Posts by Tullochgorum
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. S...
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 experien...
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 th...
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 ...
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....
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. Bu...
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 ...
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 - Win...
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 rewi...
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 co...
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 Harv...
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 ...
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 ...
I walked through this area on the Grande Traversata delle Alpi a couple of years back and in some valleys the trees were just beginning to turn by the start of October. I would imagine that this wo...
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 prese...
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 ...
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 danger...
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...
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 a...
That is what the leading pole manufacturer DAC would call a 4-way EyePole hub. Here's a three-way version. Unfortunately the plastic cap is missing so you can't see the branding. It's quite a sp...
What is dead reckoning? Dead reckoning is the skill of moving along a specific bearing for a specific distance - eg, to walk 350 meters on a 25 degree bearing - without reference to any major feat...
You don't say anything about the climate and ascent/descent involved, but assuming an average mountain trail 160 miles (260 km) should be doable in a single push. I don't think there's any magic s...
There is a route known as the East Atlantic Flyway used for migration between Eastern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Siberia, Northern Europe, Western Europe, and on to Africa. There are 297 specie...
According to the 2016 Halfway Anywhere Survey of PCT hikers: The average days on trail was 145 and the length is 2,650 miles (4265 km). The average number of resupply stops was 26 If you subtract...
This will vary from country to country - I can only speak for the UK. In practice you are likely to be OK provided you are responsible and apply common sense. Obviously, if you are on private lan...
