Scott Hillson‭

Keep in mind that smaller does not automatically mean more efficient. A larger van with a diesel engine will easily get better fuel economy than a small van with a petrol engine. That said, indeed...

posted 11y ago by Scott Hillson‭

If there's a solid chance you're going to encounter snow or heavy wind during the trek ( and I'm guessing there is with those elevations ) or the future treks you plan to use the tent with, it's un...

posted 11y ago by Scott Hillson‭

Always have a water proof map of the area you're traveling in ( one with coordinates on each side if you can help it ), and a compass you can use to triangulate your position with. You'll be better...

posted 10y ago by Scott Hillson‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

You probably already do this, but make sure you mark all 'retired' carabiners with their own color of tape so that you never accidentally climb with one. Then let the fun begin. If you do any back...

posted 10y ago by Scott Hillson‭

At the very least, you'll want some type of plastic bottle. You can cut the end off of your plastic bottle and layer in ground ( smashed ) charcoal from your camp fire along with cotton, sand, gras...

posted 10y ago by Scott Hillson‭

Your most practical solution would seem to be a wing shelter. For the most part, you simply need your tarp, a tree, sticks and rope. The pdf I attached recommends making it 5 feet tall, but you co...

posted 10y ago by Scott Hillson‭

The good news is, it's compatible with just about every harness. However, you'll only be able to use it with 3mm static cord. It's best that you retire all of that heavy 6mm cord, it's slowing you ...

posted 9y ago by Scott Hillson‭

48 hours is very definitively too long for your feet to be wet, even regardless of temperature. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immersion_foot_syndromes From the CDC article "Injury occurs because ...

posted 9y ago by Scott Hillson‭  ·  last activity 9y ago by System‭

The complexity of backpacks, as well as the typical use case scenario has a lot to do with why the backpacks themselves aren't waterproofed. For example, the typical day in the life of a bicycle p...

posted 9y ago by Scott Hillson‭  ·  last activity 9y ago by System‭

The first option that comes to mind is a 20 ounce plastic soda bottle or something similar. Lightweight and well sealed, if you fill it only half full it's relatively easy to pour without spilling ...

posted 8y ago by Scott Hillson‭

For the purposes of defense, the only situation that comes to mind would be hiking through an area known for criminal activity ( think marijuana farm ). And even then, is a small handgun really goi...

posted 10y ago by Scott Hillson‭

Quite the contrary, many experiments support the argument that modern carabiners retain their strength or even gain some strength when dropped a couple of times (from a reasonable height). http://...

posted 10y ago by Scott Hillson‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

I don't have my copy of How to Survive in Avalanche Terrain in front of me, but one of the things that stood out to me relating to this is the wide variety of avalanche climates that exists not jus...

posted 10y ago by Scott Hillson‭

No, there doesn't seem to be any standard in place for avalanche shovels. Even though an avalanche shovel has to be depended on in a life or death situation, there are plenty of cheap ones out the...

posted 10y ago by Scott Hillson‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

It already has a hole in it, what if you used a cam? Not exactly the cheapest method but potentially the easiest. Edit: if you found the perfect size Tricam that might be a less expensive option

posted 9y ago by Scott Hillson‭  ·  last activity 9y ago by System‭