Tip # 1: Don't STEP on your tarp, especially with shoes on with rocks and debris underneath it. Maybe not the first time, but eventually you're going to poke micro holes in the tarp and cause it to drip when raining and shorten the life of the tarp. As for bags to organize, for the price , durability, ease of use and for water proofing use the clear large heavy duty ziplock freezer bags. Clear bags make it easier to see what's inside in a low light situation.
No bigger than that tarp he could of easily done that folding method without stepping on it , but probably negates some of the time saved. I drive a Jeep and walk on a cheap medium duty tarp for 3 months or so every winter in my garage. I get the cheapest 20x30 and they typically last 3 years, before holes develop. If a quality tarp is purchased I’d imagine one could pay attention to where it’s laying, and and with cat like ninja style / gently walk on and the tarp would last for years of overnighting. Or not, then it sucks for you until you get back to civilization.
Except for treks I know are water-heavy, like kayaking or know of a major river crossing, I switched to using a contractor bag as the liner instead and only have a very small dry bag for the absolute essentials like food. It's lighter weight, still very heavy duty, bigger so you can use as a makeshift shelter or poncho, and you can collect your trash on the last day (or even at home) & toss it when you get home. I still like my dry bags, but they don't see as much use for actual backpacking anymore. Edit: for wet/muddy clothes, contractor will tend to work better because of the need to clean your bag afterwards and one of the reasons I keep a couple in my trunk box.
I think contractors bag are better. Don’t need to clean them after and you can actually finish them off as bin bags when you’re home. Cleaning up the expensive dry bag on top of everything else will be annoying
Regarding the dry bag: you can dig a temporary hole near your camp if you are near but not too close to a water source. turn the dry bag inside out and use it to carry water back to camp. Slide the bag down into the hole, and you essentially have a temporary well to use for washing or to store water for boiling in a pot. When you're ready to pack up, pour the remaining water on the fire, turn the bag outside in, and refill the hole you dug.
The best part of this video is that is not poking fun at others, making someone look or feel stupid. It is just tips and tricks in the simplest way. Great video! This is what sets you apart from all the rest. This is why I only recommend your channel.
I’ve found that folding equipment like tarps and sleeping bags over time will create lines of wear on the creases, especially with tarps; and cause the fill of a sleeping bag to gradually thin out in the repeatedly folded areas. Just stuff them in the bag (or stuff sack) and that way no areas are subjected to that because of the randomness rather than folds/creases.
Tarp tip was worth the the price of admission. I always keep a complete set of dry clothes and comfortable shoes waiting inside my vehicle. A small ice chest with a few cold drinks and fresh fruit can be very refreshing after your hike.
Great if your tarp is dry. Mine's usually wet from dew and I don't want all the ground dirt on it turning to mud because I laid it down to fold. Hard enough to dry it off.
I'm using an ultralight tarp and I've been told to stuff it instead of folding it because always fold your tarp the same way will stress out the fabric and waterproof coating.
Great video and tips. A couple of additional thoughts: For the sleeping bag, roll down the stuff sack before you start stuffing. The "smaller" bag will allow you to stuff the beginning tighter. It's also a mental trick to fill up the bottom. That was you don't wind up with too much sleeping bag left when you get to the top of the stuff sack. This is especially true of the stuff sack is undersized for the bag. If you're car pooling and you're driving, Bring a dry bag or contractor's trash bag for each person. If it's just a day hike, bring a grocery bag for each person. To put their muddy boots in. Bring a old, big towel for every one to sit on. That will keep your seats cleaner. If you have a spare light, turn it on put it away from camp to attract the bugs. Turn on you red light for a few minutes, retrieve the spare light, turn it off and leave the swarm of bugs behind, dazed and confused.
Another tip for organization: replace the zipper pulls with different colors of paracord for easy identification, especially if you use the same style of bags. It also helps direct others if you need them to get something from your pack. You can also do the same thing with the zippers on the pack. I also liked to incorporate different knots/weaves to help find stuff in the dark...
that's why i've switched to different colored pouches/kitbags (red for first aid, green for cooking, blue for admin, black for everything electric power related, and dedicated dry bag for spare clothes) for ease of use :D .
I love that different knots & weaves idea for the dark. I stick a piece of one side of velcro, for the easily identifiable texture, by touching it, to important buttons, like on a flashlight, so I can do the same, and find that switch in the dark.
I too, was thinking about bedsheets. Somewhat reminds me of how I fold my pants using my right hand to pull the crotch gusset then moving other hand to trifold them and put on shelf. 😅 Will keep his mastery of folding to ourselves, so Susie doesn’t have him doing all the laundry.
Cordage as trail blazing near 6:00. Much better to use surveyor tape because if you also pack a Sharpie marker you can write your name, date, time and direction of travel on the tape. It is highly valuable for the search and rescue crew that is trying to find you.
@@bluebellcrushedvelvetsurveyor tape or flagging is a roll of light weight plastic or biodegradable material like 1” thick. Sorta like party streamers. If you are in logging areas you might see trees wrapped in Blue that is commonly used to signify the boundary of a riparian area that a stream is nearby. The rolls are like 150’ long so you just tie a bit to a branch and rip off a section that you’ll see waving in the air and you’ll be able to write on it. You want to basically have at least two visible at any point if you loop back and then you’d be able to follow your exact path back. I carry pink flagging. I’ve never seen forestry companies use it so there hopefully wouldn’t be a clash in any emergency situation. (I just said that blue follows river streams, you don’t want your rescuers taking a leisurely stroll next to a river if you are nowhere near)
I've done 139 nights in the backcountry (Idaho) over the last 4 years and arrived at every one of those tips except the tarp folding one. Awesome, I'll add it to the [growing] collection of knowledge. Always more to learn. Loved the video. Thank you. Stay safe...
Good old keep it simple tips. Took me a minute after seeing the tarpaulin then realized I use that method every time folding rain fly or tarp with the center tie off point. That makes it super easy to find the center. The kit bags are a must. Personally, I use military surplus sandbags. You can pick them up on the surplus market for less than a dollar apiece. If you buy in bulk .25ea. Have others with zippers, but like the sandbags in many cases, because they’re breathable and won’t hold in the moisture. I like to use a dry bag as a liner inside the pack keeping contents dry. Would be cool to see a video on how you heat up para cord to repair hole in tarpaulin. Thanks for the quick tips. Enjoy the outdoors.
