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My experience as a cyclist is that getting wet doesn't matter (because skin is waterproof): what matters is getting cold. So the goal is to stay warm enough. Your warmth is affected by your exerci...
I've been to all three, and am not surprised by your statistics. While the North Cascades are certainly pretty and have their own appeal, there just isn't anything well known and iconic there. Mt...
There are many folklore tales of animals being used to predict weather. Just a few examples from the Old Farmers Almanac: When cats sneeze, it is a sign of rain. If the mole digs its hole 2½ fee...
Yes, it can happen. I took a trip to the Amazon during and after the time when the river rises and turns the rain forest into a lake. After the water reseeds, sea animals get stuck in pools in tree...
Ultralight and to sleep without feeling cold are inconsistent. Ultralight mean to be as light as possible with sacrificing comfort. If you want to be comfortable then go with the comfort rati...
@Wigwam's answer is a pretty good explanation, but I thought I would add to it a bit more "common" one. First lightning is extremely powerful, and it does not need to hit you to totally mess you ...
I've been in the early stages of hypothermia before, and I can tell you from experience that when you're in the early stages of hypothermia, you're convinced you're okay and that nothing is wrong; ...
It's reasonable to identify stages up to the start of shivering. But shortly after that judgement goes out the window. If you are traveling in a group, set up a buddy system. Each person has a ...
Friend and I had this discussion, and came to no conclusion: Hiking in the mountains. Crossing a range through a pass. Peaks on either side are a good thousand feet higher. Are you at serious r...
There are four common types of stove alcohol: methanol, ethanol, denatured alcohol, and isopropanol. You can usually find them in hardware stores and (but not always) in camping stores. You can al...
Background: About 8 years ago I bought a rather cheap tent (about 100 €) for up to 4 people. It's quite large, you can stand upright in it's centre and there's an awning almost as deep as the sleep...
I posted an answer for a recent question about a forest fire that started after your hike began, that said: Presumably you registered at the trailhead, and you have a friend who knows where you...
This is part of the chest strap of an Altura Morph backpack/pannier that I use for commuting. I've lost half the strap and one of my bikes can't take a pannier rack so I use backpack mode on that ...
First of all, if the wind suddenly starts blowing, realize that this is a case of bad planning. You should never find yourself in the middle of an open lake when the weather patterns may lead to po...
You stuff it into a bag that fits it reasonably. To small and it's a lot of work to stuff it. To large, and you don't have room for your other stuff. I prefer to use a bag that easily fits my sl...
Try and see. Standing dead poplar burns very well, as does standing dead spruce. Standing dead birch produces a short burst of flame from the bark, and then smoulders with little heat and extreme...
I'm heading out this weekend, and the temperature is expected to drop below freezing, with a 20% chance of rain. I have two tents, a lightweight 2-person, which I primarily use for backpacking, an...
Disclaimer: I never got lost in the forest. Before leaving Tell someone where you are going, when, with whom, what is your expected itinerary when they should expect you, and when they should st...
In many parts of life, you have to play the percentages. The likelihood is higher that going downstream will lead you to a trailhead or some other sign of civilization than it is for going upstrea...
Pencils. Pencils are also approved by the Bundesmarine (German Navy). I remember how pencils just worked when we stood outside in the rain and in the snow at temperatures around 0°C, and us recru...
Think of the basic triangle - you need warmth, dryness, and wind-free. OP's question does not mention being wet but does reference the cold AND the windchill. So limit the wind with some kind of ...
Kind of. Most things associated with animals end up being old wives tales. The phenomena don't really have anything to do with weather or the climate at all. i.e. Cows laying down in fields means...
I am reading Escape Routes by David Roberts. This is a collection of 20 articles ranging from a winter ascent in Iceland to the first descent of a river in Ethiopia, the Tekeze, a major tributary ...
I think it heavily depends on how one such place is administered. There is a thing called 'footfall in nature' and unfortunately with a poor administration of people coming in it is likely to do mo...
I wouldn't say what you are experiencing is normal - my Helsport tent has been in use for at least 20 years (for weeks and weeks) and it is still working perfectly. Although, depending on the origi...
