All Questions
8
votes
1answer
156 views
How does the Esbit stove perform in cold & wind?
I was on a group trip this weekend where a fellow hiker brought an Esbit stove which uses hexamine fuel tabs. The temperature was not what I would consider extreme. Temperatures in the high 30s to ...
13
votes
1answer
169 views
Does any tent manufacturer promise to have replacement parts?
A few years ago I got a 2-person tent for backpacking. At some point, I let the rain fly get too hot. It became sticky and its waterproof coating peeled.
I tried to buy a replacement rain fly, but ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
Cooking by pouring hot water into plastic bags?
Recently I came across pour and store bags. They seem a bit similar to the bags for trekking freeze-dried meals like Travel lunch. That gave me the idea of preparing the meals myself beforehand and ...
9
votes
1answer
361 views
Are barberries edible?
Barberries are so common around here that there would be enough for a fruit serving a day for quite a while. But there is a problem: I do not know whether or not they are edible. Are they edible in ...
4
votes
1answer
81 views
How do I store a bivy sack?
I bought a BlocVent bivy sack. What’s a good way to store it for a long time? Obviously I’ll dry it after a hike, but is it okay to roll it up and put it into a small stuff sack afterwards? Or should ...
8
votes
2answers
101 views
Will any filter/pump purifier last through longer hikes?
I've been reading a lot of product reviews, and filter/pump solutions seem to be very high maintenance, very heavy, or both. Are there any lightweight filters which can be relied on for many liters ...
10
votes
1answer
243 views
Dealing with very cold climate (clothing)
In the near future I will have to prepare myself for a Siberia expedition.
During the winter, average temperatures in Siberia range from -10°F
(-23°C) to below -50°C (-45°F).1
What should I ...
22
votes
1answer
263 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 ...
9
votes
3answers
164 views
What's the advantage to a bent-shaft paddle?
What's the advantage (or advantages) of a bent-shaft canoe paddle?
I've been told that it allows for more efficient use of both arms: the rationale I heard was that your arm on the grip does more ...
17
votes
5answers
438 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
118 views
Looking for a boot recommendation
I'm planing on taking the Yamnuska Snow and Ice Long Weekend class in September. The final day includes a summit attempt on Mt. Athabasca (3491m). I'm looking to buy my first pair of mountaineering ...
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 ...
8
votes
6answers
2k views
How long does mayonnaise last unrefrigerated in the back-country?
Yes, mayonnaise. It is sold unrefrigerated, and is an essential component of any back-country sandwich. Has anyone reached its limit and had it spoil on them?
(I haven't. Of course, I've never had an ...
9
votes
1answer
308 views
Mountaineering / glacial traverse: rope-up or go it alone?
When crossing a glacier (or other mountaineering activity for that matter) I've heard that roping everyone together without having a fixed anchor is falling out of fashion since more often than not if ...
11
votes
4answers
375 views
How can I keep my iPhone going on a multiday hike?
Taking a five day hike, and I want to take a bazillion pictures. It would be nice to have the compass & GPS functionality too, and I want something really small. The obvious choice is my ...
15
votes
2answers
445 views
Is it safe to camp in the desert without a tent?
I'm looking to hike the Grand Canyon (found out that as a single I do have a good shot at securing the permit!), and now I'm trying to make sure I carry as little as possible on said hike. First ...
13
votes
2answers
167 views
How much gear will the AT eat?
We're planning on hiking the AT, and this question prompted me to ask:
What gear should we expect to replace, and how often, on the Appalachian Trail?
Assume that we know basic gear maintenance and ...
6
votes
2answers
190 views
Training to prepare for oxygen deficiency in the high mountains
I would like to prepare myself for the climb in the high mountains (for now by "high mountains" I mean elevation 4000 m and more, but eventually eight-thousanders).
What can I do to improve my ...
5
votes
1answer
347 views
evenk / siberian hitch
Is it normal for the evenk / Siberian hitch to open out in use, particularly when tied to a large diameter object (think tree) where the rope enters the knot close to right angles from the load ?
...
5
votes
1answer
98 views
Where to find hiking shorts that last more than a few months?
I'm one of these crazy people that tend to wear cargo shorts all year round, and do a lot of hiking and general outdoor activities in them. However, because of this they tend to wear out relatively ...
12
votes
1answer
249 views
Am I likely to need multiple pairs of boots on the AT?
Reading up on a hiking boot size question, I came across this review from Silver Spring, Maryland for a wide hiking boot.
This boot has a "lifespan" of 400 miles. Is that typical of a hiking boot? ...
19
votes
1answer
208 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 ...
11
votes
1answer
146 views
Things to consider when buying sunglasses
I am going to buy sunglasses. Here is how and where I am going to use them:
mountain trekking - with altitude mostly below 2000, however I will
use them in the following months on higher mountains ...
8
votes
1answer
911 views
What sleeping bags are needed for a northbound thru-hike of the AT
If you were attempting a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, starting roughly now (being mid to late March) and going northbound, how many sleeping bags and of what types would you need, assuming cost ...
11
votes
1answer
1k views
Do CO2-based mosquito traps work?
My parents get a lot of mosquitoes in their garden during the summer. We've tried torches with citronella additives in the oil, but this has not been effective.
I don't want to install a UV-based ...
12
votes
1answer
358 views
Kilimanjaro expedition - trousers - softshell vs. gore-tex
I am going on an expedition to Kilimanjaro and I'm going to buy new trousers specifically for this purpose. Some agencies recommend to take soft shell trousers and I'm not sure if it would be the best ...
