Activity for Tullochgorum‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Edit	Post #41330	Initial revision	—	over 4 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is sleeping on the ground in cold weather better than on an air mattress? Your friend isn't thinking clearly. Imagine they had asked the question: On a cold night, is sleeping naked and unprotected better than sleeping in a sleeping bag? Everyone intuitively knows that you will be far warmer inside a nice, lofted sleeping bag. The insulation retains your body-heat and ... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I prevent this canvas swag from sagging in the middle? With a shelter like this, it's mainly the ridge pole that tensions the fly. You don't give details, but usually the length of the ridge pole will be adjustable. If the fly is sagging, try using a longer length to add more tension. If the ridge pole isn't adjustable, you may have to modify it or sou... (more)	—	over 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I prepare physically for a long distance thru-hike such as the Pacific Crest Trail? GENERAL CONDITIONING As @ap2 has said training is quite task-specific, so the priority for hiking hills with a heavy pack is to get out as much as possible and hike hills with a heavy pack. You want to incrementally increase your speed and the ground you cover - but listen to your body and don't pus... (more)	—	over 5 years ago
Question	—	Is it possible to differentiate between a dog howl and a wolf howl? I was camping at around 1500m in the Italian Alps, and around midnight I heard howling that sounded very much like a wolf. I know there are wolves in the area (a friend of mine was lucky enough to see one), but they are rare. On the other hand, the shepherds in the high pastures often use large dogs... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Do truly all-season tents exist? Late to the show, but I'm not entirely convinced by the current answers. First, we can't really talk about 4-season tents without considering the activity and conditions The term "4-season" can mean anything from a tent that can cope with a bit of snow like the Hilleberg Red Label series, to full-o... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it possible to acclimatize to a cold weather in a short time? Research has established that humans adapt well to heat. Adaption to cold is a more controversial topic, but according to this literature survey any benefit from cold training is small and unreliable, varying from individual to individual. So I wouldn't bother making the attempt - focus on developi... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: What hazardous wildlife is there in the UK? In addition to the other excellent answers, you should be aware of the dangers of the infamous Scottish midge. Before I destroy the Scottish tourist industry, in most places and seasons midges are absent or a minor irritation. But in the wrong place and time they can be horrendous. Know your enemy... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Should one buy a higher shoe size while buying hiking shoes? There are a number of factors you should be considering when sizing your hiking shoes. LONG DISTANCE HIKING For long thru-hikes, it is very common to go up a size, because after a few days of battering on the trail your feet will generally swell. People who don't allow for this may have to resort t... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: What footwear did mountaineers wear in the 19th century? Great question! In the UK, in many ways the cradle of mountaineering as a sport, it was common to wear traditional shepherds footwear known variously as shepherds boots, fell boots or hill boots depending on your location. We don't need to speculate about how these boots performed, because you can... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Are there tents with better space-to-weight ratio than tunnel tents? What are your options? As someone who makes their own shelters I've given a great deal of thought to the pros and cons of different architectures. But like most things involving gear choice, the real answer is that "it depends". Given that you are camping in exposed places, I wouldn't waste much ti... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Can you use an Iridium phone with a SIM but with no active plan to place an emergency call? Iridium Sims Iridium currently offer a very basic entry-level Emergency Plan for $25 a month, which suggests that you will not get any emergency facilities without an active plan. You don't say what your usage will be, but before you make your choice you should research the pros and cons of your th... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Any tips to prevent theft while tent camping alone in a caravan park? What I've learned in half-a-century of camping... First, don't get too stressed out - in most developed countries theft is rare. Don't let your concerns spoil your holiday! (But be sensible - there are a few countries were camping would be risky, so do your research.) Second, as far as you sensibly... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: I am researching the E4 path A through-hike of the E4 would be a major undertaking, at over 10,000k / 6,500 miles. Unless you're a very powerful walker it's going to take you at least 2 years. A section hike would take many years more. It's difficult to see how you could realistically undertake this without significant funding.... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Combining a Frontpack with a Backpack while hiking All conventional backpacks are unbalanced Here's the problem with conventional backpacks - they are inherently unbalanced. So once you are carrying any kind of non-trivial weight, you have to lean forwards to counterbalance the additional weight on your back. This throws out your natural walking pos... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Adjustable cross-country-skiing poles vs trekking poles I have a bee in my bonnet about this one. Conventional trekking poles evolved out of ski-poles, but they have a different function and simply don't work very well for walking. The warning sign is that you need to resort to the artificial expedient of straps to actually hold on to the things. This c... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: What good factual books have you read on an outdoors topic? BACKPACKING AND LONG-DISTANCE WALKING Based Chris Townsend's decades of experience as a walker and equipment reviewer, this is the most comprehensive guide to walking trails. Although the author is British it's written for the US market, but anyone who spends time in the outdoors will find much to... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Sports tape to prevent blisters while backpacking? Foot health and blister prevention is a large subject - you can literally write a book about it. My understanding was greatly increased by John Vonhof's Fixing Your Feet, which is regarded as the classic in the field. John is a faspacker and ultramarathoner who developed his skills treating thousands... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: In what situations is it irresponsible not to carry a PLB or satellite messenger device? TL/DR: There's really no argument - just carry a PLB for any non-trivial trip! This is a question I've discussed with the leaders of SAR teams. They are unanimous that responsible use of a PLB makes life much safer and easier for both you and the rescue team. They encourage all parties to carry them... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Mother is attempting full Appalachian Trail next year - how can I help her now and while she is doing it? It's great that you're being so supportive, but there's a limit to what you can do to help. Thru-hiking is all about self-reliance, so your mother really has to develop her own skills and mental resilience. It sounds as though you're already on top of your main role, which is to hold the fort in ter... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I safely climb a glacial route with just a kid or one other person? There is a clear answer here: just don't do it! Glacier rescue is challenging - you need to know the techniques and practice them seriously. And I can tell you from experience that a glacier rescue is scary, stressful and exhausting, and that was with a party of 4 fit and experienced adults. If you ... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Dangers of solo hiking (in Ontario) Late to the party, but the current answers don't really highlight a vital safety point for solo hikers. The risks of solo hiking have been transformed by the advent of PLBs (Personal Location Beacons). These are handheld units that transmit your rescue request and precise location via satellite to a... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why is (almost) no one climbing hard routes on Half Dome? Well, this article in National Geographic provides a clue - a number of key areas on the face have become unstable, and a large rockfall has destroyed a section of the Normal Northwest Face. Doesn't sound like fun. Here's some of the rubble at the base of the cliff: (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: How long until I develop immunity to stomach flu / travelers' disease? I think it's highly unlikely that you will develop immunity with the long gaps between your trips and the large range of infectious agents you might be faced with. The only practical solution is iron discipline around personal hygiene, food and water. Here's the approach I use - it's worked well for... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: What would be the disadvantage of racking trad gear around the shoulders rather than the harness, if any? Developing a flexible system for racking your gear I guess that racking using a particular pack would work in certain specific circumstances, but to me it looks inflexible: Everything is in a fixed position, so you're stuck if you want to move your gear out the way for a specific move. What if you... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: What kind of baby carrier is best for use walking and climbing in the hills? As a supplement to @ShemSeger's answer, NZ rucksack makers Aarn offer clip-on front pockets that help counterbalance the weight of a kid on your back if you're using a carrier with a waist-belt and sternum strap. The idea is that you fill the pockets with some of your heavier gear and your water. As... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to determine the needed volume size when purchasing a backpack? Typical volume requirements Pack requirements vary hugely depending on your hiking style, the weather, and on the length and purpose of your trip. But to get you oriented, here are some typical volumes: For a summer day-pack 15 liters should be adequate. Lightweight hikers might tackle a thru-hike... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is a tent skirt and what is its purpose? You pretty much answer your own question. Snow skirts are primarily used on 4 season tents designed for high altitude or arctic conditions. The idea is that you pile snow on the skirt to seal the perimeter and prevent the entry of wind-driven snow. The skirt can also help anchor the tent and reduce ... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Hiking in France in August - Grenoble August is high season so the huts will be very full, particularly at weekends. It's best to book well in advance. If you stick to the more popular marked hiking trails you are unlikely to experience much snow at that time of year. Just read the guidebook - if there are any technical passages that re... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I attach a patch to a nylon backpack? Iron-on Be very careful of iron-on - nylon melts! You have to get the temperature right. I wouldn't be confident that the patch would hold as the rucksack flexes, though I guess that depends on the quality of the adhesive you use. Sewing Sewing will puncture the fabric and allow a little moisture ... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Are there any studies showing that being in good aerobic shape will lessen the risk of altitude sickness? No - the studies show that aerobic fitness has no protective effect. This is from the Institute for Altitude Medicine: MYTH - PHYSICAL FITNESS PROTECTS AGAINST ALTITUDE SICKNESS. Physical fitness offers no protection from altitude illness. In fact, many young fit athletes drive themselves to... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Tips for avoiding losing things when backpacking? Well, I'm a total scatterbrain on the trail, so I can answer from hard experience. There are three scenarios - before you go, leaving camp or accommodation, and getting back on trail after a rest. Before you go This one's easy - the spreadsheet is your friend. I have printed checklists in plastic ... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: How much of a temperature difference does a reflective sleeping pad make? As you probably know, there is an industry standard for measuring the thermal effectiveness of sleeping pads known as the R-Value. It's not the most realistic of tests, but it's better than nothing. Individuals vary widely, so there's no real substitute for field-testing. It's generally accepted tha... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Geocaching: How important is having a dedicated GPS device instead of a smartphone? Modern smartphones are at least as accurate as dedicated GPS devices in most conditions. Just turn off battery intensive apps to preserve battery life if you will be out for an extended period. But Google Maps is not the way to go outside of urban walking - you will generally need a specialised GPS ... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are the best possible ways of indicating a 'closed' trail? I would suggest a closure notice showing the reason and the time-period. Explaining the closure makes it more likely that people will understand the reason and comply. In the Western Alps you sometimes come across chord or tape across a trail with no reason given, which makes it difficult to eva... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: What's wrong with swimming out far? There don't seem to be any detailed statistics, but common-sense will tell you that open-water swimming away from the shore is not risk-free. The hazards can be split into four categories: 1 - Wind and currents Even in the Med wind and currents can be problematic. On one windy day in 2013, for exam... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are the consequences of the Lake Districts WHS status for attempts at rewilding/reforestation? Yes, the UNESCO WHS classification would be an obstacle to Monbiot's rewilding proposals, as it focuses on the preservation of a farmed landscape. But that begs the question of whether radical rewilding, as envisioned by Monbiot, would be the right way to go. No-one is going to deny that there is pl... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to minimize impact on terrain at camp? Interesting question. Some suggestions: In bear country many trekkers cook their evening meal by the trail, then walk on to camp. This reduces the need to move around your campsite. Again, you could cut down trips to your latrine area by seeing to your needs before you reach the camp. You could try... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why would one choose to use a Harvey map rather than an Ordnance Survey map? Well, if you've ever tried walking in countries like Spain or Italy, we should celebrate the fact that we are spoiled for choice. You can always get by with an OS, so why would you ever choose Harvey? First, you should understand that they offer two main series - the SuperWalker maps at 1:25k and ma... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Are Icelandic deserts so dry I need to worry about drinking water? This is from the well known trekker Andrew Skurka, who did an East/West traverse that would cross similar terrain to your proposed route. Question: I have asked around and everywhere I hear that water is sufficiently available in all areas, but I keep wondering about this ‘desert’ ... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Can I camp on campsites as a 16 year old in Italy? I think you're going to have problems with camping. The age of responsibility in Italian law is 18 years. I've looked at the terms and conditions of a number of campsites, and they all say that each group must have at least one responsible adult. I suspect that this will vary from site to site dep... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is the lowest altitude where the effect of lack of acclimatization can be observed? The best research I can find is from The Institute of Altitude Medicine in the US. Quoting studies on skiers visiting high resorts in Colorado: AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) can afflict any visitor sleeping higher than 6000 feet. In Colorado, between 15 and 40% of visitors sleeping at 8000 f... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Where can I take a dip? As a supplement to Martin Hugi's excellent answer I would add that there will likely be groups of people locally with an interest in outdoor swimming, and they will know all the best spots. In my area there is a Facebook Group, a website with a detailed guide and map, and a couple of bloggers who wr... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: How does water depth affect swimming safety? Why do signs, especially in the UK, say "DANGER: deep water"? Well, there's the obvious issue that the bottom may shelve very steeply, so that non-swimmers trying to paddle may drown. Beyond that, I think there's a specific point and a more general point. Specifically, deep water is more dangerous in terms of cold water shock. In the first 3-5 minutes after ... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are the most likely causes of unfilterable water contamination in upland UK areas? Viral infection Assuming you have a quality filter which genuinely removes bacteria and protozoa, you are probably safer from viral infection than you think. Viruses are quite likely to be present in upland water via contamination from human and animal faeces. But they don't tend to exist in isola... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Swimming in a river in England or Wales with a right of navigation Basically, the law on river swimming in England and Wales is a mess. Below the tidal limit swimming is unambiguously legal, provided you access the water from public land. In fresh water, the true answer is that nobody knows. This is from a submission by the Outdoor Swimming Society to the National... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: How long is Gore-Tex lining in boots effective? There are a lot of variables here so you won't get a hard-and-fast response. It will depend on the stiffness and construction of the boot, your usage, the amount that you sweat, the terrain and the weather. Those who dislike Gore-Tex boots find that: Under heavy use the membrane degrades and fail... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it possible to drive through the Simpson Desert in an AWD? Short answer - if you have to ask, you most certainly shouldn't do it! The Simpson is regarded as one of the ultimate challenges for cross-country drivers. There are no easy routes, and the dangers are significant. You would need a high ground clearance 4WD vehicle, and also a great deal of skill a... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Can hiking boots with Gore-tex lining be stretched? You're not going to get a definitive answer here because manufacturers take different approaches to attaching the Gore-Tex liner, and that might affect the result you'll get. Your best option would be to ask Vasque directly. Though it's probably safe to say that you'll end up with a non-optimal resu... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do I choose the right tent? There are no easy answers here - even experienced campers can find this a challenging decision and getting it wrong has significant consequences. You will have to clarify your personal priorities and then do a fair bit of research. Portability - the single most important consideration The central i... (more)	—	over 7 years ago

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