shelters....One was the Zippy Hippie lol, talked about dancing naked around a fire at night. Nice vids Darwin, take care man
Great info as usual! Wondering if you've tried fitting all your food in a bear can yet. Especially, separated into days. I love having food separated by days but, I can't seem to fit a weeks worth of food, ergh! We'll be using a full size Bear Vault. (800 I think?) Fewer re supplies on the PCT especially in the Sierras where you could get stuck for a few days...
I don't want to hijack Darwin's page so if he objects I will remove this. I would send it a private message if I could figure it out on youtube. Anyway, look at Landmark Adventures youtube channel she did a three week stint on the JMT with no resupply in a bear vault. She has one video that covers how she calculated the calories needed for her and how she did it, and she did achieve it. Her channel has been dormant for around a year so don't expect an active stream from her. She is entertaining to watch in her own goofy way.
I'm more of a bushcrafter here, so my best tip would be to learn a bit about the vegetation in the areas you're passing through: Most non-poisonous aromatic plants have antibacterial properties and can be used to clean wounds. Many plant leaves (e.g. Horse chestnut) can be used as soap. Mint grows everywhere, is easy to identify, and is great for upset stomachs. Two important provisos here of course: Even with this herbal bounty, always bring your first aid kit, and secondly, don't touch anything unless you're sure it's safe!
One of my favorite vids that you’ve made. As I’m just getting interested in hiking almost all of these ideas are like Aha moments for me. There is so much I truly have need to learn about this stuff. Thanks again and keep me coming!!
I use foam from the packing material when I bought my laptop computer. It is ultra light does not absorb water and the best part it was free. It is about an inch thick and you can cut it to size.
Darwin - thanks for the helpful tips and tricks! Don't know when I plan on doing a full through hike, but know I can definitely utilize them when I do multi-day treks.
How you keep composure with those gnats flying all over you is something I still have yet to master my friend. Thanks for the videos. Making my hiking better more enjoyable.
Darwin onthetrail vanilla in a spray bottle really helps with gnats. It doesn't take much. Big soother is excellent as well. I'm sure bears find them delicious.
I really love your tips!!! My husband and I are planning on doing a section hike on the PCT in two years... how would you recommend "training" or preparing for that? It will be three to four weeks. Thanks in advance!!! :)
Use acrylic glow-in-the-dark paint and mark your earbuds, night lamp, phone, cooking pot handle and whatever you feel can get a bit lost when it gets dark.
Question for the Q&A segments: I've seen the evolution of your gear change from 2015 to 2017; but I'm curious if your food choices have gone more ultralight or changed in any way over the years hiking.
Great tips, not sure some of the Scottish hotels would like 6 hikers in a hotel room. 😂 I take photos with my phone of guide books so its all on my phone.
So, I have used an ass pad for years, and when I met my girlfriend she made fun of me for calling it an ass pad. Then, years later, I find this video and start dying laughing and show her that I am not the only one!
Another great hack is to pour hot water in your meal pouch, seal it up to cook, and use it as a heat pad while your food cooks. Feels great on back and legs!
Hey Darwin,, ,,,,swamp gal here,,, ,i use the winshild cover as a sitts pad cuz its long & can stretch my.legs out & can set my pack on it & when ya stop to eat ya can set your food down on it ,&or if ya want to put your feet up a tree ,,its great ta lay on & i put it under my sleeping bag as an insulater from the ground,,,double duty,,
Skandinavia: lots of small water runs, but every once in a while you would risk getting water into your boots and going barefooted is awful when not used to pointy rocks. Solution: bring water shoes, I got some really low weight ones around 3 oz for 15 bucks. Also nice in the evening to give your feet a rest in uneasy terrain at camp.
#2, for sure - I made mine from reflectix, reflectix tape, and a very thin aluminum sheet (for crafting). I put three buttons on it so it opens to form a windshield. Closed it wraps around my 700ml pot. As soon as the water is boiling, I take it off the stove and it cooks just fine. May need to make another one soon, since I'm thinking about switching to the Vargo Bot.
I like your velcro adhesive tabs - I may do that instead. the buttons I used are little plastic deals, and they weigh nothing, but they're pretty finicky.
When staying somewhere overnight - Take a thinly cut steak season it, and then wrap it in aluminum foil, and put it in the freezer overnight. Pull it out in the morning, and wrap one paper towel around it, and put it in a ziplock bag and throw it in your pack. By dinner it will be thawed and ready to cool. Doesn't last many days, but great for the first stop.
Thank you for sharing, I was wondering do you have any tips for people that wear glasses, keeping them from fogging during hot rainy hikes, keeping them clean or backup pair options? What do you do?
Further to the numbering of your food bags I have green, yellow and red stuff sacks like a traffic light,which represent all my breakfasts, lunches and dinners so I only unpack what I need. I have a whitish one where I put all the crap like medication, repellant, light that I may need at night. It helps me break camp quicker in the morning. My arse pad goes under my pillow.
As always great video Darwin! I am looking to purchase an EE Revelation quilt, but there are tons of options ( DownTek Treated, 10D, 20D fabric, etc). In your next Q&A, could you over more in depth about quilts and all of their options? Thank you!
