All Questions
8
votes
3answers
153 views
Group protocol should the group become separated
A small group (2-10 people total) is travelling in a wilderness area. For whatever reason a person or a couple get separated. What is the best strategy for the lost ones? What is the best strategy to ...
8
votes
4answers
257 views
How could I treat scrapes outdoors without a first aid kit?
Say I'm hiking outdoors and I get a scrape. I've forgotten my first aid pack, or already used up the appropriate supplies. Is there anything in the wilderness I can use to sterilize and perhaps cover ...
8
votes
2answers
349 views
How should I treat hypothermia?
When I recognize the symptoms of hypothermia, how should I treat it? And what are the dangers if the symptoms are ignored?
7
votes
1answer
41 views
Sailing with a child
Inspired by this question on taking an infant sailing, as it is quite different when they can move, I thought I'd ask the same question in respect of a toddler or child.
What essential safety ...
7
votes
2answers
166 views
What is a good tool for minor trail maintenance while hiking?
I hike a few trails in the lower Appalachians which are very infrequently traveled. Maintenance when it happens, is performed by hikers. I much prefer to just clear smaller blowdowns as I come to ...
7
votes
0answers
123 views
Is backcountry hiking in northwestern Russia safe?
Is it safe to go backcountry hiking in the Tundra's of northwestern Russia, e.g. the Kola peninsula, such as the Khibin mountains? There is some heavy industry around there; can one safely go around, ...
7
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 ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
What fps does a bow need to hunt moose?
I have been looking into how strong of a bow would be required to bow hunt moose. I haven't been able to find a specific number as to how many fps you should be shooting to safely hunt moose.
7
votes
2answers
71 views
How do I make a fin selection for various surfing conditions
There are many surfing fin designs available for modern surf boards. What are the criteria for selecting:
Tri-fin
Bi-fin
Mono-fin
No fins
And why would I want to have larger or smaller surfing ...
7
votes
2answers
619 views
What should you do if you are bitten by a rattlesnake?
You should obviously avoid rattlesnakes if at all possible. But if you do get bitten by one, what should you do? What supplies can be brought ahead of time to allow for the best treatment, and what ...
7
votes
1answer
293 views
What to do if you're bitten by an adder?
I've heard that while adder bites are poisonous the number of people who have died from them are extremely low. If you're on a trek and you're bitten is it safe to continue for a couple more days ...
6
votes
1answer
162 views
Do folding cross country skis exist?
Do folding (or telescoping) cross-country skis exist and if so are they useable?
Update: Or are there small cross-country skis that are short enough for easy transport, yet still capable of providing ...
6
votes
2answers
422 views
How much heat can a candle lantern provide while winter camping?
In answering this question I tossed out that a candle lantern can add as much as 10 degrees (F) of heat while winter camping. I've heard this tossed about before, but is it true? I assume there are ...
6
votes
1answer
90 views
Are PLBs banned or otherwise useless anywhere?
This comment raises the idea that PLBs may not be allowed inland in the UK. A later comment refuted this, but I never even considered they would be disallowed anywhere, but simply rented one and took ...
6
votes
3answers
206 views
What characteristics should I look for in a good torch/flashlight?
I'm looking to buy a flashlight/torch (or build my own even if that works out cheaper), and am looking to take the following into consideration:
Good battery life (LEDs would probably suit best in ...
6
votes
1answer
128 views
How do I correctly clean (remove) Tri-Cams?
Tri-Cams have a reputation for fitting where other protection will not, and they are light weight and inexpensive compared to SLCDs.
Unfortunately they also have a reputation for being hard to clean ...
6
votes
1answer
49 views
What should I as a beginning surfer consider when buying my first longboard?
I'm a beginning surfer, and I want a longboard.
How do I select one? How much should I pay?
What is good width and length, etc.?
6
votes
2answers
133 views
When should you repair rock gouges in skis?
When downhill skiing (although I assume this would apply to cross-country skiing or snowboarding as well), when should a gouge caused by a rock or other obstacle be considered large or serious enough ...
6
votes
3answers
247 views
What can I do to prevent getting poison ivy?
I have a very bad reaction to poison ivy. I take extraordinary measures to avoid any and all contact with it. I wear long socks and full pants in the middle of summer but I still end up getting it ...
5
votes
3answers
213 views
How safe is the bowline knot in different situations?
The bowline knot (picture below, source) has a great reputation as a very safe knot. Is it really completely safe in all situations and loads, or are there use cases where it may fail?
5
votes
3answers
213 views
What is the benefit to telemark skiing?
Occasionally I've seen skiers free-heeling it down the slopes in telemark style but not understood why they do it. Is the main benefit for exercise, style, control or just to try something different?
5
votes
1answer
124 views
Does camping in polar bear country require someone to keep guard during the night?
Some animals are big and dangerous and, when hungry, may realise that humans contain a pretty decent amount of meat. I've never hiked in such areas, but they do exist.
Photo from Wikipedia, ...
5
votes
3answers
271 views
What is a freestanding tent and why should I want one?
What is a free-standing tent? What are the advantages of a free-standing tent as opposed to a tent that isn't, and what are the disadvantages?
See also:
What is a self erecting tent and why should I ...
5
votes
2answers
65 views
How can I locate the leak in a inflatable pad
I went camping last trip and my nice inflated pad... deflated. I always carry a patch kit but I discovered another issue: I couldn't find the leak. The leak was small. It took quite a while of me ...
5
votes
2answers
160 views
Does a red headscarf or hat provide better protection from the sun?
I read in an old tourist guide (from the beginning of the 20th century) that during mountain walks on sunny days one should wear a red headscarf or a hat with red lining to avoid heat stroke, because ...
5
votes
2answers
519 views
How to select paracord
What important features should I pay attention to when buying paracord for hiking (such as different types, load limit, etc)?
I just use it for bear bags, tarp lines, etc.
5
votes
1answer
64 views
How do you make a snow shelter?
Sometimes when mountaineering, there may be an emergency situation which leaves you in bad weather with no or damaged shelter (such as returning from a summit attempt or after a wild and crazy storm). ...
4
votes
1answer
121 views
What kind of Tyvek is suitable for footprint material
When buying Tyvek online, there appear to be a myriad of options and numbers. Which numbers are suitable for making a tent footprint?
Known numbers: 1443R, 1622E, 10G, 10GX, 1460, RV, 14M... (may ...
4
votes
1answer
105 views
Is a compass generally accurate in only one hemisphere, or both? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Navigational gear worldwide
I'm not that well travelled (never been outside of Europe!) but at some point I'd love to head elsewhere to perhaps hike somewhere a bit more ...
4
votes
1answer
314 views
What is the best material to make an outdoor shelter roof out of?
Say you are caught out without a tent in mild temperature conditions, e.g. moorland/woods. What material would you look for to make a good shelter roof out of?
3
votes
1answer
28 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
1answer
83 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 ...
