|
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Little things that make a BIG difference |
Author
Text
04/13/2009 12:39PM (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I can think of a zillion things fit this description. Many were learned on this forum.
What little things have others used to make things better/easier in the BW??
Here are few to get things started:
- Bungee Dealee Bobs
- Leather work gloves: great for hoisting the food bag and working firewood
What little things have others used to make things better/easier in the BW??
Here are few to get things started:
- Bungee Dealee Bobs
- Leather work gloves: great for hoisting the food bag and working firewood
Fish where the fish are...
04/13/2009 01:10PM
Those really TINY little LED lights that weigh nothing and take up almost no space at all. I keep one in my personal pack and if I can't get to sleep at night because Spartan1 is snoring (sleep apnea--can't use the CPAP machine in the BW)I can read until I get really sleepy. Or write in my journal.
04/13/2009 04:29PM
I haven't been in since I joined the forum, but things I learned and will be using on this summers trip:
1. BDB's. I made 24 of them for $0.75 each and will use them for everything in the garage too.
2. Better bear bag hanging methods & ways to throw ropes over.
3. Basketball nets for anchors.
4. I'm not the only person to bring a plastic bucket in.
5. Sources for better tarps.
6. Blue barrels are not bear proof, but I got one for $18 from a craigs list posting I saw here.
7. Be careful reading the gear forum... I'm investing in better gear each time I go in and it gets expensive when gear junkies enable each other.
1. BDB's. I made 24 of them for $0.75 each and will use them for everything in the garage too.
2. Better bear bag hanging methods & ways to throw ropes over.
3. Basketball nets for anchors.
4. I'm not the only person to bring a plastic bucket in.
5. Sources for better tarps.
6. Blue barrels are not bear proof, but I got one for $18 from a craigs list posting I saw here.
7. Be careful reading the gear forum... I'm investing in better gear each time I go in and it gets expensive when gear junkies enable each other.
04/13/2009 08:33PM
Bear bag pulley system! I used to do it the hard way, never again will I fight to get the food pack off the ground. Sometimes I lower the food pack just so I can remember how easy it is to raise it back up. Good stuff
My two cents,
Travis
My two cents,
Travis
04/14/2009 03:25PM
Zip strips (2 or 3 sizes) and of course Duck Tape. "If you can't be hansome, might as well be handy" I can't spell, but my math sucks.
Joy is a great teacher, but so is dispair. Wonder is a great teacher, but so is confusion. Hope is a great teacher, but so is disillusionment. And life is a great teacher, but so is death. To deny yourself any of those in any aspect is not experiencing life totally.
04/21/2009 04:57PM
not all of these are "little" things, but they all make a big difference
headlamp
crazy creek long back chair
gulp
kevlar
tyvek
merino wool
modern synthetic fabric clothing
updated maps
headlamp
crazy creek long back chair
gulp
kevlar
tyvek
merino wool
modern synthetic fabric clothing
updated maps
Life is Good, Living is Better. Everlasting Life is Best! Pray for Us Amok.
04/23/2009 06:33AM
Spare hank of 500lb para chord (3/16" stuff) for tarp engineering.
Chair for my Dad.
Food bucket for the crushable stuff - makes a great seat for the cook (gets hung in the bag at night)
Foot long (or more) velcro straps to wrap around thwarts etc on portages (don't have BDBs yet). Buy it by the yard at a fabric store. Get the "real" stuff not the "arts and crafts" crap.
Cedarstrip canoe (not "little thing" but essential).
Chair for my Dad.
Food bucket for the crushable stuff - makes a great seat for the cook (gets hung in the bag at night)
Foot long (or more) velcro straps to wrap around thwarts etc on portages (don't have BDBs yet). Buy it by the yard at a fabric store. Get the "real" stuff not the "arts and crafts" crap.
Cedarstrip canoe (not "little thing" but essential).
Be an example worth following.
04/23/2009 08:41AM
I generally leave all electronics behind but on the last two trips I took small walkie-talkies and found them VERY useful when two canoes needed to communicate. I like to send one canoe looking for a campsite one direction while the other looks elsewhere and then use the walkie-talkie to compare notes. Also useful for keeping in touch when fishing or exploring different areas.
