Activity for System
| Type | On... | Excerpt | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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A: What are good items to leave in a geocache? All under £3: What about a Spork everyone should have a spork.... Vango eye light £3 bargain Vango mug (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: How to avoid pendulum descent when belaying? I'm presuming your on an overhanging wall here as if you can touch the wall you should walk down preventing this issue. It's very common to twist and spin a little when being lowered off overhanging terrain so don't worry about it! Keep calm and relax. If you tense up and try and correct any spi... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: How do you flavour your water on camping trips? Propel Zero powder packs is what I use on backpacking trips once I make camp. During each day of hiking I only drink water and obtain needed nutrition through food. After I finish for the day I will drink 16 or 20 ounces of water flavored with one Propel Zero packet while I rest and setup camp or my ... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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What is a bloquers? Simple question, which has been prompted from this answer. What is a bloquers? I'm guessing it's some kind of prussik and it's a French term. But I'm not familiar with it. A quick google search returned no results. (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Disposal of Gore-Tex or other membrane products Goretex, generally consists of three chemicals. The outer The outer (wear resistant part) is simply nylon or polyester. This is typically non-hazardous and can be disposed as any other plastic (bearing in mind the long periods of time this is likely going to take to decompose) The inner This i... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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Are there B2 alpine boot brands in the UK besides La Sportiva and Scarpa? I'm looking at buying some B2 rated alpine/winter boots for use with Crampons, etc. I'm trying to avoid paying full price for them (searching ebay, looking for special offers, etc.) as they are prohibitively expensive (£300+). In the main UK sites selling this kind of stuff only seem to offer t... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Do barrel style root cellars get colder the deeper you dig them? No, it is not true that necessarily the deeper you get the cooler it gets. For really deep holes it is actually the opposite, the deeper you get the warmer the temperature gets. This is called the Geothermal Gradient. This states that temperature goes up 25C per 1KM of depth. For the first couple ... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Rating unorthodox climbs I would question that particular link. Rating climbs isn't really a tick box exercise, for a start their are multiple different grading systems all of which are slightly different. You cannot say: well it's at x angle and the hand holds are y size therefore it's w There are a number of diffe... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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What is a "shooting jacket"? I read this news report today about a Malaysian competitor in the commonwealth games. Commonwealth shooting champion Nur Ayuni Farhana Abdul Halim will be unable to compete in Glasgow after her competition jacket went missing.... "The rules clearly state that a rifle shooter must wear a jac... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: How do permits for US/Canada public land work? As I understand it the permits have a couple of goals: It's a revenue stream to pay for the maintenance of the areas It's a way of controlling numbers It's a way of enforcing that the person with the permit has an understanding of the activity they are undertaking and has agreed to some kind of ter... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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Foam vs hardshell climbing helmets? What are the advantages/disadvantages of climbing helmet design (foam or hardshell)? Foam Hardshell PS: I do not intend to compare them by how much they cost. (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Are dark or bright clothings preferable in the desert? Black robes are worn predominantely by Bedouin tribesmen. A scientific paper has been written on this Why do Bedouins wear black robes in hot deserts? article in journal Nature. This is summarised quite neatly here. To cut a long story short: "It seems likely," the scientists wrote, "that the p... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Pitching a tent in the rain? If the poles of your tent attach to the outer you're in luck. Before you go remove the inner from the outer and pack these separately, potentially wrap them in plastic bags or something so they stay dry. Then when you turn up your first task is to get the waterproof outer up as fast as possible. If... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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Knot to turn cord into loop (load bearing) What's the best knot for turning a piece of cord into a loop? The cord would then be used for a prusik so needs to be very secure and load bearing. (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Maintaining a Mountain Hut Depends on what you are going for. If you are heading this up, expect it to be a full-time endeavor for at least a year, and then part time for the lifetime of the hut. Like Nivag said, there are lots of different types of huts, so you have to decide on what you want before anything else. This will d... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: What are creative uses for retired carabiners? Obsolete biners are very useful for retreating. If (as you state) you've retired them because: made obsolete by an upgrade. and they are generally solid. Then it's well worth dragging a few of these along on climbs you're worried you may not be able to complete. I've been welcome of some old s... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Maintaining a Mountain Hut I think nivag covers most of this topic. I just wanted to add some of my experiences. Mountain huts/bothies cover a very wide range of facilities. Here are two I've actually stayed in to demonstrate this, This one: in north wales consists of four walls, a roof and fire pit, that's it. It's big eno... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: How do you compare between different rock climbing grades? Rockfax have a handy conversion chart this is the generally accepted version though it is (like all climbing grades) subjective. Below are the conversion charts: "Bold" trad routes "Safe" Trad Routes Bouldering (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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How do you compare between different rock climbing grades? Different countries and rock climbing disiplines have different grading systems, for example the the British trad grade system (e.g. grade HVS 5(a)) and the US point grading system (e.g. 5.9) If I climb HVS 5(a) in the UK, how do I know what this grade equates to in other countries? (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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How to use campus boards I'm looking at improving (actually starting) my training regime. My local climbing Gym has just installed various campus boards. How do you use these to train effectively? What's the technique process for using them, etc? What area's of your climbing are they aimed at improving? (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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Effective training for rock climbing I've felt of late that my rock climbing has somewhat plateaued. I seem to be stuck at around V4 bouldering and 6(b) rope climbing. I'm pushing my grade as best as I can but simply climbing doesn't seem to be generating the results I want any more. I've not pushed passt V4-5 for a number of years now.... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Why do flies try to get in my eyes all the time? Short answer moisture and salts. This is a particular problem if you're in a jungle area, they're isn't much salt in jungles and flies will obtain it form anywhere they can. Humans secrete salts (in sweat). (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Compare running fitness to hiking Is it possible to compare stats from this to what is required to be able to do this hike? VO2 max is the best indicator of fitness. Running will increase your VO2 max. VO2 max is the amount of Oxygen your blood can hold per Kg per minute. This is an important factor in all endurance exercise,... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Chalk: pure, plus drying agent, liquid? They are all very similar. I've attempted to summarise below: Chalk Pure natural calcium carbonate, nothing else. Advantages: It's natural, it doesn't dry your hands out (as much), you're not going to leave chemicals on holds and it'll wash off without leaving a trace, cheap Disadvantage: It can ... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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Travelling and taking climbing chalk through customs Anyone had any experience getting climbing chalk though customs? I'm off to Guernsey and I don't think I'll be able to buy chalk there so I'm putting it in my hold luggage. Are customs likely to open it up thinking its something illicit? (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: What is this black and white spider with a bowl/tube web in England? Could be two I'd guess: Labyrinth spider It's hard to completly identify but by the sound of the web shape and your description it is most likely a Labyrinth spider More info here At this time of the year, the funnel webs in our gardens are normally the work of Labyrinth spiders. Labyrint... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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Why is a "Czech bed roll" called this? History, uses? This was actually something new I came across recently. A Czech bed roll. I've never seen a set up like this before. I was also intrigued by the name. Has anyone used one of these? Advantages/disadvantages? Why are they called Czech bed rolls? Especially the Czech bit? Edit Yes, I know the examp... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Dangers of currents for windsurfers My surfing/windsurfing knowledge is limited. But yes they can be dangerous and yes you should seek knowledge on currents before surfing anywhere. There are currents that can force you against rocks, or into sea caves or under water of the dreaded rip tides. Rip tides are nasty and can suck you out... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Climbing guide for the Yorkshire Dales After a good trawl though my local outdoors shop I came across this book: Yorkshire gritstone. It covers an area called slipstones, which appears to be the nearest significant crag. (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: How to get started on canyoning? All the above are relevant and good answers. One thing I would add that is missing is the Environmental impact. Cannonying is (generally) very bad for river ecosystems and requires specialist knowledge on where and when to do certain activities. Some examples include: In the UK you should avoid pro... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Where is it possible to use a hammock in the UK? Your best bet is to study an Ordance Survey map of the area. Incidently you can get these off Bing which is cool. I'd look for a campsite symbol with some form of forest near by: Preferably deciduous forest, which will have well spaced out trees, forestry commision land tends to be densely packed... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: What sort of white rock with lots of small holes is this? That looks like fossilised coral (possibly a sponge?), the outside is smooth because it's been worn down by the erosion of the sea. There is quite a lot of fossilised corral on the north Wales coast, it was once a shallow, tranquil, tropical Carboniferous sea The Carboniferous period from wiki: ... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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What sort of white rock with lots of small holes is this? This interesting pebble caught my eye the other day when I was wandering around on an Anglesey beach in Wales, UK but I haven't a clue what sort of rock it is and what has caused the little holes in it. Parts of it are smooth while others are covered in holes (see below) Any suggestions would be gr... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Is it legal to light bonfires on UK beaches? Ok, first thing to note is who owns the coast. The land between the high water mark and the low water mark is owned by the crown (crown reserves) in UK law. (ref) The land above he high water mark is owned by land owners, this may also be the crown if it's common land etc. Any land owned by private... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: What to do at the top of a sport climb What you're talking about is called Cleaning Cleaning This video covers the process in detail. But in short: Attach your self to the top anchor with a spare clip draw (or two), or better yet a sling attached to your harness using a larks foot and a locking biner. Inform your belayer that you're ... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Why should the angle in a rope attached to two anchors be 60 degrees or less? This is due to the load that is passed to each anchor. You might think that (for example) two anchors will receive 50% load each during a fall or simply when the climber weights the rope. But actually the amount of load an anchor receives depends on the angle of the rope that this is attached to. Ty... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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Why should the angle in a rope attached to two anchors be 60 degrees or less? This question asks how to set up a top rope anchor. It states that No angle of tension shall exceed 60 degrees. Why? (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: What do I do if I lose my belay plate? If you drop a belay plate you can use a Munter Hitch to descend down the rope. Here's an animated example of how to tie this knot (1 to 6 only) It works like a belay plate (but in reverse) so if you hold your hand close to your leg it will release. Moving it forward locks the slip knot. You can u... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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What do I do if I lose my belay plate? The scenario My climbing partner and I are at the top of a pitch and we drop a belay plate to the ground. There is no safe descent, we were planning on rappelling down off safe anchors. What do we do? Also covers: "How to abseil without a descender device?" (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Super/Krazy Glue on Outdoor Gear From the Krazy glue web site There are a few things Instant Krazy Glue® is not intended for use on such as paper, foam, rear view mirrors, polyethylene, Teflon® or other fluorocarbons. From that list I'd basically say any form of plastic isn't going to get along. Lots of outdoor g... (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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A: Would gutters in an impermeable single-wall tent drain condensed water away, and keep the tent comfortable? If condensation formed on the inside of a tent it wouldn't simply flow down the sides of the tent into gutters. It'd drip, it'd drip all over you and everything in the tent making you wet. Every time you touched the sides or the wind blew, you'd get rained on. When you're wet your body loses a lot o... (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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Climbing guide for the Yorkshire Dales Can anybody reccommend a climbing guide for the Yorkshire Dales area? I'm off for a weekend trip there in a couple of months but I'm having difficulty finding a guide for the area. Roughly the Askrigg region Preferably this will include somewhere I can easily set up some top ropes on easy routes as ... (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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A: Who places the bolts on rock climbing routes, and how? What you're talking about is Sport climbing. Generally these bolts are placed by the person who is creating the climb. They will normally top rope or abseil the climb and work out where they want it to go, then spend a couple of days placing the bolts, while on a top rope. They are drilled and glue... (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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A: Official Protocols to be followed in England for trekking/hiking Safety is fine, so long as you are prepared and can read a map adequately. The UK has something called the "Countryside code". This is not a legal requirement but a blueprint about how to behave in the wild in the UK. Full information is available from the ramblers association. Some of the more ... (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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What are the benefits of Vibram FiveFingers? Looking at the Vibram FiveFingers shoes, I find myself wondering why? What possible benefits do they bring as opposed to a traditional sole? Their web site seems to suggest that they are a more natural way to use your feet and then suggests a series of exercises to do to become used to the shoes. I... (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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A: Reference request: books on self-rescue while climbing Libby peters' book is good and covers self rescue in detail. It's also the offical book for the UK Mountain Leader and single Pitch award qualifications There is a series on self rescue which I saw recently on UKClimbing.com, could be worth a watch (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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When should I retire my rope I know there is a degree of "gray" in this question but: I have a Beal Top gun II 10.5mm, I've had this rope for around 4 years now and I'm starting to think about retiring it. It's been used mainly for indoor lead climbing but also outdoor trad and top roping. It had a year of, practically, zero... (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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A: Hot or cold shower better after exertion? I'm a fan of a cold bath (ice bath if you can stand it). My understanding is that the contraction of the muscles that happens as they get cold forces out things like lactic acid thus improving your recovery and preventing injury. It's not everyone's cup of tea I admit though. Done a quick google on... (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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Good quality walking maps for Spain What re the best quality walking, trekking maps for Spain? In the UK were pretty lucky as we have the Ordance Survey (a government body that maintains all topo maps). Is there an equivalent in Spain? I've heard you can buy the old military maps, but: I've heard they are very out of date (date to t... (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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What is a place in the U.S.A that is between 40°F - 60°F (5°C - 15°C) year round and doesn't get a ton of rain? I just wanted to know what place in america has forest, temperature ranges from 40°F - 60°F (5°C - 15°C) year round, does NOT rain for days on end, and rarely gets snow. I tried looking around on the internet for the answer to this question. The closest I got was Eureka, California. I don't care ... (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |