Mail Call – Trail Blaze Protocol, Recent Black Forest Trail Trip, Backpacking Coffee

Tips, tricks and discussion on various Backpacking, Hiking & Camping topics.

Topics Discussed / Gear Seen

  • Hiking Pants
  • Stinging Nettles on the Black Forest Trail
  • Packit Gourmet’s 10 year anniversary.
  • Keith from Connecticut sent a really cool book about Mt McKinnley / Denali
  • My goal of one feature length backpacking trip video per month.
  • Viewer Raymond suggested a future trip to do the Standing Indian Loop in the North Carolina’s Nantahala National Forest.
  • GORUCK GR1 Backpack
  • Aiming for a 8 lb backpacking load-out with my new Gregory Optic 48 backpack.
  • Any suggestions for a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip down south?
  • Has it really been 4 years since my first, and only, trip to the Smokie Mountains?
  • Sawyer 1 gallon gravity filter system for group camping trips.
  • 2 gallon gravity water filter setups for backpacking?

Stealth Backpacking Gear List – Go Camping on the Sly

9 lb Stealth Camping Ultralight Backpacking Gear List. Go Camping on the Sly – Hammock Camping & Tarp Camping Options Shown

Check out my live gear list on LighterPack.com for weights, prices, descriptions and product links.

Backpack Base Weight: 8.94 lbs (4 kilos)
Backpack Volume: 21 liters

For this load-out, I wanted to create a kit that was not only light and concise, but would appear outwardly as a “regular backpack” for an upcoming stealth camping trip. Stealth camping is a term that can elicit a lot of definitions and responses from hikers. At the very least, the common thread seems to be camping overnight in a way that leaves no visual impact.  For some this is simply for purposes of immersion in the outdoors (both for themselves and for others in the area).  For others, the term refers to camping illegally and / or without permission.  I am not advocating the latter.  I like to experiment with backpacking load-outs and scenarios, so for me this kit was just a fun way to challenge myself.  Regardless, do with the information what you will.

Do to the size constraints of my “regular size” pack, the primary challenge for this kit was not necessarily weight, but volume.  Compactness superseded weight and price.  These volume constraints created an advantageous by product – my pack’s base weight came in at under 9lbs.  My lightest backpacking gear list weight yet.

This kit is intended for a warm weather backpacking trip.  Because of this, you’ll notice that the clothing options are limited. Perhaps someday I’ll attempt to devise a winter stealth camping load-out. One step at a time.  For instance there is no down jacket. In it’s place is a simple light weight long sleeve shirt. Many of you will also notice that there isn’t any rain gear either.  I’m fine with getting rained on in warm weather.  My synthetic clothes will dry quickly and the effects won’t be life critical for my expected conditions.  Besides, I mostly use my Frogg Toggs rain parka not for rain, but as an ultralight windbreaker for supplemental warmth.  Something I don’t expect to need for my upcoming trip.  Plan and adjust for your own load-outs accordingly.

Simplified Stealth Backpacking Gear List:

Backpack

Shelter

Sleep System

Storage

  • Bear Bag Line (25′ guyline and small carabiner)
  • Bear Bag – 13 gal trash bag
  • Zip-lock Bag – Sandwich
  • Zip-lock Bag – Gallon

Cooking & Eating

Water Treatment & Storage

Tools

First Aid / Fire Starting

  • First Aid Kit
    (Adhesive bandages, 1 gauze bandage, superglue, neosporin in straw tube, tealight wax candle, 6 doses benedryl, 10 doses ibuprofen, spare water bottle cap, needle & thread for mending gear)
  • Sunscreen – 30 SPF in 10ml bottle
  • Wetfire Fire Starter Tablets
  • Light My Fire Mini Fire Steel
  • Picardin Lotion Bug Repellent

Clothing (Packed, not worn. For spare, sleeping)

  • Underwear – Synthetic (1 Pair)
  • Shirt, Long Sleeve -Lt Wgt
  • Hat, Beanie – Lt Wgt Fleece
  • Wool Socks – Lt Wgt (1 pair)

Lighting

Toiletries

  • Toilet Paper
  • Toiletry Kit
  • Wet Wipes
  • Hand Sanitizer

Additional Stealth Camping Gear Options Discussed 

Mail Call – Cabin Trip, Choosing an Ultralight Backpack, Stealth Camping


Tips, tricks and discussion on various Backpacking, Hiking & Camping topics.

