(Part 3) Top products from r/WildernessBackpacking

Recreation ecologist here; I did my Master's Thesis work in monitoring of campsite impacts. It depends somewhat on the specifics of the situation.

In areas where there are well-established sites, the best thing that you can probably do from a minimum impact standpoint is to move into an already occupied site with another group. Obviously, this takes a certain level of respect and tact on the part of everyone involved- not just you as an intruder into someone else's space, but also on their part in understanding that your options are limited and being accommodating to your needs. I know a lot of public land management agencies encourage this sort of behavior when use levels exceed site availability (and in a few situations, sharing of sites where necessary is actually mandated by regulation). Proper etiquette in these sorts of circumstances is usually for the second group to use the site for 1 night, and move on in the morning.

There's a couple of reasons for this. One is that in areas that receive moderate to high levels of use, the best way to minimize impacts is often to concentrate them into the least number of sites possible. This minimizes the total level of impact across the area.

The second reason is that being able to camp at a non-established site without leaving any long-lasting impacts is something that not a lot of backpackers are really all that adept at. The two big issues in particular are when large groups camp primitively at non-established sites (there is an exponential relationship between group size and impact), and when groups camped at non-established sites elect to have a campfire. Having a campfire at a site that doesn't have an established, safe fire pit usually necessitates the use of a mound fire for both minimum impact and safety reasons, and a lot of groups either don't know how to build a mound fire or aren't willing to put forth the effort necessary to do so. Additionally, in these circumstances the fire pit needs to be dismantled prior to leaving to prevent the site from becoming well established in the long term, and a lot of groups don't do this.

From an impact perspective, the absolute worst site you can choose to use is one that is just barely beginning to become impacted. I.e., the second and third groups to use a site usually generate more long-lasting impacts than the first group. In areas that receive low to moderate levels of use, the best way to minimize impacts is to disperse it by spreading it across as wide an area as possible. In the event that a group arrives at an area and finds all established/designated sites occupied, and chooses to move into an unestablished site rather and share one of the existing sites with another group, it's super important to remove all evidence that the site was ever used upon vacating the site for this reason. This is why if a group builds a fire pit, it's best practice (in accordance with the Leave No Trace principles) to dismantle it when breaking down camp in preparation to depart.

Additionally, when it comes to selecting a non-established, non-designated site for use in these sort of situations, there's some nuances with site selection that a lot of groups don't really understand. The 200 foot buffer between a site and any water bodies suggested by the LNT principles is super important in these situations, due to the fragile nature of riparian ecosystems that comprise the boundary between water and land. Also important is a willingness to select sites that are well away from any established campsites (at the very least, out of sight).

Personally, if I'm set up in a designated site in the backcountry, and groups keep showing up even after all the other sites are occupied, I will go out of my way to let folks know that they are more than welcome to move in with me (I've even gone so far as to chase down the trail after groups to let them know that everything is full and invite them to share my site with me). I do also make it clear that I expect them to be respectful of my need for at least a somewhat peaceful camping atmosphere.

If you want to learn a lot more about the specifics of the LNT principles in preparation for being able to better minimize your impact while camping at non-designated/non-established sites, I recommend getting the NOLS book on minimum-impact hiking and camping.

Yes, it's easy! Just got back from a two week canoe trip, most of my meals were dehydrated at home.

Start with something really easy, like Lentil Dip which is great on crackers/pita for lunch.


Some of my favorites are Hungry Hammock Hanger recipes:

Aztec Chicken Stew (note: I pressure cook the chicken separately, then shred it using forks and toss it in to the stew towards the end of cooking, this helps with the rehydration process)

and

Chili-Mac (note: I can never find Mole sauce where I live, so I just throw in a couple of tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder instead)

and

Creamy Tuna Salad, it's great for lunches.

I have also made some things from Linda Frederick Yaffe's excellent book Backpack Gourmet, favorites being "Saucy Tuna" and "Hash Browns with Eggs and Sausage".

As for packaging, it depends on how long I'm going to store the food. If it's for an upcoming trip I just use ziploc freezer bags (doubled). For longer term storage I vacuum seal the meals in foodsaver bags.

I haven't tried the boiling water/ziplock technique. My method is to dump the dried food in the pot, add enough water to cover the food, bring it to a boil on the stove, then put it in a pot cozy for 20 minutes. It always turns out great.

I always add a shot of olive oil to the dehydrated meals since they're very lean.

edit: also check out /r/trailmeals for more ideas.

If you want to get out more I've found the "60 hikes within 60 miles of X" books to be helpful. There is one for Chicago which would hopefully cover your area. http://www.amazon.com/Hikes-Within-Miles-Including-Northwest/dp/0897326636. They aren't like expert guidebooks but I've lived in Birmingham and Atlanta recently (two cities not known for their hiking) and those books have had some recommendations.

