Summary: Learn how to outwit pesky, hungry trail rodents without dangling your food from a tree. Then, we’ll expose five ridiculous ultralight fails (HINT: Bubble wrap is for heirloom vases and vintage china). Next we review a lightweight, super durable map that would leave Lewis and Clark and Sacagawea a little jealous. And you’ll learn the trick to making unscented hand sanitizer that costs less than the gel hand sanitizer you keep in your glove box.<br> Show Notes: Episode 008<br> Opening<br> <br> * <a href="http://sectionhiker.com/bears_sense_of_smell/">A bear’s sense of smell is 2,100 times better than a human.</a><br> * Mice, rats, chipmunks, raccoons and other animals on the trail also have an extremely keen sense of smell.<br> * They’ll gnaw through your pack to eat toiletries<br> * Don’t keep food in your pack!<br> * Protect your food from birds and rodents by keeping it in a steel mesh bag<br> * RatSack, <a href="http://www.simpleoutdoorstore.com/outsak.html">OutSak</a>, GrubPack, or FoodSack<br> * If you’re going to be in bear country, that’s more regulated, so find out exactly which containers are approved for the area you’ll be hiking in<br> <br> The Top 5 Ultralight Backpacking Fails<br> Ultralight Bubble Wrap Sleeping Pad<br> <br> * Easily punctured<br> * Cannot be repaired once deflated<br> * Not sturdy<br> <br> Dollar Store Poncho<br> <br> * Snags on everything<br> * Can’t be reused<br> * Not heavy enough to cover you if the wind picks up<br> * Weighs only 1.5 oz, but…not worth the weight<br> <br> Eating Uncooked Ramen Noodles<br> <br> * Food fatigue<br> * Unimaginative, disappointing<br> * Food acts as morale booster, but not uncooked ramen<br> * Comfort and safety when you bring a stove<br> <br> No Toilet Paper<br> <br> * Not only is it a comfort item, but its lightweight<br> * No guarantee that you’ll find soft leaves on trail<br> * I’m terrible at identifying poison oak, ivy and sumac<br> * Toilet paper biodegrades within days<br> * Is a multi-use item: fire starting, first aid, ear plugs, cleaning up odd messes where you may not want to use your camp towel or bandana.<br> <br> Rationed Water<br> <br> * Don’t limit your water or go from waterhole to waterhole<br> * Carry the weight and have the assurance of water<br> <br> SUMMIT Gear Review™: <a href="https://greentrailsmaps.com/">Green Trails Maps S Series</a><br> Structure<br> <br> * Plastic<br> * Lightweight, Waterproof, Tear Resistant Maps<br> <br> Utility<br> <br> * 462S Mt Hood/Timberline Trail<br> * Scale:1:25000<br> * Current map: Original Issue:2006, Current Issue:2013<br> * Updated frequently<br> <br> Mass<br> <br> * 5 oz<br> * 40% lighter than paper maps<br> * 18×24 inches<br> * 6×9 folded up<br> <br> Maintenance<br> <br> * Wipe with damp rag<br> * Do not use solvents to clean!!<br> <br> Investment<br> <br> * $14<br> * Typical paper Green Trails Map $8<br> <br> Trial<br> <br> * Came with two stickers declaring Waterproof! Tear Resistant! And now ultralight too!<br> * Tried peeling of those labels, left sticky residue<br> * Ultralight, loved map, durable, washable<br> * Found spelling error Ramona Falls (spelled “Romona”)<br> * Took a beating on our trip, didn’t tear or get wear marks on creases<br> * Didn’t get dog-eared<br> * Nice coloring details<br> * Used washi tape from craft store with arrows on it to mark spots on map<br> * May add DIY eyelet or grommet to secure map in heavy wind<br> <br> Backpack Hack of the Week™: DIY Hand Sanitizer<br> <br> * In episode 7 we talked about the benefits of bringing a bottle on Isopropyl Alcohol (Related: <a title="007: When It Rains, You’re Covered" href="http://www.thefirst40miles.com/007-when-it-rains-youre-covered/">007: When It Rains, You’re Covered</a>)<br> * This DIY Hand Sanitizer is a cheaper,
