Activity for Shawn‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Edit	Post #41110	Initial revision	—	over 4 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to fight bugs when hiking? A few tricks in no particular order: Long sleeves and wearable netting for your face Tiger Balm behind your ears (smell keeps bugs away from your face) Bug spray on your clothing (around your collar, ends of sleeves, in your netting) stays there longer than on sweaty skin Avoid flavored soaps and s... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Are there any techniques for starting and maintaining a fire in snow? Just to add to what others have said, snow can be pretty useful for managing wind. You can use it to build a wall if there is too much wind. You can then make a hole in that wall to let wind in. Then all you need to do is block the hole or unblock it to manage how much air reaches the fire. If you or... (more)	—	almost 8 years ago
Question	—	What's the name of the old cross country ski boots with three holes at the front? I have old cross country skis which require those boots with a flat end with three holes which you insert into three pegs on the skis. I'm looking for the name of that style of boot in order to be able to find some on craigslist or similar websites. (more)	—	almost 12 years ago
Question	—	Royalex vs Royalite According to esquif, Royalite is a multi-laminate similar to Royalex but distinguished by its lightness. [...] The result is a weight reduction of 15% with a minimum loss of material strength or durability. How much of a loss should I expect in Royalite strengh or durability compared to Roy... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is the most efficient food to take a for a 12-15 day hiking trip? Good Ol' Reliable Peanuts (GORP), or Trail mix: Trail mix is a combination of dried fruit, grains, nuts, and sometimes chocolate, developed as a snack food to be taken along on outdoor hikes. (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Question	—	What is the impact of clothing color in a tropical jungle environment? I heard that light colors attract less insects than dark, that dark colors could be warmer, and I was advised against wearing white in the jungle. Where can I get a comprehensive list of the effects different colors will have in a tropical jungle environment? Do these effects differ in different envi... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Question	—	Which careers allow working in the wild on a daily basis? If someone wants his job to take place mostly in the wild, what kind of career should he look into? (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: How should I patch holes in a waterproof/breathable jacket? Some stores have waterproof glue which you could use to fix a waterproof patch. An example. (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are the downsides to sleeping in a hammock on a multi-day hike? I believe you could be faced with back problems if you slept in a hammock every day of your life. I don't think it would be a problem for just a few days once in a while though. Another problem probably worth mentioning is that, unlike a tent, you can't use your hammock (even with a tarp) to keep yo... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: Techniques for building a raft from wood I would say it depends on what other materials you have and how cold the water is. So if the water is cold, it's really important to stay out of it. If not, you can maybe endure having your feet hanging in, for example. It also depends on how much time you have to build the raft. If you're in an eme... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: What to look for in a quality tarp? First, you have to figure out the dimensions you're looking for. Too big is uselessly bulky to carry, but too small can prevent it from being useful. This will depend on the size of your tent/hammock or whatever else you're trying to protect. Apart from that, things you can look for are: Waterproo... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: How should I treat poison ivy? I believe ice can help. It's a local anesthetic, reduces swelling, and closes the pores, keeping the poison out. Of course, it can be hard to find ice.. (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are the most effective ways to start a fire in the cold? When cold temperature is an issue, your fire may be harder to start, but the biggest reason will likely be yourself. Your cold hands and waning patience are more likely to make your fire harder to start than anything else. Fingerless gloves are good to keep your hands warm while allowing fine manipu... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: Keeping warm in an emergency In some places, you could be better off to walk during the night to fight the cold and rest during the day when it's warmer. This works best where the temperature difference between day and night is big, like the desert for example. (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are some alternative ways of fishing - i.e. catching fish? You can use a net to catch fish like you would do in an aquarium. Fastening a net at a strategic place in a rapid can, in theory, act as a fish trap, but I've never tried it. (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: What should I do if my raft capsizes? Before leaving, make sure you know about white-water swimming techniques (float on your back with your feet at the surface pointing downstream). When you fall in, make sure you aren't tangled up in anything. Your biggest danger is getting something caught in the river bed (like loose rope catching b... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Question	—	How can I avoid putting cinder burn holes in my clothing? This is especially problematic if you dress up in layers, the last one being, for example, a raincoat. Putting a burn hole through your rain coat let's the rain in... Are there some tricks in fire-making that reduce this risk? Any other tricks to protect what you're wearing (be it a raincoat or one ... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: How does one dry clothes in humid weather? Wearing the wet clothes can help dry them quicker, though this can only be done in certain situations of course. On a sunny day, sun-bathed rocks can be a good way to dry clothes as they are hot and in the sun, heating the garment on both sides. You should move the clothes around a lot to get differ... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I minimize the risk of tree wells when backcountry skiing? Don't ski alone. If you do fall in one of these, it will be much more difficult to get out on your own than if you have some help. Obviously, being aware of what these traps look like can help you avoid them. When you do see one, take the necessary precautions and investigate it. How far from the tr... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: What steps should I take if someone starts sinking? First, make sure you don't get caught in the same situation as the person you're trying to help. Don't rush in and pull on him.. Rather, stay on solid ground and use whatever you have (rope, knapsack, your shirt, branches, you can get as creative as you need here) to pull on your friend from a dista... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to reduce the annoying sound of falling raindrops on a tent? Sometimes just choosing the location of your tent can make a huge difference in the amount of rain it receives. For example, you can protect it by placing it under thick foliage, or near a cliff if the wind is in the right direction. (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I stay warm in subzero (0°F, -18°C ) weather? Another point which hasn't been brought up yet is shelter. Have a look at these types of shelter which you can sometimes build: Quinzhee Igloo Trench (Just dig a trench in the snow and cover it with a tarp. Also, dig another trench inside the sleeping trench to let the colder air sink there instead... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I tie a bowline knot with one hand? Yes it is possible. There are many methods, but here is one I found by googling "single handed bowline knot" (first result): http://www.animatedknots.com/bowlineonehand/index.php With the rope round your back, hold about half a meter of the short end in your hand. Hook the standing end with your ... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago