Activity for Tomas‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Edit	Post #41095	Initial revision	—	about 4 years ago
Question	—	Hiking and wild sleeping in California wilderness I want to spend a few days in California, near Nicasio, hiking and sleeping under the sky (no tent, just a tarp in case it rains). I have a lot of experiences in Europe, but I have never been in US. What things should I take in mind? Is it generaly OK with the land owners? I have read sleeping migh... (more)	—	almost 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it safe to camp in the desert without a tent? I can only confirm on the experience of Ryley. We've been sleeping in Morocco on a 3 week trip, just pad and sleeping bag (well, sometimes it was so hot that it was almost all open). I was afraid of snakes and scorpions too but I haven't seen one for the whole time there (apart from those presented a... (more)	—	almost 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is the proper way to tarp tent to avoid condensation? This happened to me too - once we took a plastic tarp with us instead of a tent. Terrible storm catched us. But we sweated under the plastic tarp so horrible that we preferred to stay out on the rain and kept only our bags under it. Condensation occurs when humidity meets cold - where humidity is so... (more)	—	almost 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: The outdoors, solitude and dealing with loneliness Ad 1, 2: I'm surprised by what you say about being scared lone in wilderness. I have exactly the opposite feelings - like returing home. I can enjoy the trip very well being alone, I can be in contact with nature much more. I recharge energy this way. With my girlfriend it is very nice too, since she... (more)	—	almost 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What do you do if you see a cougar? This video is quite a good instruction. But beware! This strategy might not be valid for other beasts of prey, such as lions. In a video which is now deleted, a man is instructed to be quiet and stay low not to agitate the beast. Also, the man in this video is staying low (in fact, he's almost lyin... (more)	—	almost 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Books to inspire you to get out in nature Of Water and Spirit from Malidoma Patrice Somé. Although this book is not explicitly about nature, it is about people who live in unity with it. There is one very strong moment in the book that inspires very strongly for contact with nature, and very deeply describes its transformative qualities... (more)	—	almost 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Books to inspire you to get out in nature Ernest Thompson Seton's book, like Rolf in the Woods or Two Little Savages are inspiration for backwoodmanship, especially for young people. (more)	—	almost 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Books to inspire you to get out in nature Curious naturalists by Niko Tinbergen. This is one of the best books on ethology of animals, pleasure to read for anyone. It motivates to study and observe animals in their natural habitat. I was especially delighted by the story of hobby family or the interesting life of sand wasps. (more)	—	almost 12 years ago
Question	—	Where and how is it allowed to hunt cougars in the US? Cougar population is in decline. I wonder where the hunt for them is still possible in the US? Also what are the specific regulations for the hunt (especially in regards to the endangerment of the species)? Asking for facts including without limitation for example seasons, open gender, amount per hun... (more)	—	almost 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are some things to keep in mind when stealth camping? I'm afraid studiohack's advices are too cautious to be useful in practice. For example in Spain or Austria, almost every piece of land is private and/or behind fence, so you'd have to sleep on the track then. My personal experience (mostly from Europe; please follow here) is that it's not so hot. If... (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is the impact of clothing color in a tropical jungle environment? I always try to take khaki/dull green/brown/grey colors in nature - it is much better for birdwatching - the birds will notice you less than if you wear e.g. dark blue (tested on myself), and I think also dark black. So not only light/dark but also color matters - and I think khaki might be pretty l... (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to tell the time at night If you know the stars, look at the constellation in the Zodiac. For example, according to astrology, now the sun is in Aquarius. In reality, it is one constellation backwards, so it is in Capricorn. Then, look at the starred sky - which constellations of the Zodiac can you still see? E.g. if you see ... (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it better to wear one pair or two pairs of socks while hiking? My opinion is that using two pairs of socks is nonsense - there will be folds then, resulting in stronger impact of friction and more blisters. It would be better to use good "functional" socks that keep the foot dry. I think the moisture is the worse thing for blisters. (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What proven alternatives are there to DEET? DEET is really evil, it is a dissolvent that is able to etch the plastic cap! I used citronella essential oil, it helps but I'd say only 50%... and for short time (few hours). Now I'm looking for a solution using vitamin B1. (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Best/safest wood to carve a spoon from? Lime wood is used by carvers as it is very soft! I can recommend it too, personal experience. And it is not poissonous of course. My friend is using the wood from European elder to carve pipes. Its wood was traditionally used for this purpose. I haven't found any information on elder wood to be toxi... (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to deal with condensation in a tent? Build the tent under the tree to reduce morning dew, and so that it is not shaded from the morning sun. And possibly try to avoid building it on a wet surface. Open the ventilation holes placed at the very top of the tent. If you have a wet towel or other very wet clothes, place it outside of the ten... (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Question	—	Prevent mosquito bites: insect repellent patch or just eat vitamin B1? I'd like to use natural malaria prevention. Insect repellent patch seems to be very promising. One patch contains 75 mg of B1 and covers 36 hours. However, it's not very cheap. Many other travellers recommend doses of B1 vitamin. What dose of eaten B1 (in mg) is enough for protection? (daily) How i... (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How much water should be carried while hiking in the desert? Apart from what has been said, your need of water also depends on what you eat. If you eat salty or sweet food, or meat, you will need more water than when eating cereals for example. (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Question	—	Sky map for tropics I like to use rotational sky maps to use in the field, but I have this only for latitude 50°N. I'd like to have a similar sky map for tropics: 10°N. Do you know where I can order one? (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Question	—	What pattern for casual planes should a castaway create on a desert island? This answer has inspired me to a question: say you are a castaway on a desert island. There might be a plane flying casualy but you can miss it. So you want to create some pattern (e.g. put some branches in the sand near the beach) which will signalize S.O.S. to the pilot. Are there any simple, int... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Question	—	Time of high / low tide When in coastal areas, where can I get times of high tide / low tide? I know that Garmin GPS can do it, but without it? What is the simplest way to determine in the wilderness? Which factors does it depend on, besides the phase of the moon? Can I estimate it somehow in the night just by looking where... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Question	—	Wild camping in subsaharan Africa - madness, blasphemy, or bearable? What potential dangers / precautions one should take into account when sleeping outside in sub-Saharan Africa? (Let alone countries with unstable political situations.) Just with a sleeping bag, maybe with a tent? What about animals? Is it dangerous outside natural parks, or are they so rare that it... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Where in Europe is wild camping permitted? This is a pure theory, if you're asking about permission... you have to understand that the rules and laws are set up for people that park 3 cars, make 5 big tents, lot of noise and leave a lot of rubish. Practically, when you are a good outdoor person, quiet and never leaving any rubish behind you, ... (more)	—	over 12 years ago