Gear: don't focus on brands, focus on price-weigh-durability/usability. Andrew Skurka's book is really helpful. http://andrewskurka.com/product/ultimate-hikers-gear-guide/. You might not want to go "ultralight" yet but the book is very informative as to general gear (waterproof jackets, shoes, shelters, sleep systems, packs, etc). As far as brands go anything they sell at REI is trustworthy (Patagonia, Arcteryx, North Face, etc). The actual REI brand items seems pretty reliable (I used a tent of theirs years ago, before they got into clothing but the clothing seems fine). Eddie Bauer and LL Bean have a reputation as being more style than performance worthy. Then there are all sorts of little cottage companies that people like. At the end of the day a down jacket is a down jacket is a down jacket- they will all keep you warm to some degree just some will weigh more, some will cost more, an some will be more durable. Get out more in general and you'll figure out if the price/durability/weight is most important.

I mentioned clothing first but the big 3 (sleep system/ shelter/ pack) are going to be your focus- they'll cost the most and weigh the most of your kit so get them early and go out with them and that will inform your decisions on other gear.

Skurka's book is good (likely the best way to get up to speed on gear), and his blog is excellent as well.

Other books I like:

• Lighten Up!: A Complete Handbook For Light And Ultralight Backpacking (Falcon Guide) (A bit old, but still a classic and the other "Allen and Mike's" books are also good.
  
• Lyle Brotherton's Ultimate Navigation Manual
  
• NOLS Wilderness Medicine (Be careful; the Kindle instance is actually an old version.)
  
  For current information, these subreddits and sites like BackpackingLight will get you up to speed.
  

I love books about the national parks. This is a great travel guide for them. Here are some more coffee table type books: one, two.

For many people this could be a coffee table book, its 100 backpacking trips in the National Parks across the county. Many of the hikes are long backpacking trips. Its a great book to start a bucket list.Backpacker: The National Parks Coast to Coast: 100 Best Hikes

You're being downvoted, but that is part of the premise of the book "the beast in the garden". The other part of the premise is that humans are moving into mountain lion's territory. Anyways, it's an interesting read and I highly recommend it: https://www.amazon.com/Beast-Garden-Predators-Suburban-America/dp/0393326349

There are a few good books written on this area. This one is particular is one of the best:

https://www.amazon.com/Hiking-Absaroka-Beartooth-Wilderness-Regional/dp/1493005944/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3M9MB58PFU6X0&keywords=hiking+the+absaroka+beartooth+wilderness&qid=1559051848&s=gateway&sprefix=hiking+the+beartooth%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-1

If you're considering the Bob, I highly, highly, highly recommend buying this book: https://www.amazon.com/Hiking-Montanas-Marshall-Wilderness-Regional/dp/1560447982

I have always liked AWOL on the Appalachian Trail.

Novel:
https://www.amazon.com/Thru-Hiking-Will-Break-Your-Heart-ebook/dp/B00W4RICAM

Informational:
https://www.amazon.com/Backpacker-Long-Trails-Mastering-Thru-Hike/dp/1493028723/

I use this.

If you buy the rechargeable pack (always have two).

You’re set. I’ve done beach, mountain, foreign countries, winter, summer, you name it.

The thing is indestructible and weight conscious.

Usually the battery lasts about 15- 20 hours to a charge.

I carry two for 3-4 night backpacking. I’ve NEVER been let down and I’ve tried every friggin headlamp out there in the past 20 years.

I'm reading this book now: Expert with Map and Compass and then will be look at this one: Wilderness Navigation

edit: readability

Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival https://www.amazon.com/dp/1440579776/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-7EbAbHE6FGCZ

This is from national geographic trail map http://www.amazon.com/Pisgah-District-National-Geographic-Illustrated/dp/1566953324

Encounters with the Archdruid

Tongass: Pulp Politics and the Fight for the Alaska Rain Forest

Desert Solitaire

It's not as simple as you may think. Read this book about a 30 year veteran of the park who disappeared and was later found dead. He knew his way around the park better than anyone else. The book brings up the questions people rose about him not wanting to be found, or him committing suicide.


https://www.amazon.com/Last-Season-P-S-Eric-Blehm/dp/0060583010

In 1996, after nearly 30 seasons as a park ranger in the Sierra Nevadas, Randy Morgenson set off on a routine patrol and never came back. His body was found in July 2001, almost exactly five years after he disappeared. To this day, the circumstances of his death remain unclear. In this fascinating account, the product of several years' investigation, Blehm explores the many mysteries surrounding Morgenson. Why did the veteran ranger, a man whose knowledge of his territory was virtually encyclopedic, seem suddenly to be disillusioned with his life's work? Was his death an accident, foul play, or suicide? Did his single-minded quest to preserve the wilderness finally seem futile?