backpackers and campers!

runnermama81

My husband and I are going on a trip to the Boundary waters (between MN and Canada) in a couple weeks. I am so excited but just wondering if any of you have gone on similar trips have any advice to offer us? We have read some books and he has gone before, but this will be my first time there. I love camping and outdoors but i have never done anything this extreme.

Also wondering about recipes anyone may have that have worked well for backpacking:)

Timshel_

Make sure you have a good water purifier as well as tablets just in case. Check out SteriPEN or MSR pumps.


Try as many MRE types as you can nefore you go to see what tastes good and what tastes like crap. Mountain House makes some good ones.

Make sure to leave a planned route or area with others. If you can, have check-in points.

Have fun!

amberlykay1014

I would probably go on a little overnight camping trip to prepare for this. Practice packing your bag so you know where everything is, how it fits, and plan what you'll take with you. This is a good time to check to see if your pack is fitted properly and everything works the way you want before you head out for a long trip.

One tip that I learned is that you can have "luxury" items in the backcountry! If you're a coffee person (like me!), look into Grower's Cup. They make specialty coffee that you can brew in a disposable bag that you add hot water too. The bag then is a carafe of coffee in 5 min -- so cool! Or if you just want instant coffee, take some Starbucks Via with you.

If you're hiking a lot, your rest becomes super important, so make sure you have a really comfortable air mat and maybe also and inflatable seat. I like Exped for air mats.

Honestly, I usually just buy Mountain House foods for backpacking because they're light and you can eat right out of the bag, so there are no dirty dishes to clean up afterwards. They really are delicious and will taste amazing on the trail. They are designed with athletes in mind, so they have lots of protein and are high calorie for energy and sustenance. My favorites are Sweet and Sour Pork and Chili Mac. The breakfasts are good too. The Breakfast Skillet is my favorite there. Good luck and have fun!

What316

ahh hello don't you people ever watch movies ,camping = machete in head or torn apart by wolves

amberlykay1014

ahh hello don't you people ever watch movies ,camping = machete in head or torn apart by wolves

hahahaha... Oh, yeah, OP -- and pack some protection!! :laugh:

whierd

Always have several ways to start fires and purify water. A book on local edible foliage is great, as wellas one on local dangers.

Map
Compass
Small metal pot
Propane burner is always nice
Sunscreen/bug spray
Mylar blankets
Strong cord or wire
Tape
Knife

mspoopoo

Be very organized. Clean and put everything away where it goes immediately when you are done with it.

Nothing worse than hunting around in the dark for a flashlight.

Bruceapple

DEET (100%) you will be rubbing it on your clothers (old) and every where. Watch out for plastic (your sun glasses) and rubber as DEET eats it . It is a very unique expirience. Stay away from the middle of large lakes, wind can be hard to deal with. Camp on islands, more wind = less bugs. Have a good time, wish I was going.

TyTy76

Lift your food up at night.
Lots of bears out there.

whierd

Lift your food up at night.
Lots of bears out there.

And away from your campsite.

BeachIron

Make sure that your boots fit, that they are broken in, and that you pack extra socks. Also bring something other than your boots to wear at the end of the day in camp. Your feet will thank you. I am always careful about minimizing pack weight, but flip flops or 5 fingers come with. Well, those and coffee.

Contrarian

Take a first aid kit and be prepared for rain, no matter what the forecast is.

Joreanasaurous

Make sure that your boots fit, that they are broken in, and that you pack extra socks. Also bring something other than your boots to wear at the end of the day in camp. Your feet will thank you. I am always careful about minimizing pack weight, but flip flops or 5 fingers come with. Well, those and coffee.

This!

ldrosophila

If you see a hockey mask...RUN!!!!

Oh and heed the water advice. Just had a girl come back from camping at 14,000ft and decided to drink fast running snow melt. She ended up with the squirts.

_Waffle_

My husband and I are going on a trip to the Boundary waters (between MN and Canada) in a couple weeks. I am so excited but just wondering if any of you have gone on similar trips have any advice to offer us? We have read some books and he has gone before, but this will be my first time there. I love camping and outdoors but i have never done anything this extreme.

Also wondering about recipes anyone may have that have worked well for backpacking:)

Don't leave any food out that attracts the bears. My brother still can't walk even after 3 reconstructive surgeries on his leg. This was just a small black bear. They're dangerous.

cmcollins001

Always have several ways to start fires and purify water. A book on local edible foliage is great, as wellas one on local dangers.

Map
Compass
Small metal pot
Propane burner is always nice
Sunscreen/bug spray
Mylar blankets
Strong cord or wire
Tape
Knife

And gun, don't forget a gun.

ihad

My husband and I are going on a trip to the Boundary waters (between MN and Canada) in a couple weeks. I am so excited but just wondering if any of you have gone on similar trips have any advice to offer us? We have read some books and he has gone before, but this will be my first time there. I love camping and outdoors but i have never done anything this extreme.

