All Questions
3
votes
2answers
225 views
Should I be more careful about postholing during winter hikes?
This weekend I am going to do one of my favorite things: winter hiking in the Sierras. When I say "hiking", I mean that though we might be trodding up a mountain in the snow, it is not real ...
3
votes
3answers
248 views
How efficient is the Altai skis “the Hok”?
I have been reading for a while about the altai ski "the Hok" . It is being promoted as :
the Hok is a ski to be used whenever and wherever there is snow. With a partial climbing skin integrated ...
3
votes
2answers
244 views
How often should I waterproof a tent?
Currently I waterproof my tents at minimum once a year and often times 2 or 3 times a year. Other than condensation I don't usually have too much of a problem. On the other hand I live and often camp ...
3
votes
2answers
132 views
How do I tie a stopper knot?
A stopper knot is often used to prevent rope from unexpectedly going throu some hole, such as a belay device.
How would I tie a stopper knot?
3
votes
2answers
181 views
How do I tie a double fisherman's knot?
In climbing, a double fisherman's knot is used to tie together two separate pieces of rope.
How would I tie such a knot?
3
votes
1answer
63 views
What is the main purpose of the foam inside a self-inflating mat?
All self-inflating mats I have seen are self-inflating in the sense that you’re supposed to inflate them yourself. [That is, the mat self-inflates a bit, but mostly you have to breathe the air in.]
...
3
votes
2answers
127 views
Best approach to camping in snow?
What is the best way for a trekking group of two to sleep in deep snow (meter or more). What equipment is to be brought?
Preferably, the technique should work on shallow snow and plain frozen ground ...
3
votes
2answers
58 views
What's the best writing implement to carry to sign a Geocache?
I often find when Geocaching ordinary pencils don't seem to leave much of a mark at all, especially if the log is wet, and especially on the smaller logs pens are difficult to "get going" without a ...
3
votes
2answers
150 views
How do people safely trek in polar bear country?
For hiking in polar bear country, this answer cites a page that advices to avoid camping under the stars at all times. Yet people do go trekking on Svalbard, and I don't think the density of huts is ...
3
votes
2answers
62 views
Sky map for tropics
I like to use rotational sky maps to use in the field, but I have this only for latitude 50°N. I'd like to have a similar sky map for tropics: 10°N. Do you know where I can order one?
3
votes
2answers
51 views
How do I properly use the cinch-straps that came with my daypack?
I just purchased a daypack to stuff inside my larger backpack while travelling. It came with cinch-straps but I'm not sure of the proper way to use them (if there is one). The daypack is a North ...
3
votes
1answer
54 views
Keeping smoke level in a wigwam low
I spent some time in a wigwam today, and due to the wind conditions, it was very difficult to keep the smoke out. Are there some tricks one can use in a situation like that to make the wigwam more ...
3
votes
1answer
39 views
Trekking Pole vs Nordic Walking Pole
I am taking up hiking again on weekends, and also trying to do more walking to get out of the house of an evening.
I regularly see people doing Nordic Walking in my neighbourhood, and I also see the ...
3
votes
1answer
48 views
How do you get the right shape on trim-to-fit insoles?
My hiking shoes starting having problems with the insoles, so I got replacements. However the replacements I have are "Trim to fit."
How do I get the proper shape so that I don't end up with any ...
3
votes
2answers
64 views
What’s the difference between a B and a T ice axe?
Some ice axes are labeled as “B”, others as “T”. What’s the meaning of these letters and what are their practical implications?
3
votes
1answer
122 views
Can a PVC rain jacket also be used as a windbreaker?
I have a Columbia 100% PVC rain jacket. It has a nylon lining.
Can PVC material be used as an effective windbreaker? Are there any side effects (such as making me sweat a lot more) that could ...
3
votes
1answer
75 views
Should I be careful to use only dry rocks while building a campfire? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How to avoid exploding rocks
If I build a campfire with damp rocks, is there any possibility of the rocks exploding? I had this happen once while burning trash, because ...
3
votes
1answer
260 views
What is the difference between Class III, Class IV, and Class V rapids?
I'm planning a whitewater rafting trip, and I keep reading that different rapids are different classes, and sometimes the same rapid is different classes at different times of the year?
What do the ...
3
votes
1answer
67 views
5-hour loop hike near Boulder, Colorado
I'll have the good part of a Saturday to enjoy in Boulder, Colorado on 18 May. What is a suitable area for a day, loop hike close to the city? My criterion for "close" is that the start of the trail ...
3
votes
3answers
71 views
A removeable solution for slipping insoles?
Is there anything that can be done to stop my insoles sliding? has a pretty good answer for semi-permanent solving of insole slippage.
However, I switch my insoles between two pairs of shoes on a ...
3
votes
3answers
66 views
Facility to test cold weather gear in London UK
I'm debating what equipment to buy to prepare for a cold weather in mountain terrain and felt it might be useful to test what different temperatures feel like while wearing chosen equipment. My ...
3
votes
1answer
69 views
Adequate Shoes for Travel
I will be travelling for five months and am in need of a good pair of shoes. The terrain I will cross will be canadian urban village snow, city, forests, and desert.
A friend recommended the La ...
3
votes
2answers
49 views
Things to consider when choosing a sailing club
Apart from the obvious like price and location(s) what should I look for when choosing a sailing club?
Some of the things are difficult to assess, tips on assessment are welcome.
I want this question ...
3
votes
1answer
83 views
How to seam seal Tyvek?
Tyvek generally comes in 4' and 5' wide sheets. To make a suitable tarp, footprint, groundcloth, etc. I will need to sew together a couple of sheets. How do I seam seal the Tyvek to prevent leaking ...
3
votes
1answer
72 views
Outdoor activities in San Francisco when it's misty and raining?
I'm spending the weekend in San Francisco, and after a week indoors at a conference I'm keen to do something outside. My plan had been to ride the trolley down to Fisherman's Wharf, hire a bike and ...
3
votes
3answers
121 views
Forecasting the weather in the wilderness
We didn't always have the weather forecast available everywhere, and there's times when it would be useful to be able to be able to take a good guess at weather conditions in the near future by ...
3
votes
2answers
126 views
Number of people in a boat?
Is there a good rule of thumb for number of people in a boat?
I looked on the Hull Idendification plate, but it only had the HIN and max horsepower on it.
3
votes
1answer
28 views
What pre/post season maintenance is recommended for a 2 cycle outboard motor?
I just acquired a used Yamaha 50TLR.
I'd like to know what kind of routine maintenance I should preform to keep it in good working order.
3
votes
1answer
138 views
How can I relieve knee muscle contractions?
Often times I find myself with cramps in the muscles on the sides of my knees (or the ligaments, I am not sure which). This happens most often during or after a sustained inclined climb. What should I ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Is there a way to reduce mosquito bites from swelling [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What are some effective ways of reducing itching from a mosquito bite?
Anyone have suggestions on how to reduce or prevent mosquito bites from swelling or becoming ...
3
votes
1answer
70 views
How can I minimize the risk of tree wells when backcountry skiing?
When skiing in the backcountry (or even in the trees at resorts), what can be done to minimize the risk of getting trapped in a tree well?
3
votes
1answer
37 views
what to do with the lap coiled rope if the belayer wishes to lead consecutive pitches
Imagine a multi-pitch climbing situation where a lead climber has just finished belaying the second from a hanging belay position. The rope is coiled over the anchor cord (or clove hitched sharp end). ...
3
votes
2answers
62 views
Do rescue services use avalanche transceivers in the UK?
If mountain rescue teams in the UK were searching for a walker or climbing caught in an avalanche, would they start with a transceiver search? given that transceivers are infrequently carried by ...
3
votes
1answer
46 views
How long does it take to hear back about a Grand Canyon Backcountry permit application
We've applied for corridor campsites for May 2013 - problem was that we applied January 21st.