Always a great idea to walk all over your tarp, I find you can never have enough holes in them and making a tourniquet out of cordage that’s a real pro tip. The fact that cordage won’t exert sufficient pressure over a large enough area to occlude the artery, will cause nerve and tissue damage is pure genius. Bravo!
Good tips. The tarp fold is 10/10. I don’t use my stuff sack for my sleeping bag and dry bags are great but kind of expensive and add unnecessary weight ( same goes for packaging). I organize my gear by frequency of usage. Everything I use has a home. Rather than grouping “like items” together, I separate them by how *often* I use it. Works for me.
Thank you for being kind in your words of knowledge. True sign of a teacher is the ability to pass on skills and knowledge without fear as a tool. Good video.
Great tips! Love the folding and dry bag tips particularly. Hadn't ever thought of those. I organize with kit bags as you do and it's a lifesaver. I have one 'master' kit bag that has others inside it. It goes in whichever pack I'm using, be it day hike, backpack, whatever. I know exactly what's in that master kit (bathroom kit, first aid, water filtration, cordage, and fire). Since it goes from pack to pack I'm never without a critical piece of gear. It looks like an oversized shaving kit with a handle on one end and a center zip down the length. Looking forward to your next videos!
That's a pretty cool trick with folding the tarp. I've always just crammed it back into the stuff sack, but your way look a lot less frustrating and quicker.
I carry a mesh bag for dirty clothes. They fester and stink inside a dry bag. They air and dry in a mesh bag. If weather is inclement, hang the bag under your tarp. Best is in the sunshine. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
Crazy. I just folded my monster 10 ' x 20' tarp, first try, using your tip, by myself !!! Thank You Luke !!! Again. Family camp next week, 5 people, 2 dogs. 10 person Wenzel Pinyon tent. Was going to leave tarp bunched up in corner of garage, then saw this, said "ok maybe I'll try Luke's pro tip". Awesome. folded n rolled up nice n compact. Now back to your Bee attack vid. Nice.
Target, Wallmart, Amazon.. Hard zip able pencil cases. I have different color ones for different things. I have a blue one with water stuff, a black one with batteries, pens patch kiits, and such. A pink one for all my health stuff, another full of fire starter stuff. Same idea as on the video just a different container. Good stuff!
4:30, I like a lot of pockets. YES, I often have to hunt for items because my memory sucks, but I do stuff each one by functionality and I do use bags for organizing and protection from rain.
For discussion, I'm not criticising. Sorry if things were mentioned but missed: Tarp folding is said to be and believably so, reduces the longevity of the tarp with folds wearing those same areas as opposed to stuffing. Organising it and with speed is still an issue though, so I use a tarp sleeve: a double ended sort of condom which acts sevenfold: it allows for uniform packing, easier to find corners; it doesn't flap around nearly as much, easier still to find and handle; keeps it so air can escape; I personally keep it folded in half loosely to follow the rucksacks size and attached externally by weak bungee cords. Cylindrical ATM, doesn't work-I'll change to the two holed kinda round sinches. Having so many pockets can be good for easy access but ibfind one main pocket best, with fairly loose little bags denoting: sleep kit, spare food (I should have used more freezer bags to denote the daily amount, negating occasional stock checks and easier to get one for what I've decided will go into a hip bag around my front), cookware self contained and loose, with often wet items like bivvy and ground mat loose too. The reason why I've found loose bags good is because when the air is evacuated (easier with the likes of xped pump bag), it's malleable with the room but no air within, to move, conforming tonthe neighbouring items far better than rigid packs. I may fold the ground sheet your way, certainly I'll give it a try. The more pockets, the more to remember: badges would help, I imagine. But what are external pockets for? My standard side stretchy pockets hold: my pegs, guys hanging loosely unfortunately, a mini tripod, sit mat and wind break-first items which go from pocket or simular to the bag side again quickly and they also conform to the bags side better as rigid elongated things I've also been experimenting making any rucksack I own use a sort of compression lid atop, for the first things like food and sleepware. I need a bigger compression sack lid haha. Still experimenting, looks promising but could be avoided. My fire stuff is in an internal pocket at the top front, comprising of my emergency stuff (pills, matches, valentine impregnated cotton balls and basic sewing kit). I want a small compact wood stove, it'll likely go with the big four panel concertina windbreak. Alpkits wood stove looks cute but does seem heavy at about 300+ grams; my steel cylindrical woodgas stove is the same, just not compact. I hope to find or design an integrated wood, bu/Pro gas stove, shield insulating the cup also, and with packing/use efficiency. Good call on ballooning, I do it when I'm not focused on occasion haha. I'm thinking of a way now to pack the sleeping bag, liner and booties in the bivvy bag, perhaps mounted externally and rolled into a swag, mounted below with a horizontal compression bag-rugged but appropriately light and water resistance to allow for drying if possible in that position. My concern: it requires modding my bag which is an arse with opening seams and such, I'm also unsure how rigid it would be on my sack, whether it'll swing or something. Four clips would make it easy though I think
Another awesome video Luke. I knew most of these tips from about 45 years of camping and hiking, but that tarp folding method was amazing. Definitely going to do that from now on.
Having pre cut cordage is also on my must have on me and having it properly “hanked” is a must have. As well as the basic speed knots Would be cool to see you do a how to pack your pack as well many don’t know.
1. Never fold in half. Fold in thirds so you have less exposed edges! 3. So, I have 12 pouches on the outside of my gear, and you have 12 bags on the inside of you backpack. I can get to things buy opening one thing and even move it to any other piece of my gear through the Myles webbing. You should always have a load-out sheet that shows you and others were your things are in your gear. Top of the list should show were your emergency and first-aid equipment are located in said gear. 4. Add some zip ties as well. I carry a dozen 4'', 6'' ones, I find that they work great around camp and in emergency. Thanks Luke! You trail walker. Just playing with you brother!!!
Some cool tips.. I use the contractor bags for my dry bag as they are heavy mil and large in size. I carry two. One for a dry bag and the other I split down the sides and unfold and use as my tent foot print. Its wide enough for my 1 man tent and also about 20" longer so it will act as a clean mat at the entrance to my tent.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the pro-tips, Luke. Im a rank amateur but love to learn. Something as simple as struggling with the sleeping bags could have taken me years of grinding my teeth and crying in frustration which is not ideal after a nice relaxing day or two in nature. So those of us in rookie league salute you😊 Love the channel too!
We took your kit bag ideas already when we first saw you using them. These are extremely useful when taking our young grandkids on a weekend camping / fishing trips! I had tried using small clear bins ..take up alot of space ! And wear out fairly quick. But once we saw your.kit bags it was an ahh ha moment. Ty both for sharing it!! You and Susie are awesome!!!
Wow! All of these are going to help my family a ton on future trips. The tarp trip looked like magic - will try that today. I never knew the deal about red light & bugs. I'm excited to try that. Will use these to impress my Boy Scout son
The tarp trick was awesome. I have both types of bags. One with many pockets, and my maine bag, a 75L army surplus Fox Tactical bag with only 4 pockets, two big ones on the side, main compartment and one on top, like this one in the video. Everything is almost in one place, knowing where everything is. Simple packing I believe is huge. Happy trails.
That tarp thing, I actually also learned it from how the Japanese fold a shirt, its a similar way. The idea of the red light and bug attraction thing and the giant bag for wet gear was something I never even thought of. Thank you.
Honestly these are the best types of tips for beginners. Something extremely simple and easy to buy or improvise, but makes a world of difference in ways that can generally only be learnt through mistakes.
Thanks Luke. So many things that we make difficult and continue to do because, that's how we learned or always did it. There is always room for improvement and continued learning. Stay safe and God bless.
Budget tip: I don't use specialized kit bags, I just use plastic grocery bags with varying colors so I can find what I need with just one look at my stuff. I don't mean those thin half transparent plastic bags, but thicker opaque bags. Cheap as hell, fully rainproof, lightweight, compact, available in most places and recyclable.
Luke: Your folding tarp technique is perfect to fold folded bedsheets. As you know, conventional folding can be a hassle when dealing with the sewn corners. Tia!
This is by far the best tips and tricks no fluff video - I just did my first solo camp and learned some of these things the hard way. Wish I had caught this video before but learning the hard way through experience is also part of why i love camping.
The tarp tip is spot on. Thank you so much. I will try in today with the cheap tarp I will have to fold :) This is pure quality advise and one of the most important I watched on your channel. For entertainment you can always sit in the rain under the tarp :)
The 'wet & dirty' bag is great for travelling in general or even to keep in your car. Dirty bits and pieces just get dumped in and isolated from everything else
Great tips, Luke. Love THIS type of content from you. Never knew the tarp fold trick. Will definitely be using that one. You're an encyclopedia of camping tricks. Cant wait for the next episode in this series. Thank you.
I liked these tips, and am going to make use of them…. Except the sleeping bag one. I work at an outdoor store (disclaimer: these are my own personal opinions and not those of the company I work for), so I’ve repackaged many, many sleeping bags, and speed in getting it done is important. I always start hood first (except when price tags force me to go hood last ☹️), as many included stuff bags make it incredibly difficult to get the hood in last due to their size, due to smallest viable stuff sack vs ballooning hood. Ballooning in the foot box has never been much of an issue, except slightly with fully waterproof sleeping bags. Bonus is that the hood in the bottom means dirt and stuff is less likely to work it’s way into the bag. Ballooning getting in your way? Open the foot box zipper or squish the air out first by giving it a quick roll, that said I rarely do as just stuffing it will force the air out of the foot box as most bags are breathable. If you replace the included stuff sack, this usually becomes less difficult as the stuff sack most people buy is generally larger than the stock one, allowing either end to go in first just fine.
A good tip for hanging food in bear areas. Have a carabiner, some arborist line (or anything strong but slick) that is 3 - 4 times the height you expect to hang your food and a tough but slick pouch big enough to hold a handful of gravel (we just took a piece of tyvek about 4" by 10" and folded it almost in half and super glued the sides, then melted a hole in the top end for the line to go through. You now have a super light but really functional food hanging system. You fill the bag with gravel, small rock, dirt, whatever and throw it over your branch and pull it down. Replace the bag with your biner and pull the free end of your line through the biner. Now, while holding that free end, pull the biner up to the branch. You can tie off the biner end if you want or hold it for now. Whatever works for you. You can now attach your food to the free end of the line. Pull the bag up and tie off. The line slips the the biner way easier than over a branch. We have pulled up 4 peoples food and smellies (I'm guessing 30 lbs min) with no problem.
I was searching for tips to set up tarps as awnings and found Ethan Horizon. He showed a tip on how to fold a tarp and credited you. So, I found you. I watched part of your hike on Mauna Kea because it said you were hiking the highest mountain in the world and it wasn't Everest and I was curious. I was in a hurry so I skipped to the end and saw familiar buildings and recognized it was Mauna Kea. My brother-in-law, my son and I hiked it years ago. I really sucked wind on that hike. Sea level in the morning and over 14,000 feet a few hours later. So, now I have subscribed and saw your video on folding a tarp. Super clean and easy. Then I watched this video. Great tips here, too. I am so glad I was looking for tips on setting up an awning and finding TheOutdoorGearReview. I look forward to viewing more of your videos. Thank you.
I would recommend NOT stepping on your tarp. Hidden rocks, thorns, debris on your shoes or under the tarp are likely to puncture the tarp, leaving it with a leak. Just a suggestion for those who want to stay dry.
I put a heavy duty plastic sheeting under my tarp. But I drive to my campsite so it's not an issue. I just don't like dealing with wet anything if I can help it.
@@neelsnprayerthat’s true! But the tarp someone puts under a tent is 8 dollars. Canopy or hammock tarps are 100+ dollars. Don’t want to step on them. Hope this helps
That tarp tip was an eye opener. Thx! The red light thing is true. I use the Petzl Tactica and the red light is a must have. As an addition to cordage, I always have some meters of duct tape with me. For repairs and first aid.
I really like that tarp folding trick! I'll have to try it next time I'm using the tarp. I use very large plastic re-usable shopping bags for my wet items. I've been doing that since I started kayaking. They stuff in anywhere in my small car easily and I get them at Marshalls, TJ Maxx or Sierra for $0.99
Very excited about this video. In the summer of 2024 I am going off the grid outside the reach of cell phones in the boundary waters near the US/Canada boarder. Each day will involve trekking with boats or canoes. I need all the gear tips and reviews I can get to better enjoy the experience. Have been putting together a tailored wish list of gear based off your research. Just waiting on the extra funds to grow.
Every time I break camp and need to fold my tarp, the wind picks up. Honestly, I think Murphy has it out for me! The tarp trick will be a lifesaver. Can't wait to try it out!
Learnt some neat stuff here 👌 On the subject of red light, if I'm not mistaken it also does not interfere with nightvision so you coud walk around camp looking for something at night and not be blind for 2 minutes when you turn off the light
Cordage as a tourniquet (TQ) near 6:00 is very dangerous to the skin under the TQ causing mortification of the skin. In the highly improbable circumstances in which application of a TQ is indicated (spurting bleeding from arms or legs) use a purpose-specific TQ (eg: broad, flexible webbing that includes a device for tightening and locking).
But did you know this folks? Bugs (the biting kind) find you primarily due to the carbon dioxide (CO2) in your breath, to which they are extremely sensitive. It's not primarily because of light, although light can attract them to some extent. Their sense of "smell" for CO2 is much more effective. So, if you're thinking of buying a headlamp solely to repel bugs, you might save yourself some money :)
Every one of these tips was new to me. As someone who has never camped but is educating myself to get ready for my first experience very soon, hopefully. Kinda nervous I’m going to forget something or buy the wrong gear.
Shake out your tarps / gear before you put them in your truck. I packed up camp in the rain in a hurry, threw the tarp I had as a footprint in the suv and brought a mouse home with me.
Pro tip: if your windows are extremely fogged up, turn on your air conditioner, and the heat at the same time. The air conditioner will dehumidify the air, and the heat dries things faster. Hot, dry air is the key.
That explains why my family turns on the car AC as well as the heaters when the windows are foggy and we need them cleared ASAP! My dad first discovered the combo and I use it all the time now but I never understood why …
Oh the windows fog because of condensation, so what you're doing is you're drying out the air using the AC and then you're warming up the surface of the glass with the heater so that it doesn't fog
Tip # 1: Don't STEP on your tarp, especially with shoes on with rocks and debris underneath it. Maybe not the first time, but eventually you're going to poke micro holes in the tarp and cause it to drip when raining and shorten the life of the tarp. As for bags to organize, for the price , durability, ease of use and for water proofing use the clear large heavy duty ziplock freezer bags. Clear bags make it easier to see what's inside in a low light situation.
No.way im standimg pn my tarp or folding it on the same lines repeatedly
No bigger than that tarp he could of easily done that folding method without stepping on it , but probably negates some of the time saved.
I drive a Jeep and walk on a cheap medium duty tarp for 3 months or so every winter in my garage. I get the cheapest 20x30 and they typically last 3 years, before holes develop.
If a quality tarp is purchased I’d imagine one could pay attention to where it’s laying, and and with cat like ninja style / gently walk on and the tarp would last for years of overnighting. Or not, then it sucks for you until you get back to civilization.
My first thought exactly. My tarp/bivvy bag goes in a stuff sack and I keep paracord and bungees connected to it when stored.
Right on. This guy is an idiot who thinks he knows better, but the truth is otherwise. Good call Rob!
I'm walking on it when it's in use anyways so walking on it like this won't do any extra damage..
... one add-on to your last tip: Dump the dry bag AS SOON AS you get home and air everything out.
Even after airing them mostly dry on the trail!
Oh abso-flippin-lutely
Except for treks I know are water-heavy, like kayaking or know of a major river crossing, I switched to using a contractor bag as the liner instead and only have a very small dry bag for the absolute essentials like food. It's lighter weight, still very heavy duty, bigger so you can use as a makeshift shelter or poncho, and you can collect your trash on the last day (or even at home) & toss it when you get home. I still like my dry bags, but they don't see as much use for actual backpacking anymore. Edit: for wet/muddy clothes, contractor will tend to work better because of the need to clean your bag afterwards and one of the reasons I keep a couple in my trunk box.
I think contractors bag are better. Don’t need to clean them after and you can actually finish them off as bin bags when you’re home. Cleaning up the expensive dry bag on top of everything else will be annoying
I carry contractor bags in the field all the time. I line my backpack with them also as a doormat muddy days
Never saw the tarp trick before-but just used it to fold bedsheets. Brilliant!
that's next level thinking omg I need to try that (hate folding sheets)
Regarding the dry bag: you can dig a temporary hole near your camp if you are near but not too close to a water source. turn the dry bag inside out and use it to carry water back to camp. Slide the bag down into the hole, and you essentially have a temporary well to use for washing or to store water for boiling in a pot. When you're ready to pack up, pour the remaining water on the fire, turn the bag outside in, and refill the hole you dug.
😂 useless tip
@hostilesavage4299 how is that useless 😂 its literally useful by definition unless you don't have a dry bag
This is brilliant, thanks!
The best part of this video is that is not poking fun at others, making someone look or feel stupid. It is just tips and tricks in the simplest way. Great video! This is what sets you apart from all the rest. This is why I only recommend your channel.
You just like him calling you "my friend."
I’ve found that folding equipment like tarps and sleeping bags over time will create lines of wear on the creases, especially with tarps; and cause the fill of a sleeping bag to gradually thin out in the repeatedly folded areas.
Just stuff them in the bag (or stuff sack) and that way no areas are subjected to that because of the randomness rather than folds/creases.
This
Tarp tip was worth the the price of admission.
I always keep a complete set of dry clothes and comfortable shoes waiting inside my vehicle. A small ice chest with a few cold drinks and fresh fruit can be very refreshing after your hike.
Have used a tarp for years and never even thought of your way of folding it up. That is a great way to do it. Thanks for that tip!
Great if your tarp is dry. Mine's usually wet from dew and I don't want all the ground dirt on it turning to mud because I laid it down to fold. Hard enough to dry it off.
Crap never fold in half. Fold in 1/3 so you get less edges.
I don't know, personally I would never walk across any of my tarps and risk poking a stick or rock through it.
I'm using an ultralight tarp and I've been told to stuff it instead of folding it because always fold your tarp the same way will stress out the fabric and waterproof coating.
A wise man would mark the “Center” with a red sharpie. Make it quicker and cleaner.
Great video and tips. A couple of additional thoughts:
For the sleeping bag, roll down the stuff sack before you start stuffing. The "smaller" bag will allow you to stuff the beginning tighter. It's also a mental trick to fill up the bottom. That was you don't wind up with too much sleeping bag left when you get to the top of the stuff sack. This is especially true of the stuff sack is undersized for the bag.
If you're car pooling and you're driving,
Bring a dry bag or contractor's trash bag for each person.
If it's just a day hike, bring a grocery bag for each person. To put their muddy boots in.
Bring a old, big towel for every one to sit on. That will keep your seats cleaner.
If you have a spare light, turn it on put it away from camp to attract the bugs. Turn on you red light for a few minutes, retrieve the spare light, turn it off and leave the swarm of bugs behind, dazed and confused.
Also, using a red light, your eyes adjust faster from it to darkness vs using a white light.
So true
Yep. Also find when you use the red light and look up at your friend they're not blinded.
For those tactical times
Green
@@skintback8211 red
I am an old camper[ 70], and you just taught an old dog some new tricks, so thank you Luke, much appreciated.
I love pockets- the trick staying with the same bag and being consistent.. All that is easier than having to dig into the main bag...
Another tip for organization: replace the zipper pulls with different colors of paracord for easy identification, especially if you use the same style of bags. It also helps direct others if you need them to get something from your pack. You can also do the same thing with the zippers on the pack. I also liked to incorporate different knots/weaves to help find stuff in the dark...
that's why i've switched to different colored pouches/kitbags (red for first aid, green for cooking, blue for admin, black for everything electric power related, and dedicated dry bag for spare clothes) for ease of use :D .
@@ApocGuydifferent colored bags for sure. I also like to use mesh bags, you can see what's in the bag without opening it.
I love that different knots & weaves idea for the dark. I stick a piece of one side of velcro, for the easily identifiable texture, by touching it, to important buttons, like on a flashlight, so I can do the same, and find that switch in the dark.
You sir, are a genius!
Yup, I do that for all my bags. Makes a big difference in organizing and makes it easier to unzip compartments.
That folding hack was mind blowing! Great for my bed sheets!
I too, was thinking about bedsheets. Somewhat reminds me of how I fold my pants using my right hand to pull the crotch gusset then moving other hand to trifold them and put on shelf. 😅 Will keep his mastery of folding to ourselves, so Susie doesn’t have him doing all the laundry.
Cordage as trail blazing near 6:00. Much better to use surveyor tape because if you also pack a Sharpie marker you can write your name, date, time and direction of travel on the tape. It is highly valuable for the search and rescue crew that is trying to find you.
Great lifesaving tip about marking the trail with info on the tape, have never heard that before. Excellent idea! ☮️❤️😎
Two different colors too to designate direction of travel.
Ok cool!! But what us a surveyor tape???
@@bluebellcrushedvelvetsurveyor tape or flagging is a roll of light weight plastic or biodegradable material like 1” thick. Sorta like party streamers.
If you are in logging areas you might see trees wrapped in Blue that is commonly used to signify the boundary of a riparian area that a stream is nearby.
The rolls are like 150’ long so you just tie a bit to a branch and rip off a section that you’ll see waving in the air and you’ll be able to write on it.
You want to basically have at least two visible at any point if you loop back and then you’d be able to follow your exact path back.
I carry pink flagging. I’ve never seen forestry companies use it so there hopefully wouldn’t be a clash in any emergency situation. (I just said that blue follows river streams, you don’t want your rescuers taking a leisurely stroll next to a river if you are nowhere near)
@@bluebellcrushedvelvetit’s the bright colored tape that you see tied around on construction sites or sometimes on a trail.
Such an gentleman…. Just love to hear you speak..sound like a professional. Blessings to you and Susie
I've done 139 nights in the backcountry (Idaho) over the last 4 years and arrived at every one of those tips except the tarp folding one. Awesome, I'll add it to the [growing] collection of knowledge. Always more to learn. Loved the video. Thank you. Stay safe...
What is your sleeping pad and sleeping bag?
Very helpful. Thanks. The tarp folding method also comes in handy on laundry day when I'm folding sheets! 😊
Good old keep it simple tips. Took me a minute after seeing the tarpaulin then realized I use that method every time folding rain fly or tarp with the center tie off point. That makes it super easy to find the center. The kit bags are a must. Personally, I use military surplus sandbags. You can pick them up on the surplus market for less than a dollar apiece. If you buy in bulk .25ea. Have others with zippers, but like the sandbags in many cases, because they’re breathable and won’t hold in the moisture. I like to use a dry bag as a liner inside the pack keeping contents dry.
Would be cool to see a video on how you heat up para cord to repair hole in tarpaulin. Thanks for the quick tips. Enjoy the outdoors.
Always a great idea to walk all over your tarp, I find you can never have enough holes in them and making a tourniquet out of cordage that’s a real pro tip. The fact that cordage won’t exert sufficient pressure over a large enough area to occlude the artery, will cause nerve and tissue damage is pure genius. Bravo!
That tarp folding was MAGIC!!!! And all those tips were genius!
Good tips. The tarp fold is 10/10.
I don’t use my stuff sack for my sleeping bag and dry bags are great but kind of expensive and add unnecessary weight ( same goes for packaging). I organize my gear by frequency of usage. Everything I use has a home. Rather than grouping “like items” together, I separate them by how *often* I use it. Works for me.
Thank you for being kind in your words of knowledge. True sign of a teacher is the ability to pass on skills and knowledge without fear as a tool. Good video.
