Activity for nivag‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Edit	Post #41865	Initial revision	—	about 4 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why would one choose to use a Harvey map rather than an Ordnance Survey map? I know several people who recommend the Harvey maps, so they're obviously not terrible. The main advantage is the 1:40,000 scale which offers most of the detail of a 1:25,000 map while covering a larger area. Additionally, they don't have many irrelevant features like county boundaries and slightly ... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do slow sand filters work and are there any alternatives? Wikipedia has some good info on slow sand filters and this website also has some useful info. Here is an interesting document describing sand filter design. While most of it is quite technical, looking at the engineering side, the first chapter provides a good overview. The general principle of a sa... (more)	—	about 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: When does a Rope become a Line? Personally, I would rarely call anything a line. More specific terminology, such as sheet or halyard, is generally more helpful. But anyway, I would say a rope is a line when you put it on a boat. Until then it is just a bit of rope that you could do anything else with. Also note that in many ways a... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: On a coast to coast walk across Scotland, which areas would require the most self-sufficiency? There are a large range nice routes you could do. Generally, I would say the further North you go the wilder/more remote it will be. Although if you go really far North, the options for Munros does decrease somewhat. For specific routes, the "official" Scottish coast to coast goes from Oban to St. A... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Nice forest 'around' London for a 2 days hike If you really want to camp I would recommend the New Forest as there are lots of campsites there and plenty of walking for at least a weekend. The problem is most of Southern England is pretty much all residential or farmland so there are few good places where you can wild camp reliably. There are ... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is the hand-pedal device called on an Open 60 sailboat? It is a winch. Which is used to generate a larger force needed for bigger boats. What it actually controls is not entirely clear. My best guess would be it's for the main halyard (to raise the sail) or at least something to do with the sail. Looking at this picture the man is looking up at the sail ... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Maxi Yacht: How do the keel and the hull align when heeled over? No the keel doesn't move. You can find the class rules for the Maxi 72 class here. The relevant rule is D.2.4 which specifies One fixed centreline keel, solid in profile. No part shall be adjustable when racing and there shall be no movement beyond the normal elasticity of the materials used.... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is a mountaineering tent necessary for backpacking Iceland? Personally, I think that most decent backpacking tents will be fine for Iceland. The temperature is not extremely cold and you should be fine as long as you have a semi-decent sleeping bag. One thing I would recommend is getting a tent that can be self supporting (i.e. doesn't need pegging out to ... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it feasible to use Zakopane as a base to climb the Tatra mountains? I went to this area about 6 years ago. We started in Zakopane and did a couple of loops staying at the mountain huts. While its probably possible to stay in Zakopane I think it would restrict you a lot in what you can do. For example Rysy itself is about 20km from Zakopane would be a big round trip... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is the aspect ratio of a keel and how does it affect your how your boat sails? Aspect ratio describes the ratio between sail/keel height divided by (average) width. So a high aspect ratio is tall and skinny and a low aspect ratio is short and fat. For sails one of the main affects of aspect ratio is on drag. High aspect ratio tend to produce lower drag (i.e. more powerful) sai... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: I never adjust for true north. Is this bad practice? As others have said the importance depends on your location. In the UK & Europe the correction is quite small, approx 2-3 degrees and can therefore mostly be ignored. Compared to parts of the US where the correction can be at least 15 degrees. This is because the magnetic north pole lies somewher... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is camping at Zion National Park in mid-December feasible? You can get a weather forecast for Zion here. As you can see, daytime temps are about freezing or slightly above by night temps can drop pretty low. In my opinion camping in -10 to -15 C is pretty cold and you need to have the right gear, although its definitely possible. Obviously make sure you ha... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can a barbed wire fence be crossed safely? I'd climb the fence at a post. First, place /throw you backpack over the fence as climbing with it on is significantly more difficult, especially if heavy. Climb the fence, with at least one hand on the fence post and your feet one the wires, in between the barbs, as close to the post as reasonable.... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Repairing down stuff? I would probably use sail repair tape, which you should be able to get from most chandlers. You can get a range of colours to try and match your sleeping bag. As well as rolls of tape you can also get patches which are slightly easier to use and are often slightly cheaper, but give you a lot less ta... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Winter camping in Western Europe sleeping bag question Depending on where you are camping I would recommend a three or four season synthetic sleeping bag. Synthetic bags are generally cheaper and bulkier than down bags for an equivalent warmth. As you are car camping the additional bulk isn't that important. Most of Spain has night temperatures betwee... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Retractable reel for twine - does it exist? The thing that immediately jumps to mind for this is a retractable washing line, which should have enough length for what you want. However, they are relatively heavy and aren't exactly thin twine. Another option may be a automatic fishing real. However, its probably not long enough for what you wan... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is there a difference between Trail and Fell running? I think the main difference is probably in British vs American (/rest of the world) English. Fell is a particularly British term referring to areas such as the Lake district that does not really have a direct equivalent in many other places. Following from this in the UK there is the Fell runners as... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: When transporting hot liquids, is it better to use one large flask, or two small flasks? Theoretically, a 1L flask will keep the liquid warmer as there less surface area and greater mass. However, in practise it is really a question of what size insulated (Thermos/vacuum type) flasks are available and how well they work. Non-insulated flasks will not be much good in either case I woul... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are some techniques to avoid touching a wet tent wall? The best solution will depend a lot on your particular tent and general set-up but here are a few pointers. Try and keep kit in your tent neat and to a minimum. If you are trekking you probably won't have too much kit anyway. If you are car camping try and keep as much stuff in you car as possible (... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: De-stinking my water shoes Rinsing them in clean water when you are finished using them will definitely help stop them smelling. To deal with the current smell I would just leave them in a sink/bucket of clean water for a couple of hours/overnight. I wouldn't worry too much about drying them as long as they are cleaned. As... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: What trees/bushes are best suited for a simple bow? There are two important factors when bowmaking: Flexibiliy, i.e. how easy the wood is to bend Strength, i.e. how much force you can put into the wood before it breaks. If you are just interested in a toy bow that doesn't shoot to hard or far then flexibility is your main concern. You want thinnis... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Hiking: How to start? Start small and work your way up, walk round your local parks etc. You will probably be surprised how many options there are even within a short distance of where you live. Also start with what you are comfortable and build up from there. Challenging yourself is good, but deciding to do something yo... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is the easiest way to remove creosote from pots and pans? Unfortunately this advice may a bit late for you now, but if you cover the outside of the pots in washing-up liquid before putting them on the fire/wood burner and clean it after use. The washing-up liquid should stop the soot sticking and it should wipe of fairly easily. This approach is best if yo... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Would the Red Wing Irish Setter work for Philmont? These boots seem perfectly reasonable to me. If they are comfortable and not about to fall apart I can't see why they should be a problem. I suspect what they mean is that the are not familiar/do not stock that brand of boot so can't recommend it. It would seem crazy to me if they said you can't us... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: What to look for in hiking shoes? The type of boot you want will depend greatly on what sort of hiking you are doing, both in terms of distance and terrain. Personal preference also plays a strong role. For day walks on decent paths you will probably be fine with a sturdy pair of trainers or running shoes. Whereas for longer routes ... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to carry fat, greasy foods like tahini sauce and peanut butter? I would probably use a small tupperware or similar, something like this. You can also get ones where the lid clips down which are probably more secure. If you are concerned about it leaking/coming open I would use some elastic bands to secure the lid and store it in a separate freezer bag to contain ... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Theft and tent camping In most places I think the risk of theft while camping is generally low. People who choose to do camping for their holiday often don't give the impression of having lots of expensive gear. Even if some camping gear is quite expensive you either need specialist knowledge to know its value and/or its r... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Wild camping in the Brecon Beacons Strictly speaking, it is illegal to camp without the landowner's permission. If you really want to be legal, the best way is to ask a farmer if you can stay in a field. In reality, as long as you are sensible and don't camp right by a road or main path, no one is likely to complain. As for where, ... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Little or lesser-known multi-day hike routes Many areas in Scotland can be quite quiet, especially outside the peak season. There are also many long distance walks ranging from the well known to the less so. I've heard the Rob Roy way and the Cape Wrath trail are quiet good although I've actually done neither. There is no system of manned mou... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do I self-assess my physical condition after a fall in the backcountry? Due to the nature of many injuries your awareness and ability to treat yourself may be impaired. Therefore, extra care should be taken. Don't do anything rash or hastily as that will probably just make things worse. Take a few moments to collect yourself and get an initial impression of how you feel.... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is drinking water containing dirt harmful? To add to Liam's answer, it depends what minerals/chemicals are in the water. Many of these are harmless (e.g. peat or clay), but other can be dangerous. In general, mineral contamination is not effected by boiling. Some chemical impurities can be removed by filtering, but most filters are primarily ... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How did people make topographical maps in the pre-modern? As the other answers point out using trigonometry you can determine the height of a distant peak. You can also use the same approach horizontally to determine the distance between two points. Provided that the length of one side of a triangle is known the other two sides can be calculated. Using a c... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: What sea life may be hazardous when rockpooling? In the UK one of the more dangerous sea creatures is the weever fish. They are often found in shallow, sandy water, particularly around Cornwall and the south west, and have venomous spines on their backs. Being stung is very painful and can result in severe swelling. Stings are generally caused by ... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Question	—	How to cook meat with no equipment? Our ancestors have cooked and eaten meat for thousands of years with only primitive equipment (no pots, pans, etc). In a survival situation or when traveling with minimum equipment it may be useful to use similar methods. However, I have little experience in cooking in this way. What good methods ex... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Do dog life jackets have the same ratings as humans? As far as I can tell dog life jackets do not have different ratings as for human life jackets. All the models I have seen in a brief search seem designed for the situation where your dog is conscious, can keep themselves afloat, relatively to land and therefore assistance if needed. Additionally, I... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Law on hunting wild pigeon? (UK) Lots of information can be found here. Hunting wood pigeon (and other pest birds) is covered by a general license, which means you don't have to apply for it, but must follow it and may have to report what you do using it. There are different licenses for England, Scotland, Wales and NI so I suggest... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to record 2-day trek track when Garmin etreX 20 has limitation of 2000 points? Disclaimer: I rarely use GPS system personally so feel free to correct me if I've misunderstood something. However, I think that 2000 points should be more than enough. Say you are doing a reasonably long route of 40km per day. If you use all 2000 points in that distance that will give you one poin... (more)	—	about 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How would I identify between MSR Wisperlite and Wisperlite International stoves? If it has a wick in the priming pan it is most likely an international. The other main difference is the fuel tube on the international is slightly larger diameter. Although, this would be hard to tell without a comparison. However, as I commented to ShemSeger's answer there is a different diameter... (more)	—	about 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Road Trip food on the cheap Presuming you're planning on eating at/near your vehicle you're not really limited by the weight or bulk of the food. So, anything you can easily cook in 1 or 2 pots is a good bet. Generally, I have some version of pasta/rice/couscous and sauce. You can make your own sauce if you can get fresh ingred... (more)	—	about 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it possible to "pad" the shoulder straps of backpack? 155cm quite short but not extremely so. I would be surprised if you can't get a decent fit with that sort of pack. To make sure you are fitting the pack correctly see this question or many other guides on the internet. From your description 3 sounds not too bad and pretty much how my pack is. 2 is t... (more)	—	about 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Which camp fuel type is the easiest on your stove? In general 'lighter' fuels with less additives will mean that the stove needs less cleaning. Most of the reason I've needed to clean a stove is from additives which don't burn properly (particularly when igniting the stove) can can block the nozzle and things. For this reason compressed gas (not ga... (more)	—	about 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to humanely kill an injured bird? In the UK you should probably contact the RSPCA or RSPB. I think RSCPA is probably best as they actually do welfare stuff whereas RSPB is about conservation. They should have the best knowledge of whether the bird needs to be killed and how best to do it. I presume other countries have similar charit... (more)	—	about 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to stay hydrated with minimum water usage This seems a bit low to me, but there are lots of other factors to consider. The main ones are temperature and exertion/walking speed. Different people also definitely need different amounts of water. One of my friends was nicknamed desert-man as he drank approximately 4x as much as everyone else. I... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Question	—	B2 boots for narrow feet I'm looking to get some B2 boots, but am having difficulty getting a good fit. I tried Scarpa Manta's but my heel kept lifting. I think the issue is that my ankles are quite narrow. Does anyone have any good advice for getting better fitting boots or is it just a case of trying a range of brands? Are... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why all the different accessory cord diameters? Thinner diameter ropes such as these have a wide range of uses but are not primarily designed for climbing. See this description from Sterling Ropes: These smaller cords can be used in a wide range of applications from tie-down straps to braided braclets and any other non-life-safety applications... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Hills closest to East Anglia As you say it is rather flat around there. So you will be quite hard pressed to find any significant hills that close to you. The most obvious area that comes to mind is the Chilterns. Although, that is still a good 2 hour drive so probably too far. Various websites provide possible hikes for a giv... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Question	—	Why are backpack waist straps so long? I was hiking with some friends and we concluded that most/all our bags have ridiculously long waist straps that leave lots of extra strap that is annoying or must be tidied away. Additionally, some of us have to have the strap as tight as it will go to make it vaguely tight. Given that many hikers ar... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it a bad idea to dry clothes by the fire? Its not necessarily bad as long as you are careful, also somewhat dependent on material. Generally, you want to arrange your clothes so that they are about a temperature where you could comfortably hold your hand. If your clothes are steaming keep a close eye on them and think about moving them back... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Where can I expect to find naturally occurring flint in the wild? Flint is a particular form of Chert which is found primarily in sedimentary type rocks. Flint itself is primarily found in chalk and limestone, although other Cherts have the same sparking properties. In some places there is plenty of flint in the soil and it can be easily found. Your next best bet ... (more)	—	over 9 years ago

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