All Questions
43
votes
8answers
6k views
Is it warmer to sleep naked in a sleeping bag?
When camping in cold weather, some people say it is actually warmer to sleep naked than to sleep with clothes on.
Is that true, or is it better to leave warm clothes on while in the bag?
35
votes
9answers
1k views
What is the most efficient food to take a for a 12-15 day hiking trip?
Last summer I spent 15 days hiking with my boyfriend, in Sarek National Park, where there are no places to restock with more food.
The food issue was a major part of the pre-planning, as weight was ...
34
votes
8answers
4k views
Which will keep my food colder longer, draining the melted ice water, or leaving it in the cooler?
Say you have a cooler of frozen food and ice to last for several days or weeks of river-trip / car camping. To keep things as a cold as possible for as long as possible, is it better to leave the cold ...
33
votes
5answers
687 views
What are essential items in an emergency kit?
What are must-have items in an emergency kit for a multi-day hiking trip?
29
votes
8answers
534 views
How should I remove a tick?
If I find a tick on myself or a friend, what is the best way of removing it?
I've heard some people say that singeing the tick with a match makes the tick detach and fall off. However I've also ...
27
votes
11answers
983 views
How can you navigate without a compass or GPS
What are the ways you can navigate when you don't have a compass or a GPS? For example how can you tell which way is north.
26
votes
3answers
9k views
Is drinking urine safe?
We've all heard stories about how people saved their lives by drinking their urine. Is drinking urine safe when there are no other water sources available? Can I filter it with a water purifier?
26
votes
6answers
3k views
What are good knots to know for camping and backpacking?
I once tied a bear bag with a haphazard bundle of knots, and despite being seemingly impossible to untie, it came loose when lowering the bear bag and nearly smoked my friend standing under it. What ...
26
votes
5answers
3k views
Is it better to wear one pair or two pairs of socks while hiking?
From personal experience I tend to wear two pairs of socks, normally some running socks and then my hiking socks on top of that. It helps me avoid blisters. Quite a few of my friends thinks this is ...
25
votes
6answers
2k views
How can I identify edible berries/fruit from poisonous?
How can I identify edible berries/fruit in the wide and avoid the poisonous varieties? Is there a general guideline that can be followed or is each plant specific?
25
votes
5answers
361 views
Backpacking or hiking in areas open to hunting
A lot of areas that are good for hiking or backpacking are also popular hunting grounds. I am an avid backpacker and hiker, but I do not know much about hunting. How do I find out what is the ...
25
votes
7answers
2k views
How to deal with condensation in a tent?
I often camp in rainy or very humid weather, and I often have condensation forming inside my tent. What can I do to minimize this?
My tent has vents, but I’m not sure how to make the best use of ...
24
votes
3answers
15k views
How long does water need to be boiled for to kill all bacteria / viruses?
This has come up a few times in a few other questions, but I've heard varying opinions from different people in a number of answers and comments on here - some saying that just boiling for a moment is ...
24
votes
5answers
711 views
How to carry water in freezing temperatures?
When backpacking in freezing weather, water in a canteen often turns to ice. I am looking for a canteen that
Will not burst when the volume of water increases due to freezing
Will make it possible, ...
23
votes
5answers
2k views
What is the best way to store my sleeping bag for long periods of time?
I've heard that storing a sleeping bag in its stuff for long periods of time sack will cause it to lose loft, and won't provide as much comfort or warmth when used again.
If so, how should I store my ...
22
votes
10answers
3k views
Where in Europe is wild camping permitted?
Is there any resource (website, book, etc) that lists all European countries, and the state of free camping?
Specifically, I want to see in which European countries I'm not fined when I place my tent ...
22
votes
8answers
8k views
Does eating snow help dehydration?
I have heard many people say that eating snow actually can increase dehydration since the energy required for the body to heat up and melt the snow is greater than the benefits received from the ...
22
votes
4answers
651 views
What are some good tips and techniques for packing a backpack?
How do I pack a backpack to prevent injury to my back and keep it comfortable while hiking?
22
votes
5answers
2k views
How does one dry clothes in humid weather?
What are some quick ways to dry clothes in moist weather?
22
votes
9answers
2k views
What hand and finger exercises help with climbing?
It's been a while since I went rock climbing but I'd like to get back into it. What are some hand exercises that will help with climbing?
22
votes
7answers
708 views
What is the safest way to purify water?
There are a number of ways to purify water, off the top of my head we have filters, iodine, and boiling. Clearly each has some advantage/disadvantage (iodine tastes terrible, boiling takes time). ...
22
votes
3answers
1k views
Is it possible to rappel with only a rope? (No harness, Prusik cord, or other gear)
There may be an emergency situation where I find myself needing to lower myself but with no or damaged equipment.
Assuming I only have a rope, can I lower myself to safe ground?
22
votes
1answer
273 views
How are sleeping bag temperature ratings determined?
One things that has always troubled me when buying a sleeping bag is the temperature rating. When looking at a bag that claims to be a +15°F bag (for example) how do I know that it is really good ...
21
votes
6answers
442 views
If I'm caught in lightning above tree-line, what should I do?
We all know the general lightning guidelines, but what if I am above tree-line and caught in a freak lightning storm. Is it better to:
Run like mad to toward the trees
Lie flat, and find religion
...
21
votes
3answers
375 views
If I have to cross an icy, flowing river, what are some ways I can cross safely?
If I'm alone in a survival situation and I have to cross a very cold river that's still flowing, how should I accomplish this safely?
20
votes
9answers
446 views
The outdoors, solitude and dealing with loneliness
I have been out camping a few times, once with a group, the other times with my girlfriend. Although I enjoyed those times very much, I often wondered what would it feel like to enjoy the complete ...