Here's a valuable tip; Test your insect repellent BEFORE you head out on a long hike! I just had to get off the trail early because I acquired over 600 mosquito bites and 19 tick bites because the manufacturer of my insect repellent must have accidentally filled my bottle with something that smelled like perfume (actually attracted bugs)! This could have been life threatening because I started to become disoriented from all of the mosquito venom and I had no cell service. Fortunately I bumped into two hikers that had a sat phone and helped me to the nearest trail head. I will never make this mistake again.
Pilgrim777 - going into a buggy area I would ALWAYS carry enough clothing and netting to cover up fully if repellent got lost or was ineffective. I'd rather be sweaty than bitten. I'm a Scot, and we have the dreaded midge. I've twice had to help people in toxic shock because their protection was ineffective. As you say, this is a safety issue.
Pilgrim777 not for mosquitos, but vanilla extract has always worked well for me for knats. Doesn't last all that long but doesn't irritate my skin or smell god awful. Mosquitos n ticks though, get the good stuff.
I see people take the roll out of TP all the time, then I see the same people do weird stuff with Duck tape to store it. Old night stocker tip: take a utility knife and cut out the cardboard roll from your tape. make sure you cut enough to remove all the cardboard. Flatten the roll of tape and it will adhere to itself. Bigger rolls need some persuasion (we used to park the forklift on them for a few minutes). Your new roll of tape will fit just about anywhere you have a spare bit of space. We used to use it a lot so we just slipped it in our back pocket.
In the camping sundries aisle of the store, you can usually find mini rolls of duct tape that don't have a center. The roll is only about 3/4 inch diameter and has a few yards of duct tape. Very handy to carry and you don't have to worry about the tape weathering on your trek pole.
I do not use trekking poles, so I wrap my duct tape around plastic water bottles. It was super handy when I needed to reattach the guy lines to my tarp.
"Separate your food" is a great idea, I can see burning through too much too fast without doing this. Pro tip for hammock folks, if you carry an ass pad you can use a 3/4 length underquilt and use the ass pad for under your feet and lower legs, when needed.
Hi Darwin, I’m a guy from Denmark watching and preparing for my 2018 PCT hike. I keep thinking about the resupply situation, bounce boxes etc., - wondering how it all will work out (especially because I’m from overseas). I plan on sending a resupply box with the necessary stuff like iceaxe, microspiskes etc. to Kennedy Meadows, but apart from that, I’m not really sure yet. On the same subject “the bouncebox”, which was a topic in your “Tricks of the trade” video you said: *Quote: Leftover food, supplies etc. - Bounce it - its always free to sending a box from postoffice to postoffice! *Unquote free - as in free (0,- $) or…do you mean -it’s up to me weather to bounce a box or not? Please reiterate on that and in general give suggestions on how you plan a resupply schedule for the PCT thru-hike, - or where to find information on what items to best ship to where, bounce where etc. etc. Love your videos.…… great job!! Tommy
Tommy: You mail a flat rate box (every PO has a full variety on hand) and send it to yourself "General Delivery" at the Post Office you might want to retrieve the stuff. When you arrive there, and if you decide you DON'T want anything, just tell the postmaster that you want it forwarded to the next Post Office and they will forward it there without any additional cost. You can do this as many times as you like. The important part, though, is that you can't accept the box, add anything to it, nor even open it. Otherwise, it will be just like you mailed a new box. Personally, I've never done a bounce box with food. Bounce boxes make sense if you want to swap out gear, like new shoes, and you just don't know where the you'll want to do that. The other downside is that you MUST retrieve that bounce box. That means being in that town when that PO is open, which can be a pain the butt when you just want to hit the grocery store and get back on the trail. Dave
Darwin, I have obviously just found you here on youtube and have enjoyed several of your videos. Have you done any videos on first aid kits? Ill check it out. Safe travels
Will gaffers tape work for repairs? I ask as it is easier to remove and is not as sticky. I use it on stage to tape down cables. Just a question. Thanks
On the hiker guide one, instead of tearing out pages as I go, I just make copies of the pages I need to start (because I'm one of those book lovers who can't bring herself to tear pages out of a book) and carry them with me. I put the other copies of pages I'll need in the future into my resupply boxes. That way I can recycle the old pages (or burn them) when I don't need them any more and don't have to carry the whole dang book. I also take pictures of the pages on my phone and keep them in a file there, just in case something should happen to my printed copies.
If you have small, heavy items that you want handy, you can attach them to your poles so their weight is primarily on the poles. Just make sure they don't come loose (don't want a knife in your eye) or aren't too valuable (don't want to slam your camera on the ground or drop it in a river).
Add French fried onions to.... anything? they are like 180cal/oz, salty and taste good. Plus the crunch is a nice change from usually mushy trail food.
I eat them on just about everything. Love them on my burgers and top ramen. Don't get the French's though, go with the Walmart or Winco brand, much better tasting.
I always keep the tube in the toilet paper. It's a handy place to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer. After doing your business just flip the cap and squeeze the roll. Also with toilet paper. Any ziplocks that contain electronics like a camera, phone, or whatnot. On wet days I drop a few squares of toilet paper in the bag with the electronic. That way if I shoot a pic while hiking and drop the camera back into the zippy any excess drops of water are absorbed by the tp.
Just discovered your channel recently... LOVE YOUR VIDS!!!! I appreciate you being very knowledgeable and patient in the way you deliver your information. I was curious do you use or have you used Wysi Wiped in lieu of shit tickets?? What is your impression of them if you have used the product?
