Most Popular
1500 questions
15
votes
2 answers
Why bring a multitool on long treks?
I have been trekking for years now, mostly in Scandinavia, Canada and Peru. For most of treks we had to be sustainable and carry food for 10-14 days at a time - so weight is always a big issue.
Obviously this requires very optimized equipment, and…
fgysin
- 12,957
- 1
- 41
- 69
15
votes
6 answers
How can I avoid or lessen sweating in a rain jacket?
I have a nylon rain jacket that I wear to walk my dogs when it rains. It seems that no matter what clothes I wear underneath, I always end up very sweaty. I've tried long sleeves, short sleeves, quick-dry and cotton shirts, but it just happens after…
Chris Mendez
- 7,210
- 5
- 35
- 80
15
votes
4 answers
Can you wash ticks out with shampoo?
I was out caving yesterday and apparently picked up a passenger on the trail either on the way up or back down the mountain.
I discovered it in my hair on the back of my head while showering. It was a tick, but it wasn't stuck to my scalp and it…
ShemSeger
- 53,549
- 10
- 123
- 296
15
votes
6 answers
Back country solution to itchy insect bites
On a recent walk I got bitten to death by midgies. I was itching all day until I got home and put some antihistamine cream on them. Is there anything available (plants, etc.) that I could of applied to stop (or help with) the itching?
user2766
15
votes
2 answers
What is a good tarp setup for very high winds above the tree line?
Assuming it's very impractical to get down to reach the tree line; and that the wind is changing direction very often - so a setup with several sides closed would be preferred - what would be a good tarp setup for very strong, direction changing…
Dakatine
- 4,585
- 3
- 23
- 53
15
votes
3 answers
How do I protect my book(s) while backpacking?
I recently started backpacking in the Olympic Mountains. While camping, I usually bring along a trade paperback for light reading before bed or during a lunch break on a day-long hike. Up until now, the only protection my books have had has been a…
Zach L
- 1,201
- 1
- 8
- 24
15
votes
4 answers
What's the difference between frontcountry camping and backcountry camping?
I know what camping is, but what are frontcountry and backcountry camping?
Sparkler
- 299
- 1
- 2
- 6
15
votes
1 answer
Why do big wall harnesses have two belay loops?
I've been looking at big wall harnesses and I've been noticing that a lot of them come with two belay loops:
I know that it isn't there as a back up. What's the advantage of having two belay loops on your harness when aid climbing?
ShemSeger
- 53,549
- 10
- 123
- 296
15
votes
3 answers
How to efficiently fill a bladder with water?
I normally use cheap, lightweight water bottles to carry my water when I'm hiking. However, sometimes I'm with people who use bladders such as a CamelBak, and I offer to go and fill water bottles, so I have to fill theirs. Maybe I just need to ask…
user2169
15
votes
4 answers
Is there a technique to snow-shoeing besides "walk on the snow"?
I've spent a lot more time cross-country skiing than I have snowshoeing, but have some snowshoeing opportunities available to me in the near future. In the few times I have gone snowshoeing, I've basically just treated it like normal walking, just…
nhinkle
- 8,720
- 2
- 40
- 67
15
votes
2 answers
Is it ok to use rolled aluminum descending rings in permanent anchors?
Rolled aluminum descending rings like the SMC Descending ring are light (11g) and cheap ($3) which makes them great for carrying and leaving behind on long descents, but in my mind they are disposable pro, you use them once for retrieving your rope…
ShemSeger
- 53,549
- 10
- 123
- 296
15
votes
3 answers
Snake on chest while sleeping?
Now, this is not very common, however I have heard it enough times from people to know that it actually does happen.
When sleeping in the open or in an open tent (yes, i know you shouldn't), snakes can 'crawl' up on you due to the heat that you…
G.Rassovsky
- 941
- 2
- 8
- 13
15
votes
3 answers
Where can I expect to find naturally occurring flint in the wild?
Where would I look if I was in a survival situation and wanted to find some rocks for fire starting? Where does flint occur naturally? What environments could you expect to find some in? I've created sparks by accident by throwing big rocks around…
ShemSeger
- 53,549
- 10
- 123
- 296
15
votes
3 answers
Will a down sleeping bag recover 100% after being squeezed if it's not for a long time?
It is well known that a down sleeping bag should be stored as open as possible when not in use, but that can be squeezed and compressed to a very small fraction of its size when necessary (that feature is among down's best appeals).
I would love to…
Dakatine
- 4,585
- 3
- 23
- 53
15
votes
2 answers
What is the most effective means of paddling a canoe, against the current, under a bridge?
Today I was out in the canoe on Monongahela River I started out paddling up river, and there was a head wind. I noticed that when I got with in about 100 feet of a bridge the wind picked up. The current also seemed a bit stronger near the footing…
James Jenkins
- 30,349
- 24
- 106
- 242