04/23/2009 10:21AM
Some are not so little but make life easier
1.Bungee Dealee bobs
2. Solar shower Only goes when the wife and daughter come
3. Basketball net for anchor
4. Block and tackle for lifting food pack
5. Looking forward in trying out the tennis ball with rocks for throwing the rope up for food pack and hanging tarp. And then using the same tennis ball for the tarp if I need a center pole.
1.Bungee Dealee bobs
2. Solar shower Only goes when the wife and daughter come
3. Basketball net for anchor
4. Block and tackle for lifting food pack
5. Looking forward in trying out the tennis ball with rocks for throwing the rope up for food pack and hanging tarp. And then using the same tennis ball for the tarp if I need a center pole.
04/24/2009 05:46PM
August 08'- Sawbill Entry point. It happen to be my first trip in many years. My buddy (a first timer) broke his ankle while trying to retrieve his fishing lure from an over hanging tree along the shoreline. His ankle wedged between two rocks as he lost his footing and fell sideways.
04/25/2009 09:46AM
I don't want to hijack this thread but...
I went winter camping twice this past year. One night the temp got down to -25. I had to get up twice to go (had a few cocktails that evening). It was cold and inconvenient but I still would NEVER consider a pee bottle. I just don't get that.
I went winter camping twice this past year. One night the temp got down to -25. I had to get up twice to go (had a few cocktails that evening). It was cold and inconvenient but I still would NEVER consider a pee bottle. I just don't get that.
05/03/2009 07:37AM
What is a fish cleaning glove?
This sounds like a good idea. I'd like to get my son and nephew to start learning how to filet and protection is a good idea.
This sounds like a good idea. I'd like to get my son and nephew to start learning how to filet and protection is a good idea.
"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
05/03/2009 06:44PM
One time I was cleaning out the garage, and grabbed an old-fashioned aluminum lawn chair and was struck by how very light it was. I brought it to the BWCA and everyone laughed at me, but it worked GREAT. Bungeed it to the Duluth pack for portaging, and it kept the pack off the floor enough to keep it dry. About one-third the weight of a chair in a bag, but the big draw-back is it LOOKS DUMB. Any way, I recommend it. They cost a dollar at gargae sales.
"Life is not a beauty contest. It is a fishing contest." --me
05/07/2011 10:46PM
quote Humdinger: "I haven't been in since I joined the forum, but things I learned and will be using on this summers trip:
1. BDB's. I made 24 of them for $0.75 each and will use them for everything in the garage too.
2. Better bear bag hanging methods & ways to throw ropes over.
3. Basketball nets for anchors.
4. I'm not the only person to bring a plastic bucket in.
5. Sources for better tarps.
6. Blue barrels are not bear proof, but I got one for $18 from a craigs list posting I saw here.
7. Be careful reading the gear forum... I'm investing in better gear each time I go in and it gets expensive when gear junkies enable each other."
Humdinger,
great tips. how does one make BDB's? Thanks.
05/08/2011 02:27AM
#4- sharp axe and knife
#3 rope
#2-- dry matches along with canoe paddles --- Solo trip, you lose a paddle and you better have an axe.
#1-- a good attidude among group memembers no matter what the situation.
#3 rope
#2-- dry matches along with canoe paddles --- Solo trip, you lose a paddle and you better have an axe.
#1-- a good attidude among group memembers no matter what the situation.
The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.
05/08/2011 09:53AM
Adams Sunblocker Hat. I have been told it is very ugly. It is one of my best pieces of gear that I always take. It is good in rain and sun. When I am getting hot I will dunk it in the lake. I us it a lot. If it is raining I will take my hat before an umbrella. I have also used it reroofing a couple of houses.
Adams Sunblocker
Jrlatt
Adams Sunblocker
Jrlatt
05/08/2011 10:15AM
1) wool socks
2) knee high rubber boots
3) Permethrin
4) basketball net anchor
5) keens
6) BDB's
7) wood clothes pins
8) CCS tarp
9) waterproof matches/firesteel
10) gamma seal lids on buckets
You can take a trip and not bring any of these things listed but they sure make things better.