I would like thoughts from everybody on this. I am new to long distance hiking and am in the very early stages of planning my first thru hike of the AT. One of the things I'm wondering about is hiking boots. I have very flat feet so I always have a hard time finding boots that are comfortable. And yes I need the extra support of the boots rather than the shoes. I also wear the special inserts. I am a little concerned about my boots wearing out and not being able to find something comfortable along the trail. I was considering buying several pair of boots, and inserts, before I leave and asking a family member to ship them. I would call/text them a couple of weeks before I needed them and tell them where to ship to. Hopefully that will also save $$$ as boots along the trail might cost more. I also had a question about hiking boots vs backpacking boots. I have looked a little at both. And the backpacking boots seem to be much more expensive. Is it worth the extra money? Would they actually last much longer on a thru hike rather than just regular hiking boots? Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
sawyer mini backflushing: cut the tip of your bulky sawyer syringe to the size of a bottle top. drill a hole into a bottletop and glue syringe tip into the bottle top. now you can back flush with your regular disposable water bottle.
Darwin: Instead of a book of maps, or trying to use a smartphone app... what do you think about a tablet like the iPad mini 4? Even with a recharge battery, you would save weight and increase your resource material 1000x. It weighs only 10 ozs, you can bring all of Half Mile's maps + The Water Resource + a ton of other trail resources (plants, animals, geology, etc). You can log all your miles and do a daily diary. You can also bring books to read or even movies if that's your preference... you can bring NightSky to interpret the heavens on those amazing nights under the stars. If you are a musician (I am), bring a small instrument and you have all of your song charts with you. You have a quality music-listening platform with earphones + quality still & video cameras... plus about a boatload full of other information it would be nice to have on the trail.
TMI, I know, but...I kept track of how often I went on the trail, and it's pretty consistent; once every morning. So about once a day. Then I kept track of how many wipes it usually takes me; roughly 4 sheets (fold method to use the same sheet). I then multiply the number of days I plan to be on the trail (add 2 days or so to be safe) by the number of sheets (5 sheets to be safe) and that will give me the total number of TP sheets I need. I know a whole role isn't a lot of weight, but I do save space in my pack as well. Hasn't failed me yet....and now because I made this comment, I'm going to get the runs and will regret all of this.
Hey Darwin, I'm just curious if you have ever done some fishing while you're out on the trail. If so, I would like to see if you had any specific recommendations for an ultralight fishing rod. Please get back to me. Blessings to you on the trail!
I’ve heard before that you can just bring some fishing line and a hook. Then you can just find a stick and tie it to the end and dig up some worms with your trowel for bait. Not perfect, but nothing UL is 😝
TP Coins/ pills. Small individually wrapped and expand into nice small towels. You get them wet to expand them and they clean you up much better and are much much lighter than toilet paper and not near as bulky.
Dude, I was at REI the other day and grabbed the thermarest z pad walked around the store and grabbed a couple of more things. I sat all my stuff down because the guy that works there said he could fit my pack to my spine length, went out to the truck and grabbed it. Came back in, checked out, woke up in the morning and realized I left my ass pad!!!!!
I never split a small hotel room with 11 other people in South Padre before but if I did I would only have like two people at the front desk with checking in.
Another way to carry duct tape. Take one empty toilet paper roll and wrap with duct tape. Two wraps work. Then shove a towel or small piece of clothing into the roll that will compress that you normally carry in your pack. Takes about the same space as the clothing. Or maybe stuff your first aid stuff inside the roll. Just another thought.
You should come to Australia and walk some of our long trails like the larapintacand the great ocean road trail there are you Tube videos on them buy auswalk
for lightweight budget gear u should check out (review for us)the ust tube tarp 1.0. it's 30$ and worked out really well for me the couple times I've used it so far.
Hey! I've got a tip I'd like to pass on to you and your subscribers. I picked this up in the military years ago: everyone knows warm or tepid water sucks, especially when it's hot as hell outside. But if you carry some mint flavor tic-tacs and suck on one a few minutes before you hydrate, your water will seem cold when you drink it. Less suck is good. Peace, brother!
Altoids work even better than Tic-Tacs
Rather than cold, it's more like refreshing.
also if you can find some fresh mint you can put it in the water itself and it makes it a little more refreshing the convenient thing about that is its usually found near water sources however always use caution when eating wild plants
Love it, so simple!!!
nice :)
Two things:
-after you take the center out of the TP, wrap the outside w/ duct tape (I like this better than putting it on my poles). It will help to keep you TP clean, tear-free, and from rolling away from you.
-yes rip apart your book. But, send it to yourself when you get in to town. I like to write/journal/make notes (even note where some awesome pics were taken, etc. in my hike guide ...then I mail it to myself which lightens the load, but allows me to keep that memento for future. Another tip (that I haven't done) is to pre-dismantle your book, and send the sections you'll need in your food re-stock packages.
M8, i am a dead set new fan lol. My son and I r looking at walking the Bicentennial National Trail (Australia - 5330kms) in 2023 and have started looking at tips and tricks for long hauls already. U sir, r a legend! Ty for ur videos, both my 11yr old son and I r finding them extremely helpful 👍👍👍
I used the margins of my guide book to note where I stayed each night, mileage/day, people I met, events from the day or places I wanted to hike again. I would then send those pages home. I put those pages into a photo album book so now I have a record of my hike that's fun to look back on and read about my experiences on the trail.
For the Ass Pad, I actually make my food coozie big enough to do both. So the only time it doesn't work as a pad is when I'm letting my food sit in the coozie. The rest of the time, it does the same as the Z-seat and bonus is that after you are finished your food, the seat is warm from the hot food. Just heat up your food first, then while it's hydrating in the coozie, set up camp. Then come back and take out the food and sit on the now warm sit pad, also good for fanning a fire.
Brilliant idea with the duct tape on the hiking poles! I was just trying to come up with an idea to deal with that problem!
Darwin, Thanks for all the great videos. I can't say that i will never do a thru hike, but I believe I am happiest as a section hiker. I have almost 800 miles of the Ice Age trail in Wisconsin completed. Still enjoy your vids and find them very useful. Anyway, numbering your food bags is a great tip. Philmont Scout Ranch(out in your neck of the woods)has been doing that for years. It's just a great way to keep it all straight. I know some people do not carry trekking poles. Duct tape around water bottles works great too. It also makes them less slippery and keeps them from slipping out of side pouches. Keep up all your hard work
Great advice. Im not a hiker but a motocamper. Adventure camping on a bike. Many of your ideas come in handy for my adventures. How do you dry gear on trail. On a bike we hang our gear in net bags and let the wind do its job. Of course we are going at speed while riding. One thing I use all of the time is SundayAfternoons folding hats. When not needed fold in half and carry on. Thanks for the great videos and information. Bryan
Well, if you're using "bounce boxes" or sending yourself supply boxes, why not divide up the book BEFORE the hike and pick up the sections as you go? At the end of the hike, you STILL have a book.
If you take Wet Wipes you can dry them out before hiking to reduce the weight. When using one, just add a splash of water. I usually carry the dried wipes in a Ziploc quart-sized plastic freezer bag.
Nice tip Tony! Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
did that too on the PCT! just for cleaning my feet at night!
Tony Pierce - great tip, thanks for sharing 👍 ☺️.
Tony Pierce th
Check out these little beauties . . . add about a teaspoon of water and you've got a WONDER WIPE:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071NZG9H9/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Reusable a few times (but I don't recommend using it on your nether regions and then reusing on your facial regions).
I use a slightly larger ass pad to serve as a door mat for the tent. I'm old and make a couple "trips" each night. Really handy to roll out on the clean cushion. Keeps the tent clean.
TIP: Extreme outdoor industrial Velcro. Available at your local hardware shop.
If you have items you attach to the straps of your pack with a carabiner , you can prevent them from "bouncing" around by clipping them on and using the Velcro to hold them in place.
It weighs next to nothing and can keep things tight and in-place. They also have "cable management" tie-ons that you can use to fasten poles together, etc.
Nice 1 Franklandish!
Hike On,
Darwin
A beeswax tea candle is a convenient way to carry beeswax for leak proofing a repair.
Good 1 SandCrab!
Hike On,
Darwin
a small oderless candle will work to reseal as well.
What I do instead of taking the whole AT Guide I took a picture of every page, put it on a 1gb sdcard and just pop it in my camera to read it! It weighs less than a gram! Hope that helps.
"Welcome to Wal-mart."
Me: "Point me to your finest ass pads, please."
Big ups on the dental floss! It saved my hike a few years ago when I used it and some super glue to repair a trekking pole. Two years later the repair is still holding.
Nice! Super Tough Stuff!
Hike On,
Darwin
Eating vitamin B complex pills made me tast bad for the midgets in Scotland, they walked on me but did not bite me
I started using those towel tablets that you wet and they expand, for TP. They're lightweight, come in packs of 500 (although I wouldn't carry the whole box), and work surprisingly well. I even use my knife to cut the expanded towels in half for TP use. Of course they're good to cleaning up and you can use them for that purpose about 3 times. After that, they don't seem to dry out as well. Not sure why. Nice list of things though. Cheers! DonP
I hear alot of hikers really dig those... need to give them a try for sure! Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
I loved seeing the setup video of the Captains...that’s where I got my first A T trail name Pirate
I found a FREE alternative material to make cook pouches with. If you know anyone who gets grocery deliveries like "Blue Apron" they are usually packed in a foil sided bubble wrap that works perfectly. Super light insulation, duck tapes nicely, and enough in each delivery for a couple of pouches and cosies. You can even double wall it for better insulation. Thanks for great videos!
Great info! I also wrap a little blister tape around my hiking pole or lighter. If not for myself for another hiker in need. 👍
When I used to go hiking and camping I would make and take with me some Fixin Wax. It's got so many uses it was always getting used up. A good example is my friend had a spot on his pack that was rubbing together, (he over packed this time round), so I pulled out the fixin wax and put some on where the fabric was rubbing and this kept it from wearing out.
BRILLIANT!! Best idea for arse pad. I sleep with a pillow between my knees at home, I miss that when sleeping out in the bush and sleep less comfortably as a result. I love my arse pad, I love it even more now that it has yet another use.
I put duck tape around everything. A must have. Never have enough food for the dreaded hiker hunger. Knocked Knees,Sticky Feeling, sounds like a 60's song title. I like using the toilet paper tabs; Bio-degradable, light, durable,and takes up very little space. They also have many other uses. The tabs are a bit costly and they suck when it's cold. I use them often and for about 6 years now. Now it's hard to go back to traditional toilet paper. 500 tabs for approximately $30. Good video. Thank You. Enjoy Life!!!
