Carry some Tyvek paper

Tyvek, made from high-density polyethylene fibers, it’s ultralight, tear proof, very puncture resistant, windproof and waterproof. With these qualities, it’s should be no surprise that the stuff also has applications in the outdoor world.

I once met a guy backpacking in the wilds of central Idaho who had made himself some gaiters with Tyvek paper and a few safety pins! If you get a larger sheet, you could use it as a ground cloth underneath your tent. See if you can procure a scrap for free (with permission, of course) from a construction site, it’s also used as “house wrap”, installed underneath siding. (The ultralight hiking nerds have found slightly lighter ground cloth options, but Tyvek still works.)

Grab a piece of Tyvek from a repurposed envelope or from the post office, and cut it up into a few pieces, about 3” by 4”.  Add it to your 10E’s kit along with a pencil stub. This is tear-proof and waterproof note paper, which can be handy in certain backcountry situations.

You can:

• Jot down your philosophical insights that can be inspired by time in the wilderness, and maybe compose backcountry haiku.

• leave a note for rescuers if you’re lost

• take quick notes about key routefinding decision points

• In a First Aid situation, write patient vital signs and send the note out with a runner (if you forgot your accident report form)