Also wondering about recipes anyone may have that have worked well for backpacking:)

Don't leave any food out that attracts the bears. My brother still can't walk even after 3 reconstructive surgeries on his leg. This was just a small black bear. They're dangerous.

I often bring a bear bag - a sack with a rope that can be tied up in a tree - to keep all the things bears might be interested in. Note - do not wear clothes to bed that you have cooked in. The bears may still be attracted to the smell.

BeachIron

Always have several ways to start fires and purify water. A book on local edible foliage is great, as wellas one on local dangers.

Map
Compass
Small metal pot
Propane burner is always nice
Sunscreen/bug spray
Mylar blankets
Strong cord or wire
Tape
Knife

And gun, don't forget a gun.

When you're talking bear country, absolutely. A good bear bag or bear canister, and a large caliber handgun or rifle.

Otterluv

Make sure that your boots fit, that they are broken in, and that you pack extra socks. Also bring something other than your boots to wear at the end of the day in camp. Your feet will thank you. I am always careful about minimizing pack weight, but flip flops or 5 fingers come with. Well, those and coffee.

^^^^ This is all really important advice. I always strap on some Keen sandals to my pack for crossing creeks or mucking about in lakes.

I would recommend wool socks, Smartwool is fantastic and they make some great summer weight socks. Cotton socks are blister magnets. Make sure to pack precut pieces of moleskin in your pack.

I love my Steripen, it's wonderful. But, do bring tablets as backup. I agree with the posters mentioning Mountain House dehydrated foods. My favorites are the Pasta Primavera, the Macaroni and Cheese, and the Raspberry Crumble for dessert. My favorite breakfast is 1.5 servings of instant oats, dry milk, vanilla protein powder (only half a serving), and chocolate chips. I use dry milk and instant coffee, as well. We bring lots of snacks, nutrition bars and energy gummies. Some of the gummies have caffeine in them, which is a bonus.

Other advice: bring a couple of gallon sized ziplock bags for trash. Look up videos on how to pack your backpack, and how to adjust everything correctly. Take breaks as you hike and plan for it to take significantly longer than just hiking does. In fact, you should go on a few shorter hikes beforehand with your pack just to condition yourself and your pack.

I agree with the advice to tie up your food. Though the biggest issue we've had is with squirrels (they LOVE anything with chocolate, boogers).

Mostly, have fun!!!!

missyj1115

I saw a mama bear with her 3 cubs 100 yards from the camp site BRING GUN!!! Seriously though all these tips are great!
Hang your food bag as hight as you can or over a cliff (had to do that once)... We really had no problems with the wildlife just the time mama bear came out for a drink the the bay we were staying. I yelled bear since she was very close to me, the people I were with were just heading out in the canoes to fish when they herd me. They came running only to notice one of the canoes slowly drifting out to sea Another tip make sure your canoes are secure at all times!!! Good water/hiking shoes are a must for portaging and PLEASE watch were you are walking. It is extremely beautiful and you want to look around but trust me some of those portage trails are nothing to mess around with!! Sprained my ankle the first time I went out there on day one but was a trooper the whole week!!!

Above all have a great time enjoy your surroundings it truly is a wonderful experience and I would love to get the chance to go back a third time!!! Good Luck to you sweets!!!

missyj1115

Ohhhh yeah and COFFEE if you drink it we got a french press that worked really well it was one of our speciality items it you will!!! Nothing like waking up in the morning looking out over the lake drinking that coffee watching the sunrise!!!

sillygoosie

I take the little wine juice boxes as a luxury. They are worth the little extra weight in the pack. :drinker:

bubblygoldfish

While you're breaking in your boots use foot powder... just dump it in your boot... and shake it around. This will cut down on blisters. Trust me, i learned this the hard way in basic training! But I agree with bring pre-cut moleskin. Pre-cut is key since you may not have anything to cut with out there. And plastic bags to seal up trash. Have fun and take pictures!

johe28

Hey, I live in MN! Heard it is great up there. I have not been yet. One nice thing is that you can really disconnect from the world. Make sure to be prepared for mosquitoes. Have fun.

djeffreys10

Mountain house to eat.
Titanium for boiling water (saves weight)
3 different fire starting methods
ENO hammock and tarp for shelter, saves weight.
Good water purifier
Don't skimp on the sleeping bag (my good one is a $400 marmott goose down). If you usena cheaper synthetic, get it rated at least 15° colder than expected temps. A 30° is not going to keep you warm below 45°. Not a fun lesson to learn in the brush.