Activity for Timothy Strimple‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Answer	—	A: Pain in the heel after a hike Depending on the type of pain, this may be plantar fasciitis. If it's more of a burning, that developed slowly and started to get worse while hiking, it may be a hot spot which you should take care of as it can cause blisters. (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can you prevent trekking pole locking mechanisms from slipping? It does not necessarily reflect poorly made poles. If you have used the poles for a while without problems and you're just recently having problems, they likely need to be cleaned. I would start by checking to see if your poles have maintenance instructions specific to your model. You should always ... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What essential items should go in a small first aid kit? Bring a wilderness first aid guide! Even if you have training, it could save your life if you're the one injured and someone else is trying to take care of you with your own kit. Here is a list of things I would have in pretty much any hiking first aid kit. There are other items worth considering fo... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I prevent plantar fasciitis? If there was a magic solution to preventing plantar fasciitis, then no one would have it anymore! Different things work for different people. It's important to find out what works for you. This can be done with experimentation or the help of a specialist. One thing I would caution against is just th... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What kinds of knives are allowed while camping in California? I am not a lawyer, or an expert on California knife laws. This post is based on my understanding of state laws both as written, and as summarized by other sites. This is the summary website that I used to determine what to carry here in southern California. http://www.ninehundred.net/equalccw/knife... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do I tie a stopper knot? A stopper knot is not a specific knot, but a technique fo preventing a rope from sliding through a loop or hole. Common knots used for a stopper knot are: Overhand knot Double overhand knot Figure-of-eight knot Stevedore knot Ashley's stopper knot (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it possible to rappel with only a rope? (No harness, Prusik cord, or other gear) It is of course possible, but definitely not something I would recommend. The most common method for repelling without gear is the Dülfersitz method (invented by climbing pioneer Hans Dülfer). It involves wrapping the rope around your body in such a way as to allow you to better control you... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I prevent batteries from losing charge in cold weather? Assuming you're talking about a situation where you're out in the elements (It's the great outdoors after all!), the best method would be to simply store those items close to your body. A pocket inside of your outerwear close to your skin would be best. (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do I Eskimo roll a kayak? The best way to learn would be in a class, with a professional in a controlled environment! The process is very difficult to describe in text. This is one of the best videos I have found describing and showing how to do the screw roll. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oJGraaEbpU&feature=related ... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do I find known and documented trails for trail running in New England? I have not seen information regarding trails specifically from a running perspective, but there are a number of sites with information on hiking trails. Most trails suitable for hiking can also be used for trail running, and most trail reviews will cover sketchy sections which will be even more impor... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Where can I find if a fixed blade knives is legal to carry around in a given country? Laws vary greatly by region, and are subject to being changed at any time. That being said, there are a few sites I used when looking up the knife laws in California. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knifelegislation Provides a good overview of knife laws, but did not provide the specifics I need. It's ... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Gas or liquid fuel lighter? The problem with the rechargeable lighters like Zippos is they tend to evaporate their fuel quite quickly. They can make starting fires very easy, but always take a backup (or two, or three :D) method of starting a fire. They make some excellent waterproof / windproof matches these days. Combine that... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to deal with wet feet? This is one of the reasons I always hike with at least one extra pair of socks and tend to wear shoes that shed water quickly as opposed to being water proof. If you're in a consistently wet environment there really isn't much you can do as it won't really help to change your socks every 10 minutes a... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are some alternative ways of fishing - i.e. catching fish? I like the native american fish trap (fishing weir). It's relatively easy to build if you have the right access to a stream. The basic idea behind this trap is to create a funnel that the fish follow into a trap that they cannot easily get out of. To build it, you simple stake off an area with sma... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Folding versus fixed blade knives The only advantage I see to a folding knife is its size when collapsed. I always carry a folding knife in my pocket, but when hiking I have a fixed blade strapped to my pack. I prefer to use my fixed blade for batoning, both for safety reasons, and the fact that it has a wider blade which can give yo... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it worth buying a footprint for a tent? If you don't mind the extra weight, I would say definitely go for it. It helps to protect your tent, and $40 spent to protect a $300 to $400 item is well worth it in my experience. It reduces the chance of damaging the bottom of your tent on sticks and rocks. It is also useful, as Gonzo states, alone... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What negative consequences can result from having too much toe room in a shoe Too much toe room is only a problem if you have too much movement in the shoe due to the size. That can cause blisters. If you have to have a bigger toe box, then a larger shoe could be a good solution along with something like a heel lock lace to help prevent excess movement of your foot in the shoe... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How much water should be carried while hiking in the desert? Hiking in the desert? As much as you can carry! I tend to prefer packing more water than less, and especially in a desert area where if something goes wrong, your access to resupply is very limited. You can lose up to two quarts (almost 2 litre) of water per hour hiking in the desert in middle of th... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is there a straightforward way to calculate energy requirements for a trek You can get a rough estimate from using an online calorie estimation website. Make sure to use one that accepts weight as a variable, and add your pack weight to your body weight. I am a large guy, and would burn over 4000 calories a day hiking for 6 hours with a pack. Most calculations aren't going ... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What should I look for if I want to buy a winter-proofed tent? The primary difference is good winter camping tents are designed to stand up to and / or mitigate snow building up on top of them. Ventilation is also very important as you don't want moisture from your breathing to build up in the tent as you could wake up with your clothes wet. Winter tents will ... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: I put a big gouge in the bow of my canoe going across rocks. How can I fix it? They sell fiberglass repair kits at most boating stores which are made for this exact sort of repair. It includes a fiber glass cloth which you put over the damaged area, as well as a resin / hardening agent to hold the patch in place. Any kit you buy should have instructions for applying the patch i... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Can/Should I cook in my tent? Absolutely not! Fire is the obvious risk, but carbon monoxide poisoning should be taken seriously as well. If the weather is bad, at the very least cook under the vestibule with maximum ventilation. Others have brought up a great point about bear country. It's recommended to cook and eat at least 10... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Rougher treks with Vibram Fivefingers When wearing my Vibrams, I tend to travel much more carefully than when wearing my trail runners, so I find that I need less protection than I would in more traditional footwear. I would say it depends a lot on the areas you'll be in. What do you mean by off trail? Forested areas, chaparral, flat lan... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to reduce the annoying sound of falling raindrops on a tent? To me it's one of those sounds that can be soothing initially, but start to grate on you after hearing it for hours. You could try ear plugs. I don't wear them because I like being able to hear my surroundings, but I often see people camping with mp3 players, so not everyone appears to feel the need ... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What do I need to look for in good, quality hiking boots? Are you sure you need boots? I absolutely love my trail running shoes (La Sportiva Wildcats). They are much lighter than boots, and while they aren't water proof, they dry out very quickly due to being mostly mesh uppers. On hot days, you can literally feel the breeze through the uppers. It is very ... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Question	—	Hiking boots vs trail shoes I have two sets of shoes that I wear while hiking. My favorite by far are my light weight trail running shoes. I have worn them on 9 mile hikes without any break-in, and went blister free. From a comfort perspective they are simply amazing. I also have a much more expensive hiking boot, which is ma... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Bear bags vs Bear canisters: which is better? Better is often relative. I would not like having to carry a bear canister around as it is extra weight and bulk. However there are likely places where you will not have a tree suitable for hanging a bear bag, and the canister is the only way to go. It really depends on where you are going to be hiki... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Where in the Alps is it safe to drink the water without filtering? If you're on an extended trip away from civilization, I wouldn't recommend it anywhere except directly from a spring coming out of rock. If there are animals in the area, you can be sure they some have died, or done their business in the water and it could be contaminated. While water in the alps is ... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How does one dry clothes in humid weather? Depending on how much moisture you're talking about, it can also help to wrap some clothes together with a microfiber towel and wring them out together. The towel will draw some of the moisture out of the clothing and into itself. This won't get clothes dry, but it can substantially reduce the amount... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Keeping warm in an emergency So if you're completely out of your expected element, have no emergency blanket or shelter, then there are a few options to provide some additional protection from the cold. Get out of the wind. The wind makes things that much more miserable. If you can, get into an area protected from the wind. Fi... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can you navigate without a compass or GPS The distribution of sun east / west should be pretty close to the same. In the northern hemisphere, the south side of areas gets more sun due to the sun being more to the south (perpendicular to the equator). This doesn't necessarily translate into there being more vegetation on the south side of r... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is the difference between external and internal-frame packs? There really isn't much reason to use an external frame backpack, especially if you're looking at modern backpacks. In almost every case, the internal frame is going to be the better option. Internal frame backpacks have a lot of advantages over external frames, they have a smaller profile, and when ... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are the critical dimensions to a safe bear-bag? I don't think there are any standards, but I would shoot for at least 10 feet high, and at least 4 feet away from the trunk of a tree. Make sure the bag is suspended on a branch too small to support the weight of a bear. It should also be hanging down from the branch by around a foot to prevent other... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do I treat hot spots and blisters when I have no moleskin? The key is reducing friction. Duct tape can be a good preventative as long as you get it on before a blister forms. After the blister is there, it's harder to recommend as once you're ready to remove the duct tape, you might pull the blister along with it. Other options are to make sure you're wear... (more)	—	over 12 years ago