Topics Discussed / Gear Seen

  • Carrying while camping and backpacking?
  • When are Sara and our dog Denali going to come out on some backpacking trips?
  • New version of the HangTime Hook
  • Some really cool hammock artwork by Justin Cline (@JustinCline on Twitter, Insta, Etsy)
  • Tom from NH would has a question about trail greeting protocol.
  • Jack from Little Cub Outfitters sent some cool shirts.
  • Does anybody ever pack in “Trail Games” when backpacking?

  • Bill for MA sent a nice care package.
  • Metal water bottles for camping and on the trail?
  • First look at the super tiny 130 lumen Olight i1R EOS
  • Pitching Tarps and ground sleeping on a slope.

Our Dog’s New Custom Sleeping Bag …from the Netherlands!

A first look at our Dog’s new Sleeping Bag.

Custom made by viewer Pim in the Netherlands.  He’s just getting started, but you can check out his website JustHanging.eu for custom backpacking and hammock camping gear.  Thanks, Pim!

Denali and I are excited to try his new doggie sleeping bag out on future hammock and tent camping trips  🙂

Here’s some more info on the bag from Pim’s website

“This bag is designed for dogs whom love to travel with there owners,
it is light weight, easy to pack and wil fit in a doggy backpack so he can
carry his own sleep system!

The estimated total weight for medium sized dogs is around 500 grams
or 18 Oz using the climashield 100 gr or 3 Oz.

For Goose down fill please send us a e-mail, also if you have other wishes you can
mail us so we can see if this is possible.”

Sara Talks Hiking Hydration – Nomadik Box

Sara uses this Month’s Nomadik Subscription Box to do an Important PSA about Hydration.

10% off – use code “sintax10” with this link.

This Month’s Theme
Hike Longer, Go Further

Items in this Month’s Nomadik Box

Sara on Instagram @SarasGreatAdventures

Disclosure: A commission is received for purchases through the above links. Your support is appreciated and makes the backpacking trip videos on this channel possible.

By the way, don’t mistake my giving you a 10% off code as some sort of order to do something. Be a smart cookie. Do your own research. Duh. 😉

Mail Call – DIY Gear Tips, Hiking Gloves? & Filterless Backpacking Water Treatment

Tips, tricks and discussion on various Backpacking, Hiking & Camping topics.

Topics Discussed / Gear Seen

    • Thanks to everyone who supported the limited edition Sintax77 T-Shirt campaign!
    • Shirts are available on Bonfire – ordering ends Thursday, 4/19/18 after which point they’ll be retired.
    • Sara has a snack.
    • Viewer ‘Silent Paul’ makes gives a great tip for sourcing materials for DIY backpacking pot cozies.
    • The winter camping cheers debate rages on.
    • Viewers ‘Bear off the OT’ and ‘GEN2-X’ give some tips on DIY windscreens for camp stoves.
    • Viewer John R. recommends the spoon shaped Nemo sleeping bags over the traditional mummy bag shape.
    • Viewer Andrew S. gives us an update on my Kelty Salida 2 person tent.
    • Using a 3-Season tent in the winter, snow loads, temperatures, etc.
    • Adam want to know if I plan to do more “classic solo” trips and / or head back out to the Rockies for some backpacking and camping.
    • Potential for doing trip videos more often on the channel.
    • We’re heading out to the Denver, Colorado area this late summer / fall for a backpacking trip (3, maybe 4 days on the trail).  Got any suggestions for good camping, backpacking loops, burgers, etc?
    • Somebody sent a pair of Moreok Anti-Slip, Shock Absorbing gloves.
    • Thoughts on fingerless gloves for backpacking and on the trial?  Maybe good for hiking poles, camp chores, etc?
    • Viewer Doreen brings up the subject of wood burning twig stoves for backpacking and camping.  I’ve yet to use one – any thoughts out there?
    • Viewer Deb in Ohio gives a shout out and brings up the dreaded topic of a rainy forecast on your hiking dates.
    • My upcoming backpacking trip video to go along with my recent Budget Backpacking Gear List video.
    • Reason I chose the particular shelter system for my Budget Backpacking trip vs my lighter cuben fiber tarp or other options.
    • My new backpacking and camping water purification system that I’m testing, the Steripen Ultralight.