008: Lewis and Clark Have Met Their Map

Learn how to outwit pesky, hungry trail rodents without dangling your food from a tree. Then, we’ll expose five ridiculous ultralight fails (HINT: Bubble wrap is for heirloom vases and vintage china). Next we review a lightweight, super durable map that would leave Lewis and Clark and Sacagawea a little jealous. And you’ll learn the trick to making unscented hand sanitizer that costs less than the gel hand sanitizer you keep in your glove box. Show Notes: Episode 008 Opening * A bear’s sense of smell is 2,100 times better than a human. (http://sectionhiker.com/bears_sense_of_smell/) * Mice, rats, chipmunks, raccoons and other animals on the trail also have an extremely keen sense of smell. * They’ll gnaw through your pack to eat toiletries * Don’t keep food in your pack! * Protect your food from birds and rodents by keeping it in a steel mesh bag * RatSack, OutSak (http://www.simpleoutdoorstore.com/outsak.html), GrubPack, or FoodSack * If you’re going to be in bear country, that’s more regulated, so find out exactly which containers are approved for the area you’ll be hiking in The Top 5 Ultralight Backpacking Fails Ultralight Bubble Wrap Sleeping Pad * Easily punctured * Cannot be repaired once deflated * Not sturdy Dollar Store Poncho * Snags on everything * Can’t be reused * Not heavy enough to cover you if the wind picks up * Weighs only 1.5 oz, but…not worth the weight Eating Uncooked Ramen Noodles * Food fatigue * Unimaginative, disappointing * Food acts as morale booster, but not uncooked ramen * Comfort and safety when you bring a stove No Toilet Paper * Not only is it a comfort item, but its lightweight * No guarantee that you’ll find soft leaves on trail * I’m terrible at identifying poison oak, ivy and sumac * Toilet paper biodegrades within days * Is a multi-use item: fire starting, first aid, ear plugs, cleaning up odd messes where you may not want to use your camp towel or bandana. Rationed Water * Don’t limit your water or go from waterhole to waterhole * Carry the weight and have the assurance of water SUMMIT™ Gear Review: Green Trails Maps S Series Structure * Plastic * Lightweight, Waterproof, Tear Resistant Maps Utility * 462S Mt Hood/Timberline Trail * Scale:1:25000 * Current map: Original Issue:2006, Current Issue:2013 * Updated frequently Mass * 5 oz * 40% lighter than paper maps * 18x24 inches * 6x9 folded up Maintenance * Wipe with damp rag * Do not use solvents to clean!! Investment * $14 * Typical paper Green Trails Map $8 Trial * Came with two stickers declaring Waterproof! Tear Resistant! And now ultralight too! * Tried peeling of those labels, left sticky residue * Ultralight, loved map, durable, washable * Found spelling error Ramona Falls (spelled “Romona”) * Took a beating on our trip, didn’t tear or get wear marks on creases * Didn’t get dog-eared * Nice coloring details * Used washi tape from craft store with arrows on it to mark spots on map * May add DIY eyelet or grommet to secure map in heavy wind Backpack Hack of the Week™: DIY Hand Sanitizer * In episode 7 we talked about the benefits of bringing a bottle on Isopropyl Alcohol (Related: 007: When It Rains, You’re Covered (http://www.thefirst40miles.com/007-when-it-rains-youre-covered/)) * This DIY Hand Sanitizer is a cheaper, and equally effective way to kill germs * Need: 1 oz flip top bottle or 1 oz. spray bottle and 70% Isopropyl Alcohol * This is NOT scented…Most hand sanitizers are scented. * 70% (not 91%) Isopropyl Alcohol is best for germicidal effect Trail Wisdom “Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed ... We simply need that wild country available to us, even if we never do more than drive to its edge and look in.” -Wallace Stegner