28
votes
Backpacking Through Rain
Don't get wet!
No I'm not being facetious, I hike through the rain forests of BC all the time, I've spent days in a row in solid rain while backpacking and setting up camp. Getting wet up here can ...
- 53.3k
21
votes
Accepted
Are there any general rules of thumb for route finding up a mountain without any trails?
I'll try to give a fairly generic answer to this broad question...
Avoid Dangers
This is obvious really, but first and foremost you'll want to avoid any kind of routes which lead you close to ...
- 12.6k
20
votes
Accepted
How to trick my body/stomach into thinking I'm full?
I've used a few methods for this (being a larger guy who would backpack with smaller individuals). The biggest thing I've learned is that the mental aspect matters as much as the nutrition. Here's the ...
- 539
18
votes
Accepted
Effective way to carry a sleeping mattress with rucksack?
I think having it vertically using side compression straps or bungees on the rear of the bag effects movement the least (ie not getting caught on stuff). As Kate Gregory mentions the pads are really ...
- 1,858
16
votes
Effective way to carry a sleeping mattress with rucksack?
A rolled up sleeping pad is generally pretty lightweight, meaning the "you could misbalance your pack and strain your back" concern is probably one you can ignore. People try not put them inside ...
- 12k
15
votes
Accepted
How to prepare on hiking routes?
The answers you seek are not easily quantifiable - for instance, a very fit experienced hiker might walk 50+ km a day on flat, open (i.e. not brush covered) terrain, but might only do 5-10 (or less) ...
- 9,050
14
votes
How to trick my body/stomach into thinking I'm full?
There is a saying in cycling that the best post-ride meal is "a bottle of (sparkling) water and a couple of sleeping pills. You need to loose some weight." While not very healthy, the point ...
- 1,053
13
votes
Backpacking Through Rain
TL;DR:
Bring a set of clothes that are comfy-when-wet and expect to spend a lot of time in them.
Keep a set of dry clothes for in-the-tent-only use.
Don't ever let your wet clothes come into contact ...
- 231
13
votes
Accepted
How to plan a day hike
It depends on your destination. In general I would think of:
Preparation
organise one or more detailed map(s) of the area to go to
check the weather forecast
organise your way to your destination ...
- 296
12
votes
Are there any general rules of thumb for route finding up a mountain without any trails?
You will likely find topo maps as the best starting point. Find a route that avoids impassible features, like cliffs or high rivers, and sticks to easier terrain like snowfields (depending on the ...
- 221
11
votes
Backpacking Through Rain
My two concerns for trekking in wet weather are safety and comfort. The safety issue here is primarily hypothermia, which can be a real risk even in the upper 40s or lower 50s (F), if you're wet ...
- 698
11
votes
Accepted
Why is freeze-dried food not much more popular?
The answer is that it is very expensive to make compared to other forms of preservation, especially in the home. Canning can be done at home with nothing more than jars, lids, water and an oven. ...
- 9,050
10
votes
How can I be sure that I'm ready to do the Three Peaks Challenge?
I have a few colleagues who have done this, and one team who did it with a colleague in a wheelchair. They are all reasonably fit, but the day job is desk-based, so if you have managed Kili easily, ...
- 24.7k
10
votes
How to design a semi-permanent campsite for short trips into the woods that won't attract vandals when we're not there?
What to sleep in?
Any building will be inviting vandals, so I would just level out a part of the plot with easy access for your car or a camper van.
Instead of having a building you can bring a tent ...
- 3,355
10
votes
Accepted
I am torn between axe or hatchet, what would you recommend?
Personally, I usually take neither. Instead, I bring a sturdy knife and a saw. The knife wouldn't be replaced by hatchet or axe: it is anyways needed for cooking and it is at least as good as a ...
9
votes
How can I keep my backpack safe?
Here is some useful advice from "How to keep your backpack safe", an article on StartBackpacking.com. It's aimed at backpacking travellers rather than hikers, but some of the advice is still ...
- 481
9
votes
How can I keep my backpack safe?
I use a pac safe metal mesh for my plane travel as my pack is a camping pack not a travel pack with lockable pockets.
http://www.blessthisstuff.com/stuff/wear/bags-luggage/bag-protector-by-pacsafe/
...
8
votes
Accepted
Avoiding 4WD-areas in Iceland
Iceland has some of the remotest landscapes in Europe and its not difficult to find solitude and choose a hiking route where there are neither vehicles nor people if you so wish. With a population of ...
- 96
8
votes
How to plan a day hike
As well as checking the weather forecast you should research the general weather conditions for the area you will be visiting, often conditions in hilly or mountainous areas can change quickly and ...
- 6,202
8
votes
How to prepare on hiking routes?
Pretty much as per @Bob1.
I would not start out on this GR without having experience (and good equipment) of camping 2-3 nights in a row minimum, several times. You should also be able to do a 15-...
8
votes
How to prepare on hiking routes?
We already have two good answers pointing out that you should start small.
However, I would like to add another point--you also need to do shakedown hikes with the gear you actually will be carrying--...
- 2,304
7
votes
How to prevent chafing in my lower regions
Having suffered similar on a marathon I had to run in freezing rain once (ending up with not just large areas with the skin chafed off entirely, but also deep cuts into my thigh muscles from the ...
- 24.7k
7
votes
How can I keep my backpack safe?
If you are in a wooded area you can always hang your pack in a tree like you would to avoid bears eating your food at night. There are two advantages to this approach.
The pack won't be messed with ...
- 9,638
7
votes
What temperature to prepare for on Everest base camp trek?
I would add that I did Jiri to EBC in Feb 1992 (the coldest time of year?) and found it to be cold (4 season sleeping bag) but manageable. I am just re-reading my diary from the time - and the ...
- 371
7
votes
First time camping, need advice
After six years of asking this question, now I am answering my own question purely based on my experience and how I introduced myself and my family to camping. I see this is a very common question and ...
- 473
7
votes
Backpacking Through Rain
Backpacking in rain is pretty normal in Oregon—especially along the coast and in the western Cascades. No matter the time of year, it is usually not more than a week until the next rain shower (...
- 1,329
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