It is a damn thing when backpacking is getting things inside your backpack wet or damp. This can make for a very miserable trip, especially if your clothes or food get wet. This brings us to Tip #9 – Always put at least six trash bags in your backpacking pack.
Everybody has trash bags in their home. You can save yourself from a wet and dreary night if you simply follow the instructions below and put all of the camping gear you’d normally put into your backpack into a trash bag first. The trash bag can serve as a lining to prevent your camping gear from getting wet. You simply pack all of the items you would normally pack in your backpacking pack into the trash bag first. This will ensure that no matter how wet and water proof… or lack of waterproofing your backpacks are on the outside, no amount of rain or snow will be able to penetrate the backpack AND the trash bags to get your food, clothing, cell phone, first aid kit and other camping gear wet.
10′ x 10′ SilverGM Pop Up Canopy – Green
Gather six trash bags. Pop up canopy. Make sure your bags are big enough to fill your entire backpack and roll it up at the top. The preferred color of the bag is orange but white or black trash bags will work as well. 10′ x 10′ pop up canopy. White and orange bags will help you see items in the bottom of the bag a lot easier. An orange trash bag can also be used to attract attention from searchers if you happen to get lost or injured. If you do not have white or orange trash bags around the house, black ones will do the job just as well. Once all of your camping gear is stored in the trash bag, cinch your backpack closed to protect all your gear from rain.
Listed below are just a few of the benefits of bringing six trash bags instead of just one.
One trash bag should be used as your main lining to protect the camping gear stored inside your backpacking pack as described above. Keeping your sleeping bag dry is one big benefit.
- A second trash bag can serve as a backup to the first one in case it gets torn
- A third bag can be used as an emergency pack rain cover
- A fouth trash bag can be used as an emergency rain suit
- A fifth bag can be used as a regular trash bag to avoid littering the wilderness
- A sixth bag can be used as a gift to hand to a friend who may have forgotten to bring their bags or never thought about it.
You have no idea how appreciative a friend can be when you help save them from a dreary trip or sleepless night. Remember, The Joy is in the Journey.
