Dry Crossings: A Practical Backpacker’s Guide to Staying Dry in Primitive Camping

Wet feet are more than uncomfortable in the backcountry—they slow you down, destroy morale, and become a real safety issue in cold conditions.

Dry Crossings is a practical, experience-based guide for primitive backpackers who regularly face creek crossings, wet trails, snowmelt, and damp campsites. Instead of gimmicks or heavy gear, this guide focuses on real-world systems that work while moving.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• Why water actually gets into boots (and why most “waterproof” solutions fail)
• Lightweight strategies for staying dry without carrying bulky gear
• Hybrid protection systems that work for repeated creek crossings
• Simple DIY and modification ideas that don’t require expert skills
• Safe, efficient creek-crossing techniques for loaded packs
• How to manage cold, wet conditions without sacrificing mobility

This guide is written in plain language, from the perspective of an experienced backcountry hiker—not a gear catalog.

If you backpack far enough from the trailhead that wet feet can ruin your trip, this guide is for you