65
votes
Accepted
Why aren't there any electric stoves that can be used for cooking where you can't build a fire?
Comparing hydrocarbons with batteries
As Olin Lathrop wrote, the big problem is energy density: hydrocarbon fuels simply offer a huge amount of energy per unit mass, compared to any current battery ...
- 3,742
47
votes
Accepted
Why is it prohibited to sleep in a tent?
The tent just makes your intent obvious: You planned to sleep there from the beginning. And this is what the authorities want to prevent: Camping in the wild. On the other hand many legislations allow ...
- 21.6k
33
votes
Why do I always wake up freezing?
As to why you're still cold with those specs: it happens to me as well, and I think the specs are for the 'average' person meaning not only average amount of body fat but also average temperature ...
- 871
30
votes
When back country camping, how do you avoid being attacked by a mountain lion in your sleep?
If one looks at the list on Wikipedia of fatal attacks, one will notice that fatal cougar attacks are pretty rare.
At least 20 people in North America were killed by cougars between 1890 and 2011, ...
- 69.1k
25
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Why aren't there any electric stoves that can be used for cooking where you can't build a fire?
There are no electric backcountry stoves because there aren't long enough extension cords.
Seriously, where do you propose to get the energy from? Batteries of current technology don't have the same ...
- 21.3k
25
votes
Why do I always wake up freezing?
If you're consistently cold in your sleeping system, then you need to change your system.
An adequate sleep system for cold weather constitutes two sleeping pads: a solid foam sleeping pad underneath ...
- 53.3k
24
votes
Why is it prohibited to sleep in a tent?
It's not really about the tent, it is about planned "bivouacs" (that means you plan to sleep outdoors) and emergency bivouacs where the latter of course aren't forbidden.
That means if you carry a ...
- 12.1k
24
votes
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How can I protect myself in case of a human attack like the murders of the hikers Jespersen and Ueland in Morocco?
What mistakes did these girls make during their camping trip?
I don't know that they made any glaring mistakes. The only caution I would note (and you'll see that it's of limited value in this ...
- 482
22
votes
Accepted
What is a good tarp setup for very high winds above the tree line?
If the wind is blowing from all directions, then you need to get as low as possible to the ground. Do your best to find a spot that is somewhat sheltered from the wind. The lee of a crest usually ...
- 53.3k
22
votes
Why is it prohibited to sleep in a tent?
In Central Europe there is a much higher population density as e.g. in many parts of the USA, Canada or Scandinavia. There is almost no valley without a village. So private property is rather rare ...
- 321
19
votes
Why do I always wake up freezing?
Here are some other things you can try,
Fill a water bottle with hot water, wrap it in a t-shirt and put that inside your sleeping bag.
Don't drink warm tea before you go to bed, as that will ...
- 69.1k
19
votes
How can I protect myself in case of a human attack like the murders of the hikers Jespersen and Ueland in Morocco?
The way to protect yourself against attacks like this is to greatly reduce the probability of being attacked. Granted, you can be attacked anywhere (Yosemite, the Appalachian Trail) for any reason or ...
- 23k
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 ...
- 1,848
17
votes
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What are the basic considerations for hammock camping?
I've been hammock camping for about four years, and there are a few issues you should be aware of.
First, as already noted in the comments under your original question, insulation is critically ...
- 1,793
17
votes
Are there wild camping rules in Scotland?
This sounds like a great idea.
Wild camping is permited under the Land Reform Act.
Outdooraccess-scotland have put together a useful summary of how it relates to your access rights.
Key points from ...
- 1,848
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 ...
- 11.8k
16
votes
Accepted
Can urinating around camp attract wildlife?
According to Backpacker, and the National Park Service, peeing attracts some large predators because animals like the salty taste:
...urinate well away from camp on rock, sandy areas, or duff. ...
- 7,190
16
votes
Accepted
Legal situation for camping in the German Elbsandsteingebirge
Yes, there are special places where you are allowed to sleep outside if you are climbing there.
And by "outside" I mean without a tent, because these locations are (more or less) ...
15
votes
Accepted
Stuff or roll a tent for storage?
There are differing schools of thought on this:
Rolling/folding is a lot easier to manage in my opinion, easier to keep track of all the pieces, and when camping in dirty/snowy/wet environments ...
- 8,670
15
votes
Why should I take a pocket knife for wild camping / hiking?
A multi-tool or a knife?
A multi-tool can be a very appropriate tool for backpacking. It combines the function of many of the tools you mentioned. You may carry the tools you mention above, though. ...
- 1,793
15
votes
Accepted
What's a good place for a beginner to go backcountry camping in Oregon and California?
I'll answer the slightly broader question "How should I plan my first backpacking trip in Oregon or California?" (with emphasis on California, since that is the area I know best)
Since you are ...
- 7,481
14
votes
Accepted
When is it unethical to dismantle a fire-ring?
Different land managers have different takes on this so I don't think you're going to get a solid answer that applies across all areas.
I generally use the term "trail camp" to describe what you're ...
- 2,138
14
votes
Why are people so worried about Giardia?
I'm going to chime in on a more practical answer. The question is not "What is the scientific case for Giardia". The question is "Why are people so scared of it?" "Or why is everyone so scared of it ...
- 32.1k
14
votes
What is the best way to manage Scottish midges?
I've been battling the little buggers for half a century. Here's what I've learned.
Take them seriously!
Most of the time they're only a minor irritant, but at their worst they're very nasty. I've ...
- 11.7k
14
votes
When back country camping, how do you avoid being attacked by a mountain lion in your sleep?
Since 2000 there are only 3 recorded death by cougar in North America and all of those were day time. wiki
Cougar attacks are up but still rare on the west coast. Up in CA as partly because ...
- 7,148
13
votes
Accepted
What order of response time can I expect if I hit the "911" button on my SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker?
Types of satellite-based emergency beacons
Personal Locator Beacons
Personal Locator Beacons (or PLBs) have one and only one purpose: to send your location to emergency responders, indicating that ...
- 8,670
13
votes
Why is it prohibited to sleep in a tent?
Population density Germany: 228 pop/km2; US: 33. Much of the land is simply privately owned. Most surface area (public or private) is used one way or another (residential, forestry, agriculture): ...
13
votes
How to stow backpack and boots whilst in a hammock?
It depends largely on the hammock size and personal preference. My friend's hammock has mesh gear pockets on the underside for storage, but he doesn't mind sleeping with the boots on or inside the ...
- 573
13
votes
When back country camping, how do you avoid being attacked by a mountain lion in your sleep?
Cougars principally hunt at dawn and dusk. If you're small, don't be alone at those times of day. Regular sized adults are generally too big for a cougar to consider as prey.
Avoid animal carcasses. ...
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible