What are your favorite backpacking hacks or tricks?
Wrap a length of duct tape around each trekking pole. You never know when you'll need it.Keep the area between your legs immaculately clean and dry to avoid chafing.Own a Packa™.Sleep with your microfilter if it's going to drop below freezing. Also consider sleeping with a water bag full of hot water.A finely woven bandanna can also filter larger precipitates from water.If your boots are frozen solid in the morning, slowly pour hot water over them.Always keep a change of clothes in a waterproof bag. Resist the temptation to wear them before you are ensconced inside a tent or shelter.A plastic bag with clothes in it makes a great pillow. So does a wadded-up fleece. But a plastic bag full of clothes tucked inside a fleece is best of all.Never pitch your tent on top of snow. Take the time to dig down to the warm earth.Carnation essentials with powdered milk and cappuccino powder makes a quick, easy, and filling breakfast shake that's easy to pack.If bear canisters are not legally required and you are in bear country, consider a Kevlar Ursack™.Knee pain? Come down that hill backwards!Sore, swollen feet? Try soaking them in a cold spring for a minute. And then apply naproxen sodium as needed.There are only three types of items in a pack: first aid and gear repair supplies, clothes, and things that you use every single day. Everything else is dead weight. Some items of the first three types might be dead weight too.Some things that are dead weight are worth bringing anyway. All such things are consumable. Don't put off consuming them. (In this category are water flavoring, alcohol, and fresh foods.)Spend the night at the bottom of the mountain rather than the top if possible. The camping is better, and uphill sections are easier after a good night's sleep.Don't ford a fast-moving stream that is more than knee-deep. Check conditions in advance.Don't ford any streams barefoot or in your camp shoes. Unless you don't plan on wearing your camp shoes in camp.You probably don't need camp shoes at all. Bring some extra socks and unlace your boots at night and walk around with the tongue pulled out and the sides spread wide.Eat as you go! You can eat while you walk if you bring the right snacks. Starburst, mini bagels, PowerBar energy blasts, Justin's nut butter, chocolate bars…. It's amazing that people think you have to wait until lunch time and stop and sit down to eat.