Nice! I'll have to give those a try sometime. Thanks for Watching Mike!
Hike On,
Darwin
Another one: If you carry a small plastic round container with a screw-on lid (made by Glad, Ziploc, etc.) you can pre-soak dehydrated vegetables, Ramen, rice sides, and the like during the day as you hike. Adds a bit of weight with the soaking water (maybe half a pound... but you only need enough water to hydrate the food a bit), and the round container is useful for drinks, mixing powdered peanut butter, eating oatmeal, too. Noticed on UA-cam some of the PCT hikers are doing it this year.
Yep! I'll prob be doing this in 2018 during my PCT Thru!
Hike On,
Darwin
s k
1 second ago
In the camping sundries aisle of the store, you can usually find mini rolls of duct tape that don't have a center. The roll is only about 3/4 inch diameter and has a few yards of duct tape. Very handy to carry and you don't have to worry about the tape weathering on your trek pole.
Take a piece of Reflectex and cut it into the small shape of your body. This is one of the most versatile equip pieces you can carry. Weighs about 4 oz. Uses: Replaces sit pad by performing all those functions PLUS.....Place inside sleeping bag/quilt on top if you to create extra warmth on cold nights. Like having your own personal heater. (Replaces heavier bag/bag liner, heavier clothing).
Can be used under sleeping pad to protect from punctures on rough/poky ground. Use it under bag for cowboy camping.
Instant shade in exposed treeless areas by rigging it to trekking poles/bush/backpack creating your own shade to rest under.
Water proof and wind proof uses.
And so many more uses and weighs so little.
I loved the video, Darwin. Keep them coming. Just an FYI for those of you who are looking on Amazon for an "ass pad." "Cushion seat pad for camping" brings up MUCH more relevant results than a search for "ass pad." ;)
Klymit makes a good one packs down to the size of a deck of cards and it's only like fifteen bucks.
lol... That's why I put the link in the description box above. hard telling what you'll find if you search for "Ass Pad". Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
Darwin onthetrail Litesmith.com has a sit pad for $3.95 that measures 15.5"X10.75"x0.7" and weighs 0.98 oz. (I'm not affiliated with the company, nor earn any $)
Amazon now recognizes ass pad - lol
Just cut one from the windshield screen you use for making your cosy and cooking bag...
The bounce box free forwarding mentioned is good only if you do not open the box, otherwise more freight to pay for. I worked for the USPS for a long time.
I started with $0 and hiked over 1000 miles of the AT this year. I played harmonica in town for food. So I would reccomend an instrument even if your not good at it the trail is a good place to learn.
Just found and love the channel. I'm 40 and have a bad hip so hiking distance is limited now but in boy scouts at 13 years old we did a 60 mile section around Buzzards peak/Iron Mountain/Harpers Ferry if I recall. Loved reading the journals of hikers in the shelters....One was the Zippy Hippie lol, talked about dancing naked around a fire at night. Nice vids Darwin, take care man
And if you dispense the toilet paper from the inside of the roll, you don't have to take it out of the ziplock bag, which helps a lot in the rain!
Nice Trick Druetty!
Hike On,
Darwin
Druetty o
Or don't take toilet paper at all and just rub your arse on the ground like dogs do.
My BIL calls that greasing the brakes. lol
You Sir, are a genius!!!
I have that same patch!Glad you enjoyed the long boardwalk,I sure did.Thanks for the tips.
Great info as usual!
Wondering if you've tried fitting all your food in a bear can yet. Especially, separated into days.
I love having food separated by days but, I can't seem to fit a weeks worth of food, ergh!
We'll be using a full size Bear Vault. (800 I think?)
Fewer re supplies on the PCT especially in the Sierras where you could get stuck for a few days...
I don't want to hijack Darwin's page so if he objects I will remove this. I would send it a private message if I could figure it out on youtube. Anyway, look at Landmark Adventures youtube channel she did a three week stint on the JMT with no resupply in a bear vault. She has one video that covers how she calculated the calories needed for her and how she did it, and she did achieve it. Her channel has been dormant for around a year so don't expect an active stream from her. She is entertaining to watch in her own goofy way.
orion1820 awesome, thanks!
I'm more of a bushcrafter here, so my best tip would be to learn a bit about the vegetation in the areas you're passing through:
Most non-poisonous aromatic plants have antibacterial properties and can be used to clean wounds.
Many plant leaves (e.g. Horse chestnut) can be used as soap.
Mint grows everywhere, is easy to identify, and is great for upset stomachs.
Two important provisos here of course: Even with this herbal bounty, always bring your first aid kit, and secondly, don't touch anything unless you're sure it's safe!
I would LOVE to learn more about this!
One of my favorite vids that you’ve made. As I’m just getting interested in hiking almost all of these ideas are like Aha moments for me. There is so much I truly have need to learn about this stuff. Thanks again and keep me coming!!
I use foam from the packing material when I bought my laptop computer. It is ultra light does not absorb water and the best part it was free. It is about an inch thick and you can cut it to size.
Darwin - thanks for the helpful tips and tricks! Don't know when I plan on doing a full through hike, but know I can definitely utilize them when I do multi-day treks.
How you keep composure with those gnats flying all over you is something I still have yet to master my friend. Thanks for the videos. Making my hiking better more enjoyable.
What you don't see are the in-between shots of me swapping the hell out of them!...lol. Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
Darwin onthetrail vanilla in a spray bottle really helps with gnats. It doesn't take much. Big soother is excellent as well. I'm sure bears find them delicious.
Rick Cortes_76 Try Bugging Natural Gnat Spray...or a headnet. I have inhaled and eaten over a cup full of gnats on one-day stream fishing trips. PIA!
I really love your tips!!! My husband and I are planning on doing a section hike on the PCT in two years... how would you recommend "training" or preparing for that? It will be three to four weeks. Thanks in advance!!! :)
I love the idea of a cook pouch. I can't wait to try this!
ASSPAD is by the far the best purchase I've ever made aside from the essentials lol....thanks to you
Use acrylic glow-in-the-dark paint and mark your earbuds, night lamp, phone, cooking pot handle and whatever you feel can get a bit lost when it gets dark.
Question for the Q&A segments: I've seen the evolution of your gear change from 2015 to 2017; but I'm curious if your food choices have gone more ultralight or changed in any way over the years hiking.
Thanks a bunch Darwin! That meal plan is gonna be killer on saving weight and not running out!
Use the cooking bag you showed an cut an sew one to fit your water bladder. Keeps your water cooler longer
Great tips, not sure some of the Scottish hotels would like 6 hikers in a hotel room. 😂
I take photos with my phone of guide books so its all on my phone.
So, I have used an ass pad for years, and when I met my girlfriend she made fun of me for calling it an ass pad. Then, years later, I find this video and start dying laughing and show her that I am not the only one!
Another great hack is to pour hot water in your meal pouch, seal it up to cook, and use it as a heat pad while your food cooks. Feels great on back and legs!
I also carry floss, but i ditch the outer-container and just carry the spool. Because why not.
Hey Darwin,,
,,,,swamp gal here,,,
,i use the winshild cover as a sitts pad cuz its long & can stretch my.legs out & can set my pack on it & when ya stop to eat ya can set your food down on it ,&or if ya want to put your feet up a tree ,,its great ta lay on & i put it under my sleeping bag as an insulater from the ground,,,double duty,,
Skandinavia: lots of small water runs, but every once in a while you would risk getting water into your boots and going barefooted is awful when not used to pointy rocks. Solution: bring water shoes, I got some really low weight ones around 3 oz for 15 bucks. Also nice in the evening to give your feet a rest in uneasy terrain at camp.
#2, for sure - I made mine from reflectix, reflectix tape, and a very thin aluminum sheet (for crafting). I put three buttons on it so it opens to form a windshield. Closed it wraps around my 700ml pot. As soon as the water is boiling, I take it off the stove and it cooks just fine. May need to make another one soon, since I'm thinking about switching to the Vargo Bot.
I like your velcro adhesive tabs - I may do that instead. the buttons I used are little plastic deals, and they weigh nothing, but they're pretty finicky.
When staying somewhere overnight - Take a thinly cut steak season it, and then wrap it in aluminum foil, and put it in the freezer overnight. Pull it out in the morning, and wrap one paper towel around it, and put it in a ziplock bag and throw it in your pack. By dinner it will be thawed and ready to cool. Doesn't last many days, but great for the first stop.
the sit pad between the knees is a great idea!
Wow, just watched this video. Good stuff. The food bags I have been doing. People that I was crazy, easy to count calorie intake this way also.
I scanned the CT Guide and loaded the PDF to my phone, along with my shopping food list and main water stops/campsite list. Too easy.
use you trekking poles to carry bagels !
is that a joke?
@Gabriel De la Ossa lol, that Sir Edmund sure knew a thing or 2...😂 😂 😂
If you're in a hot climate, they'll be toasty ready for dinner.. 😂
where do you put the bagels? the top? the bottom!?
@@ty88 ..it depends how crunchy you want them.. 😂
Thank you for sharing, I was wondering do you have any tips for people that wear glasses, keeping them from fogging during hot rainy hikes, keeping them clean or backup pair options? What do you do?
I answered a Question about glasses on Tuesday in my Q&A #17. Go check it Out!
Hike On,
Darwin
Further to the numbering of your food bags I have green, yellow and red stuff sacks like a traffic light,which represent all my breakfasts, lunches and dinners so I only unpack what I need. I have a whitish one where I put all the crap like medication, repellant, light that I may need at night. It helps me break camp quicker in the morning. My arse pad goes under my pillow.
As always great video Darwin! I am looking to purchase an EE Revelation quilt, but there are tons of options ( DownTek Treated, 10D, 20D fabric, etc). In your next Q&A, could you over more in depth about quilts and all of their options? Thank you!
Thanks Carlos! I'll see what I can do!
Hike On,
Darwin
Thank you, man!
I take pictures of the relevant / important pages of my guide books with my phone and just use the pics on the trail. No bulky book to bring along!
Here's a valuable tip; Test your insect repellent BEFORE you head out on a long hike! I just had to get off the trail early because I acquired over 600 mosquito bites and 19 tick bites because the manufacturer of my insect repellent must have accidentally filled my bottle with something that smelled like perfume (actually attracted bugs)! This could have been life threatening because I started to become disoriented from all of the mosquito venom and I had no cell service. Fortunately I bumped into two hikers that had a sat phone and helped me to the nearest trail head. I will never make this mistake again.