20
votes
4answers
308 views
Do bear-safe rules still apply in the winter?
I understand, and practice, bear-safe rules like hanging (or canister-ing) during summer months, but what about in the winter when bears are (theoretically) hibernating, and the shorter / colder days ...
20
votes
2answers
3k views
How to avoid exploding rocks
It seems that every tutorial I read and show I watch shows people using rocks for everything from a cooking surface to boiling water. However, I have had rocks crack in half on me, and I've always ...
20
votes
3answers
3k views
Do iodine water treatment tablets have negative effects?
I've heard that iodine water treatment tablets can have negative side effects.
Is this true?
If so, what are some healthier alternatives?
20
votes
3answers
844 views
Does hiking with a dog in bear country increase or decrease your risk of a bear encounter?
I've heard various rumors that dogs might help keep bears away, or might be a bear attractant. Is there anything more concrete than anecdotal evidence to go on?
From the companionship end, they are a ...
19
votes
7answers
789 views
What are the downsides to sleeping in a hammock on a multi-day hike?
I've read that hammocks are a very light way to travel through the wilderness. You just need the hammock, a cover, and a light sleeping bag, but there must be disadvantages compared to taking a tent ...
19
votes
6answers
521 views
What is the best way to cross streams while backpacking?
I'm curious of a good technique to cross a stream while backpacking that's above the boot's waterproof line but no higher than the knees. I typically face upstream and use my hiking poles for ...
19
votes
6answers
4k views
What is the fastest method to 'break in' full leather boots?
After purchasing full leather boots (similar to these boots) I had many blisters for the first few hikes until I broke in my boots.
What are the fastest ways to age the boot so that when my foot ...
19
votes
4answers
1k views
FiveFingers or hiking boots?
I have been wearing vibram fivefingers exclusively for three years now. I day hike in them, I exercise in them, I go to to work with them, I hit the beach and swim in them. I have tried wearing ...
19
votes
4answers
500 views
Practicality of Beards
I have several friends with full beards. After talking at length with one, he started to convince me the protection it offers might be worth it.
So, I thought I would come and ask. What are the Pros ...
19
votes
3answers
277 views
What pattern for casual planes should a castaway create on a desert island?
This answer has inspired me to a question: say you are a castaway on a desert island. There might be a plane flying casualy but you can miss it. So you want to create some pattern (e.g. put some ...
19
votes
2answers
622 views
Handling feminine hygiene on multiple-month treks?
How can I handle multiple months of menstrual cycles on a long trek like the Appalachian Trail? I am asking about how to handle the mess. Here are my personal considerations:
Using hormonal birth ...
19
votes
1answer
216 views
Putting in contact lenses when outdoors
I am wearing contact lenses on a daily basis. Many times, when outdoors, I cannot put in my contact lenses (because of limited time or just no sterile conditions).
Is there any cleaner I could safely ...
18
votes
7answers
522 views
How can you navigate / determine your location in thick fog?
Are there any good hints, tips and ways you can use to navigate around and find your location in thick fog (apart from a GPS)?
18
votes
5answers
2k views
Tent and sleeping bag: pack inside or strap outside a backpack?
When I bought my pack, we were told to always pack the tent and sleeping bag in the pack. Since then I have seen a lot of articles and hikers doing the outside. What are the benefits on packing the ...
18
votes
4answers
262 views
What precautions should I take to protect myself and my camp from bears?
Most of my prior hiking experience has been in areas that are not home to bears, so what precautions should I take to protect my camp (and myself as I am hiking) from bears.
I am aware of a couple of ...
18
votes
6answers
886 views
A list of suitable foods for a long hike
In my opinion, the priorities when selecting trekking food are:
many calories per kilogram
not easily spoilable, especially in hot weather
not very very expensive
diverse.
Diverse. That is why I ...
18
votes
3answers
674 views
Wild camping in subsaharan Africa - madness, blasphemy, or bearable?
What potential dangers / precautions one should take into account when sleeping outside in sub-Saharan Africa? (Let alone countries with unstable political situations.) Just with a sleeping bag, maybe ...
18
votes
1answer
296 views
Why do shin splints happen?
I've gotten shin splints on long hikes - once 2 weeks into a hike, and another time 2 months. I wasn't able to determine how I got them though, which has really annoyed me! I get that I could ...
18
votes
1answer
386 views
How to calculate backpacking food requirements for a dog
So I know how to calculate how many additional calories a day I need while backpacking. My question is how do I calculate how much food my dog will need while backpacking.
I'm hoping for a general ...
18
votes
1answer
192 views
Do I need to worry about feral dogs or even wolves if I camp in random areas while hitchhiking in Georgia (the country)?
After almost half a year working in a hostel in Tbilisi, spring has come and it is far warmer than anywhere further west in Europe so I'm going to hitchhike around Georgia with my tent in warm areas.
...
17
votes
9answers
1k views
How can I stay warm in subzero weather?
I'm going on a campout this weekend and the temperature isn't supposed to rise above 0° Fahrenheit the entire time. I've been in subzero weather before and I didn't last long, even with plenty of ...
17
votes
6answers
265 views
When buying a backpack, what should I pay attention to?
I know one can compare backpacks by the following:
Content (in liters)
Number of external pockets (for quick accessable water bottles for example)
Hip belt available are not
Waterproof / Water ...
17
votes
5answers
1k views
Driving tent pegs into rocky ground
Sometimes you can't help but set up camp in an area where the soil is very rocky / stony or firm, especially when wild camping. This can make it incredibly difficult to drive the tent pegs into the ...
17
votes
5answers
345 views
Barefoot Backpacking: Liquid Boots?
Yes, you read it right:
Is there something that works like epoxy or natural tar that I can apply to the most delicate impact points of my feet (balls and heel) that will form a very durable bond, and ...
