Tips/tricks

[Pushbrew]

I have learned so much from this forum that has helped me stay comfortable in the backcountry and lighten my pack at the same time. I just got back from a loop trip around Mt Saint Helens and I am so pleased with how simple, light and comfortable my hammock sleeping system has become thanks to all the insight gleaned here.

I wanted to share a few things that I have discovered that I think would float well with this crowd.

I often want to get a good rocking motion going after I am tucked into my hammock, but don't have anything anchored to grab onto to rock myself. I have discovered that by bending my legs at the knees with my feet near my butt and my knees towards the ridgeline, I can swing my knees to the sides rhythmically to work up a good swing/rocking motion. This works pretty good and adds to the enjoyment of my hanging. Give it a shot.

The other trick deals with the issue of guylines tangling when I remove my tarp from its stuff sack. I used my girlfriends hair scrunchies (small elastic hair bands, you could use a loop of shock cord), larksheaded thru the loops at the tie out points of the tarp. To pack up my tarp I bundle the guyline towards the tie out point, then use the attached scrunchie like a rubber band to hold the bundled cord neatly. It essentially accomplishes what "cord pockets" are made for, but can be added after market for practically free and less than 12 grams for six of them. This was a real lightbulb moment for me and greatly reduces the frustration of pulling out your tarp and wrestling tangles out of lash-it with cold fingers.

The last thing is a product called space paste, basically dry toothpaste tablets. It allows me to bring only exactly the amount of toothpaste that I need, and in a pinch, no toothbrush. I tried using them by chewing, adding a bit of water and swishing, which its mentioned in the package directions as a viable method. although for my three day trip I wished I had brought a brush, I will say that I will be bringing only the tablets on overnights. This has appealed to my ultralight infatuation.

I hope these tips help someone the easy that countless other tips have helped me.

[Mumbles]

What loop, how high, how much snow? Nice lightweight suggestions. I recommend a figure 8 gathering of the guy lines and a few wraps to keep them tidy. The figure 8 loops will keep you tangle free.

[Mountnman]

Thanks for the tips, they are always welcome! I think I will check out that toothpaste

[dkurfiss]

Tip on using the toothpaste with no brush. Take a small green twig and split the ends until it is brush like. You can use that with the tooth paste to help clean your teeth and gum line with no additional weight. Not quite as good as a toothbrush but does work.

[sargevining]

The other trick deals with the issue of guylines tangling when I remove my tarp from its stuff sack. I used my girlfriends hair scrunchies (small elastic hair bands, you could use a loop of shock cord), larksheaded thru the loops at the tie out points of the tarp. To pack up my tarp I bundle the guyline towards the tie out point, then use the attached scrunchie like a rubber band to hold the bundled cord neatly. It essentially accomplishes what "cord pockets" are made for, but can be added after market for practically free and less than 12 grams for six of them. This was a real lightbulb moment for me and greatly reduces the frustration of pulling out your tarp and wrestling tangles out of lash-it with cold fingers.

Another good DIY solution is Pawn Bags.

[Tjalling]

by bending my legs at the knees

Can you do otherwise?

[Pushbrew]

I can bend my leg at the hip I guess...

[sargevining]

I got in trouble in school once.

The teacher told me to sit in front and I told her I don't fold that way.

[Buckeye Bill]

You can make your own toothpaste tablets by squeezing a row of toothpaste out on a plate and letting it dry out for a few days. Cut the rows into tablets size bits and let them dry a few more days. Pack in a small zip lock and simply chew them then rub teeth with finger or brush. If you are taking a short trip, you can count out only as many as you will need. Longer trips can be resupplied in a mail drop.

[tri-pod bob]

Tip on using the toothpaste with no brush. Take a small green twig and split the ends until it is brush like. You can use that with the tooth paste to help clean your teeth and gum line with no additional weight. Not quite as good as a toothbrush but does work.

Many tree barks have some antiseptic &/or anti-inflammatory properties in them. I have often used an oak or willow twig that is about pencil sized in diameter when I'm out where I really belong. Chew the end a bit to separate the wood fiber & you're good to go. Cattail & other fibrous leaf can be processed down quite easily for flossing.