DIY: Homemade Gear

There is a certain satisfaction that goes along with making your own gear. A confidence that only comes with the knowledge that you are capable of providing for your own needs, but what gear should you try to make your self and which should you buy? Let me start by saying that if you are new to backpacking, talk to a lot of seasoned hikers, visit the hiking / backpacking forums and get some experience first before deciding what you want to try making. For the rest of you seasoned and crusty hikers, we will look at some of the most common DIY (Do It Yourself) gear.

Probably the most common piece of homemade gear is the soda can alcohol stove. 2 aluminum cans, a utility knife blade, a drill (a pin, nail, awl or other pointed object), steel wool, and the red & black JB Weld and you’re on your way to having a quiet, fuel efficient, light cook stove to add to your pack. You can find detailed plans all over the internet but I would recommend www.zenstoves.net they have detailed plans to make several types of alcohol and wood burning stoves as well as other DIY projects.

Another great way to cut weight and save space in your pack is to repackage your freeze dried meals into zip lock freezer bags. Once done, you can make a bag cozy (an insulated pouch) to place the freezer bag in while the meal re-hydrates. Then you can sit back and enjoy your meal content in the knowledge that you have little to no clean up after you’re done eating. As long as you don’t mind eating from the zip lock bag, you do not have a pan to clean (all you did was boil water in it), you have no plate or bowl to wash (you only have an empty bag to add to your trash), that only leaves your Spork and cup to clean. Watch the video's below for directions on making and using a bag cozy.

For those of you that like to sew (or know someone that can sew) the possibilities for DIY gear are almost endless. You have the potential to make your own tarps, tents, hammocks, packs, sleeping bags, quilts, and clothing. You are limited only by your imagination and skill. Dozens of gear manufacturers (Kelty, Snow Peak, Appy Trails, Golite, to name a few) started out making gear for family and friends in their spare time and ended up making it a full time career.

Don’t be afraid to try making your own gear; just test your homemade gear fully before you hit the trail so you do not have any unexpected surprises when you are 20 miles into the back country. For those that would like some more information before trying to make gear, try the websites and Youtube channels listed below.

Youtube Channels:
~ Ggreenvideos
~ jasonklass
~ minibulldesign
~ shugemery
~ mblackford100

Websites:
www.geartalkwithjasonklass.com
www.hammockforums.net
www.thru-hiker.com

www.zenstoves.net

Solo Hiking, Going It Alone:

For those that love the wild places around us and have always dreamt of going on a solo backpacking trip there are a few things to keep in mind. I must admit, the idea of setting beside a still mountain lake in the early hours of the morning drinking my coffee, while the last remnants of a late night fog still hang above the tree tops stirs my soul. Besides the picturesque moments, hiking solo can be an amazing time to get to know yourself and what you are capable of, but safety should always be your top priority.

1. Planning: Research the area you want to hike and read everything you can find on that area, go to the hiking forums on the internet and talk to those that have hiked your chosen trail before. Know what weather conditions you may encounter and be prepared for them. Plan on bringing an up to date map of the area even if you are bringing a GPS. Always make someone aware of your plans.
2. Making A Trip Plan: Make a written plan of your trip including a complete list of the gear you are taking, a map of the area you are hiking with the trails marked that you will be on, and estimate how many miles you plan to cover per day and where you are planning to camp. It also helps to list the contact numbers for emergency response for the area you will be in. Leave a copy with someone before you leave and a second copy in your vehicle at the trail head with any last minute changes that may have been made. Do not deviate from your plan, if you get lost or injured, that plan will be what rescuers follow while looking for you!
3. Bring Adequate Supplies: Stock your first aid kit with anything you may need, bring a cell phone (you don’t have to turn it on unless you need it), and plan to bring extra food to rely on in case of an emergency. Energy / Protein bars, trail mix, and hard candies are ideal for this purpose.
4. Take Only The Essentials: Make a list of the gear you will need (including extra food and medical supplies) and leave some of the comfort items at home. An over loaded pack at the start of the hike could be the cause of an injury somewhere along the trail.
5. Bear Country: If you are hiking in bear country, never take your safety for granted. Carry a can of bear deterrent spray (pepper spray), and some bear bangers (a small handheld launcher with whistling and exploding cartridges that attach to it) they can be purchased from: http://truflareusa.com/productcatalog.htm                                                                                 Arial flares can also be purchased to use with the launcher.
6. Always Be Aware Of Your Surroundings: If you are alone, or in a group, the best way to avoid dangerous animals, slippery rocks, loose gravel, or muddy slopes that can lead to injury is to pay attention to what is going on around you.

Solo hiking can be the trip of a lifetime, or the trip that takes a lifetime to forget. Make a check list of the gear you need and mark off the gear as you pack it, leave a good clear plan of your trip behind in case you don’t return on time, hike with a partner and gain some experience before trying it alone, and remember to bring your common sense it could save your life.      



Picture from Yahoo images.