All Questions
15
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I acclimatize to cold?
People used to tolerate a much wider range of temperatures. What techniques can I apply to widen my body's range of comfort?
A few examples that may or may not help:
Spend a lot of time slightly ...
19
votes
7answers
694 views
What are the downsides to sleeping in a hammock on a multi-day hike?
I've read that hammocks are a very light way to travel through the wilderness. You just need the hammock, a cover, and a light sleeping bag, but there must be disadvantages compared to taking a tent ...
6
votes
1answer
82 views
Difference between a Fingerboard and a Hangboard
This is just a climbing terminology question:
What is the difference between a Fingerboard and a Hangboard?
Maybe there is no difference at all? Maybe it's subtle? I have been Googling around and ...
9
votes
5answers
187 views
Can I replace Dish soap?
I have been trying to get my weight down on longer backpacking trips. I have already taken to buying very strong soap and using very little, but I was wondering is there something I can replace the ...
3
votes
4answers
192 views
Hiking popularity in North America vs. Europe
From browsing this site, I have learned that US national parks and wilderness areas have restrictions and that campsites need reservations, sometimes months in advance. I've never seen anything like ...
2
votes
2answers
37 views
Long distance hiking trail markings in North America or parts thereof
In many European countries, dedicated long-distance hiking trails are marked with a white-red marking, like in the photograph below:
Source: Wikimedia Commons.
I've seen this in at least The ...
5
votes
0answers
50 views
Primitive fire starting in northeastern Brazil
I live on the coast of the northeastern part of Brazil (Rio Grande do Norte). As you go inland, the terrain becomes very arid. There are cactus and a lot of xerophilic plants that remind me a lot of ...
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 ...
8
votes
2answers
105 views
Safest months to hike in Colorado
I've read that the summer months (June, July, and August) are the safest months to hike in Colorado because these are the least-likely times to run into ice patches that can't be crossed with normal ...
2
votes
1answer
113 views
Is cougar hunting legal? [closed]
I got shocked when I saw this video and related webpage. Is it still legal? If yes, how is it possible? Cougar population is apparently threatened and in decline.
10
votes
1answer
245 views
Is it safe to use denatured alcohol as an antiseptic?
A lot of hikers carry denatured alcohol for cooking. Is there any risk to using it as an antiseptic for cuts and lacerations?
8
votes
3answers
317 views
What natural (non-synthetic) fabrics are good for the winter?
Which natural (non-synthetic) fabrics are good for hiking winter weather? I know cotton will generally trap moisture and invite hypothermia, while wool is warm but heavy. What other natural fabrics ...
4
votes
0answers
48 views
Difference between Franz Josef and Fox glaciers
I have just arrived to Franz Josef town, South Island, New Zealand. The main attractions here are the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers.
Several local tour operators feature heli-hikes to both glaciers, ...
6
votes
2answers
74 views
Winter food: which types of food are less inclined to freeze?
I already asked if I had to change the food for winter.
Since freezing is a major concern in winter, which types of food are more suitable because they are less inclined to freeze ?
10
votes
6answers
199 views
What can I do to keep my hands warm while using touchscreens in the winter?
Now that it is starting to get cold it is more difficult to use touchscreens while outdoors. I use both an iPhone and a Garmin GPS to geocache and both have touchscreens that require me to take my ...
6
votes
2answers
421 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 ...
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.
6
votes
3answers
150 views
How can you make a MSR WhisperLite stove simmer?
MSR WhisperLite backpacking stoves are ubiquitous, but they lack a key function: the ability to simmer easily. How can you set a WhisperLite to simmer without having to constantly watch the stove and ...
3
votes
2answers
223 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
106 views
When is it too cold for Tarping?
I'm looking to get a tarp, and considering when I want to go out with it. My three season tent with the rain fly has pretty good heat retention, and while it doesn't get toasty, it does stay warmer ...
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
183 views
Is it safe to drink out of rusty thermos?
I've got a thermos for coffee and/or water storage that I use on hikes and for bike touring since it keeps things hot for hours. However, it seems like the inside is rusting a bit.
Is this safe to ...
3
votes
3answers
100 views
Places for canyoning in England / Wales
I've always liked the idea of canyoning, but it seems that there's few places where it can be done in England. Does anyone know of any such places?
6
votes
2answers
157 views
Can I mix fuels when using the MSR whisperlite international stove?
I have an MSR whisperlite international stove. Can I mix fuels when both require the same jet?
Background: When backpacking I often just carry one fuel bottle, filled with white gas. On my last trip ...
16
votes
1answer
867 views
What are the advantages and disadvantages between gas, liquid and solid fuel?
It seems you can get fuel for stoves in either gas form (butane, propane, etc.) liquid (methylated spirit) or solid fuel tablets.
What are the particular advantages and disadvantages with each ...
12
votes
2answers
255 views
How to carry dslr camera when rock-climbing
I am interested in hearing how people take their dslrs onto multi-pitch-rock-climbs. I have carried mine up in a small pack, but I end up taking hardly any pictures, since it is so cumbersome to get ...
10
votes
3answers
309 views
Are Trangia and MSR fuel bottles inter changeable?
In other words, could I purchase a 1 litre Trangia fuel bottle and the MSR Dragonfly liquid-fuel camp stove and use them together? Or would the smaller, slightly more expensive MSR fuel bottle be the ...
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 ...
6
votes
4answers
125 views
What are some effective ways of reducing itching from a mosquito bite?
There are a lot of options for trying to prevent mosquito bites (DEET on skin, permethrin on clothing, mosquito nets while sleeping, etc.), but what about after you get bitten? What is the most ...
8
votes
4answers
130 views
What are the key factors when choosing a sleeping bag for backpacking?
I'm preparing to go on my first ever backpacking trip and do not have a suitable sleeping bag. What are the factors I should consider when choosing one?
Personally I'm looking for the best value I ...
3
votes
2answers
74 views
Kepler Track: Brod Bay to Iris Burn Hut in one day?
My wife are around 30 years old. We are experienced trekkers (South America, Israel and Nepal), but in average-or-less physical shape - we're working in offices most of the time.
We have booked three ...
7
votes
2answers
154 views
Does the solar powered fridge work as advertised whilst hiking?
I stumbled across this link the other day which seems rather ingenious and was wondering if anyone has tried such a contraption whilst hiking? If not, do you think it would be effective? I'm tempted ...
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 ...
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?
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 ...
12
votes
6answers
467 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
76 views
Repairing a North Face Tent rain cover
I have bought a North Face RoadRunner 3 tent 10 years ago. It is a great tent, and it served me well during a 9-month trip to South America.
The problem is that the transparent part of the rain ...
10
votes
2answers
161 views
What dried vegetarian foods have the highest ratio of calories to volume?
I mostly hike in bear country, which limits how much food I can take to the volume of my bear canister. This excellent question dealt with foods that are great on a trip where food-selection criteria ...
8
votes
2answers
297 views
What are the best ways to increase your draw weight?
What exercises exist for increasing your strength in order to increase the amount of draw weight you can pull back on your bow? I was told just push-ups but, is there anything more that can be done?
16
votes
3answers
291 views
What do you do if you see a cougar?
Hiking on the west coast of British Columbia, there are likely to be cougars around the trails. What do you do if you see one?
7
votes
2answers
194 views
What is the difference between single and double wall tents?
Tents are described being either single or double wall.
What is the difference and when is one preferred over the other?
10
votes
2answers
259 views
How do I inspect a climbing rope?
It is imperative that climbing ropes are in excellent shape so they don't split while someone is climbing.
How do I properly inspect the rope when I'm about to start a climb?
12
votes
1answer
106 views
What is a good material to patch holes in backpack?
I have a backpack with rip-stop material that is quite beaten up from scrambling over granite boulders. What are some good materials for patching the holes, what kind of thread should I use, and how ...
12
votes
4answers
238 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
80 views
What is a travel bug?
I've seen mention of travel bugs (or trackables) on geocaching sites. What is a travel bug and what can I do with one?
6
votes
1answer
62 views
Beginner Ski Touring - Avalanche Terrain
So, I've taken my AST1 (see here for info, it's a Canadian course), and I'm starting to get into backcountry skiing.
Just wondering what people would recommend for beginner terrain? Specific examples ...
9
votes
3answers
154 views
Trail maintenance: what is considered inappropriate when maintaining a trail?
Every year at the beginning of the spring, I do preliminary hikes and do some light maintenance (removing broken tree from the trail etc...) but this question made me realize to what extend should I ...
12
votes
5answers
493 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?
11
votes
5answers
150 views
Is a varied diet necessary while backpacking?
Often when planning food for a backpacking trip, I rely heavily on a very large amount of extremely varied trail-mix, and only throw in some jerky and a scant few "cookable" meals for variety. I ...
5
votes
2answers
70 views
Snowshoes for hilly terrain
What are the snowshoes criteria that I should look for if I want to snowshoe on a hilly terrain ?
