All Questions
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 ...
9
votes
2answers
123 views
Experiences hiking with a baby: backpacks
I'm a keen hiker, in South Africa. Or, I was...
But then our delightful darling daughter was born 7 months ago, and my hiking hobby got replaced with a new hobby.
Anyway, my wife and I are very keen ...
5
votes
1answer
134 views
Bear spray vs. rifles against polar bears?
In Svalbard, the arctic archipelago administrated by Norway, anyone leaving Longyearbyen is required to carry a rifle for their own safey. For grizzly bears, Wikivoyage recommends that Bear repellent ...
11
votes
4answers
185 views
How to minimize sea sickness?
I love sailing, and my wife loves the ocean, but she gets sea-sick often.
Any advice on how to avoid sea-sickness in people prone to it?
I'm looking for advice in terms of foods that are less of an ...
6
votes
2answers
87 views
Experiences hiking with a baby: diapers
So, I recently posted a question on hiking with a baby - my wife and I used to hike a fair amount, and we would like to get cracking again soon, but with our 7-month daughter.
I'm currently trying to ...
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 ...
5
votes
4answers
110 views
When do small waterfalls get significant freezing
We went out this weekend to try and catch a frozen waterfall such as the one. We had a great trip but it was clearly a misguided venture at our current tempuratures.
At what temperature would we ...
11
votes
3answers
167 views
What do you do if the fire does get “out of control”?
Let's say you are camping with a large group, and someone starts a camp fire. You're away for a bit and come back to find everyone panicking and the fire to be much larger than actually planned (ie, ...
6
votes
0answers
38 views
How can I physically prepare for high altitude hiking? [duplicate]
I intend to go to Tibet in August. I play badminton,tabletennis or volleyball every week and my fitness is decent. But I have not been exposed to high altitudes like in Tibet (16000 ft; 4900 m). How ...
8
votes
5answers
667 views
Is it safe to eat poison ivy berries since I don't react to the leaves?
Is it safe for someone who doesn't react to poison ivy to eat the berries? I am not going to try it without authority from someone who knows. Is it like smoke from burning vines, that can affect even ...
5
votes
2answers
67 views
coolest summertime baselayer?
Sometimes I hike with people for whom bare chest or even bare legs would be uncomfortable. But I get overheated MUCH more easily than most people; anything about 70 degrees is too to wear clothes ...
8
votes
2answers
82 views
Do bag liners add the same warmth value to all sleeping bags?
I have a bag liner that claims to add 15 degrees to the "range" of a sleeping bag. Is it reasonable to assume that it would work the same for all bags? For instance, would it extend a 40 degree bag ...
3
votes
1answer
46 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
67 views
Booking Alpine huts
I'm planning to head to the Alps this summer to walk the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. Does anyhow know how far in advance I need to book the huts? Months, weeks or just a few days?
Also ...
5
votes
2answers
123 views
Is there special eiquette for hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) during AT Season
Is there any special etiquette or "good things to know" for hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) during AT, or peak, season (for that section)?
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 ...
0
votes
0answers
50 views
Which are the best trekking shoes out there? [closed]
I recently went on a trek on the foothills of the himalayas. "Har ki doon" specifically. I used a Quechua shoe for this trek. Although this did keep my feet warm and dry, the comfort level left much ...
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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
65 views
Interactive online map of long-distance / marked trails against best freely available topographic map background
I've recently learned about the U.S. national trails system, apparently akin to the European long-distance paths. I found an (incomplete?) table of U.S. national trails and a rather poorly layed out ...
4
votes
0answers
52 views
How to find a secluded cabin to rent [closed]
How can I find a nice, secluded cabin to rent, somewhere in the U.S. wilderness? This almost seems like a word of mouth kind of endeavor, asking friends and friends of friends if they own or know of ...
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 ...
9
votes
1answer
73 views
Safe to use Old Water Filter?
I have a PUR Hiker Microfilter and a Katadyn Water Microfilter sitting in my closet that I only use once in a great while (I don't go on overnight backpacking trips very often).
Whenever I do plan on ...
4
votes
1answer
89 views
Best type of rope for glacier travel?
What sort of rope would be ideal for glacier travel? I have a 10mm 60m rope, but this is quite heavy. Would a 9mm 50m rope be suitable for a team of three, crossing glaciers in the Swiss Alps?
7
votes
2answers
280 views
Using a Girth Hitch in Alpine Draws
I've recently started making my alpine (or "trad") draws by girth hitching one end of a sling to the gear side carabiner and then clipping and passing the rope side through as usual. The girth hitch ...
7
votes
2answers
88 views
Are roads in Iceland closed to hikers outside the winter?
In a couple of years I hope to cross Iceland east to west through the centre. I understand the the roads in central Iceland are only open in the summer. Is that for vehicles only or for walking as ...
1
vote
1answer
49 views
Is there a problem on using each boot manufactured on a different period?