Great tips! Love the folding and dry bag tips particularly. Hadn't ever thought of those. I organize with kit bags as you do and it's a lifesaver. I have one 'master' kit bag that has others inside it. It goes in whichever pack I'm using, be it day hike, backpack, whatever. I know exactly what's in that master kit (bathroom kit, first aid, water filtration, cordage, and fire). Since it goes from pack to pack I'm never without a critical piece of gear. It looks like an oversized shaving kit with a handle on one end and a center zip down the length. Looking forward to your next videos!
I actually tried the folding the tarp trick. Worked great, thank. Old dogs can learn new tricks.
That tarp folding trick reminds me of a t-shirt folding trick I've seen!
Awesome
That's a pretty cool trick with folding the tarp. I've always just crammed it back into the stuff sack, but your way look a lot less frustrating and quicker.
I carry a mesh bag for dirty clothes. They fester and stink inside a dry bag. They air and dry in a mesh bag. If weather is inclement, hang the bag under your tarp. Best is in the sunshine.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
I keep mine in a plastic bag, socks in a separate plastic bag. When I get home they come out and get cleaned.
Crazy. I just folded my monster 10 ' x 20' tarp, first try, using your tip, by myself !!! Thank You Luke !!! Again. Family camp next week, 5 people, 2 dogs. 10 person Wenzel Pinyon tent. Was going to leave tarp bunched up in corner of garage, then saw this, said "ok maybe I'll try Luke's pro tip". Awesome. folded n rolled up nice n compact. Now back to your Bee attack vid. Nice.
Pro survival tip: Always make sure the hotel has parking space and a wine card.
Target, Wallmart, Amazon.. Hard zip able pencil cases. I have different color ones for different things. I have a blue one with water stuff, a black one with batteries, pens patch kiits, and such. A pink one for all my health stuff, another full of fire starter stuff. Same idea as on the video just a different container. Good stuff!
There actually American made ones also just not any of the places you mentioned
@@jeffccr3620 I’d be interested in some of the American made ones. Can you tell me some of those that worked for you? Thanks.
@@scottdavenport4901 Try SOE or the guy that makes Nutsacks edc bags
Tons of guys making gear now gear that will be handed down for generations
Oh and both I mentioned have a lifetime warranty 👍
@@scottdavenport4901perhaps consider the magpul daka pouches. They come in a variety of sizes and colors. I've found mine to be adequate for my uses.
4:30, I like a lot of pockets. YES, I often have to hunt for items because my memory sucks, but I do stuff each one by functionality and I do use bags for organizing and protection from rain.
For discussion, I'm not criticising. Sorry if things were mentioned but missed:
Tarp folding is said to be and believably so, reduces the longevity of the tarp with folds wearing those same areas as opposed to stuffing. Organising it and with speed is still an issue though, so I use a tarp sleeve: a double ended sort of condom which acts sevenfold: it allows for uniform packing, easier to find corners; it doesn't flap around nearly as much, easier still to find and handle; keeps it so air can escape; I personally keep it folded in half loosely to follow the rucksacks size and attached externally by weak bungee cords. Cylindrical ATM, doesn't work-I'll change to the two holed kinda round sinches.
Having so many pockets can be good for easy access but ibfind one main pocket best, with fairly loose little bags denoting: sleep kit, spare food (I should have used more freezer bags to denote the daily amount, negating occasional stock checks and easier to get one for what I've decided will go into a hip bag around my front), cookware self contained and loose, with often wet items like bivvy and ground mat loose too. The reason why I've found loose bags good is because when the air is evacuated (easier with the likes of xped pump bag), it's malleable with the room but no air within, to move, conforming tonthe neighbouring items far better than rigid packs. I may fold the ground sheet your way, certainly I'll give it a try. The more pockets, the more to remember: badges would help, I imagine. But what are external pockets for? My standard side stretchy pockets hold: my pegs, guys hanging loosely unfortunately, a mini tripod, sit mat and wind break-first items which go from pocket or simular to the bag side again quickly and they also conform to the bags side better as rigid elongated things
I've also been experimenting making any rucksack I own use a sort of compression lid atop, for the first things like food and sleepware. I need a bigger compression sack lid haha. Still experimenting, looks promising but could be avoided. My fire stuff is in an internal pocket at the top front, comprising of my emergency stuff (pills, matches, valentine impregnated cotton balls and basic sewing kit). I want a small compact wood stove, it'll likely go with the big four panel concertina windbreak. Alpkits wood stove looks cute but does seem heavy at about 300+ grams; my steel cylindrical woodgas stove is the same, just not compact. I hope to find or design an integrated wood, bu/Pro gas stove, shield insulating the cup also, and with packing/use efficiency.
Good call on ballooning, I do it when I'm not focused on occasion haha. I'm thinking of a way now to pack the sleeping bag, liner and booties in the bivvy bag, perhaps mounted externally and rolled into a swag, mounted below with a horizontal compression bag-rugged but appropriately light and water resistance to allow for drying if possible in that position. My concern: it requires modding my bag which is an arse with opening seams and such, I'm also unsure how rigid it would be on my sack, whether it'll swing or something. Four clips would make it easy though I think
Another awesome video Luke. I knew most of these tips from about 45 years of camping and hiking, but that tarp folding method was amazing. Definitely going to do that from now on.
The tarp folding tip is awesome. Being OCD I will mark my center edges and an X in the center wiht a red sharpie. Good info and a great series.
Love the tarp folding tip!
OMG! That tarp fold tip alone! Life changer!!!!
Having pre cut cordage is also on my must have on me and having it properly “hanked” is a must have. As well as the basic speed knots Would be cool to see you do a how to pack your pack as well many don’t know.
1. Never fold in half. Fold in thirds so you have less exposed edges! 3. So, I have 12 pouches on the outside of my gear, and you have 12 bags on the inside of you backpack. I can get to things buy opening one thing and even move it to any other piece of my gear through the Myles webbing. You should always have a load-out sheet that shows you and others were your things are in your gear. Top of the list should show were your emergency and first-aid equipment are located in said gear. 4. Add some zip ties as well. I carry a dozen 4'', 6'' ones, I find that they work great around camp and in emergency.
