READERS COMMENTS

copy and paste dude.
Posted: May 14, 2009 Anonymous

Does anyone know how you can print anything from the Backpacker.com?

Backpacker customer service said to contact a company they do busines with in reference to the website. I called and the guy I spoke did not have a clue and/or could not care less!
Posted: Apr 03, 2009 Bill

A finer compliment I've seldom received, Richard.



I second what Dan said about the taut line vs trucker's hitch. My thinking exactly. I still use the taut line but the trucker's hitch is my knot of choice for cinching something down or making a line taut. I first saw the trucker's hitch demonstrated on a PBS "Trailside" program with John Viehman. Thank you John for opening up a whole new world for me.
Posted: Jan 14, 2009 Richard McFadden


Posted: Apr 03, 2009 John Viehman

I second what Dan said about the taut line vs trucker's hitch. My thinking exactly. I still use the taut line but the trucker's hitch is my knot of choice for cinching something down or making a line taut. I first saw the trucker's hitch demonstrated on a PBS "Trailside" program with John Viehman. Thank you John for opening up a whole new world for me.
Posted: Jan 14, 2009 Richard McFadden

You're welcome, Dan. A higher compliment doesn't exist, imho.
Posted: Apr 02, 2009 John Viehman

A Taut line hitch is to create a taut line as in pitching an old style tent or tarp. It is easily adjusted as say opposed to two half hitches. Last turn is opposite to first two in order to create a good lock. A truckers hitch is to secure a load by creating tension on the line and to release easily. Totally different purposes and both great if used properly{:<).
Posted: Mar 07, 2009 Old Scout Master

Sea to Summit makes a solar shower that compresses down to its own little pocket. It holds 10 litres, can be used as a shower or running water for camp chores, is inflatable as a nice pillow, doubles as a dry bag and I can lash it to my pack to tote a whole days worth of water far from the source.
I won't camp without it. Even if I don't shower it's nice to have running water at camp to wash hands/ do dishes...

(The dry bag trick is my favorite... My "Survival Kit" is in a small 2 or 4 liter dry sack. Same reason, keeps stuff dry, doubles as a bucket...)
Posted: Mar 01, 2009 Patrick Foley

Great piece, I always love reading info topics like this. It is important to learn because lets face it who wants to carry gallons of water on trips?
Posted: Feb 25, 2009 Kindal

I 'gree with anonymos
Posted: Feb 24, 2009 The other Anonymos

I've found that tying a plastic bag around a healthy branch and then securing it with string works well. The water evaporates and condenses in the bag.
Posted: Feb 24, 2009 Tyler O.

The tautline hitch is illustrated here incorrectly. The final hitch passes in the same orientation to the standing part as do the previous hitches.

There is another, more secure, version of the tautline hitch favored by some. This one is well-illustrated on the site "Animated Knots by Grog".

FWIW, I've used the tautline hitch for more than thirty years without problems--when tied correctly!
Posted: Feb 24, 2009 Perry Clark

Better re-check that taunt-line hitch. Somebody will lose a merit badge.
Posted: Jan 19, 2009 Anonymous

The counterbalance method is ok, but takes more gear. As above, attach a line to your food bag, and a mini-carabiner at the same attachment point. Toss the line over a 15-foot or higher branch. Here's the difference. Find a short stick, about 3-4." Pass the line back down and through the 'biner, and haul the bag up as high as it will go. Substitute a clove hitch around the middle of the stick, ease of on the line and the food bag drops until the stick locks across the 'biner. I coil up the excess line and tie it off above my head, and walk away. The bag will be swaying in the breeze at least 8 feet up. Check local regulations. Hanging anything on a live tree may be illegal. In that case use a canister.
Posted: Jan 16, 2009 Rick Woods

Try the "adjstable grip hitch" - it holds better than a truckers hitch or a taughline hitch and is easier to tie...

http://www.layhands.com/Knots/Knots_Hitches.htm
Posted: Jan 15, 2009 Chris Hvid

The trucker's hitch is very useful and easy to tie, tighten and untie however it does not stay when the rope does not have any load on it and can become tangled and lock itself easily. The taut line hitch is recommended for creating a loop at the end of a rope that you can adjust the size of the loop without having to untie the hitch. I have broken off most of the little plastic tabs that allow you to do this on my rain fly, and the taut line hitches I have tied years ago still work as good as ever.
Posted: Jan 14, 2009 Anonymous

Jumbo condom!? I got tons of them laying around.
Posted: Jan 14, 2009 AJ

I second what Dan said about the taut line vs trucker's hitch. My thinking exactly. I still use the taut line but the trucker's hitch is my knot of choice for cinching something down or making a line taut. I first saw the trucker's hitch demonstrated on a PBS "Trailside" program with John Viehman. Thank you John for opening up a whole new world for me.
Posted: Jan 14, 2009 Richard McFadden

I have found the taut line hitch to be pretty useless. The Scouts teach it too but I think a much easier and useful knot for tightening is the trucker's hitch (my dad called it a woodsman's hitch). It is easy to tie, comes undone with a yank and can really tighten things. You can double it up to get twice the mechanical advantage.

I like your magazine and plan to use the hike descriptions on the web.
Posted: Dec 30, 2008 Dan Henderson

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