SSS doesn't work for me at ALL. So yeah, test for sure.
Pilgrim777 - going into a buggy area I would ALWAYS carry enough clothing and netting to cover up fully if repellent got lost or was ineffective. I'd rather be sweaty than bitten. I'm a Scot, and we have the dreaded midge. I've twice had to help people in toxic shock because their protection was ineffective. As you say, this is a safety issue.
It's not technically venom but mosquito's inject anesthetic and a de-coagulant which your body obviously has a reaction to.
SSS earned it chops with salty folks because it stops the no see ums.
Pilgrim777 not for mosquitos, but vanilla extract has always worked well for me for knats. Doesn't last all that long but doesn't irritate my skin or smell god awful. Mosquitos n ticks though, get the good stuff.
I see people take the roll out of TP all the time, then I see the same people do weird stuff with Duck tape to store it.
Old night stocker tip: take a utility knife and cut out the cardboard roll from your tape. make sure you cut enough to remove all the cardboard. Flatten the roll of tape and it will adhere to itself. Bigger rolls need some persuasion (we used to park the forklift on them for a few minutes).
Your new roll of tape will fit just about anywhere you have a spare bit of space. We used to use it a lot so we just slipped it in our back pocket.
In the camping sundries aisle of the store, you can usually find mini rolls of duct tape that don't have a center. The roll is only about 3/4 inch diameter and has a few yards of duct tape. Very handy to carry and you don't have to worry about the tape weathering on your trek pole.
I do not use trekking poles, so I wrap my duct tape around plastic water bottles. It was super handy when I needed to reattach the guy lines to my tarp.
Some goods tips and some I was already using. The food for each day in a bag. Love the ass pad
"Separate your food" is a great idea, I can see burning through too much too fast without doing this. Pro tip for hammock folks, if you carry an ass pad you can use a 3/4 length underquilt and use the ass pad for under your feet and lower legs, when needed.
Works for Me! Great Ass Pad tip Richard, I'll remember that 1 next time I hammock!
Hike On,
Darwin
Hi Darwin,
I’m a guy from Denmark watching and preparing for my 2018 PCT hike.
I keep thinking about the resupply situation, bounce boxes etc., - wondering how it all will work out (especially because I’m from overseas).
I plan on sending a resupply box with the necessary stuff like iceaxe, microspiskes etc. to Kennedy Meadows, but apart from that, I’m not really sure yet.
On the same subject “the bouncebox”, which was a topic in your “Tricks of the trade” video you said:
*Quote:
Leftover food, supplies etc. - Bounce it - its always free to sending a box from postoffice to postoffice!
*Unquote
free - as in free (0,- $) or…do you mean -it’s up to me weather to bounce a box or not?
Please reiterate on that and in general give suggestions on how you plan a resupply schedule for the PCT thru-hike, - or where to find information on what items to best ship to where, bounce where etc. etc.
Love your videos.…… great job!!
Tommy
Tommy: You mail a flat rate box (every PO has a full variety on hand) and send it to yourself "General Delivery" at the Post Office you might want to retrieve the stuff. When you arrive there, and if you decide you DON'T want anything, just tell the postmaster that you want it forwarded to the next Post Office and they will forward it there without any additional cost. You can do this as many times as you like. The important part, though, is that you can't accept the box, add anything to it, nor even open it. Otherwise, it will be just like you mailed a new box. Personally, I've never done a bounce box with food. Bounce boxes make sense if you want to swap out gear, like new shoes, and you just don't know where the you'll want to do that. The other downside is that you MUST retrieve that bounce box. That means being in that town when that PO is open, which can be a pain the butt when you just want to hit the grocery store and get back on the trail. Dave
Darwin, I have obviously just found you here on youtube and have enjoyed several of your videos. Have you done any videos on first aid kits? Ill check it out. Safe travels
Will gaffers tape work for repairs? I ask as it is easier to remove and is not as sticky. I use it on stage to tape down cables. Just a question. Thanks
Love the ass pad! I wanted one, but all the different uses are fantastic ideas. Hike on!
I loved the fuel saving tip...great video!
It's def a good one! Check out the DIY vid on how to make them!
Hike On,
Darwin
10:00 - does anybody know if this 'box bounce' works for free in the UK as well? I've never heard of it with Post Offices/Royal Mail. Thanks
On the hiker guide one, instead of tearing out pages as I go, I just make copies of the pages I need to start (because I'm one of those book lovers who can't bring herself to tear pages out of a book) and carry them with me. I put the other copies of pages I'll need in the future into my resupply boxes. That way I can recycle the old pages (or burn them) when I don't need them any more and don't have to carry the whole dang book. I also take pictures of the pages on my phone and keep them in a file there, just in case something should happen to my printed copies.
"Moving to Montana soon, going to be a dental floss tycoon." Frank Zappa, 1973
hi Darwin, may i know where did you buy that osprey hat ? great video btw, looking forward to hike annapurna circuit at this end of year.
If you have small, heavy items that you want handy, you can attach them to your poles so their weight is primarily on the poles. Just make sure they don't come loose (don't want a knife in your eye) or aren't too valuable (don't want to slam your camera on the ground or drop it in a river).
Add French fried onions to.... anything? they are like 180cal/oz, salty and taste good. Plus the crunch is a nice change from usually mushy trail food.
