All Questions
4
votes
4answers
82 views
How small is “too small” for tent guylines?
In my ongoing effort to cut tent weight we have replaced stakes, changed ground pads, and we're looking at replacing the guylines (no really, it's amazing how much cordage weighs!).
At what diameter ...
13
votes
2answers
184 views
How to inspect climbing bolts?
I am most interested in setting up a top rope anchor on 2 bolts side by side. I feel like in this case you almost have to be more careful using bolts for a top rope than sport climbing because in ...
9
votes
3answers
137 views
What should be carried in a standard Geocaching bag?
As in the title, when going Geocaching what are some standard implements and tools I should carry with me to get started so I'm not caught out?
5
votes
1answer
83 views
What is a safe type of backyard zip line for kids and adults to use?
I want to put a zip line in my backyard for my kids. I'm looking for advice on what type to use, safety tips, and installation advice.
3
votes
2answers
48 views
How can I prevent snow-balls building up in my dog's paws?
Our dog loves winter sports - but after a few miles on the trails in soft snow, he often develops snowballs between his paw pads - usually one big one right in the middle.
Are there ways to minimize ...
13
votes
2answers
392 views
Buying a Backpacking Knife
I am a first-time knife buyer.
What should I look for in an all-purpose, lightweight backpacking knife?
I aim to use it for cutting trail plants and fish. My top priority is a knife that doesn't ...
7
votes
1answer
259 views
Is it a good Idea to drink grape sap if you have no clean water?
In spring, the grape vines are so full of watery sap that a cut from my pocket knife causes it to trickle out fairly fast, and it can be collected in a container. Someone told me that it is a good ...
12
votes
4answers
209 views
Is it ever safe to let a hypothermic person sleep?
My understanding is that with severely hypothermic patients you want to keep them awake if possible. However, if the hypothermia isn't too severe and it's several hours before you can get help - say, ...
4
votes
3answers
145 views
How should we split up a 3 person tent?
If carrying a three person tent when backpacking, what's the recommended way to split it up so that the weight is balanced out among all three people going?
4
votes
1answer
91 views
Why are there ropes on fingerboards?
I picked up a couple fingerboards from the pro shop, and hung them on the rafters in our basement. However, I have no idea what the ropes are for, unless someone might tie the boards to a tree. What ...
6
votes
3answers
227 views
Will glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate prevent or repair damage to climbers’ fingers?
I've heard that I can take glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate supplements to prevent damage to my fingers when I'm climbing. Is it true, or is just an old wives' tale?
8
votes
1answer
81 views
What kinds of things are the “defensive driving” equivalent to handling campfires?
In What do you do if the fire does get "out of control"?, someone asked a legitimate question, and @berry120 wrote detailed response, and ended with a "tl;dr" saying, " but if the proper ...
8
votes
3answers
144 views
Does whiskey help keep you warm in winter?
It is a rare day that I head out into the winter wilds without a flask of sumpt'n-sumpt'n in my pocket. A nip helps one to relax, can mildly embolden timid skiers in my group, and gives one that fiery ...
4
votes
4answers
269 views
What is this knee pain when going downhill?
I can hike uphill practically all day. However as very soon after I start a descent, pain builds on the outside of my knee. What is causing this and can I do anything to prevent/mitigate it (other ...
1
vote
1answer
26 views
Should I re-wax downhill skis after using skins?
I was skinning into a yurt last weekend with my regular downhill (telemark) skis. On the way back out, I noticed a lot more snow sticking to my skis... Granted, the weather was hot, and snow was ...
4
votes
2answers
76 views
Covering up ears at higher altitudes
Recently I went on a trek to a placed named "Har ki Doon". The trek took us around an altitude of 3500 meters(15000 ft). When we were there, our guide advised us not to cover up our ears. According to ...
11
votes
5answers
425 views
What do I do to prevent and treat frostbite?
I'm going to be winter camping, and I'm concerned about getting frostbite. What can I do to protect myself?
1
vote
2answers
30 views
Thermal rating on vintage sleeping bags
These days, almost every sleeping bag sold is given a thermal insulation numeric "rating", either the USA version or the more accurate European version. But vintage bags did not have this industry ...
20
votes
4answers
302 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 ...
9
votes
4answers
124 views
Winter Camping: How to warm up your boots in the morning?
Is there a good technique to warm up your boots in the morning? Should you just put them on and warm them up with your feet or is there a better alternative?
5
votes
1answer
55 views
Trekking poles with many attachments?
Can anyone point to any commercial or DIY trekking poles whose end-piece can be swapped -- i.e. regular pole point, sharp spear, raft paddle, camera screw, etc?
1
vote
1answer
45 views
End of Winter/Spring Camping
Planning a camping trip for next weekend. It is looking like it may be the end of winter. We have about a foot of snow right now. What problems am I going to run into if the weather is above zero ...
0
votes
1answer
98 views
What kinds of stores sell multi-mode (adjustable-brightness) flashlights? [closed]
Which types of vendors sell multi-mode (adjustable-brightness) flashlights? Both online and offline vendors. Both sellers of new flashlights and used ones.
I know that outdoors stores sell them, but ...
-1
votes
1answer
20 views
Winter Camping Resources or Books? [closed]
Have done some winter camping but would like to do more and do it smarter. What is the best book to read before doing winter camping?
Qualities of the 'Best Book':
Fun and easy to read
Good ...
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 ...
41
votes
8answers
5k 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?
27
votes
11answers
930 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.
1
vote
1answer
41 views
Liners and Travel sheets
What's the difference between a sleeping bag liner and a travel sheet?
Shape (are travel sheets only available in one shape)? Fabric? Resistance?
10
votes
1answer
82 views
Minimizing ecological impact of winter-sports in the backcountry
I have heard that skiers and snowboarders can do a lot of damage to an ecosystem. I am interested in the following backcountry wintersport activities and would like to do them responsibly.
...
6
votes
3answers
71 views
What should I look for in hiking binoculars
I'd like a pair of binoculars for hiking. I don't have a specific use other than for looking off of overlooks, at animals, etc. What are the important things to look for in a good set of binoculars? ...
5
votes
1answer
60 views
How can I 'inflate' or plump up my my sleeping bag?
I have a very nice sleeping bag which has been kept stuffed as compressed as possible in a backpack for a couple of months. After reading about the negative effects of such actions, I was wondering if ...
1
vote
1answer
62 views
Rapid backpack readying
I have noticed that preparing a backpack for a 1-2-10 day trip can take up to 3 hours. I would like to cut this time way down.
Concerning this, I have had several ideas:
Have a the pack outfitted ...
1
vote
1answer
39 views
Caveats of dual (propane, liquid) fuel stoves
My MSR Whisperlite has served me well for more than 10 years. It started leaking a few weeks ago, and I'm looking for a proper replacement.
I've read some good reviews about dual fuel stoves ...
7
votes
2answers
86 views
wilderness maps
The Norwegian directorate for nature management publishes a map of wilderness showing how far away a particular area is from heavy technical interventions, such as roads, electricity lines, hydro ...
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 ...
9
votes
2answers
250 views
Things to keep away from climbing ropes
There are some no brainers like don't throw your climbing rope next to car batteries in the back of your car. The effect of bug sprays containing Deet seem to be controversial. I have also heard a ...
3
votes
1answer
55 views
Which type of power boat do I need for overnight trips?
I'm an absolute beginner about boats, but let's say I want to buy a boat to use in the canals of my city (Amsterdam), but also for "long" trips, to other cities, coasts. Trips that require days to ...
7
votes
2answers
170 views
Preferred way to wrap someone with Hypothermia?
So I know How to treat hypothermia. That question and answer, however, do not address the old recommendation I have heard a 100 times of strip them down and get in a sleeping bag with them. Is that ...
7
votes
3answers
238 views
How to Clean Rock-Climbing Shoes
I have never found a good answer to this one:
How do you clean rock-climbing shoes, without ruining them?
Let me be more specific.
I have a pair of modern leather-and-fancy-rubber climbing shoes ...
2
votes
1answer
29 views
What are the key sites to see on a short trip through Oregon?
My husband and I are planning to drive from Kansas City, through Nevada (stop and see the arches) then to the top of California (to see the redwoods), see a few waterfalls in Oregon, travel throught ...
5
votes
1answer
57 views
What is a “fast pack” setup for a tent?
Reading around forums and in products, I see descriptions and weights for a "fast pack" setup for tents. What does this mean and what is it used for?
3
votes
1answer
38 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
3answers
65 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
68 views
Can I use a garbage bag to approximate pack size
I am planning my first multi-day hike. I haven't selected a pack yet. I do not know which size pack I need. I see that packs are rated in liters. That got me thinking since some white garbage bags are ...
8
votes
3answers
161 views
How far is a reasonable distance for someone to hike on their first trip?
How far is a reasonable distance for someone to hike on their first trip?
I understand this depends on a lot of variables, such as the person's fitness, the route they are planning to do, etc, but ...
12
votes
4answers
1k views
Are there any low sodium freeze dried meals?
For health reasons, I usually try to keep my sodium intake fairly low. However, most freeze dried dinners offered in camping stores contain an more sodium than I'm looking for. I consider 800mg a ...
4
votes
2answers
64 views
How to maintain climbing strength while training for a marathon
Over the next 6 months I will be training for my first marathon. This means I will be running 3-4 times a week, with at least one long (10-20 mile) run each weekend.
I have run several half marathons ...
6
votes
2answers
89 views
What to do with old hydration bladders?
I have two old hydration bladders, both of which are no longer usable (in one the cap is broken, in the other the internal bag is ripped). Spare parts appear to be unavailable. Is there anything good ...
9
votes
2answers
333 views
Where can I find if a fixed blade knives is legal to carry around in a given country?
I am always uneasy at the idea of carrying around a fixed blade. For this reason, my backpack knife is a multitool (A fantastic Leatherman Blast, which saved the day already many times). I would like ...
7
votes
1answer
47 views
Proper technique for self-arrest with an ice axe, when wearing crampoons
What is the proper technique to self-arrest and brake a fall, given steep icy(frozen snow) slope, when wearing crampons and wielding an ice axe? Should the crampons be used for stopping or held high ...
