Chris Mendez‭

Australian cattle dog or other types of working dogs. Mine loves backpacking. Cattle dogs have very high energy levels and are bred to travel long distances. Excellent for trail running and hikin...

posted 10y ago by Chris Mendez‭

I grew up car camping with my parents several times a year, but as they've gotten older (early 60s), they basically stopped camping. Recently, they've expressed interest in camping again but I'm ...

11 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

The focal knot itself provides redundancy. According to the Ashley Book of Knots, when a cord breaks, it usually does so outside of the knot and not inside. Therefore, if the cord breaks below the ...

posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭

I was looking at buying some cord to make a three point cordelette (I am American, after all). I see that REI sells a pre-cut length of 7mm cord that is 6.4 meters (21 feet), but one of the review ...

3 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

I think you invented a new knot, or at least one that is decently documented (my non-trivial search came up empty). Regardless, the bigger question (as others pointed out in the comments) is how i...

posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭

Yep, when weighted the rope pulls through and reveals a false pair of loops. Definitely not a knot/loop that should be used!

posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭

Everyone knows that bending a paperclip back and forth will eventually cause it to break. This is due to a process called fatigue. And while this answer discusses the elastic limits for fatigue, I ...

1 answer  ·  posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭  ·  last activity 9y ago by System‭

I've heard good things about fishing the Texas gulf coast with live croaker bait. What is the technique for fishing with this bait? Specifically, where should one hook the bait and what technique i...

1 answer  ·  posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭  ·  last activity 9y ago by System‭

The Reverso 4, ATC Guide, and others all have a keeper wire loop for carrying. However, the wire seems unnecessary -- one could simply cut it off and carry the device using the large hanging eye or...

3 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

What type of seabed should I be fishing on when trying to catch speckled trout along the Texas Gulf Coast?

1 answer  ·  posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭  ·  last activity 9y ago by System‭

When bay/inshore fishing from a boat, one can drift fish (where you let the tide carry your boat) and anchor fish (where you anchor your boat to one spot). Besides the obvious, what are the differe...

2 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

I've got some 1/4 inch Manila rope that's really, really curly. It ends up very tangled and difficult to manage. Is there a way to straighten or relax it?

1 answer  ·  posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭  ·  last activity 9y ago by System‭

Theoretically, run. Practically, slowly jog or briskly walk so that you don't slip and fall. The TV series MythBusters initially tested this with artificial rain and found that walking was better ...

posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭  ·  last activity 9y ago by System‭

I'll be visiting Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma which is known, among other things, for having free-roaming American Bison. I've never seen any in the 'wild'. Is there a specific tim...

1 answer  ·  posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

I've been out hiking in wilderness areas when I came across an unmarked trail. It wasn't on a map but it appeared to lead in the direction I wanted to go. I decided not to take it in case it was a ...

2 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