I bought a pair of Quechua Forclaz 500 boots from Decathlon 2 weeks ago, but just today I realized that each boot is manufatured 6 months apart (February and August 2012).
Is there a problem with ...
5
votes
1answer
193 views
Is freeze-dried food healthy?
I've recently heard an opinion (from a sailor that attempted to beat a 122 day, westward route, around the world sailing record) that freeze-dried food is actually very healthy, as it contains less ...
4
votes
1answer
86 views
What to do about slippery plastic soles of cross country ski boots
I have a relatively new pair of NNN cross-country ski boots and noticed the plastic sole is much more slippery than previous boots I've owned (older SNS and SNS Profil). A quick look at the selection ...
5
votes
2answers
139 views
Advantages to hammock camping on multi-night trips
This question asks what the downsides are to hammock camping, but doesn't really address the reasons why you would want to sleep in a hammock to camp.
Let's say I'm backpacker new to the idea of ...
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 ...
15
votes
2answers
876 views
Is it possible to sunburn through clothing?
I sat for 45 minutes last summer in the hot sun (100 degrees) I was pinned in on the bleachers so I wans't able to get up and move, I could feel the sun burning through my pants, now I have everyday ...
4
votes
2answers
127 views
Do I need to worry about snow covering up my tent?
I have a two-layer dome tent, cheap and not particularly designed for winter. Do I need to ever worry that during a heavy snow downfall during the night that tent might be covered up with snow and I ...
6
votes
2answers
52 views
End-of-season maintenance / storage tips for ski boots?
After several trips with poor fitting hire ski boots, and having had no end of trouble finding suitable fitting hire boots at the current resort, I went and bought a fitting pair. The boots have been ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
What can I do to help relieve joint pain in fingers after climbing?
After I've been climbing for a while, my finger joints are very sore.
Is there anything I can do to relieve that pain?
11
votes
3answers
295 views
Bowline knot, end at the inside or outside?
Why is it advised to tie a bowline knot with it's ending on the inside and not at the outside (here at outdoors)? See pictures below.
If you're unlucky the end can get stuck, and you can't untie it.
...
10
votes
3answers
237 views
How to create campfire which will burn overnight?
I watched a documentary "Man vs Wild" which showed the TV presenter Bear Grylls collecting wood and starting a fire. He somehow always manages to keep his campfire burning until dawn. How does one ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Newbie motorhome trip to Australia, in Winter, with two babies. Possible? Enjoyable? [closed]
I am a complete newbie to caravans and motorhomes, but I'm attracted to the idea of camping and outdoor life in general.
We're thinking of spending a couple of weeks (mid-July, early August) on the ...
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 ...
6
votes
3answers
224 views
How to set up a tent in deep snow
How should I set up a two-layer dome tent for 2/4 people in deep snow (waist height)? Do I need some additional equipment (snow shovel)? Insulation under the floor (further than the sleeping pads)?
...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
Good “real” fridge for car camping
I'm looking for a decent fridge with a 12V-outlet to use in the car for car camping. When I say fridge, I mean something that can keep products cool at 4°C/39°F, regardless of outside temperatures, so ...
5
votes
1answer
67 views
Trekking Pole Length
I was recently convinced to buy a pair of trekking poles for backpacking. But how long should they be?
What is the optimal length to adjust my trekking poles, when carrying a heavy pack?
I have ...
2
votes
1answer
53 views
Are folding poles suitable for cross-country skiing?
There are several manufacturers selling folding/collapsible poles, usually for hiking or splitboarding. Are they also suitable for cross-country skiing?
22
votes
3answers
1k views
Is it possible to rappel with only a rope? (No harness, Prusik cord, or other gear)
There may be an emergency situation where I find myself needing to lower myself but with no or damaged equipment.
Assuming I only have a rope, can I lower myself to safe ground?
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.
...
2
votes
1answer
53 views
What's the name of the old cross country ski boots with three holes at the front?
I have old cross country skis which require those boots with a flat end with three holes which you insert into three pegs on the skis. I'm looking for the name of that style of boot in order to be ...
7
votes
4answers
127 views
Looking for a Topographical map resource?
Does anyone know of a good way to find topographical maps for either download or purchase?
10
votes
5answers
567 views
Can I use my leather jacket to go to ski?
It might be quite a stupid question but... can I use my leather jacket to go to ski ?
I think it is waterproof and it is reasonably warm. If I wear quite heavily under it, do you think I should be ...
9
votes
6answers
4k views
What is the ultimate car camping bed solution — for two people?
I've been camping since I was a teenager in the scouts, and I've never really had a very comfortable night out. As an adult with a girlfriend, 20 years later, I'd like to just throw some money at the ...
2
votes
2answers
110 views
What areas in the south-western US are the wildest?
Where are the wildest places in the south-western US? By "wild" I mean places where evidence of people or their lasting effect on the land are minimal. Particularly, I am looking for places with ...
