Posts by ShemSeger
When paddling solo with a passenger, the passenger sits in the bow. Whoever is in control of the kayak should almost always sit in the rear (exceptions being when paddling into a current or into a ...
No one is allowed to just show up at base camp and expect to be able to advance to any of the other camps. First of all, there is a lot of paperwork that must be completed before you're even gran...
The answers to this question may differ based on location, but I can tell you that in my part of the world there is legislation in place for controlling populations of certain birds (as well as oth...
Screens are the best solution, and the only solution guaranteed to keep your room 100% bug free (as long as people are careful not to let them in at the door). Other preventative methods include u...
Longer, narrower kayaks out perform shorter, wider kayaks in speed and long distance performance. One of the reasons being is that a longer kayak has more volume, ergo more buoyancy and floats high...
It's not unsafe; really. Gyms will enforce the most foolproof techniques they can, because they can't afford to have some idiot hurt themselves in their gym. Gyms see a lot of casual climbers, an...
Suppose you're leading a short pitch (20-30m) and you have two followers, or you want to double rope the route, and want to simply half your rope and tie into the centre, pulling the two halves up ...
When drilling new holes for expansion anchor bolts, you need to clean the dust out of the hole before you hammer in the bolt. People will accomplish this by either using a blow tube or a bellows an...
Climbing ropes are UIAA rated for so many falls of an 80kg weight. After that number of falls–or a specific period of time based on amount of use–you are supposed to retire the rope. But what if ...
I usually dislodge snow by kicking something: a rock, tree, some ice, or by stomping on a patch of hard ground. Kicking toe first into the snow can dislodge it as well, but often it depends on the ...
Tent pole "fitting" You can buy tent pole replacement fittings from sites like this one, but it's best to buy it from your tent manufacturer. Sometimes your only option is to buy a new complete po...
Above and below indicate upstream and downstream. When speaking in terms of watersheds, referring to tributaries above a land mark indicates that the tributary discharges into the body of water ups...
A schoeller softshell would be best for breathability and wicking moisture. It doesn't seem to matter how much I sweat in my schoeller gear, it drys incredibly fast, but what you gain in breathabil...
You can't. All you can do is throughly inspect yourself or have someone check you over to see if they can find any. But there's nothing you can do to ensure there aren't anymore around, you can on...
Neither. It's important to pack your bag so that it is balanced. If you pack it too tall, you're going to be top heavy and using your core a lot to keep you balance. If you pack it low and fat, the...
The "reeds" (or whatever they are) are very tall. Taller than phragmites... I find this statement a little hard to swallow, considering Phragmites australis subsp. australis can reach height...
What you want to do is use a directional piece, but I would not recommend including this piece in your belay anchor. In option #2 up there you're going to switch from a 4 piece anchor to a 2 piece ...
Sicherungsmann Before they invented the first climbing aids, human anchors were all alpinists had for protection. This sounds exactly like something I would do. In fact, I've done it. When I wa...
I only do this on the top hooks myself. It helps lock off the laces and prevents them from popping off the hooks. If you leave it the other way around (bottom to top), and don't tie your boots tigh...
How you react will depend on the situation. If you're climbing and you hear someone yell "ROCK" then your default reaction should be to hug the rock, brace for impact, and hope the rock misses you...
Percussion Drums have been used historically to communicate over long distances in forested areas, so you could send messages simply by knocking on wood. Pick up a couple of hard sticks, and knock...
It's actually kind of the other way around, it's not that being too cold prevents snow from falling, it's that an absence of moisture in the air allows the atmosphere to cool. Low pressure system...
You and I would probably get a long very well. I ski downhill exclusively in the back country, and whenever I put my XC skis on I'm typically also wearing my skijor harness and getting pulled aroun...
Air Mattress Pros: Comfortable (Come in many varying thicknesses.) Warm (Some air mattresses are down-filled.) Compact (I have one air mattress that can pack down to fit inside a pop can.) Light...
The straps are supposed to be short, it helps give you more power on your pole stroke, and keep better control of you poles. When you properly fit your straps, you're supposed to adjust them shor...