22 votes
Accepted

What should I do about large trash left by others on USFS land?

When it's unsuitable for removal by your group, contact the relevant authority for that land and let them know the type of litter and its location (pictures and GPS coordinates are helpful). For ...
Jonathan Patt's user avatar
16 votes

What should I do about large trash left by others on USFS land?

This is what I do: I always have extra carry-bags to keep the trash in. Depending upon what my plan is, if I am coming around the same way back home, I usually pickup everything which shouldn't be ...
WedaPashi's user avatar
  • 31.7k
14 votes

How do I disinfect my wool hiking socks?

Simply throwing them in the wash should suffice, but if you want to be extra sure the fungus dies, you could soak your socks in a 1 part bleach to 10 parts water mixture for ten minutes. Keep in mind ...
ShemSeger's user avatar
  • 53.5k
13 votes

What should I do about large trash left by others on USFS land?

If the item is small enough to move, but too large to easily carry out. Organize the junk so that it is stacked as inoffensively as practical, but remains easily accessible. Don't hide it or drop it ...
James Jenkins's user avatar
12 votes

What should an outdoors traveler know about the biodegradability of plastic?

"Things don't always go perfectly" - what does that mean? There is no reason at all you should ever leave plastic behind. Bring in as little plastic as you can. Pack your stuff in reusable containers....
Kate Gregory's user avatar
  • 12.1k
10 votes

How do I disinfect my wool hiking socks?

(Late answer here.) A scholarly report discusses fungus and laundry Several years ago, a scholarly report was published. The report's "Appendix A" discusses, among other things, how you should do ...
tealhill supports Monica's user avatar
10 votes
Accepted

How to get mould out of rucksack?

Sun will help. You can leave it in the sun, taking care the whole affected area gets direct sun. Then, still outside, brush off all that is possible with a stiff brush. After that you can proceed to a ...
Erik vanDoren's user avatar
10 votes
Accepted

How to painlessly remove gunk left by tape gloves?

After looking around the internet, it seems that oils can be used to remove tape residue. So things like, Olive Oil Coconut Oil would be possibilities for removing the gunk and shouldn't hurt if it ...
Charlie Brumbaugh's user avatar
9 votes

My Trangia leaves soot all over everything—how do I remove or prevent it?

If unable to change fuel, as others have mentioned... as a youth I would spread dish soap (like dawn) over the outside of the pot (where the flames would hit). Then heat up my water/cook on a wood ...
Mergos's user avatar
  • 91
8 votes

How to clean soaked-in winter salt off boots?

Put them on a go for a hike where it is wet or snowy and not salty. The post How much sea water can I safely drink? has a bunch of words about salt and water in a body. Leather is skin. The same ...
James Jenkins's user avatar
8 votes
Accepted

How can I effectively clean the "bite valve" for my water bladder?

Ok so I've not had mine too long but this is what I do - bear in mind I'm not 100% sure what kind of the many moulds that is but I'd say it's probably not pleasant. Vinegar should kill the mould. ...
Aravona's user avatar
  • 15.4k
8 votes
Accepted

What is a good way to clean the inside of a water bottle straw while on a multi-day backpacking trip?

I would make an improvised bore snake with a piece of string or fishing line and a small piece of clean cloth and pull the piece of cloth through the straw just like you would a gun barrel. Everyone ...
Charlie Brumbaugh's user avatar
7 votes

What should I do about large trash left by others on USFS land?

This is country specific - but yours may have some automated way of reporting this. My own little homeland made me proud when they rolled out a smartphone app for hikers that allows to report any kind ...
Ordous's user avatar
  • 171
7 votes

How can I effectively clean the "bite valve" for my water bladder?

Is this likely to be a health issue? No, it is very unlikely to cause ant health issues. This isn't mold, it's mildew. Mold should not be able to grow on silicone (the material of the outer sheath of ...
AVLien's user avatar
  • 71
7 votes

How to clean soaked-in winter salt off boots?

It think the best way to approach this subject is three fold. Cleaning the Shoes Preventing Further Damage Use a waterproofing product Here are three steps to clean your boots: Cleaning the ...
Ken Graham's user avatar
  • 9,609
7 votes
Accepted

How do I clean my knife sharpener?

According to the owners manual here, it says to Always clean your sharpener after use. Clean with damp cloth or mild brush. Do not rinse with water. Store in a drawer or cabinet. Since you ...
B540Glenn's user avatar
  • 1,847
7 votes

How to painlessly remove gunk left by tape gloves?

Gojo Pumice Hand Cleaner. If you've worked with grease, grime, or in a coal mine then you know what pumice hand cleaner is, it has silica sand in it to help scour away the gunk. You use it without ...
ShemSeger's user avatar
  • 53.5k
6 votes

How can I effectively clean the "bite valve" for my water bladder?

There are cleaning tablets. If you are lax on cleaning / drying that might not be the only mold. They sell a cleaning kit. instructions CLEANING WITH THE HYDRAULICS™ CLEANING TABLETS Fill reservoir ...
paparazzo's user avatar
  • 7,166
6 votes

Do I need down-specific washing liquid for my coat?

There's no way you can know from that description whether the two products are identical. There's more than one kind of polycarboxylate, more than one kind of soap, more than one kind of non-ionic ...
Pont's user avatar
  • 3,752
6 votes
Accepted

How can I care for a wound that will be immersed in water?

Water tight is subject to lots of variable. As you mention just staying out of the water is the least risk. There are Waterproof Transparent Dressings, a good example is Nexcare™ Tegaderm™ Waterproof ...
James Jenkins's user avatar
6 votes

I need to wash my waterproof coat without ruining the waterproofing

The following information is from Regatta Professional. Question: How should I wash my Waterproof Garment? Answer: Always follow the care symbols on the inner label when washing your jacket. It ...
paparazzo's user avatar
  • 7,166
6 votes

Removing pickle smell from a tent

One important detail that should not be overlooked is how cleaning will affect waterproofing, particularly if cleaning would affect the fly or walls. Different materials with different water-repellent ...
BalooRM's user avatar
  • 163
5 votes

What should I do about large trash left by others on USFS land?

If it is a more polluted area, try the method suggested by WedaPashi (cleanup activity with friends), or take a look at Let's Do It - a worldwide trash-collecting/volunteering action; find your ...
Akabelle's user avatar
  • 2,832
5 votes

What should I do about large trash left by others on USFS land?

Contact USFS via their website and let them know the location and description of the item. They have a 'Contact Us' link in the About the Agency drop-down menu.
Wendy's user avatar
  • 51
5 votes
Accepted

How to get rid of sand from your shoes?

I really hate it when that happens. These are my steps for getting sand (and other small debris) out of shoes after an adventure: Take out the insoles if you haven't already. Lots of stuff will be ...
Ben's user avatar
  • 414

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