20 Frisbee Hacks Every Hiker Should Know
They're not just for catch. Cook a meal, fix a boat, or make a fire with this handy toy.
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When building inspector Fred Morrison sold his plastic flying disc to WHAM-O in 1955, he didn’t know that he’d launched the perfect camping tool. Here are 20 reasons you can’t live without one:
Kitchen duty
Cutting board: Chop, slice, or dice; the rounded lip keeps food on “board”
Serving tray: Transfer solids or liquids to campmates
Plate or bowl: Hold pasta and stews
Preparation dish: Batter French toast or flour-coat fish
Emergency pot lid: Keep the heat in (but don’t let it melt!)
Collecting basin: Gather berries or mushrooms
Stove platform: Provide insulation from snow (make sure it doesn’t get too hot)
Boating
Shallow bailer: Scoop out canoes
Signal device: Get noticed—add a big X with reflective tape to a brightly colored one
Emergency paddle: Save the day when you’re up a creek
Boat repair: Cut off the rim and duct-tape the flat part over a punctured hull
Utility tray: Hold tackle and fishing doodads
Fire building
Windbreak: Block gusts while cooking or starting fires
Wind-maker: Fan embers or chase away bugs
Collecting basin: Gather tinder and shavings
Personal
Soap dish: Keep leaves and twigs from sticking to your soap
Seat platform: Sit on snow, wet moss, or leaves
Field instructions: Write emergency ground-to-air signals and other notes with an indelible marker
Recreation
Flying saucer: In case you forgot: Toss to a friend, either human or canine. Just don’t lose it.
Sled: Travel at extreme speeds by smearing the bottom with cooking oil
For all of these uses, the 160-gram (5.6 ounce) Frisbee Freestyle model works best. It’s plenty wide, with a deep basin and stout lip. Light colors improve signaling and note writing.