Posts by Russell Steen
You recycle them the same way you'd recycle an isobutane canister. You puncture the sidewall (once empty) and then recycle anyplace that recycles the metal. See What's the best way to use up (and...
I've actually driven up to a very large (more than 1 foot across) snapping turtle. While it may not be the answer you want, you simply don't. Things I've tried: This is based on actual experienc...
Stop coating your wires with peanut butter! In all seriousness though, squirrels can and will eat wires. However this is a very unlikely occurrence, as noted by ShemSeger in comments. I have kn...
Alaska Department of fish and Game: Statewide Definitions Bait means any substance applied to fishing gear for the purpose of attracting fish by scent, including fish eggs in any form, natura...
It just oxidized the aluminum. A hard scrubbing will remove the oxidation. Just use a green scrubby. If you need extra abrasive that is safe, tooth paste will usually work.
We carry a flint and steel instead of lighters to light our camp stoves when backpacking because the flint and steel always works and weighs very little. One of our routine camp activities is to t...
Previous FFL note was wrong. According to Sutton, a special license is required to possess these. They require a Explosive Pest Control Device (EPCD) License which must be obtained from the Federa...
We are making our own dehydrated meals with mylar bags and oxygen absorbers. This is very cost effective, but less so if you need to spend lots of money for one of the specialty tools for sealing ...
How can you verify that a water filter still works? I've had one for several years and I suspect it may not be working. Is there a way to test and make sure that it still filters to the factory s...
Many of the medicines which work for ticks also work well against mosquitoes. Since you are taking your dog outdoors and will thus need flea and tick protection anyways, consider that as an option...
Just about any car can handle a good gravel road, with the notable exception being low slung performance cars (cars with very little ground clearance). That being said, "gravel roads" vary a LOT. ...
Looking at flotation devices (life jackets) they are rated Type I, Type II, etc. What do these rankings mean and what type should I by?
Throughout the entire US the law boils down to this: Whether government or citizen owned, you cannot travel on land without the landowners permission. Doing can result in charges from criminal tr...
In the situation you describe, mismatched gear is not going to provide what you want. If the rain is blowing sideways and/or hard enough to get past your tarp then it will most likely also blow in...
It's not strictly too soon. I have known plenty of people who camped with a nine month old in rougher conditions than you describe. It's too early if you are not in condition to carry a baby in a...
Alcohol can (and does) eat certain types of seals. Do not use alcohol to clean the stove unless you are certain it is safe for alcohol fuel. Similarly, carb cleaner is extremely corrosive and wil...
Would it make sense to carry soda instead of water in respect to save weight (you can carry less food because you have energy in your "water")? No, for a variety of reasons (leaving out, as you sa...
Bottles of olive oil often have special caps that help prevent drips/etc. when pouring the oil, but an entire bottle of olive oil is far to heavy to carry for a hike. What's the best method for ca...
Regarding energy expense, there is already a good answer. However, I want to add that when considering "Does a pound on your foot equal 5 pounds on your back?" there are more factors at play than ...
(Caveat: I don't drink while hiking) A group I hiked with once locally used a cooler tube. It appeared to keep everything chilled on a warm-ish day in the Southeastern U.S. There are quite a vi...
There is a difference between just soaking up water and "wicking". Cotton is hydrophilic, which means it likes to attract and hang on to water molecules. Unlike a good wicking fabric (which relie...