2) knee high rubber boots
3) Permethrin
4) basketball net anchor
5) keens
6) BDB's
7) wood clothes pins
8) CCS tarp
9) waterproof matches/firesteel
10) gamma seal lids on buckets
You can take a trip and not bring any of these things listed but they sure make things better.
"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD
05/08/2011 04:59PM
quote Scout64: "XXL Zip-Loc bags. Perfect for lining your Duluth Pack. And, a pair of pliers."
I just have been using the heavy bags to roll up. Where do you buy bags that have a ziplock feature for a Duluth Pack?
"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD
05/08/2011 08:40PM
quote indyjoe: "quote Humdinger: "I haven't been in since I joined the forum, but things I learned and will be using on this summers trip:
1. BDB's. I made 24 of them for $0.75 each and will use them for everything in the garage too.
2. Better bear bag hanging methods & ways to throw ropes over.
3. Basketball nets for anchors.
4. I'm not the only person to bring a plastic bucket in.
5. Sources for better tarps.
6. Blue barrels are not bear proof, but I got one for $18 from a craigs list posting I saw here.
7. Be careful reading the gear forum... I'm investing in better gear each time I go in and it gets expensive when gear junkies enable each other."
Humdinger,
great tips. how does one make BDB's? Thanks."
The old scout ones are pretty good, but I wanted mine slightly longer and heavier t-bars. We made 144 of them for our boy scouts crew so we had lots of free labor too ;-)
Buy 1/4" pex tube in a five foot length at menards or home depot, cut to length desired, buy 1/8" elastic cord and ecliptical cord locks from REI, and we made a little drill jig fixture for drilling.
Cut the loops to length and burn the ends after you tie the knot.
05/09/2011 07:42AM
quote Needleguy: "Duck Tape! you can do anything with this stuff. Broken ankle 15 miles in. "
Maybe I have missed this story on this site before but - HOLY COW!!!
That is impressive and must have made for an intersting trip out...
"I'm not superstitious. I'm a little stitious" - Michael Scott
05/09/2011 09:56PM
quote wb4syth: "quote Needleguy: "Duck Tape! you can do anything with this stuff. Broken ankle 15 miles in. "
Maybe I have missed this story on this site before but - HOLY COW!!!
That is impressive and must have made for an intersting trip out..."
Nice job on the splint. Must have been painful getting that duct tape off with all that hair. Did you pull it off fast or slow?
"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD
05/09/2011 09:57PM
quote moosewatcher: "Been bringing baby wipes for ten years. Don't leave home with out them."
I gotta agree. Baby wipes. Little things...BIG difference.
"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after"
~ Henry David Thoreau
05/10/2011 07:43AM
Some of my favorites (may al;ready be listed in this thread):
Rawhide leather gloves. Great for hoisting bear bags and playing with the fire.
Kitty litter buckets. Great for protecting and sorting food. Also provide places to sit and surface to cook on.
Rawhide leather gloves. Great for hoisting bear bags and playing with the fire.
Kitty litter buckets. Great for protecting and sorting food. Also provide places to sit and surface to cook on.
Fish where the fish are...
05/10/2011 08:05AM
quote Humdinger: "1. BDB's. I made 24 of them for $0.75 each and will use them for everything in the garage too."
I don't think the name is trademarked, but there's only one BDB. In fairness to Old Scout and his business, homemade knockoffs probably shouldn't be called BDBs. Maybe a little anal, but that's how I feel about OS and his gear.
"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~ John Muir
05/11/2011 09:48AM
Bic Lighters
Digital Voice Recorder (about twice as big as a bic lighter)
1" Black Pipe Insulation Foam (similar to noodles used by kids in swimming pools) for the gunwales on the bow...my son loved the confort after bruising his knees/shins on a 10-day trip the year before.
Digital Voice Recorder (about twice as big as a bic lighter)
1" Black Pipe Insulation Foam (similar to noodles used by kids in swimming pools) for the gunwales on the bow...my son loved the confort after bruising his knees/shins on a 10-day trip the year before.
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are -- Teddy Roosevelt
05/11/2011 11:48PM
quote Jackfish: "quote Humdinger: "1. BDB's. I made 24 of them for $0.75 each and will use them for everything in the garage too."
I don't think the name is trademarked, but there's only one BDB. In fairness to Old Scout and his business, homemade knockoffs probably shouldn't be called BDBs. Maybe a little anal, but that's how I feel about OS and his gear."
I agree with this sentiment.
05/12/2011 08:37AM
quote jjjds1999: "What is a jello mold oven? I've seen it mentioned a couple times."
I found the thread on the jello mold oven. Sounds great! I'm going to look around for a jello mold & surprise my husband by baking on our next trip! We have a Coleman oven for car camping, but can't take that when weight and space are at a minimum.
01/05/2012 11:41AM
I posted in 2011, but would add:
1) foam pipe insulation for bow paddlers' knee protection
2) battery powered fish finder. It really,really helps.
3) refrigeration free packets-mayo,ketchup,mustard,relish,hot sauce, etc
4) KMnO4 and glycol fire starter
5) foil packed tuna and chicken
6) NIDA whole dehydrated milk
Old Hoosier
1) foam pipe insulation for bow paddlers' knee protection
2) battery powered fish finder. It really,really helps.
3) refrigeration free packets-mayo,ketchup,mustard,relish,hot sauce, etc
4) KMnO4 and glycol fire starter
5) foil packed tuna and chicken
6) NIDA whole dehydrated milk
Old Hoosier
01/05/2012 03:32PM
A good nights sleep is taken for granted till you don't get one. So, I'd say the ExPed Air Mattress is #1. Sweet dreams.
2. Fire Paste.
3. Pee Bottle. Have been so glad to just step outside the tent for it instead of getting dressed, finding flashlight, get assaulted by skeeters, etc. An idea I learned about here. It's so simple, so convenient but would have not thought of bringing one. In the light of dawn, after I empty it, I rinse with light solution of 3 drops Clorox + water which disinfects, deodorizes the container. Totally non-gross.
2. Fire Paste.
3. Pee Bottle. Have been so glad to just step outside the tent for it instead of getting dressed, finding flashlight, get assaulted by skeeters, etc. An idea I learned about here. It's so simple, so convenient but would have not thought of bringing one. In the light of dawn, after I empty it, I rinse with light solution of 3 drops Clorox + water which disinfects, deodorizes the container. Totally non-gross.
“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Sir Isaac Newton
01/05/2012 05:51PM
quote neverfales: "Individual hot sauce packets from Popeyes chicken. Tabasco sauce packets, if you can find them. An easy way to make every dinner better."
Heck ya! Popeye's is somewhat of a pre-trip tradition for me- great place to stock up the mess kit! Louisiana hot sauce, Cajun Sparkle seasoning, lemon and honey all in neat little packets!
01/05/2012 06:56PM
Not much missed on all these posts. The only thing i have to add is knots.
Knowing a wide array of knots can solve alot of problems. Along with that, lightweight rope like Zing-It is really nice, especially with Dutch clips and Dutch Flys for hanging ridge lines and clotheslines. I rig up a Lean or hammock, a tarp, and a clothesline so having ultralight rope with ultra-quick setup/takedown is really nice.
Knowing a wide array of knots can solve alot of problems. Along with that, lightweight rope like Zing-It is really nice, especially with Dutch clips and Dutch Flys for hanging ridge lines and clotheslines. I rig up a Lean or hammock, a tarp, and a clothesline so having ultralight rope with ultra-quick setup/takedown is really nice.
01/06/2012 03:31PM
quote mjmkjun: "A good nights sleep is taken for granted till you don't get one. So, I'd say the ExPed Air Mattress is #1. Sweet dreams.
2. Fire Paste.
3. Pee Bottle. Have been so glad to just step outside the tent for it instead of getting dressed, finding flashlight, get assaulted by skeeters, etc. An idea I learned about here. It's so simple, so convenient but would have not thought of bringing one. In the light of dawn, after I empty it, I rinse with light solution of 3 drops Clorox + water which disinfects, deodorizes the container. Totally non-gross."
