All Questions
1
vote
0answers
3 views
What are the dangers of swimming in natural waters?
What are the dangers of swimming in natural bodies of water? In essence I would like to know about all types of waters, but I am mostly interested in sea because it is most relevant to me. Like many ...
1
vote
0answers
19 views
New to fishing in Virginia
I just moved to Virginia (Fairfax County) a few months ago. I've done some hiking around the area, mostly by the Potomac. With Spring starting I want to get in to some fishing. Can anyone give me some ...
1
vote
0answers
19 views
Memorial Day Backpacking in the Northwest
I've been set on getting my feet wet with backpacking this year. I did my first overnight trip along Thunder Creek a couples weeks ago, and was hoping to do a 3-day trip for Memorial Day weekend.
My ...
1
vote
0answers
20 views
How to prevent bear bag line from tangling?
While backpacking, I usually carry 50 feet of spectra cord (2mm) to be used as part of my bear bagging system. More often than I would like, I end up having to untangle the line before being able to ...
8
votes
2answers
838 views
Where can I find an iodine crystal water purification product?
For years I used a product called Polar Pure for water purification when weekend backpacking. It was an iodine based solution, so not great for a thru-hike, but fine for a week or less. Specifically, ...
6
votes
1answer
58 views
How is hygiene possible with ocean water only?
Is it possible to clean yourself and clothes with ocean water only, without polluting the water and almost without budget ? If so, how ?
I've read that it's possible to:
brush your teeth with sand,
...
20
votes
10answers
2k 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
36 views
How can I effectively conserve water?
Is there any way I can balance out drinking water when taking a trek, or simply taking a hike to one of the local peaks around here? Even if I come stocked, I tend to end up run out of water close to ...
2
votes
1answer
34 views
Are sleeping bags needed in southern Spain in summer?
My girlfriend and I are going camping in Europe this summer and are starting off in Spain. We have this tent, and are looking into sleeping bags. We have also been keeping an eye on the weather in ...
3
votes
1answer
113 views
old windfinder forecast googlemap
On www.windfinder.com they changed the forecast map. now it looks like this:
before, it had much more details, and you could zoom in it to find out the perfect spot for the forecasted wind ...
5
votes
2answers
54 views
swapping lead when climbing in a group of three using a pair of half ropes
On a multi-pitch route when all climbers have reached the belay point, what is the best way/ what considerations need to be made, in order to swap lead. obviously the leader will need to be tied into ...
5
votes
3answers
121 views
How tight should the line be kept for toproping?
I was climbing with someone recently and they complained that there was too much slack any time the line wasn't completely taut. By the same token when they were belaying me it was almost hard to ...
3
votes
1answer
37 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
2answers
49 views
How do I properly use the cinch-straps that came with my daypack?
I just purchased a daypack to stuff inside my larger backpack while travelling. It came with cinch-straps but I'm not sure of the proper way to use them (if there is one). The daypack is a North ...
6
votes
4answers
193 views
Running shoes for asphalt + winter conditions?
What is the good choice for the running shoes for winter conditions in city (mostly running on asphalt)? When the snow is shoveld, normal running shoes would be no problem, but when the snow falling, ...
7
votes
1answer
42 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
75 views
Toproping with two ropes joined by a double fisherman's
The other day we were waiting in line for a popular 200 foot single pitch climb in the valley and the party in front of us was using two 70 meter ropes they had joined together with a double ...
7
votes
1answer
58 views
Sailing with an infant
My wife and I are thinking about sailing with our ~ 6 month old baby boy.
We understand this is not something to take lightly, and we're planning either a canal/river sail or a sail in a very calm sea ...
5
votes
1answer
62 views
What does “expedition-weight” mean with regard to clothing?
I'm going on a trip to Alaska in September, including a guided camping/trekking trip in Denali. In the packing list I received from the company, they recommend having an "expedition-weight" top and ...
12
votes
3answers
122 views
Washing dishes with seawater or freshwater?
When backpacking in a coastal region, you sometimes have access to both fresh water (e.g. a stream) and salt water (sea, bay, etc.).
If you do not treat the water used for washing dishes, what are ...
3
votes
1answer
22 views
What should you be aware of when planning late-season or summer skiing?
Until now, all my skiing has been during the (local) winter. I recently had a spare day while in Switzerland, and found that one of the nearby resorts was still open, so for the first time I tried ...
3
votes
1answer
65 views
5-hour loop hike near Boulder, Colorado
I'll have the good part of a Saturday to enjoy in Boulder, Colorado on 18 May. What is a suitable area for a day, loop hike close to the city? My criterion for "close" is that the start of the trail ...
3
votes
0answers
42 views
Two to four day backpacking trip in Washington for May
I am looking for a backpacking trip somewhere between two and four days long in Washington that is possible to do under current conditions (May). Any recommendations?
7
votes
1answer
74 views
How much warmth dead leaves add if placed under your tent/pad?
During the fall season, fallen leaves from deciduous trees such as maple, oak, etc. can be found in abundance. Dead leaves can be gathered and placed under your sleeping system in order to sleep more ...
10
votes
3answers
245 views
How do you remove mold from a tent?
Of course, the best way is to prevent mold on a tent from occurring by airing, cleaning and storing it appropriately. When doing this I've never had any issues.
However, there may well be cases where ...
19
votes
4answers
856 views
FiveFingers or hiking boots?
I have been wearing vibram fivefingers exclusively for three years now. I day hike in them, I exercise in them, I go to to work with them, I hit the beach and swim in them. I have tried wearing ...
4
votes
1answer
41 views
What features to consider when buying a bouldering slipper?
I've been using the same Evolv shoes for bouldering that I bought for top-roping. It seems like they're worn enough to start considering a new pair of shoes. Since I'm doing bouldering almost ...
