This video features the book The Most Crucial Knots To Know
https://aaronrlinsdau.com/nonfiction/the-most-crucial-knots-to-know/
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When I was first getting into backpacking, I wish I had picked up these skills much sooner. Knowing when, and how, to set up your tent quickly can completely change how your evening goes.
If you spend thirty minutes wrestling with your tent and daylight fades, you’re suddenly cooking and eating in the dark while stumbling around camp. That’s how gear gets misplaced, knees get cracked, and small problems turn into big ones. It’s something worth taking seriously.
Your tent setup should be fast and efficient. There’s no reason not to practice it at home until it becomes automatic.
Long before you reach camp, pay attention to your feet. Midday foot care is a major factor in staying comfortable. While hiking, take a short break and let your feet air out. I do this at least once a day, usually around lunchtime when I’m already stopped, often near a creek or a shaded spot.
I take off my shoes, pull off my Brooks trail runners, remove my Smartwool socks, and let my feet breathe. Even ten minutes of airflow can make a huge difference.
Once you’re in camp, be mindful of wind when cooking. A strong breeze can blow out your stove without you noticing, leaving you with cold food or wasted fuel.
Using a proper wind block for your stove makes a big difference. It helps keep the flame lit and improves efficiency by directing more heat into your pot, which means faster cooking.
These practical skills all matter, including knot tying. In my book, The Most Crucial Knots to Know, I cover the knots you’ll realistically ever need for backpacking and camping so you can operate with confidence in the field.
Another challenge I faced as a beginner was learning to adjust my backpack while moving. If something felt off, I’d stop, fiddle with straps, then start walking again. Those stops add up.
A single minute lost can mean 100 yards or 100 meters. Do that fifteen times in a day, and you’ve lost about a mile, or 1.6 kilometers. It doesn’t sound like much until you feel it.
I learned this lesson while climbing Gannett Peak in Wyoming’s Wind River Range. I couldn’t figure out why I was moving so slowly until I realized how often I was stopping to adjust my belt or shoulder straps. That kind of constant tweaking will slow you down more than you expect.
Beginner backpackers also tend to underestimate emergency planning. If your phone has no service and your Garmin InReach or satellite device fails, you need another option.
Signaling for help is something many people don’t think about. If your electronics quit, do you have a whistle? Do you have a signal mirror? Without those, you’re extremely difficult to find.
Out here, preparation matters.
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Aaron R. Linsdau is a keynote speaker and polar explorer. Book Aaron for your next event or learn more at https://www.aaronlinsdau.com
Read his thriller books at https://www.aaronrlinsdau.com