Daily Tip: March 21, 2000

Jump Start Your Morning
Whether you need to get an early start on that mountain to avoid the afternoon storm or you've simply heard enough razzing about being the last one to hit the trail, here are some ways to speed up your a.m. rituals.
* Use a watch alarm to wake up earlier. If you can hit the trail around sunrise, you've already gained an hour or two.
* Sleep under the stars, weather permitting. No tent to take down and fold means quicker packing.
* Pack up gear at night that you won't use in the morning.
* Filter or boil the water that you'll need for breakfast, and fill water bottles at dinner.
* Split tasks. While one camper prepares the morning meal, another takes down the tent. Make it a game to see how quickly each task can be accomplished.
* Go cold for breakfast. Munch an energy bar, granola, or gorp and guzzle a sports drink (made the night before!).
* Avoid fumbling with a complex bear bag. Attach a metal shower hook or a carabiner to the end of your bear-bag rope so you can clip the bag on and off quickly.

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