Thanks Luke! You trail walker. Just playing with you brother!!!
I've been using the tarp folding tip for months now - it's a life-changer for speed-packing everything up quickly. Thanks!
OMG. Tarp fold was so cool!
And would work on sheets and towels too... Yeah, laundry at home... Still gotta do it 🙄😏🙏
Some cool tips.. I use the contractor bags for my dry bag as they are heavy mil and large in size. I carry two. One for a dry bag and the other I split down the sides and unfold and use as my tent foot print. Its wide enough for my 1 man tent and also about 20" longer so it will act as a clean mat at the entrance to my tent.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the pro-tips, Luke. Im a rank amateur but love to learn. Something as simple as struggling with the sleeping bags could have taken me years of grinding my teeth and crying in frustration which is not ideal after a nice relaxing day or two in nature. So those of us in rookie league salute you😊 Love the channel too!
We took your kit bag ideas already when we first saw you using them. These are extremely useful when taking our young grandkids on a weekend camping / fishing trips! I had tried using small clear bins ..take up alot of space ! And wear out fairly quick. But once we saw your.kit bags it was an ahh ha moment. Ty both for sharing it!! You and Susie are awesome!!!
The tarp tip is absolutely the best tip I have seen online. Been doing this a long time! Thanks for the tip and passing on the knowledge.
Great video- the tarp folding method is awesome!
Game changing tip for me
Great tip on tarp folding. 👍👍🇺🇸
Wow! All of these are going to help my family a ton on future trips. The tarp trip looked like magic - will try that today. I never knew the deal about red light & bugs. I'm excited to try that. Will use these to impress my Boy Scout son
How to fold the tarp tip was the best one. I was amazed by how simple. Cant wait to test it. Thanks man keep doing what you do 👍
Appreciate the tips. Not sure I'll ever stand on my tarp every time I need to pack it. Seems like an excellent way to poke holes in it
Fold it or push it in by your foot enough to get to the center and do the rest. Hope it makes sense, not sure how to explain it better
The tarp trick was awesome. I have both types of bags. One with many pockets, and my maine bag, a 75L army surplus Fox Tactical bag with only 4 pockets, two big ones on the side, main compartment and one on top, like this one in the video. Everything is almost in one place, knowing where everything is. Simple packing I believe is huge. Happy trails.
That tarp thing, I actually also learned it from how the Japanese fold a shirt, its a similar way. The idea of the red light and bug attraction thing and the giant bag for wet gear was something I never even thought of. Thank you.
Honestly these are the best types of tips for beginners. Something extremely simple and easy to buy or improvise, but makes a world of difference in ways that can generally only be learnt through mistakes.
Thanks Luke. So many things that we make difficult and continue to do because, that's how we learned or always did it. There is always room for improvement and continued learning. Stay safe and God bless.
Budget tip: I don't use specialized kit bags, I just use plastic grocery bags with varying colors so I can find what I need with just one look at my stuff. I don't mean those thin half transparent plastic bags, but thicker opaque bags. Cheap as hell, fully rainproof, lightweight, compact, available in most places and recyclable.
I’ve backpack over 30 years and even have taught backpacking. These tips are absolutely brilliant well done.
I fold alot in my line of work (clothes, towels, tents etc) and you sir, just taught me a new way to fold! cudos!
Luke: Your folding tarp technique is perfect to fold folded bedsheets. As you know, conventional folding can be a hassle when dealing with the sewn corners. Tia!
This is by far the best tips and tricks no fluff video - I just did my first solo camp and learned some of these things the hard way. Wish I had caught this video before but learning the hard way through experience is also part of why i love camping.
great vid as always - red light also helps to not ruin night vision as much, so always useful to have !
The tarp tip is spot on. Thank you so much. I will try in today with the cheap tarp I will have to fold :)
This is pure quality advise and one of the most important I watched on your channel. For entertainment you can always sit in the rain under the tarp :)
I'm still trying to process the tarp folding... that was neat!
The tarp trick is very cool! Going to try that on my next camp trip.
The 'wet & dirty' bag is great for travelling in general or even to keep in your car.
Dirty bits and pieces just get dumped in and isolated from everything else
Great tips, Luke. Love THIS type of content from you. Never knew the tarp fold trick. Will definitely be using that one. You're an encyclopedia of camping tricks. Cant wait for the next episode in this series. Thank you.
Thank you. I am 35 years into remote wilderness hiking. Never seen this the folding tip - or about the redlight bug thingy.
Cheers
I liked these tips, and am going to make use of them…. Except the sleeping bag one. I work at an outdoor store (disclaimer: these are my own personal opinions and not those of the company I work for), so I’ve repackaged many, many sleeping bags, and speed in getting it done is important. I always start hood first (except when price tags force me to go hood last ☹️), as many included stuff bags make it incredibly difficult to get the hood in last due to their size, due to smallest viable stuff sack vs ballooning hood. Ballooning in the foot box has never been much of an issue, except slightly with fully waterproof sleeping bags. Bonus is that the hood in the bottom means dirt and stuff is less likely to work it’s way into the bag.
Ballooning getting in your way? Open the foot box zipper or squish the air out first by giving it a quick roll, that said I rarely do as just stuffing it will force the air out of the foot box as most bags are breathable. If you replace the included stuff sack, this usually becomes less difficult as the stuff sack most people buy is generally larger than the stock one, allowing either end to go in first just fine.
A good tip for hanging food in bear areas.
Have a carabiner, some arborist line (or anything strong but slick) that is 3 - 4 times the height you expect to hang your food and a tough but slick pouch big enough to hold a handful of gravel (we just took a piece of tyvek about 4" by 10" and folded it almost in half and super glued the sides, then melted a hole in the top end for the line to go through. You now have a super light but really functional food hanging system. You fill the bag with gravel, small rock, dirt, whatever and throw it over your branch and pull it down. Replace the bag with your biner and pull the free end of your line through the biner. Now, while holding that free end, pull the biner up to the branch. You can tie off the biner end if you want or hold it for now. Whatever works for you. You can now attach your food to the free end of the line. Pull the bag up and tie off. The line slips the the biner way easier than over a branch. We have pulled up 4 peoples food and smellies (I'm guessing 30 lbs min) with no problem.
Thanks!
Good tips, as usual. I've use the tarp fold tip, but for towels. I never thought of it for tarps...DOH!
I was searching for tips to set up tarps as awnings and found Ethan Horizon. He showed a tip on how to fold a tarp and credited you. So, I found you. I watched part of your hike on Mauna Kea because it said you were hiking the highest mountain in the world and it wasn't Everest and I was curious. I was in a hurry so I skipped to the end and saw familiar buildings and recognized it was Mauna Kea. My brother-in-law, my son and I hiked it years ago. I really sucked wind on that hike. Sea level in the morning and over 14,000 feet a few hours later. So, now I have subscribed and saw your video on folding a tarp. Super clean and easy. Then I watched this video. Great tips here, too. I am so glad I was looking for tips on setting up an awning and finding TheOutdoorGearReview. I look forward to viewing more of your videos. Thank you.
I would recommend NOT stepping on your tarp. Hidden rocks, thorns, debris on your shoes or under the tarp are likely to puncture the tarp, leaving it with a leak. Just a suggestion for those who want to stay dry.
I put a heavy duty plastic sheeting under my tarp. But I drive to my campsite so it's not an issue. I just don't like dealing with wet anything if I can help it.
Aren't we stepping on it under our tents already? That's what my tarp is for, under my tent.
@@neelsnprayerthat’s true! But the tarp someone puts under a tent is 8 dollars. Canopy or hammock tarps are 100+ dollars. Don’t want to step on them. Hope this helps
@@neelsnprayer yes, but I’d rather have a hike in the floor than the ceiling
That tarp tip was an eye opener. Thx! The red light thing is true. I use the Petzl Tactica and the red light is a must have. As an addition to cordage, I always have some meters of duct tape with me. For repairs and first aid.
I really like that tarp folding trick! I'll have to try it next time I'm using the tarp. I use very large plastic re-usable shopping bags for my wet items. I've been doing that since I started kayaking. They stuff in anywhere in my small car easily and I get them at Marshalls, TJ Maxx or Sierra for $0.99
Very excited about this video. In the summer of 2024 I am going off the grid outside the reach of cell phones in the boundary waters near the US/Canada boarder. Each day will involve trekking with boats or canoes. I need all the gear tips and reviews I can get to better enjoy the experience. Have been putting together a tailored wish list of gear based off your research. Just waiting on the extra funds to grow.
The tarp tip alone was worth the price of admission. Thanks!
Every time I break camp and need to fold my tarp, the wind picks up. Honestly, I think Murphy has it out for me! The tarp trick will be a lifesaver. Can't wait to try it out!
Learnt some neat stuff here 👌
On the subject of red light, if I'm not mistaken it also does not interfere with nightvision so you coud walk around camp looking for something at night and not be blind for 2 minutes when you turn off the light
Oooo. I’m gonna like this series. This is why I watch UA-cam. Thanks Luke.
Thank you for the tarp folding tip which avoids air trapping. I will incorporate the use of red lighting more. Thanks for the practical tips.
I do not know someone more experienced and trustworthy with tips than Luke. You'r the man! 😎
Cordage as a tourniquet (TQ) near 6:00 is very dangerous to the skin under the TQ causing mortification of the skin. In the highly improbable circumstances in which application of a TQ is indicated (spurting bleeding from arms or legs) use a purpose-specific TQ (eg: broad, flexible webbing that includes a device for tightening and locking).
But did you know this folks? Bugs (the biting kind) find you primarily due to the carbon dioxide (CO2) in your breath, to which they are extremely sensitive. It's not primarily because of light, although light can attract them to some extent. Their sense of "smell" for CO2 is much more effective. So, if you're thinking of buying a headlamp solely to repel bugs, you might save yourself some money :)
Mega geil. Auf jeden Fall ne Übernachtung starten und bei dem Panorama nimmst du sicher entweder Sonnenauf-, oder untergang mit. 👌
Great tips I love the tarp folding method. Thanks for sharing.
GREAT TIPS, THANKS.
I LIKE YOUR FOLDING TRICK.
Brooooooooo that first one folding the tarp was worth the trip. Thank you for sharing
Ok, the tarp trick is a new one for me. ❤. My trick is to have a ridge line already rigged up with loops and tie-outs ready to setup quickly.
Every one of these tips was new to me. As someone who has never camped but is educating myself to get ready for my first experience very soon, hopefully. Kinda nervous I’m going to forget something or buy the wrong gear.
Link for kit bags? Thanks. Great content
That tarp trick is awesome! I want to try it for sheet-folding.
Shake out your tarps / gear before you put them in your truck. I packed up camp in the rain in a hurry, threw the tarp I had as a footprint in the suv and brought a mouse home with me.
Great tip, but oh, a mouse, how cute! ❤
No, it died in the truck and smelled rank for weeks.
@@shcmoly Ah. That's far from cute.
I haven't watch your channel in a minute but dang Luke you have got hella buff! Great tips too, the tarp fold was my favorite.
that tarp folding technique blew my mind! thanks Luke
Love the tarp folding trick. Imagine it would come in handy when it's windy trying to fold tarp.
Oh, my gosh! If I wasn’t watching this sitting in bed, ready to hunker down for the night, I’d whip out a tarp just to practice that move! Brilliant!
Lol I just tried it out with a hand towel.😂
Wo! 😲Folding my tarp from now on will be so easy! Thanks Luke👌
Great series Luke! Can't wait to see more!
Thanks for the tarp folding tip. Really a game changer.
Pro tip: if your windows are extremely fogged up, turn on your air conditioner, and the heat at the same time. The air conditioner will dehumidify the air, and the heat dries things faster. Hot, dry air is the key.
That explains why my family turns on the car AC as well as the heaters when the windows are foggy and we need them cleared ASAP! My dad first discovered the combo and I use it all the time now but I never understood why …
Oh the windows fog because of condensation, so what you're doing is you're drying out the air using the AC and then you're warming up the surface of the glass with the heater so that it doesn't fog