How long does it generally take to hear if we've got reservations? (Our alternative is to wait and ...
3
votes
1answer
39 views
Would it be acceptable to plant OC's mobile cache into GC's caches?
I have currently no place of permanent perspective (from the geocache's point of view, I think it should be about 5 years, to be able to service cache in that time). So I'm thinking about creating the ...
3
votes
1answer
81 views
Rain pants for tall people
I've been looking for a rain pants for myself.
My attention was caught by Outdoor Research Paladin Pants.
These have side zips which are really great.
The problem is: it comes in regular fit only and ...
3
votes
1answer
70 views
How to get started with packrafts?
I love hiking and I'm starting to love longer cycling trips too. I've done combined cycling/hiking trips (cycling to the trailhead of a hike). Last summer I met someone who carried an inflatable raft ...
3
votes
1answer
85 views
Are the orienteering marches popular in Germany?
I'm engaged in orienteering marches, which differ from sport orienteering: there is the time limit, where finishing before time gives no advantage to the participant, and the center is put on the ...
3
votes
1answer
196 views
Do I need to break in double plastic mountaineering boots?
I just bought my first pair of mountaineering boots. I know hiking boots need to be properly broken in before taking them on the trail, but what about plastic mountaineering boots?
These are ...
3
votes
1answer
148 views
Backup prusik for Abseiling: Where does it go?
When abseiling from an anchor during rock climbing, I like to use a backup prusik as a potential lifesaver in case I screw up.
However, I have heard different advice on where to put it, both for ...
3
votes
1answer
151 views
Crew requirements for sailing a ketch
When sailing a traditional twin mast ketch, what are the recommended crew requirements?
Let's assume the following for simplicity:
Captain has 6-pack maritime license.
Captain and passengers ...
3
votes
1answer
78 views
If I lose my compass, what is the easiest way to identify and follow a heading? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How can you navigate without a compass or GPS
Obviously we all carry a compass and a map when we go trekking, but if I lose them but know I need to get back to my car ...
3
votes
1answer
445 views
What is the difference between the different types of snowboards? (all-mountain/freestyle/freeride/etc)
I'm looking into buying my first snowboard, and there's all kinds of types:
All mountain
Freestyle
Freeride
Splitboards
Powder
What's the difference between these types?
3
votes
1answer
116 views
old windfinder forecast googlemap
On www.windfinder.com they changed the forecast map. now it looks like this:
before, it had much more details, and you could zoom in it to find out the perfect spot for the forecasted wind ...
3
votes
1answer
47 views
Do cross-country skis need to be broken-in?
I recently bought a new pair of cross-country skis that matched my weight (with or without a backpack), but when I tried them out for the first time (over a two-day period), I didn't have as much grip ...
3
votes
1answer
84 views
How do I Plan a Hiking Trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
I need some help planning a a hiking trip to CO. I have been on a couple of hiking trips and have grown up going into the mountains with my family but I have never been the one to plan a trip. I'm ...
3
votes
1answer
53 views
what are the criteria that should be taken in consideration when buying a PLB?
This question was already asked about personal locator beacons (PLB, Wikipedia page which is a great comprehensive article.) However it does not cover how to choose a PLB or the differences between ...
3
votes
2answers
118 views
Where can I get Tyvek maps?
I'd like to get some Tyvek maps, both topo maps and regular street maps of a few U.S. cities.
Where can I get these?
3
votes
1answer
94 views
Destination for (half-) day hike near Kraków, Poland in late autumn/early winter
At the end of this month, I will be spending some days in Kraków, Poland. I might have a half or a full day available and apart from exploring the city, I'd like to do some hiking in the close ...
3
votes
1answer
103 views
How to make two strand cord or string?
How is two-strand cord braided? What shape cordage material works best for this technique? Do you need to start from relatively round cordage or can something strong but more flat (like a tough ...