I eat them on just about everything. Love them on my burgers and top ramen. Don't get the French's though, go with the Walmart or Winco brand, much better tasting.
Delicious despite having no onions just crunchy fat, which is okay.
I always keep the tube in the toilet paper. It's a handy place to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer. After doing your business just flip the cap and squeeze the roll.
Also with toilet paper. Any ziplocks that contain electronics like a camera, phone, or whatnot. On wet days I drop a few squares of toilet paper in the bag with the electronic. That way if I shoot a pic while hiking and drop the camera back into the zippy any excess drops of water are absorbed by the tp.
Aaron Bennett filthy hobo
Yes: hand sanitizer tucked into the roll. I do the same. Easier than soap & water.
Just discovered your channel recently... LOVE YOUR VIDS!!!! I appreciate you being very knowledgeable and patient in the way you deliver your information. I was curious do you use or have you used Wysi Wiped in lieu of shit tickets?? What is your impression of them if you have used the product?
I don't understand the po box bounce. Can you do a video on that? Thanks!
I would like thoughts from everybody on this. I am new to long distance hiking and am in the very early stages of planning my first thru hike of the AT. One of the things I'm wondering about is hiking boots. I have very flat feet so I always have a hard time finding boots that are comfortable. And yes I need the extra support of the boots rather than the shoes. I also wear the special inserts. I am a little concerned about my boots wearing out and not being able to find something comfortable along the trail. I was considering buying several pair of boots, and inserts, before I leave and asking a family member to ship them. I would call/text them a couple of weeks before I needed them and tell them where to ship to. Hopefully that will also save $$$ as boots along the trail might cost more.
I also had a question about hiking boots vs backpacking boots. I have looked a little at both. And the backpacking boots seem to be much more expensive. Is it worth the extra money? Would they actually last much longer on a thru hike rather than just regular hiking boots?
Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
sawyer mini backflushing: cut the tip of your bulky sawyer syringe to the size of a bottle top. drill a hole into a bottletop and glue syringe tip into the bottle top. now you can back flush with your regular disposable water bottle.
Great idea about the daily food bags. I can totally see me grazing through too much once hiker hunger hits.
Darwin: Instead of a book of maps, or trying to use a smartphone app... what do you think about a tablet like the iPad mini 4? Even with a recharge battery, you would save weight and increase your resource material 1000x.
It weighs only 10 ozs, you can bring all of Half Mile's maps + The Water Resource + a ton of other trail resources (plants, animals, geology, etc). You can log all your miles and do a daily diary. You can also bring books to read or even movies if that's your preference... you can bring NightSky to interpret the heavens on those amazing nights under the stars. If you are a musician (I am), bring a small instrument and you have all of your song charts with you. You have a quality music-listening platform with earphones + quality still & video cameras... plus about a boatload full of other information it would be nice to have on the trail.
TMI, I know, but...I kept track of how often I went on the trail, and it's pretty consistent; once every morning. So about once a day. Then I kept track of how many wipes it usually takes me; roughly 4 sheets (fold method to use the same sheet). I then multiply the number of days I plan to be on the trail (add 2 days or so to be safe) by the number of sheets (5 sheets to be safe) and that will give me the total number of TP sheets I need. I know a whole role isn't a lot of weight, but I do save space in my pack as well. Hasn't failed me yet....and now because I made this comment, I'm going to get the runs and will regret all of this.
Hey Darwin, I'm just curious if you have ever done some fishing while you're out on the trail. If so, I would like to see if you had any specific recommendations for an ultralight fishing rod. Please get back to me. Blessings to you on the trail!
I’ve heard before that you can just bring some fishing line and a hook. Then you can just find a stick and tie it to the end and dig up some worms with your trowel for bait. Not perfect, but nothing UL is 😝
What camera was used on this video. I like the quality
A small tube of super glue can be very handy for repairs.
Genius moves, Darwin. As always!
Hi Darwin! Another thing that you can do with the almighty ass pad is to use it to complete a 3/4 length sleeping pad and shave weight.
TP-tip was great, never thought of that. Thanks!
TP Coins/ pills. Small individually wrapped and expand into nice small towels. You get them wet to expand them and they clean you up much better and are much much lighter than toilet paper and not near as bulky.
I never thought to stay at the Holiday Inn and then carry some cheeseburgers from the store. Great ideas. Thanks
Dude, I was at REI the other day and grabbed the thermarest z pad walked around the store and grabbed a couple of more things. I sat all my stuff down because the guy that works there said he could fit my pack to my spine length, went out to the truck and grabbed it. Came back in, checked out, woke up in the morning and realized I left my ass pad!!!!!
Do you have a sticker on your support web site? Did not find one.
What shirt are you wearing in this video?
I never split a small hotel room with 11 other people in South Padre before but if I did I would only have like two people at the front desk with checking in.
Another way to carry duct tape. Take one empty toilet paper roll and wrap with duct tape. Two wraps work. Then shove a towel or small piece of clothing into the roll that will compress that you normally carry in your pack. Takes about the same space as the clothing. Or maybe stuff your first aid stuff inside the roll. Just another thought.
You should come to Australia and walk some of our long trails like the larapintacand the great ocean road trail there are you
Tube videos on them buy auswalk
for lightweight budget gear u should check out (review for us)the ust tube tarp 1.0. it's 30$ and worked out really well for me the couple times I've used it so far.