5
votes
1answer
171 views
Can body-to-body rewarming be used as a last resort treatment of hypothermia?
All of the arguments I've heard against using this method assume that you have adequate supplies for alternate rewarming methods. If you literally didn't, and it appeared they might to freeze to death ...
5
votes
2answers
82 views
If an autoblock inteferes with a belay device will a fireman belay have any effect?
When rappeling I understand the need for a backup--whether an autoblock below the belay device, or a second person providing a fireman belay. My understanding is that using an autoblock incorrectly ...
16
votes
6answers
3k views
How to harden feet to avoid blisters on long hikes
I've enjoyed hiking my entire life but I have one huge problem. The skin on my feet is extremely soft and sensitive. I wear good wool socks with properly fitting boots and change socks during long ...
9
votes
3answers
164 views
What is considered a water source, and why is it recommended to camp so far from them?
I've read one one of the US national forest or wilderness websites that when camping in the wild, one should camp at a certain distance from a water source. Should I understand a water source to mean ...
11
votes
2answers
119 views
Any tips to reduce chance that I have to get up and pee in the night (not counting dehydration, of course)
Well, here's the situation. You're on an outdoor trip in winter. It's cold outside and after a long day all you want to do is crawl into your warm sleeping bag and not get out of it until the next ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
Prevent mosquito bites: insect repellent patch or just eat vitamin B1?
I'd like to use natural malaria prevention. Insect repellent patch seems to be very promising. One patch contains 75 mg of B1 and covers 36 hours. However, it's not very cheap. Many other travellers ...
7
votes
3answers
79 views
Is there a web application that can notify you ahead of time if a certain weather forecast is predicted for a certain location?
In other words, it would be a site where you can "subscribe" to certain locations and then have the service email you if the weather forecast matches the kind of weather conditions you are looking ...
4
votes
1answer
64 views
What is the correct way to attach an autoblock to your harness for rappelling?
When rappelling and using an autoblock consisting of a french prusik knot it seems there may be some options on how and where to attach the autoblock to my harness.
Is there a correct placement on ...
6
votes
2answers
38 views
How to get rid of the smell from indoor climbing shoes?
When I go climbing indoors I typically wear my climbing shoes without socks because this gives me slightly better control over my feet while climbing which I particularly need in overhangs.
The ...
4
votes
2answers
82 views
When climbing should a carabiner ever be clipped to the tie-in loops, and should anything other than a carabiner ever attach to the belay loop?
I'm a beginning climber and am trying to resolve conflicting instruction related to tying into my harness.
During a recent outing a friend (an experienced climber, but not an instructor) was showing ...
21
votes
6answers
642 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). ...
9
votes
6answers
271 views
What kind of mementos, if any, am I allowed to collect from State and National parks in small quantities?
What kind of mementos am I allowed to collect from State and National parks in small quantities, if any?
I am especially wondering about:
pebbles, shells, sea-urchin-skeletons, sand-dollar-skeletons ...
2
votes
1answer
27 views
reliability and performance of NIS mounting plates (x-country skis)
How do NNN bindings mounted on cross-country skis with NIS mounting plates compare with the screwed-in versions in terms of reliability (are they more likely to break) and performance (do I get ...
3
votes
1answer
61 views
NIS mounting plate for x-country skis: why only for NNN bindings?
I see a lot of higher-end cross country skis now have an NIS mounting plate to enable the mounting of bindings without drilling any holes (and easy adjustment).
But why are the only NIS compatible ...
5
votes
3answers
94 views
How to select a good GPS receiver?
What should one look for in the specifications to determine whether a handheld purpose-built GPS receiver provides good navigational consistency under reasonably normal, low-speed conditions? Highly ...
2
votes
2answers
143 views
Rifugio (Mountain Hut) trek in Austria
I'm interested in combining a three to five day "rifugio" based trek in southern Austria with a visit to Vienna.
In other words, I'd like to be able to fly in to somewhere nearby - Vienna, Salzburg, ...
2
votes
0answers
89 views
What are the most recommended guide/maps to bring on a PCT thru-hike?
Among the amalgam of guidebooks and maps for the Pacific Crest Trail, which guidebooks and/or maps are be the best contenders to bring on the trail?
Guthook 2010 review recommends Halfmile maps ...
4
votes
4answers
203 views
While backpacking, should one bring hand sanitizer, soap, or both?
What are the advantages of hand sanitizer over soap on a backpacking trip? Do they fulfill the same purpose?
What would you recommend for hand sanitization?
3
votes
1answer
84 views
Are the orienteering marches popular in Germany?
I'm engaged in orienteering marches, which differ from sport orienteering: there is the time limit, where finishing before time gives no advantage to the participant, and the center is put on the ...
10
votes
2answers
130 views
Trekking in the himalayan region
Which are the better trekking routes in the himalayan region?
Also, how safe are the routes?
If any of you guys have been around in the region, I would like to know your personal experiences as ...
16
votes
5answers
470 views
Selecting backpacking cooking pot – teflon, aluminum, steel, titanium, or cast iron?
What are the relative advantages / dangers of different cooking wear? I'm a one-pot gourmet that has been using the same stainless steel pot for 15 years, but am considering an upgrade.
Some things I ...
4
votes
3answers
87 views
Can I get away with less advanced food storing methods if backpacking in areas where meeting bears is unlikely?
A page like this one, as well as a number of questions on this site, discuss how to pack food safely from bears.
What about other animals?
This post advices a pretty sophisticated way to protect food ...
2
votes
3answers
57 views
Comfy inflatable pillows for car camping
I use a combination of an 18"x18" inflatable pillow and a Thermarest compressible one, the largest size (commonly seen at REI and similar stores). However, the inflatable often slips out and I just ...
