Activity for themirror‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Edit	Post #41796	Initial revision	—	over 4 years ago
Edit	Post #41038	Initial revision	—	over 4 years ago
Edit	Post #40993	Initial revision	—	over 4 years ago
Edit	Post #40939	Initial revision	—	over 4 years ago
Question	—	Inflatable pole less tents Nemo has some tents that don't use any poles. Instead they let you inflate some air chambers that hold up the tent with their pressure. Are there other manufacturers doing this? (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Question	—	Old Down Sleeping Bag performance I hear that because down feathers are so delicate, a down sleeping bag that has gotten a ton of use or rough use has significantly less insulating performance -- the feathers are broken down into bits that don't provide as much loft. But old military down sleeping bags are so cheap on ebay! I want t... (more)	—	almost 11 years ago
Question	—	Is it really necessary to gut a fish? I'm obviously not a fisherman... If I like the flavors, is there any problem with cooking and eating a fish that hasn't been gutted? Any particular species? In other words, what are all the reasons people gut a fish before cooking? (more)	—	almost 11 years ago
Question	—	Body weight compressing Down insulation in Sleeping Bag Supposedly Down (and most other sleeping bag insulations) lose a lot of their thermal insulating properties when they are compressed. When I'm inside a sleeping bag, obviously whichever side is on the ground is greatly compressed by my body weight. Any ideas of how to reduce this? (more)	—	almost 11 years ago
Question	—	Warmth of two sleeping bags If I use two identical 20-degree-rated bags, one inside the other, what would likely be the effective temperature rating? 10-degree? 0-degree? negative-10-degree? (more)	—	almost 11 years ago
Question	—	GPS topo map downloads I know the USGS and many others offer free downloadable raster topo maps for almost anywhere. But what if I want vector maps using GPS coords? I'm new to GIS but I would assume there is a de facto free file format that works well for trail and topo maps for backpacking. What are some places I can ... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Question	—	Thermal rating on vintage sleeping bags These days, almost every sleeping bag sold is given a thermal insulation numeric "rating", either the USA version or the more accurate European version. But vintage bags did not have this industry standard. Is there any way to get a good idea of the insulating ability of a vintage bag other than ge... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Question	—	Different kinds of Down: comparing insulation There's many different kinds of "down" filling: "100% down" must legally be only down, while "down" can be any mixture containing down. Then there's "fill power" ranging from about 400 to 1200, which basically measures how resistent the feathers are to crushing by weight. Higher "fill power" provid... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Question	—	What would be the coolest summertime baselayer? Sometimes I hike with people for whom bare chest or even bare legs would be uncomfortable. But I get overheated MUCH more easily than most people; anything about 70 degrees is too to wear clothes while hiking. I'm thinking that it might work to wear some super-skin-tight fabric that is so porous th... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Question	—	Trekking poles with many attachments? Can anyone point to any commercial or DIY trekking poles whose end-piece can be swapped -- i.e. regular pole point, sharp spear, raft paddle, camera screw, etc? (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Question	—	Bleaching Dyneema/Spectra My white full Dyneema backpack is old and dirty and stained. How do I clean it? Can I wash it in chlorine bleach or some other fabric bleaching chemical? If so, how? Even if the bleaching agent does not damage the fabric, is there a chance it could damaged seams and stitching? (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Question	—	Buying a Backpacking Knife I am a first-time knife buyer. What should I look for in an all-purpose, lightweight backpacking knife? I aim to use it for cutting trail plants and fish. My top priority is a knife that doesn't need sharpening even if it's not used by the most skilled hands. I am willing to spend $$$. (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Question	—	Walk-away fishing From a beginning fisher: Can I, say, float a raft out into the middle of a lake, with several fishing lines/hooks/bait hanging into the lake, with the whole thing tethered to the shore by a long rope, and hope to catch some fish? In other words, can I put some baited hooks in the middle of the lake... (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Question	—	Spectra/Dyneema groundsheet punctures I'm about to purchase a full 4.2oz/yd Spectra/Dyneema woven groundsheet (with no coatings) to use under an inflated raft with a 150lb person sleeping on top of it. Question: Is woven full spectra/dyneema fabric the best I can do to prevent sharp rocks and sticks from sticking through and puncturing ... (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Question	—	Is there a protective substance, like an epoxy, I can use on my feet so I can backpack barefoot? Is there something that works like epoxy or natural tar that I can apply to the most delicate impact points of my feet (balls and heel) that will form a very durable bond, and let me backpack (i.e. hike with 30lbs on my back) "barefoot" (without shoes) for days? (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: When buying a backpack, what should I pay attention to? Pack-Buying Priorities: Comfort Comfort Comfort Workmanship quality Everything else Best Materials: Dyneema (which is the same thing as Spectra): Ultra high-end fiber stronger than Kevlar. Packs made of full Spectra/Dyneema cost $1000-2000. BEWARE there are lots of cheaper packs that claim Sp... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago