[pct-l] Super Secrets Master List - Spring & Summer

[Hiker97 at aol.com (Hiker97@aol.com)]

Sorry for the long post and some repeats, but I was asked to put most of my 
recommendations together again for the Kickoff website, so here goes.  I only 
do this preview for you.  It is like a soft opening of a billion dollar casino 
here in Las Vegas.  Only for special people. :-)

Switchback?s Super Secrets of Backpacking
Spring-Summer 2005 - Hiker97@aol.com

Disclaimer: This list is for very light weight backpackers and may not be 
suitable for ultra light backpackers.    

1.  Camera: My current recommendation for a backpacking camera is the ultra 
compact Cannon PowerShot SD300 Digital Elph. It is a 4 MP, 3X optical zoom, 
large 2-inch LCD view camera that takes EXCELLENT pictures. Its menus are not 
quite as good as the Casino ultra compacts, but still very good. Built like a 
tank and about $350.
2.  Radio: An interesting radio is the Delphi XM2go satellite radio. You can 
take it anywhere and get over 150 channels 100% commercial free music.
3.  Extra Comfort: For lots of extra comfort use seat belt shoulder pads from 
Wal-Mart. The ones I use are the black Auto Expressions Sherpa pads. They are 
about $3.00 each. I put them on my waist belt and pack shoulder straps. You 
can cut them for sizing. Use double sided tape or Velcro to attach. Very, very 
nice.  Each pad is less than one ounce.
4.  Water Prefilter: Go to the store and buy a pair of large women's white 
stockings. Depending on the size of your water bottle (small stockings for 
intake hoses) cut off the foot section of the stocking. You now have an excellent 
stretch very fine-mesh prefilter for your container. Just slip it over the 
container top when you dip it into the stream, etc. Weight is less than 
one-quarter ounce.
5.  Feet Sole Protection: Most people are heel stompers when they backpack. 
The heel really takes a beating at every step. Under or over your SuperFeet or 
Shock Doctor Ultra2 (REI.com #714708) insoles put the Spenco Gel Heel Cups 
(REI.com #715539). Much better protection for your heel and the continual jarring 
and pressure of hiking. Like walking on a cushion.  Note, always use a 
replacement insole with a hard arch support.  Ultra2 weigh 5 ounces per pair, but 
you are replacing the original ones. 
6.  Feet Heel Guards: Speaking of feet, never forget to customize your 
footwear with heel crippers like the ones from Kiwi. These will really help to 
protect you from heel blisters. They help make your footwear fit more securely.  
Carry several in your medical kits.  Less than a quarter ounce.
7.  Blister/Abrasion Protection: Spyroflex (REI.com #615483/615485) pads.  
Comes in different sizes.  Also, Spenco 2nd Skin and Blister Kit (REI.com 
#121078 and #121140). 
8.  Pillow Comfort: Consider the reversible Thermasrest Stuff Sack Pillow 
(REI.com # 719813). I use the small size for my clothes. On one side is a soft 
material for your head and on the other is regular silicone-treated Cordura 
nylon. Very clever. Very nice. The small size weighs around 2 ounces.
9.  Zero Water Weight: Is Switchback talking about dehydrated water?  Almost. 
 Do not carry water in your backpack.  It is much too heavy on your back 
muscles and spine.  Use a fanny back that is reversed.  Attached one Platypus 
Hiker or several Holster 1 pouches (REI.com #626114) on each side of your hips 
above your legs.  Use Velcro/duct tape to fashion loops to make the attachment to 
your waist belt (the wider the belt, the better).  Use the main fanny pack 
pouch in front for camera, GORP, insect repellant, etc.  If there are two water 
bottle pouches on each side of the main pouch, then you could carry even more 
water or use it for carrying GORP and other food in several empty Crystal 
Light containers.  The key is not to over use your belly pack system with too many 
add ons.  It makes it too heavy, cumbersome, and unbalanced.  Keep it simple. 
 This system is not bothered by high winds, it keeps your center of gravity 
low, and it keeps the water weight near your strong leg muscles.  If you use 
the Platypus Hiker, just grab the drinking hose as your hike along anytime you 
need a drink.  Two Hiker water pouches carry 3.6 liters of water if needed.  
Very, very nice to use -- don?t forget the seat belt shoulder pads for extra 
comfort on the waist belt.  This system is the key to my under 20 pounds 
backpack.
10.  Water: Use Glaceau Smart Water (go to Wild Oats or Whole Foods health 
food stores, has electrolytes) in the first part of your hike and in water 
cashes.  Also, the GU2O hydration drink mix (REI.com  #693069) for a great low 
sugar taste mix. Not bad stuff, especially when mixed with Smart Water.  When you 
run out of Smart Water, just use your SteriPEN (REI.com #717120) for pump free 
potable water along the trail (I HATE PUMPING).  Don?t forget to use your 
stockings prefilter to make the water as clear as possible for the SteriPEN.  The 
SteriPEN weighs about 6 ounces with lithium batteries.
11.  Clothing: Consider the SunPrecautions.com line of white 30 SPF hat, 
shirt, and pants.  Specifically, Shade Hat with Crossover Drape, Ultra Athletic 
Shirt and pants, and Hand Guards.  Very good gear.  For rain I am still 
recommending the good old Frogg Toggs -- around 17 ounces for both jacket and pants.
12.  Stoves: Currently, I am using the JetBoil (REI.com #708890) and it is 
lots of fun to use.  Very fast, simple, compact, and efficient (compact if you 
consider the cooking pot is included in the system and holds the stove and 
fuel).  Also, consider the simple Ebbits Wing Stove - 1.3 ounces (Thur-hiker.com) 
and fuel tablets - one tablet lasts about 12 minutes. I just use a stove to 
heat water for a dehydrated food pouch, cook popcorn or heat water for hot 
decaffeinated English Breakfast tea for my evening snack of Oreo mini cookies. Of 
course, the homemade alcohol stoves are great too. 
13.  Fire Starter: Carry 2 Ebbits fuel tablets, one small BIC lighter, and 
several REI Storm Proof Matches (REI #617046).  Use the lighter to light the 
matches and then put on a fuel tablet.  Weighs about 1.5 ounces.
14.  Hands free Umbrella Holder: A Switchback original.  Basically just a 
piece of foam pipe installation with a 3/8-inch wood dowel for stiffening. Both 
duct taped together and attached to your pack shoulder straps with Velcro 
straps - adjust to make it as vertical as possible - I like my umbrella as deployed 
to come down to around the forehead level.  The umbrella shaft is without any 
handles and slips down into the foam tube hole.  I add a mini bungie at the 
top of the tube so the umbrella will not fly out and way in a sudden strong 
breeze.  Works very well.  About 3 ounces.
15.  Lighting: Get the Petzl Zipka LED Headlamp (REI.com #675909).  This is 
really a neat light that packs down to almost nothing because of the no strap 
design.  Very cool and fun to use.  Weighs around 3 ounces with lithium 
batteries.
16.  Tent Stakes/Cord: Get the new light titanium stakes (REI.com #709915).  
These are lighter than the old style titanium stakes.  Spray paint the tops 
with reflective paint and then spray with polyurethane to protect the paint from 
chipping off.  Use the Kelty Triptease reflective cord (REI.com #617569 - 50 
feet is one ounce) or the MRS cord kit (REI.com #682544).
17.  Food: I like MaryJane Farms dehydrated foods (see REI.com).  Carry as 
much fresh vegetables, fruits and cheese as you can.  Pringles are good too.  I 
like to carry Pringles, peanut butter crackers, GORP, etc. in waterproof super 
light tubes.  The large Crystal Light, blue Lays chip tubes, and Pringle 
tubes (spayed with polyurethane to water proof cardboard tube) are a great way to 
keep these foods from getting smashed or wet.  I hate smashed cookies, chips, 
and crackers, etc. on the trail.  Carry in your outside pack side pockets.  
The tubes take up too much room in the main pack.
18.  Sanitation: Use biodegradable TP, alcohol wipes, and hand sanitizer for 
those outdoor pit stops. You cannot be too clean in this area.  Think not only 
cleanliness, but sanitation too.
19.  Stretching: At a minimum do the Backpacker Stretch at each break along 
the trail and in the morning starting out and in the evening after hiking. 
Place one foot behind the other and push slowly against a tree or rock about 20 
times.
20.  Shoe Protection: Use Shoe Goo on the bottom of your footwear on the 
parts of the sole that wear out more. This is usually in the heel area. Also, 
place unused Shoe Goo in an airtight container to keep fresher for later use. This 
is a good idea for a bounce box or resupply box. 
21.  BearVault Solo: This is my new choice for human/bear food protection.  
Just keep as much food in it as possible.  If you lose most of your 
non-protected food to a bear, then you can still easily get out to a resupply or go on 
half rations.  On half rations I can still go a long way to the next scheduled 
resupply.  Now losing my food to a bear is just an inconvenience and not a 
showstopper.  By the way, I have never lost food to a bear, even after many 
in-counters over the years.  Under 2 pounds.
22.  Entertainment: Books on Tape are great for "reading" the books you have 
always wanted to read, but did not have the time.  These can be rented and 
listened to as you walk.  Makes the miles go by quickly.  A radio is good too.
23.  Maps: Use AAA county maps for your hiking overview map as you walk.  Use 
your guidebook maps for detail.  Trim the county maps as needed.
24.  Maps Again: Go to Kinko?s and have them reduce your guidebook maps/text 
and rebind only the section you need your hike.  Saves weight and space.  I 
find a 20% reduction is about right.
25.  Sleeping and Shelter System: I saved this for last, since I knew you 
would laugh at me and ridicule your old buddy Switchback.  My latest experiments 
are to incorporate my umbrella, hands free holder and the Black Diamond 
LightSabre bivy into one system with my sleeping bag (800 down bag).  I think I have 
a unique idea how to do this.  More to follow.