I have been asked how I keep clean while backpacking. If you’re not already an experienced backpacker, you might not like my answer to this. Backpacking changes your standards for things like cleanliness and the quality of food. This change in your outlook on life is probably the biggest benefit of backpacking. Eventually you’ll come to appreciate being able to sit on the subway car no one else will ride in and you won’t mind so much when its leftovers night. You’ll marvel at the amount of time your more domesticated friends spend cleaning their homes. And you might not ever be asked to babysit. Continue reading
Category Archives: The Basics
Backpacking Toiletry Kit
Backpacking Toiletry Kit
Christopher has asked me to suggest a lightweight but functional Backpacking Toiletry Kit. Christopher will be participating in my upcoming Intro to Backpacking event in Harriman State Park hosted with Hudson Valley Hikers. All members were required to ask a question ahead of time as a prerequisite to attending. Continue reading
Intro to Backpacking Syllabus
Intro to Backpacking
This weekend I will be hosting an Intro to Backpacking seminar with Hudson Valley Hikers. This is not a backpacking trip, but a short hike with an opportunity for show and tell. The idea is to let novices see some gear options in the field before they go shopping. My co-hosts and I will have a wide variety of gear available, ranging from typical “beginner gear” to expert ultralight gear. Participants will get to try on our packs and takes turns carrying them to our mock campsite, where we’ll set up various tents and talk about our gear. Continue reading