I was surfing YouTube today and happened upon this video detailing various ways to make DIY ultralight backpacking gear from stuff you probably already have around the house.  Check out the video below:

Photo via BackpackingLight.com

Sam Haraldson from Backpacking Light Magazine came up with the idea of making his own camera case from bubble wrap and duct tap before he tackled the Pacific Northwest Trail back in the summer of 2006.  He thought it was a dud but decided to take it anyway, and to his surprise it lasted all 1,200 miles of the PNT.  Cheap, lightweight, durable and one more example of why duct tape rocks–visit BackpackingLight.com and learn how to make your own.

Ok, the purists might hate this one, but the MacGyver in me loves it.  All you need is some steel wool, your cell phone and some tinder (dryer lint ftw!) and you’ve got fire!  Video from the team at Backpacker:

photo from GypsyRocks

This gentleman from Cambridge, MA graciously–albeit unknowingly–volunteered his time to teach beginning hikers everywhere exactly how not to hike.  Thanks, sir!

Jeans — check
Sneakers — check
Garbage bag — check
Out of shape spaghetti legs — check
Random dudes from craigslist — check

Side note: My hiking buddy Suvid and I have a tradition which involves yelling, “Yay, Jeans!” whenever we see someone wearing jeans on the trail.  We’re not trail snobs, but c’mon…jeans?  Plz.  It’s almost as silly as the time George Costanza suggested the Yankees switch to cotton uniforms from a polyester blend.

Courtesy of instructables.com

Love taking your digital camera or camcorder on the trail but can never manage to get a perfectly steady shot?  Instead of scratching the camera’s bottom on a rock or tree branch, check out this ingenious tip from instructables.com.  You’ll learn how to make a trekking pole monopod, which is exactly what it sounds like.  Says the author, ” this simple camera mount doesn’t take up any space in my pack, barely adds weight to my trekking pole, folds up when not in use, isn’t permanently attached, and costs very little to make.”  Trekking Pole Monopod – instructables.com

Time for a cleanin'

If it’s been a while since you’ve hit the trail, chances are you’re lazy like me and were too tired returning from your last hike that you didn’t bother to properly clean your CamelBak, Platypus, pig bladder (jk), or whatever it is you use for trail hydration.  Luckily the folks over at Trails.com have put together a quick, handy guide on how to get your hydration pack clean and ready for your next trip.  (“How to Clean a Hydration Pack”–Trails.com)

What should I bring?

It’s pretty web 1.0-looking, but a powerful tool nonetheless.  Whether you’re a beginner or experienced world traveler, the Universal Packing list will tell you exactly what to take.   Input your travel dates, the expected temperature, your gender, your mode of transportation and a urine sample*, and you’ll receive a listing of pre-trip to-do items as well as your packing list and reasons why you should take what they tell you to take.

*Just kidding about the urine sample

Universal Packing List