30
votes
Are there any tips for preventing a vehicle from being broken into while parked at a trailhead?
One of the deciding factors for thieves with cars is whether they can see something they consider of value. If they have it fixed in their minds to breaking into your vehicle, they will do it.
Here ...
- 9,554
28
votes
Accepted
How can I vet a hiking partner without potential hard feelings?
Invite them both on a day hike. That's a end onto itself, so no need to pretend anything else. You can watch the interaction between #2 and #3, and talk about experiences to find out what #3's ...
- 21.3k
23
votes
Are there any tips for preventing a vehicle from being broken into while parked at a trailhead?
The existing answers by Ken and Liam offer good advice. But unfortunately there is nothing you can do to prevent break ins. Thieves can be surprisingly stupid.
True story...
A friend of mine ...
- 30k
11
votes
How can I vet a hiking partner without potential hard feelings?
IMHO, up to a certain level in mountaineering, friends that you make in mountains or at a base camp are likely to be good/close friends for life. So, If I were the guy with the lesser experience in ...
- 31.5k
11
votes
Are there any tips for preventing a vehicle from being broken into while parked at a trailhead?
Basically, the same rules as elsewhere apply. I’d stick with those:
If possible, do not leave anything of value in the car. They can’t take what’s not there.
Also avoid leaving hints of something ...
- 211
10
votes
How do you keep rodents out of your vehicle when it's parked at the trailhead?
Stop coating your wires with peanut butter!
In all seriousness though, squirrels can and will eat wires. However this is a very unlikely occurrence, as noted by ShemSeger in comments. I have known ...
- 32k
9
votes
Are there any tips for preventing a vehicle from being broken into while parked at a trailhead?
One thing that has not been mentioned is to consider which trail head you park at. Some trails/areas have multiple trail heads. If you have a choice in trail head, it is worth talking to locals to ...
- 10.6k
9
votes
Are there any tips for preventing a vehicle from being broken into while parked at a trailhead?
If you can't leave the car empty-looking, at least don't load the storage up at the trailhead. There was a spate of thefts a few years ago on Dartmoor where car parks were watched for signs of ...
- 23.5k
8
votes
How do I avoid leeches?
I know this is a bit late, but having had a lot of experience with leeches makes me believe I can add some value here.
Salt works for both avoiding and for removing leeches. The method to apply is ...
- 7,785
8
votes
Preventing "heat rash" around ankles and shins?
Heat rashes are caused by excessive heat trapped under the skin.
As you specifically referred to ankles and shins, I'd suggest you considering using shorts instead of full pants, only if those tiny ...
- 31.5k
8
votes
Accepted
Hypothermia Prevention - Post Ice Water Fall
I try to address the situation you are asking about, even though I think you already did a good job so this may not be overly helpful/new. Additionally in one of your referenced answers that is ...
- 21.6k
7
votes
Preventing "heat rash" around ankles and shins?
This sounds like exercise induced Vasculitis. This is tiny blood vessels which break due to heat & restriction due to socks & friction. Also known as a golfers rash. It tends to happen more ...
- 71
6
votes
Eating Matches to repel insects?
If you ask civilians, you'll typically get responses along the lines of...
"No way, there are dangerous chemicals!"
"No way, it just doesn't work!"
"No way, you'll smell like ass for weeks!"
However,...
- 69
6
votes
Accepted
In kayaking how would you escape an underwater whirlpool current if you were trapped in one?
The answer to this is going to be counter intuitive. Firstly, the most important thing to do is to avoid these dangers altogether. Firstly (yes another first) wear a good life jacket. I can't say how ...
- 4,654
6
votes
How can I vet a hiking partner without potential hard feelings?
What kind of trip are you planning for? It makes a big difference if you are going for a multi-pitch climb on an alpine route, a long distance trekking trip maybe even in high altitude or a sporty one ...
- 12.1k
6
votes
Hypothermia Prevention - Post Ice Water Fall
Hypothermia is likely the least of your problems after an involuntary dip into icy water. Drowning and cardiac arrest are the killers here.
Read these, and maybe watch the videos. It's all good stuff,...
- 3,906
6
votes
Are there any tips for preventing a vehicle from being broken into while parked at a trailhead?
There ain't no way man...As Mr. Miyagi would say, "the best defense against a would be car vandal is no be there."
I propose a different solution than others would:
I never have that problem because ...
- 319
5
votes
Accepted
Can I mix the contents of a cigarette with Odomos to prevent leech bites?
Q: Would it work? A: Probably, tobacco is toxic to Leeches, but the problem with rubbing cigarette tobacco all over your legs is you will also absorb all of the manufactured additives and toxins put ...
- 53.1k
5
votes
Hypothermia Prevention - Post Ice Water Fall
My copy of Buck Tilton's Wilderness First Responder notes that for cold water immersion, aside from providing standard treatment for hypothermia, the patient should be "handled gently, lifted from the ...
- 8,368
4
votes
Accepted
What are the most common stinging plants to be aware of in North America?
This is what I've found in the wonderful world of the internets: http://www.buildablock.com/blog/poisonous-plants-to-avoid-in-north-america
Personal experience living in the USA for 22 years says ...
- 1,325
4
votes
How do I avoid leeches?
Use salt as it helps remove leeches. ( I know it works I have personally seen it work and it honestly does dry them up.) You could also just leave them to fill up and fall off and then they are gone. ...
- 41
4
votes
How do I avoid leeches?
Leeches found in tropical climates were found to drop off from the bite site if some salts are sprinkled over it. This is a very effective way to remove them. I had experienced this myself when I was ...
4
votes
In kayaking how would you escape an underwater whirlpool current if you were trapped in one?
General Safety Assumputions
Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) aka Life Jacket.
Don't give up. Like much of whitewater never give up. Keep fighting. Keep trying new things. If you have air ...
- 1,327
4
votes
Accepted
Handling IT-Band Syndrome when hiking
As general rule a physical assessment is necessary as it can be the result of compensation for other problems (flat feet or hyperlordosis for example, just to name a couple). The treatment involves ...
- 3,270
4
votes
Are there any tips for preventing a vehicle from being broken into while parked at a trailhead?
If your vehicle has a trunk that can't be reached from the cabin, then physically disable the trunk release lever by detaching the cable. Objects in your trunk will only be accessible with a key, or ...
- 149
4
votes
Are there any tips for preventing a vehicle from being broken into while parked at a trailhead?
The biggest thing is to plan ahead. Whether you are going to a trail head or to a show in the city... Don't think that a towel for a cover or sliding it under a seat will work. Stow stuff in your ...
- 41
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