Great Outdoors Hacks??

Bloodyhands

Bloodyhands

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With better weather coming on I am interested to hear what kinds of hacks and such folk who spend time in the great outdoors have learned, made, or adopted to deal with some of the inconveniences and aggravations of spending a lot of time outside and many times away from modern living. Im sure ya'll got some cool ones!!
One of mine that I use personally on myself and the kids is for itchy bites, rashes, and especially poison ivy. Shrinking Drywall spackle, or tile grout powder. I will pack it, it is cheap and likely already hanging around most homes.
If you do not have either and your out in the woods Jewel Weed, a native plant will do a decent job at relieving skin aggravations. It is generally found in wetter low lying areas, creeks etc... Jewel Weed has the look of a succulent and a orange flower.
Treat it as you would an Aloe plant. Break it open and apply generously.
Re8637a6bd46df11aa2d892221d47a7dd.jpgR972e14bbbe47b0623de7ab9587b9271d.jpg
 
I have not tried padded socks. I am gonna look at Thorlo though, and see what they are about. There is no doubt that keeping the feet healthy is a good thing!!
My only worry is that the calluses that years of steel toed boots put on the tops of my toes might go away.....🥺
 
Bloodyhands said:
I have not tried padded socks. I am gonna look at Thorlo though, and see what they are about. There is no doubt that keeping the feet healthy is a good thing!!
My only worry is that the calluses that years of steel toed boots put on the tops of my toes might go away.....[emoji3064]
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Thorlo makes good stuff. I worked on and installed some of their machinery back when I worked for the OEM. Back then, they were made locally. Not sure about now, as that was 20+ years ago.

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I just know what works for me. Over the calf lightweight socks for sneakers and most summertime stuff. Over the calf padded sole boot socks for winter or work boots.

I’ll see if I can find PNs. I usually buy a dozen of each every 5 years or so.
 
I just know what works for me. Over the calf lightweight socks for sneakers and most summertime stuff. Over the calf padded sole boot socks for winter or work boots.
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That's Great!! Thank You Much for the direction on the padded socks!
 
thorlo.com

Moderate Cushion Over-Calf Work Socks

Offering an ideal combination of protection, comfort and durability to last your whole work day. Clinically-tested padding under the ball and heel provides maximum protection from friction. Cushioned arch to relieve pressure. Spandex top holds in place all day. Made in the USA.
thorlo.com thorlo.com

thorlo.com

Light Cushion Over-Calf Ultra-Light Hiking Socks

These hiking socks are perfect for light day hikes and casual street wear. Recommended for hikers who have minor or no foot issues. Constructed with THOR•WICK® COOL fibers for superior moisture-wicking for drier, cooler feet. Padding in the ball and heel specifically engineered to protect the...
thorlo.com thorlo.com


These are what I like.

They never fall off the calf. If my socks fall off the calf they go straight in the garbage.
 
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Find somebody else to carry all your gear. It makes the whole walk more enjoyable.

Seriously though, a walking stick. Not that fancy aluminum pole stuff, but a nice 6 ft long piece of Crepe Myrtle that has been sanded and rubbed smooth. Makes jumping across creeks safer, going up and down hill easier, can be used as a crutch, muscadine reacher, snake mover, rock roller, hole investigator, vine holder, dog poker, etc.
 
finding "less wet" wood when it is raining, I find standing dead trees, throw a rope up into the tree and pull it down, better than the soggy pith rotting on the forest floor.
 
Sounds awesome, and a little daaangerous... But the spongy rotting floor wood is a non-starter for sure, and ya gotta be tough to make it out there anyway!!!
 
If your ever in the outdoors in the eastern U.S during the summer, and get diarrhea, or dysentery - believe it or not - Finding and consuming some blackberries, might just help. 😁
 
glasses.
your own prescription glasses, sunglasses, safety glasses, whatever.
protection during hiking, cooking, set-up, break-down, etc.

an eye injury stops everything right there.
 
It is true! Eye protection is a good thing. Especially when in the outdoors with others. I have a neoprene strap to keep my glasses of choice in place as well, when roaming.
My brother when in forestry school @ WVU was doing field work and caught a branch to the eye that lacerated his retina. It was not good.
A lot of people do not know how to walk through the woods with others. If you don't slam doors in peoples faces, you should not let branches just fly once you walk through them either.
It's just good outdoor etiquette.
 
Ikarus1 told me in a separate conversation about tics, that soaking your outdoor clothes in a .5% solution of Permethrin (pants socks shirt) will keep those dirty tics away....
Always disliked Tics! Thought it was a pretty solid idea for helping them stay away or die.
 
Bloodyhands said:
Ikarus1 told me in a separate conversation about tics, that soaking your outdoor clothes in a .5% solution of Permethrin (pants socks shirt) will keep those dirty tics away....
Always disliked Tics! Thought it was a pretty solid idea for helping them stay away or die.
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I use permethrin treated hunting clothes hunting the swamps in Anson. It also kills mosquitoes that land on your clothes. Sawyer sells a premix but you can get s "Permethrin 10" at Tractor Supply or your local farm supply store and mix it 6.4oz per Gallon.
One good soaking treatment should last all season and several (5-10) washes.
 
Ikarus1 said:
I use permethrin treated hunting clothes hunting the swamps in Anson. It also kills mosquitoes that land on your clothes. Sawyer sells a premix but you can get s "Permethrin 10" at Tractor Supply or your local farm supply store and mix it 6.4oz per Gallon.
One good soaking treatment should last all season and several (5-10) washes.
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For those planning on this, permethrin is very toxic to cats. Just a heads up so Mittens stays safe.
 
Carmex. I prefer it in the little tub but a stick works too.

Good for chapped lips, will seal small cuts and nicks, dry/cracked hands, etc. And makes for great emergency firestarter. Cut a small strip of cloth off a shirt or sock. Rub some carmex in it an there you go.
 
@RR The Carmex is a Great One!! Lightweight and Multiple Uses is a Big Bonus!! Thank You for the contribution!!

Also @Ikarus1 I Picked up some of the Sawyers today, going to be trying it out soon. Thank You Much!!
 
Bloodyhands said:
@frakncylons Is there a particular type you'd suggest for the outdoors (hiking-camping)? Looks like there is large selection of these quality socks.
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I use there light hikers for day hikes and backpacking in hiking shoes. I use their heavier socks for boots. And ski socks for hunting because they are taller.

They have an outlet store in Statesville. I’ve bought seconds there that have lasted longer than most other socks I’ve owned.

thorlos mens Lth Max Cushion Hiking Crew Socks https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0009MZVU8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_5TA8TXWKBNQ02Y40TP7Z


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For car camping I have some stuff.

Magnet hooks on my pop up tent to hang gear.

Hanging shoe rack under tent to organize paper products and such.

Plastic drawers in the vehicle to store dry food.

Look up Kindling Cracker for splitting wood. Worth the price.

Battery powered fairy lights to string under pop up tent and inside our tent.

3 gallon plastic potty bucket in the tent for the girls. Add a kids toilet seat cushion to it.


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Ikarus1 said:
I use permethrin treated hunting clothes hunting the swamps in Anson. It also kills mosquitoes that land on your clothes. Sawyer sells a premix but you can get s "Permethrin 10" at Tractor Supply or your local farm supply store and mix it 6.4oz per Gallon.
One good soaking treatment should last all season and several (5-10) washes.
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The Tractor Supply product has a strong ‘poison’ smell. I greatly prefer Martin’s.

Ticks, Lyme Disease and Tick Tubes

*Edit* I added measurements for dilution, extra links, and best times to place the tubes. The ticks are friggin' horrible already, The best time to apply is in late-April and late-July before young ticks begin feeding. The use of tick tubes can reduce the tick population by up to 90%, making it...
carolinafirearmsforum.com
 
Y'all may know this, but I didn't until several years ago, and I have been into hiking and camping since I was a kid.

