All Questions
33
votes
5answers
688 views
What are essential items in an emergency kit?
What are must-have items in an emergency kit for a multi-day hiking trip?
16
votes
3answers
734 views
How do I treat hot spots and blisters when I have no moleskin?
A few times I've been out walking or backpacking and have no moleskin with me. Sure enough, my boots start giving me blisters. How can I prevent or treat hotspots and blisters without using ...
18
votes
6answers
889 views
A list of suitable foods for a long hike
In my opinion, the priorities when selecting trekking food are:
many calories per kilogram
not easily spoilable, especially in hot weather
not very very expensive
diverse.
Diverse. That is why I ...
27
votes
11answers
986 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.
18
votes
4answers
264 views
What precautions should I take to protect myself and my camp from bears?
Most of my prior hiking experience has been in areas that are not home to bears, so what precautions should I take to protect my camp (and myself as I am hiking) from bears.
I am aware of a couple of ...
35
votes
9answers
1k views
What is the most efficient food to take a for a 12-15 day hiking trip?
Last summer I spent 15 days hiking with my boyfriend, in Sarek National Park, where there are no places to restock with more food.
The food issue was a major part of the pre-planning, as weight was ...
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 ...
22
votes
7answers
708 views
What is the safest way to purify water?
There are a number of ways to purify water, off the top of my head we have filters, iodine, and boiling. Clearly each has some advantage/disadvantage (iodine tastes terrible, boiling takes time). ...
23
votes
5answers
2k views
What is the best way to store my sleeping bag for long periods of time?
I've heard that storing a sleeping bag in its stuff for long periods of time sack will cause it to lose loft, and won't provide as much comfort or warmth when used again.
If so, how should I store my ...
22
votes
9answers
2k views
What hand and finger exercises help with climbing?
It's been a while since I went rock climbing but I'd like to get back into it. What are some hand exercises that will help with climbing?
20
votes
2answers
3k views
How to avoid exploding rocks
It seems that every tutorial I read and show I watch shows people using rocks for everything from a cooking surface to boiling water. However, I have had rocks crack in half on me, and I've always ...
14
votes
2answers
2k views
Climbing rope is rated to X UIAA falls. What is a UIAA fall?
When looking at buying climbing ropes, they are rated to a number of "UIAA falls".
What does that mean?
14
votes
7answers
653 views
What can I do about those obnoxious biting flies?
In addition to Mosquitos, many of us northwoods campers have been made victim to the vast swarms of biting flies.
Despite slathering myself with DEET, they don't seem deterred, and they especially ...
7
votes
3answers
105 views
Navigational gear worldwide
Is there any difference in navigational equipment between the northern and southern hemisphere? We live in the northern hemisphere but will be emigrating to the southern in the next few weeks. We'll ...
12
votes
3answers
148 views
What are some proven methods of training for week long backpacking trips in high altitude?
I'm going to Colorado to visit a friend and we will be going on a week long trek across a couple of 14'ners. I'm looking for some ways to help prepare my body for trip.
16
votes
2answers
2k views
What are the different methods to purify water?
What methods can I use to purify water? And what's the difference between those several methods (safety, duration needed, ...)?
22
votes
10answers
3k views
Where in Europe is wild camping permitted?
Is there any resource (website, book, etc) that lists all European countries, and the state of free camping?
Specifically, I want to see in which European countries I'm not fined when I place my tent ...
16
votes
2answers
825 views
How can I hike across the Grand Canyon if I don't have a backcountry permit?
I am going to try to hike across the Grand Canyon in May, from the South Rim to the North Rim, and back. Unfortunately, I have discovered that I am probably too late to secure a back-country permit ...
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 ...
11
votes
5answers
431 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?
9
votes
1answer
111 views
What do I need to be aware of if I'm considering purchasing a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)?
Obviously, I can't just buy it, push the button and expect a helicopter to show up.
Are there monthly or registration fees? Do I need to get a permit or register with someone? How does it all work? ...
8
votes
3answers
446 views
What type of mosquito repellent is most effective?
There are many different kinds of insect repellents and bug sprays on the market: sprays and lotions, chemical and natural, huge percentages of DEET and lower percentages, etc.
What type of bug ...
7
votes
4answers
166 views
Cooking over a fire
Is there a way to make a wood fire that is good for cooking? Why is it better than others? Assume little to no wind. Would it make a difference if I cooking hot dogs on a stick or a steak?
29
votes
8answers
536 views
How should I remove a tick?
If I find a tick on myself or a friend, what is the best way of removing it?
I've heard some people say that singeing the tick with a match makes the tick detach and fall off. However I've also ...
21
votes
3answers
375 views
If I have to cross an icy, flowing river, what are some ways I can cross safely?
If I'm alone in a survival situation and I have to cross a very cold river that's still flowing, how should I accomplish this safely?
19
votes
7answers
790 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 ...
17
votes
2answers
213 views
As an experienced backpacker in the Eastern US, what should I know before hiking in the Western US?
I have done a good deal of hiking and backpacking in the Eastern US (mostly in New England), but I recently moved to California. What are the major differences in terms of preparation or equipment ...
14
votes
5answers
2k views
What essential items should go in a small first aid kit?
Another question asked what survival equipment should be carried in an emergency kit. But very little was about medical or first aid supplies (band-aids, gauze, tylenol, moleskin, etc).
What items ...
14
votes
4answers
182 views
How can I be absolutely sure my fire is safely extinguished?
One great problem with fire in the wild is that it may not be completely out. What is the recommended procedure to prevent accidental forest fire?
8
votes
5answers
608 views
How do I treat a blister? How can I prevent getting them in the first place?
When hiking with a new pair of boots or if I haven't been hiking in a while, my feet might get blisters.
How can I treat a blister and keep hiking? Are there things I can do to prevent getting ...
7
votes
3answers
133 views
Is there a large difference in WFA (Wilderness First Aid) programs?
I am looking at taking a WFA (Wilderness First Aid) class and there are a couple of outfits in my area offering it. Namely, SOLO, NOLS, and The American Red Cross. I have heard nothing but great ...
6
votes
3answers
801 views
Ideal and Minimal Rope Diameter for Lead Climbing
I'm thinking of a single rope that it's safe to take long lead falls, but also light to carry around. I weight 75 kgs and I might climb with heavier partners (80-90 Kgs)
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 ...
12
votes
3answers
180 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 ...
10
votes
4answers
273 views
What proven alternatives are there to DEET?
DEET is an effective mosquito deterrent, but there are many reasons it cannot be used. Per the CDC, cuts, eczema, and being a kid are all problems if you want to use DEET.
What proven alternatives ...
8
votes
4answers
232 views
How can rope/cordage be packed to minimize tangles?
I generally pack my cordage in little bundles like
Unfortunately for any significant length (100' for instance) it just turns into a wadded mess when I try and use it.
How can I pack this stuff ...
6
votes
2answers
203 views
Training to prepare for oxygen deficiency in the high mountains
I would like to prepare myself for the climb in the high mountains (for now by "high mountains" I mean elevation 4000 m and more, but eventually eight-thousanders).
What can I do to improve my ...
6
votes
4answers
142 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 ...
5
votes
4answers
267 views
What is a good knife for survival in a forested environment?
What style/size of knife would be most useful in a survival scenario in the forest?
4
votes
2answers
554 views
What is a self erecting tent and why should I want one?
What is a self erecting tent? What are the advantages of a self erecting tent as opposed to a tent that isn't, and what are the disadvantages?
3
votes
4answers
130 views
Dealing with wildlife in the desert of California/Nevada in general and in the White Mountains in particular
I'm planning a hike in the White Mountains of California; see also this related question. So far, all my hiking have either been day hikes in the densely populated hikes, or treks for up to three ...
3
votes
4answers
219 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 ...
43
votes
8answers
6k 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?
24
votes
3answers
15k views
How long does water need to be boiled for to kill all bacteria / viruses?
This has come up a few times in a few other questions, but I've heard varying opinions from different people in a number of answers and comments on here - some saying that just boiling for a moment is ...
14
votes
3answers
424 views
What are some things to keep in mind when stealth camping?
Stealth Camping definition:
Stealth camping is the act of quietly finding a place away from people where you can camp for the night and then quickly slip away in the morning without being ...
34
votes
8answers
4k views
Which will keep my food colder longer, draining the melted ice water, or leaving it in the cooler?
Say you have a cooler of frozen food and ice to last for several days or weeks of river-trip / car camping. To keep things as a cold as possible for as long as possible, is it better to leave the cold ...
25
votes
6answers
2k views
How can I identify edible berries/fruit from poisonous?
How can I identify edible berries/fruit in the wide and avoid the poisonous varieties? Is there a general guideline that can be followed or is each plant specific?
22
votes
5answers
2k views
How does one dry clothes in humid weather?
What are some quick ways to dry clothes in moist weather?
20
votes
9answers
446 views
The outdoors, solitude and dealing with loneliness
I have been out camping a few times, once with a group, the other times with my girlfriend. Although I enjoyed those times very much, I often wondered what would it feel like to enjoy the complete ...
14
votes
3answers
757 views
Hiking boots vs trail shoes
I have two sets of shoes that I wear while hiking. My favorite by far are my light weight trail running shoes. I have worn them on 9 mile hikes without any break-in, and went blister free. From a ...
