Search
As a Boy Scout, I prefer the external frame backpack. The internal is more comfortable, but on long hikes, the external is not only practical for more gear, but vents your back so it's not dripping...
Real 550 cord (paracord) has an outer braid over multiple twisted strands of fiber (7, I think). If the cord is too thick, whack off a piece and pull out as many strands as you need to get the job...
We (wife, 5 year old and me) are planning to go camping next summer (UK). It will be car camping - i.e. drive, set up tent and, knowing the UK, sit in the tent as it rains. I'm looking at equipmen...
As a keen car camping family with 3 kids, I can definitely recommend your second option - it has sufficient power and capacity to make meals for 5 without taking up too much space. It is light, eas...
There are a few techniques that amount to just this. Trotline are essentially long lines with multiple baited hooks on them. YoYos are spring-activated contraptions that you set out and do the ...
We have several used gear shops locally, which also sell climbing shoes. I'm looking to start climbing and I am considering buying used shoes to save cost. Is it ever safe to buy used shoes, and ...
Failure by cutting is a primary concern In terms of safety (rather than e.g. rope life) laboratory (UIAA) fall testing may not be the most important concern. Even a new, thick rope can be cut in ...
I never understood the appeal of trekking poles until I started carrying 80+ lbs packs down into the bottom of the Grand Canyon for a living. Now, I wish I had started using them sooner. Perhaps my...
Find an area with a large stairway (football field bleachers work great), then power-walk/run up and down them while taking a break every few runs. Keep doing this until the trip, while increasing ...
To wash any pack, you are pretty safe using a large commercial front-loading washer (found at many laundr-o-mats in the US) and regular detergent, then letting it drip-dry. Remove any removable buc...
I think a list of dangers is potentially useful, but not a "single answer" question so I'm going to make this a CW -- Add your stuff here: Hypothermia Dehydration Hyperthermia/heat stress/heat ...
When choosing a brand, there are two basic things I'd want to check: Has the product been certified by the UIAA? You can check that site to see if it's on the list. For a harness, will the gear ...
I have used McNett (other brands include Gear Aid and Stormsure) seam grip to patch some little holes on my tent and I like the result. Once dry the product is flexible and resistant. They say you ...
I would like to add to berry120's answer with my own. I thought of suggesting this as an edit but thought adding an answer was more appropriate. What he said is correct, however I think it is impo...
As @whatsisname commented, the first thing to do is get your gear. Read this question for some useful tips. Then you need to decide on what type of rope you need based on what you want to do. Read...
I would highly recommend storing all gear with batteries removed. Batteries over time can (and often do) leak battery acid and cause corrosion. I've seen this happen quite a bit in head-lamps --...
Whenever I see clothing articles geared toward hiking and backpacking that discuss layering (base layer for wicking, mid layer for insulation, etc.), they always seem to discuss these things in ter...
In addition to getting the current weather report on the day of a hike, how does one find out if the trails are currently in good shape and what kind of gear may be necessary that day (i.e. crampon...
I wish I was still in Yosemite for this one. I used to climb with some fairly well known climbers back in the day, "Big Wall Pete" Takeda, the Parker Brothers, even happened on Peter Croft after he...
I wear and love Keen's. My wife and I discovered them last year. Before that, we were pretty big into Merrell's. I grew up in the back woods of Northern Ontario and pretty much spent my time outdo...
In average to less than average physical shape, I'd say that is pushing it a bit. There is a serious incline followed by a steep decline, which are going to slow you down. It's going to make for ...
I'm preparing to go on my first ever backpacking trip and do not have a suitable sleeping bag. What are the factors I should consider when choosing one? Personally I'm looking for the best value I...
Warmth -- This is after all why you are buying the bag. Not all bags rated for the same temperature will provide the same warmth. Fit -- A bag that fits you closely, but not tightly, will prov...
I carry 6L in the Mojave dunes but find that I only drink 3 to 4L. I may carry as much as 8L. Better safe than sorry. Water is very heavy, but you can always ditch gear. I pack my backpack like a ...
If you are expecting snowy and wet weather then I would suggest following the concept of "layering", with a base layer of merino wool, and a hard shell jacket and pants (Gore Tex or similar) as the...
