Really, newspaper. Save your favourite weekend sections. Reading material, obviously (take the puzzles too) and kindling, but also:
- use as support/padding in ultralight backpacks, or wrap up poky and sharp things
- something to sit or lie down on, a work surface, a picnic cloth
- a long twist replaces long matches for safe lighting
- crumpled balls help dry your boots, socks, etc.
- soak up spills and puddles, then let it dry out to reuse
- wrap it around your torso for extra insulation/wind blocking in a pinch
- extend your short sleeping pad
- extra padding under chafing straps, extra warmth in shoes, extra insoles in boots
- make a hat, or a sweatband for your hat
- paper airplanes, paper boats, little boxes -- tent time origami
- wedge a slipping strap or loose buckle
- got wax? waterproof the paper, make temporary containers that become firestarters
- scrub your dishes with a crumple, dry them with a sheet
- when packing, wrap your food bars in it, rather than carry future trash
- insulate your water container or bladder, keep water cool and absorb condensation
- hold a hot mug or plate, insulate your rehydrating supper-in-a-bag
- crumple, soften, dampen -- biodegradable toilet paper
Etcetera. Pretty handy.

You woild need to have it a dry bag or similar as if it got wet it weighs much more, also if the ink runs it can mark kit.

Cheers,

Stephen

Don't forget to pack out every little scrap. These ideas are OK for car camping. But wet paper inside my pack. No bueno.

on a comical note, another Multi use gear for newspaper is to swat mosquitoes that sneak in inside the tent, and smack an attacking bear on the snout, right before the bear mauls you.


as a side note, for the magnesium stick fire starter fans, I noticed that the 8.5" x 11" white bleached glossy printer paper burns but does not retain a flame from the magnesium shaving sparks.

However, that nasty inky low grade newspaper paper lights quickly with mag shavings and sparks.

Edited by RogerDodger on 06/27/2012 16:22:35 MDT.

Roger,

The very white or glossy printer paper has a clay glaze on it. That is what makes it harder to start it burning. Also, the newsprint is a less dense paper so it lights more readily.

Larry

One of the amusing bits on the Tour De France (for me) is when you see the riders at the top of the mountain grabbing a newspaper from spectators to plunge down on the typical cold and steep descent.
That is of course because they sit on top of many thousands of dollars worth in high tech metal and plastic bits, wear very expensive custom made clothing and accessories yet the newspaper still works...
However, hiking it is relatively heavy and the risk of getting it wet is a bit too high for the returns.

Franco