I always take in a 32 oz. gatorade (or equivalent, the wider top the better) and consume on the first day in. The empty then becomes my pee bottle for the duration. No confusion with the other bottles, no disinfecting at the end, just discard after you're out. Easy.
01/06/2012 03:41PM
quote Spartan2: "Those really TINY little LED lights that weigh nothing and take up almost no space at all. I keep one in my personal pack and if I can't get to sleep at night because Spartan1 is snoring (sleep apnea--can't use the CPAP machine in the BW)I can read until I get really sleepy. Or write in my journal."
Spartan2 all I can say is ear plugs. Just 1 more tip hope it helps.
JB
You can't explain the obvious to the ignorant.
01/10/2012 07:16PM
Taking the time to build a really comfortable canoe seat with a back rest and adding footrest to the canoe... Worlds of differance in lower back strain and a long day of paddling.
And a hammock for relaxing later.
And most important.. Old plastic army canteens full of rum to mix with coolaid at night =)
And a hammock for relaxing later.
And most important.. Old plastic army canteens full of rum to mix with coolaid at night =)
You only live once/enjoy it while it last.
01/11/2012 07:29AM
A comfy padded seat.
Phillips Amareto to go in the coffee in the mornings.
Hammock.
A good tough fishing rod.
A hat with a 360 degree brim.
Sunglasses.
Allen Mountaineer pack saw.
Phillips Amareto to go in the coffee in the mornings.
Hammock.
A good tough fishing rod.
A hat with a 360 degree brim.
Sunglasses.
Allen Mountaineer pack saw.
"Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit."
01/11/2012 09:00AM
KEVLAR.
TITANIUM.
CARBON FIBER.
Ok, maybe those are BIG things that make a BIG difference. I'll try again.
Little things:
HOT SAUCE
MSR SALT/PEPPER SHAKER
CAMP CHAIR (MY BIGGEST LUXURY)
REI MINI SPATULA
http://www.rei.com/product/765767/rei-campware-mini-spatula
SNOWPEAK 600 TI MUG
ZEBRALIGHT HEADLAMP
GSI COFFEE FILTER
VELCRO WRAPS (PREFER OVER THE BUNGEES)
OLD LITTLE SILVA COMPASS
BIC LIGHTER
TITANIUM.
CARBON FIBER.
Ok, maybe those are BIG things that make a BIG difference. I'll try again.
Little things:
HOT SAUCE
MSR SALT/PEPPER SHAKER
CAMP CHAIR (MY BIGGEST LUXURY)
REI MINI SPATULA
http://www.rei.com/product/765767/rei-campware-mini-spatula
SNOWPEAK 600 TI MUG
ZEBRALIGHT HEADLAMP
GSI COFFEE FILTER
VELCRO WRAPS (PREFER OVER THE BUNGEES)
OLD LITTLE SILVA COMPASS
BIC LIGHTER
01/11/2012 09:40AM
Little things:
Bungee Dealy Bob's #1
Leatherman Tool on my side
Lanyard with nippers and wistle around my neck and tucked in my shirt.
Headlamp Tikka Plus
Small Flashlight Princton Tec BLAST Flashlight with Carribeaner to hang inside of tent. (GET ONE OF THESE YOU WILL LOVE IT)
Butt Wipes
Permethrin on my clothes (pre-treated before trip)
Cotton Balls smeared with Vasoline in STUFFED in Film Canister for starting fires
SunCatcher
Bungee Dealy Bob's #1
Leatherman Tool on my side
Lanyard with nippers and wistle around my neck and tucked in my shirt.
Headlamp Tikka Plus
Small Flashlight Princton Tec BLAST Flashlight with Carribeaner to hang inside of tent. (GET ONE OF THESE YOU WILL LOVE IT)
Butt Wipes
Permethrin on my clothes (pre-treated before trip)
Cotton Balls smeared with Vasoline in STUFFED in Film Canister for starting fires
SunCatcher
"WWJD"
01/11/2012 10:13AM
The spice wheel!
But, the mouse comes in handy for browsing on bwca.com :)
Indispensible gear
Cant go without
Subscribe to Thread
Become a member of the bwca.com community to subscribe to thread and get email updates when new posts are added. Sign up Here