All Questions
14
votes
3answers
155 views
How should I check climbing equipment to tell whether it is still safe to use?
I have, unfortunately, not had the opportunity to go climbing (and thus use my climbing equipment) for a couple years. I know that such equipment, especially the rope and webbing, can degrade over ...
14
votes
1answer
109 views
Tree Identification
I'd like to start identifying trees in my area as a project with my kids while we are hiking.
What is best for tree identification, a good color book such as the Audobon Field Guide to North ...
14
votes
2answers
284 views
How to stay clean on a multi-day hike?
I love hiking but there is a serious problem - I find it disgusting to be sweaty or dirty. I am literally unable to function properly if I do not get a thorough and warm shower every morning.
This ...
14
votes
1answer
374 views
Raw meat on hikes
When backpacking we often carry raw beef which we have salted and frozen, usually cut into strips that can be easily cooked through. I'm confident that this is good for 24 hours, and I know that meat ...
14
votes
3answers
211 views
What kind of canteen material will have the least effect on the taste of water?
I want to buy a canteen, and I have choice between aluminum, stainless steel, enamel and various kinds of plastic. I had canteens before that made any liquid taste horrible after just few hours. I ...
14
votes
1answer
188 views
Why tunnel tents for the poles, Geodesic for the mountains?
I've noticed that polar expeditions seem to favour tunnel tents, and mountaineering expeditions prefer geodesic designs. Is there a reason why one design fares better than the other in its preferred ...
14
votes
2answers
158 views
What is the proper tension for a tent line
When setting up a tent and staking it out, what is the proper tension for the lines? I generally just make them arbitrarily tight, but have no idea how that would perform in high wind or other ...
14
votes
3answers
126 views
Do I need any technical skills to climb Kilimanjaro?
Ive heard that climbing Kilimanjaro doesn't require any mountaineering skills and is really just a (very difficult) hike?
Is that true? Is there any gear I would need besides traditional hiking ...
14
votes
1answer
224 views
Chalk: pure, plus drying agent, liquid?
Having only used pure chalk without added substances so far, I wondered how the other types perform. Most of the information I could find online is either somebody ranting against a certain type, or ...
14
votes
2answers
190 views
What everyday tasks can be adapted in a way that helps build muscles and technique for bouldering?
(This is related to "What hand and finger exercises help with climbing?" but asking for what can be done when not climbing/training.)
Like most climbers, I don't get to do as much as I'd like, and I ...
14
votes
2answers
3k views
Are there beaches on the East Coast (US) where one can camp without a permit?
Every summer I have a strong desire to go camping on a beach. However, I've discovered that the places near me (Long Island, New York, northern New Jersey) often either:
Have a limited number of ...
14
votes
2answers
171 views
Is there a definitive list of the tallest mountains in the world that require little or no mountaineering experience?
I was wondering if there is a list of the tallest mountains in the world where you can walk or scramble up to the summit? As opposed to using even basic rope skills?
13
votes
4answers
198 views
When sailing, how do I rescue a man overboard?
If someone falls overboard from a sailboat, it is firstly imperative not to lose sight of the person since finding a man in water, especially when there's waves, can be very difficult.
What ...
13
votes
3answers
229 views
What makes a good head lamp?
I'm looking for a decent head lamp, with a bright light and good battery life. Most on the market these days seem to be LED based, but aside from those three (perhaps obvious) considerations are there ...
13
votes
4answers
501 views
What equipment do I need as a beginner outdoor rock climber?
What are the bare essentials that I need in terms of equipment when it comes to rock climbing? I've done indoor rock climbing but always rented my equipment from the rock-climbing gym.
(For the ...
13
votes
2answers
293 views
What happens to cams after climbing?
What do people do with their cams after they've reached the top of the rock? Is there some special way of getting them down again? Seeing the prices of around 50 € per piece they can hardly just leave ...
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 ...
13
votes
3answers
7k views
How can I start a fire by rubbing two sticks together?
When trying to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together, what does one need to consider? I am assuming I can't just grab any two sticks and start rubbing...
Should they be dead or green?
Hard ...
13
votes
5answers
196 views
Good books to learn survival?
Does anybody have a recommendation to a good book about how to survive in the Norwegian woods and similar?
13
votes
1answer
1k views
Can I use a bicycle helmet as a climbing helmet?
I have a bicycle helmet that fits well. Can it be used effectively as a rock climbing helmet?
Most climbing helmets have a hard shell that the bicycle helmet does not. However, one of the more ...
13
votes
3answers
532 views
How to tell the time at night
What is the simplest way to approximate time after the sun has set? Perhaps using the moon's height and phase? This would make the most sense to me, but what could you do in the case of a new moon?
13
votes
2answers
163 views
How to clean a sleeping bag ?
A sleeping bag will eventually need a cleaning. How do you proceed, in particular according to the different materials?
13
votes
3answers
165 views
How do you properly dispose of human waste while snow camping?