8
votes
1answer
82 views
Magnetic deviation at either pole
I know that the magnetic north is not exactly at the polar north, so when hiking very close to the Northern Pole, you have to take the difference into account.
This got me thinking: Is this also a ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
What's the UPF of a T-Shirt or jeans?
Many outdoor clothing items advertise themselves with a UPF (Ultraviolet protection factor) of 30 or even 50. How does that compare with a normal cotton T-Shirt or a pair of jeans? Do I have to use ...
12
votes
3answers
170 views
Falling into an ice cold body of water
I've never been hiking in such extreme situations, but if in the situation in the question, i.e. you're hiking in very cold weather and someone falls in (let's say so pretty much their whole body is ...
13
votes
3answers
177 views
What are the key features to look for in mobile device apps for hiking/camping?
I've used EveryTrail and was satisfied but am looking for something better... What are the features I should focus on for selecting an app? What bells and whistles are really useful on the trail?
7
votes
3answers
101 views
Navigational gear worldwide
Is there any difference in navigational equipment between the northern and southern hemisphere? We live in the northern hemisphere but will be emigrating to the southern in the next few weeks. We'll ...
7
votes
4answers
513 views
Which brands make wider hiking boot sizes?
My old boots are dying. Sadly it took me quite some time to find them, and the particular brand is not made anymore. I have wide feet, like 4E wide, but some 2E boots will fit fine. Unfortunately ...
8
votes
2answers
178 views
What good options are there for wine transport?
Large glass bottles just don't strike me as a "good idea" for hiking.
What options are there for carrying wine and preserving the flavor for a couple of days while hiking?
6
votes
1answer
225 views
What is the effect of changing side and edge bevel on ski edges?
I'm always struggling with how edge bevel and side bevel affect my ski's behavior, and accurately grinding those bevels.
What are the effects of various edge and side bevels on the ski behavior, and ...
12
votes
3answers
633 views
How often should I wax skis?
I have a pair of skis, let's pretend I use them as much as I want to. How often should I wax them? Once a season? Every few ski days? Before or after every ski day? Both? Does it matter what kind of ...
16
votes
1answer
882 views
What are the advantages and disadvantages between gas, liquid and solid fuel?
It seems you can get fuel for stoves in either gas form (butane, propane, etc.) liquid (methylated spirit) or solid fuel tablets.
What are the particular advantages and disadvantages with each ...
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 ...
8
votes
2answers
558 views
Thinking about a road trip out West
My wife and I are thinking of taking a road trip from northwest Ohio to "out west" - Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, etc. I've never been farther west than Indiana, so it's a whole new ...
14
votes
4answers
291 views
How can you prevent kids getting lost at night while camping?
When camping in more remote areas with young kids, how can you make sure they don't take a stroll and get lost in the middle of the night?
We won't be near lights, established "bathrooms", etc. The ...
12
votes
3answers
420 views
How do you determine worm color for Large Mouth Bass
When I was growing up and fishing for Large Mouth Bass with my grandfather we primarily used plastic worms. Color and style matters a lot, and different worms had significantly different results. To ...
11
votes
1answer
207 views
Left-Handed Helical Fletching
When you are fletching your arrows does a lefty shoot with a left helix in their fletching or is it still at a right helix? The reason I ask is the most common fletching tools are to give a right ...
10
votes
2answers
112 views
Starting cross-country skiing off trails
I've done a bit of crosscountry skiing on trails at local mountains, but I'm more interested in getting off the trails and out into the woods. The terrain around here is pretty steep in general with ...
6
votes
0answers
91 views
NuCanoe 12' vs. NuFontier 12' [closed]
I'm in the market for a kayak that will be used for inshore fishing, paddling, and occasionally hunting. Can anyone help me with the differences between the NuCanoe 12' and the NuFontier 12'?
11
votes
3answers
122 views
Where can I find help identifying an owl by its call?
I am in a semi-rural area of Aldergrove, BC Canada--close to the US border. From our house we can hear the call of what we think is an owl, but would like to know what particular species. We were ...
7
votes
2answers
151 views
What is the best way to break up a fight among dogs on a sled line?
Fights happen. Sled dogs have personalities that aren't always compatible... Is there a technique to breaking up a fight that will minimize risk of injury to both me and my dogs?
16
votes
5answers
473 views
Selecting backpacking cooking pot – teflon, aluminum, steel, titanium, or cast iron?
What are the relative advantages / dangers of different cooking wear? I'm a one-pot gourmet that has been using the same stainless steel pot for 15 years, but am considering an upgrade.
Some things I ...
8
votes
1answer
189 views
How to treat shin splints while backpacking
It's been a couple of years since I last had bad shin splits but I can still recall how painful they can be. I was able to heal them before mostly with a couple weeks rest.
If the pain came back ...
5
votes
1answer
239 views
If you get a “clean” kill on a deer how long do you have to field dress?
If you are out and get a "clean" kill on a deer, meaning that you have hit only its vitals, how long do you have to field dress the deer?
Also, beyond that how long do you have to get that deer ...
16
votes
2answers
753 views
How can I hike across the Grand Canyon if I don't have a backcountry permit?
I am going to try to hike across the Grand Canyon in May, from the South Rim to the North Rim, and back. Unfortunately, I have discovered that I am probably too late to secure a back-country permit ...
9
votes
1answer
175 views
What are the tradeoffs for a Tomahawk over an Axe
I've watched a few videos on cutting tools and the use of axes. However I'm not clear on what the advantage (or disadvantage) is of a tomahawk style axe over a typical belt or hand axe, such as this ...