We now do a lot of October-March (when bugs are gone) kayak camping trips. Cool temps and cold nights. One of my friends is/was a scout master. He suggested that we have a set of clothes just for sleeping. The idea is that the clothes that you've worn all day have gathered up all that sweat, and will be cold while you sleep. It's true!
On our 3 night kayak river trips we obviously have 3 different campsites. As soon as we make camp I hang up the clothes that I intend to sleep in (in the sun hopefully) and change into them just before I get into my sleeping bag. It really does make a noticeable difference.
 
@Snal~ Good Stuff!! That is a common sense thing a lot of folks Would Not think to do.
Just knowing and doing, or including some of these basic things can help everyone enjoy their outdoor experiences more.
 
Fall/Winter camping heat tip.
Carry a tin bucket and place DRY rocks around the fire to warm up.
Don't use wet rocks as they may become grenades' when they get hot.
Put the rocks in the bucket and place in the tent/camper, they give off their heat for a long time.
 
@ronn47 that is a good 1!!
It is a take on the fire coals /dirt bed method. That's where you dig a trench to sleep in, spread smoldering fire coals into the trench and then cover with dirt.
If it is not deep enough or covered enough you can catch on fire while sleeping. Not the way to wake upo_O
 
Bears crap in the woods. When we camp or spend time in remote outdoor locations, we do as well. I thought I would throw out some suggestions for using #2 in the woods when camping light, or more primitive camping.
I would suggest a spot Down, Not Up from camp that is Not going to directly affect any potentially used water source.
Let others know where the bathroom "area" is, if camping with folks.
Dont use an area terribly close, or far from your camp.
I prefer to find the base of a hillside or slope and a med. size tree together w/ low branches if there is one. Keeps things moving away from you. (shit flows downhill philosophy)
I clear a space to bare ground (target area), a few feet from the base of the medium size tree that I can low hang toilet paper on. I face the tree, wrap arms around the tree, squat and recycle. I like to cover-back with foliage.
Not a fun subject, but there it is. :rolleyes:
 
Boil water and pour in a Nalgene bottle. Put bottle in wool sock. But bottle in sleeping bag with you. Heck, my girls do this at home sometimes.

Most backpacking shovels are trash. If I’m going in a group it’s worth it to carry a small e tool. Solo or 2 of us I hav a full tang garden knife/trowel that works great.

And pee before going to bed. A full bladder makes you colder.


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Get Off My Lawn said:
The Tractor Supply product has a strong ‘poison’ smell. I greatly prefer Martin’s.

Ticks, Lyme Disease and Tick Tubes

*Edit* I added measurements for dilution, extra links, and best times to place the tubes. The ticks are friggin' horrible already, The best time to apply is in late-April and late-July before young ticks begin feeding. The use of tick tubes can reduce the tick population by up to 90%, making it...
carolinafirearmsforum.com
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When diluted and sprayed on clean clothes it goes away overnight
 
Leuko tape to replace moleskin and medical tape. Stuff is awesome.

Not really a hack. But gear has changed tremendously in the last 20 years. I'm moving to a lot of Dyneema and SilNylon for lightweight and waterproof gear. It's not cheap. Especially the Dyneema. But it's great stuff. I'm making Silnylon ponchos, stuff sacks, and a hammock tarp for my upcoming trip. And I bought my daughter a dyneema one person tent that is 15 ozs! And I bought dyneema pack liners and a bear bag too.
 
two things about above posts....

1."They have an outlet store in Statesville." the Thorlo store is closed permanently.
2. "Leuko tape to replace moleskin and medical tape. Stuff is awesome." say it again, AWESOME.
 
@turkeydance thanks for the heads up on the Thorlo store!! Honestly a sock store does not sound practical.
Looks like they are still going strong on-line.
I do like the Leuko tape, but my favorite medical type tape for wounds is the 3M product Tegaderm, for outdoor "camping use"
Check it out if ya'll get a chance.
 
essentially, Leuko tape is the "duct tape" of medicine.
it can do lots of things above and beyond medical.
Tegaderm is better, but specific and limited to skin.
 
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