Assuming the cat-hole is the preferred protocol for waste disposal in the area you are backpacking, what should you do when the soil is buried below A LOT of snow, and/or frozen?
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?
13
votes
3answers
249 views
What are the vitamin considerations for extended backpacking
For short hikes you can generally ignore nutritional concerns, because you don't generally become malnourished in two days. However, for a long trip like the Appalachian Trail or other long hikes (at ...
13
votes
2answers
183 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 ...
13
votes
2answers
414 views
Washing clothes on long hikes
I'm looking for a good solution for clothing (or clothes washing) on long hikes with the following considerations
Southeastern United States, Appalachians
We hike light
10+ day trips
I don't want ...
13
votes
2answers
215 views
Can I sail a raft on a European river with commercial traffic?
I'm thinking about sailing a part of the Danube, alone, on a self-built raft. I have no experience sailing rivers on any serious basis.
I'm considering a raft for a number of reasons:
It's cheap.
...
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 ...
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 ...
13
votes
3answers
488 views
The best solution for carrying a D-SLR when hiking
I am planning a multi-day hike in the Drakensberg area of South Africa. This is a beautiful landscape with interesting flora and fauna. Consequently I want to have my Digital SLR close to hand. I ...
13
votes
2answers
205 views
How can I prevent my sun glasses from fogging up when skiing?
When I'm cross-country skiing, I usually wear glacier glasses to protect from the intense glare off the snow. When I'm moving, they usually stay clear . Whenever I stop though, my glasses seem to fog ...
13
votes
2answers
91 views
A little bit of acclimatisation or no acclimatisation at all?
This summer I'm planning to mount my first 4000 m mountain in Switzerland. So far I only got around 3300 meters while hiking and had no problems. However 4000 meter an above is definitively a ...
13
votes
3answers
118 views
Good resources for information about hiking trails near Boston
I'm a Hiker who recently moved to Boston, MA. I'm interested in hiking within a 2 hour drive of the city, and I really would love alpine hiking (above the tree line), on trails that are 4 to 8 miles.
...
12
votes
6answers
470 views
Is it dangerous to sleep in a tent alone in a forest in -20?
Can I spend the night alone in a tent in a forest outside Stockholm in -20 degrees Celsius without risking my life?
The backstory:
From the end of January, I'm starting my studies in a suburb of ...
12
votes
5answers
494 views
If lost in the wilderness, what is the first thing I should do?
If I get lost in the wilderness, what is the very first thing I should do?
12
votes
3answers
578 views
First time camping, need advice
Me and my wife have never done camping before and always wanted to do it. This time we are planning to go for a small camping trip but have no idea how to prepare for it. We like to hike and are ...
12
votes
2answers
503 views
Why don't we apply the principles of layering when it comes to pants?
Whenever I see clothing articles geared toward hiking and backpacking that discuss layering (base layer for wicking, mid layer for insulation, etc.), they always seem to discuss these things in terms ...
12
votes
4answers
1k views
Can any waterborne pathogens survive boiling?
I know that boiling does little to break down chemical contaminants or heavy metals. But I'm unsure if it kills all microbial life. Are there any waterborne illness-causing ...
12
votes
5answers
176 views
Are Ice grips worth buying
The cold weather has finally hit the UK and once again I am tempted to buy something like https://www.yaktrax.co.uk/shop/yaktrax-pro. For those of you not in the UK we get some snow each year (enough ...
12
votes
5answers
186 views
How to warm up your cold toes and fingers?
In winter your hand and feet (especially toes and fingers) may get painfully cold or you may even stop feeling them. How can you warm them up?
This usually happens, when it's below 0°С or when it's ...
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, ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
Can you eat pine needles in an emergency?
If you are in a survival situation in the woods and REALLY hungry, and you are unsure about which plants are edible, can you eat pine needles?
12
votes
3answers
176 views
What steps should I take if someone starts sinking?
What are the steps that should be taken if someone you're hiking with starts to sink uncontrollably into say a marsh? What are some good techniques and points that should be used to get them out ...
12
votes
4answers
243 views
Cheese and eggs on backpacking trips
I have taken some hard cheeses onto backpacking trips quite successfully without spoilage, but I have not dared taking more than I can eat in about 3 days. Eggs I have not dared to take. I am ...
12
votes
3answers
632 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 ...
12
votes
2answers
148 views
Is it practical to get a satellite phone for communication from remote areas?
When going into remote areas, it would be great to be able to communicate with the outside world, for emergency purposes or just to be able to call home on long trips. Is it practical for an average ...
12
votes
5answers
919 views
How do you prevent mold in CamelBak hydration bladders?
When using a CamelBak (or other hydration bladder system), it is easy for mold to grow if the bladder is left sitting with water in it. What is the best way to avoid mold (or other nasties) growing ...
12
votes
4answers
185 views
Taking care of hiking backpack
I've had a 60 L backpack for almost seven years now. Nothing on it is broken and it fits my needs, so right now I don't have any thoughts about replacing it (Getting a light pack might be the only ...
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 ...
