Activity for Ryley‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Answer	—	A: Bypassing river fords in Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness I don't think you need to bypass them at all. You didn't say what time of year you'd be going, but in the later summer/fall, they are not nearly that deep. Also, at any time of year you could easily carry your pack(s) across, then go back and piggy-back your son with a 2nd trip. The first trip w... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How much does it cost to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail? I think you need to separate this into two parts: Money spent before the trail starts, and budgeting while on the trail. Before you start, you're going to spend money on gear for sure. Your sleeping bag that was good enough for a weekend trip is now your home... Do you really want to put up with t... (more)	—	almost 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: Advantages of types of sleeping bags over another My answer will assume we are talking about a quilt. You can get down quilts that are made of exactly the same material as a mummy bag (Pertex Quantum face fabrics with 800+ fill down). Most quilt users that are going into colder climes will add a down balaclava to keep their head warm. Futhermore,... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: Warmth of two sleeping bags Warning This is pure conjecture! Test this information with your gear in a safe place before using! That being said, the basic warmth of a sleeping bag is determined by the amount of loft the fill provides. Quality of fill has a huge impact on how much loft is necessary to provide a given warmth, ... (more)	—	almost 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why do people who backpack sleep in tents instead of tarps? I think you pretty much covered it. Advantages of a tent: Keeps more rain/snow out (particularly if you have little skill in tent/tarp setup) Keeps out insects. For me, this is the big one - in spring time when the mosquitoes are fierce, being confined to your sleeping bag with a net over your fa... (more)	—	almost 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Dealing with rashes between thighs and around the groin The main solution I've found to this is to wear looser clothing in the groin area. Boxers made of polyester or wool or something that breathes well. Shorts as well if at all possible, but if not, pants with mesh in them somewhere. Beyond that, if you start getting a rash, dry out after you cross s... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Do kevlar sacks work against bears? A fuller history: They were approved for a few years (2004-2007) for use in Yosemite, which is a proving ground for bear-resistant containers. In 2007 I believe there were a couple incidents where bears were able to puncture an Ursack and "suck" food out of it. This led Yosemite to ban them from t... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: How thin is "too thin" for tent guylines? Your best bet is probably to switch out all your cordage and attach something like a LineLock to each tie-down point. Those things will grip even really tiny cordage like Spectra (which is definitely a good choice for your lines). There's an online store that sells them as a package (bonus, their s... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Avoiding compression when packing synthetic sleeping bag I made that comment coming from the perspective of a long distance hiker. If you're going to use the same bag every day for 3 months, regardless of whether it's down or synthetic, it pays to treat it well. There's an author, somewhat of a distance hiking guru, Ray Jardine, who informs most of that ... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: The outdoors, solitude and dealing with loneliness Part 1 - how do I deal with loneliness/solitude? For me, the key to not freaking out when I go out alone into the wilderness is feeling prepared. Usually on the first night of a solo trip, especially in bear country, I'm going to be nervous. I fight that by making sure I do everything correctly (a... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What does it mean to cross load a carabiner? It represents a two major things. I'm not going to illustrate, but the core of it is: Don't load carabiners across the gate or spine side of the carbiner (i.e. the side opposite the gate). This is pretty obvious, but happens sometimes when you make an anchor or whip out a quick draw and then load... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is the minimum gap needed for a windscreen on a cat can stove? I was hoping someone else would offer a more scientific answer, but here's my take on it. You shouldn't need almost any ventilation around the top edge of your wind screen... A few small gaps, or even just a handful of punched holes above the level of your stove should be enough. At the base of you... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Are there any year round beaches with nearby bouldering? If you are into sport climbing, Thailand has got to be the place. Specifically, check out Krabi or Railay, also anywhere that offers deep water soloing. The downside to Thailand is that you'll spend half the year looking for rock that isn't wet (i.e. during rainy season). (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Cooking by pouring hot water into plastic bags? I use this system exclusively, and there's an entire site dedicated to the variety of ways you can do it. I think it is generally called "freezer bag cooking", and the main site I'm aware of is called TrailCooking. I've always used ziplocks marked as "freezer bags" from the grocery store, but those... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How are sleeping bag temperature ratings determined? Sadly, in North America, there is no rating beyond what each manufacturer decides for itself. I suspect that in the US especially, some thought goes into liability (i.e. if someone freezes to death in a bag that's rated to 0F and it's 20F out, they could be in trouble). Certain manufacturers gain a... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I keep my iPhone going on a multiday hike? If the GPS is mostly off (i.e. you're only rarely using your GPS app), I think you will get 2 days of battery life. To get that much battery life, you'd need to do these things: Keep the GPS off as much as possible (i.e. use it no more that 5-6 times a day) Turn it off at night completely keep bri... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it safe to camp in the desert without a tent? I would call it a reasonable risk to camp in the desert without a tent (but with a tarp available if it was to rain!). I've "cowboy" camped 40 or 50 nights in the desert and never had any company try to join me in my sleeping bag :) That being said, I would heartily recommend shaking out your cloth... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How much gear will the AT eat? If you treat your gear well, it will almost all last a whole thru-hike. Rain Jacket If you have a bad year, you can have 80+ days of rain, and the shoulder straps of your backpack will wear out (delaminate usually) the shoulders of your rain jacket. Shoes are covered over in the other question p... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Am I likely to need multiple pairs of boots on the Appalachian Trail? Do boots really last (only) 400 miles? In short, yes. If you are a hard-man/woman, you might stretch one pair of boots to half the AT. Normal people go through quite a few pairs - I used 10-ish pairs of trail runners on the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail), partially because my feet grew 2 sizes and I ... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What sleeping bags are needed for a northbound thru-hike of the AT It somewhat depends on how warm you sleep and how much you're willing to layer up in your bag. I've met people who claim they used one 30F bag the whole trip (with thick layers at the start, and used as a quilt through the rest of the trip). I would call them "ultralight freaks". The more normal s... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Driving tent pegs into rocky ground Your best bet may be to take along a set of titanium shepherd-hook-type stakes (Vargo makes a decent set). Their advantage is that they are very narrow, so less likely to hit underground rocks. Further, the titanium is somewhat bendy in the ground, so you can often work them around rocks when the... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Question	—	Starting cross-country skiing off trails I've done a bit of cross-country skiing on trails at local mountains, but I'm more interested in getting off the trails and out into the woods. The terrain around here is pretty steep in general with very heavy powder when it snows, which it does a lot (the closest alpine area currently has 11 feet ... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to treat shin splints while backpacking I have suffered pretty badly from these on a couple long hikes. Here's my best suggestions from my experience: If at all possible stop hiking for a week (I know the scenario you set up precludes this ). Assuming for the rest of these you have to keep going: Whenever you stop, lie down with yo... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is a good starter kit for beginning indoor climbing? Shoes and a harness. Some places don't have belay devices or carabiners attached to each rope, so check on that beforehand, as you may need to provide your own. That's it. Chalk and a chalk bag is something you'll probably want pretty quickly and often comes packaged with the harness. For climbin... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How is "pack weight" measured There are a few common measures that I've seen: Full Skin Out - we're talking everything you're wearing, everything in your pack, food, water, fuel Base Weight - everything in your pack, minus "consumables" like food, water, fuel Worn Weight - stuff on you, like clothes, shoes, hiking poles, whistl... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: Are there any low sodium freeze dried meals? I would recommend making your own. I've used a bunch of the recipes from FreezerBagCooking and found them generally easy to make and incredibly tasty. You can adjust them to fit your budget or sodium needs. The general idea is that you use a "freezer" ziplock bag (basically, the thicker kind) and ... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to deal with condensation in a tent? If it's not actually raining, leave as many vestibule doors/tent doors as possible completely open. Within reason, setup somewhere that will have breezes but hopefully not so exposed that a big wind will steal your tent :) Consider using a less-confining tent for those conditions. i.e. a tarp (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to find objective reviews of outdoors gear? If you are into ultralight/lightweight backpacking, nothing tops BackpackingLight. They do a lot of scientific testing, and the articles are very thorough. It is a pay site, but it's something like $20 USD per year. You can see a list of some of their best articles here. They regularly come up wi... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are the differences between high-end sleeping pads and cut to fit foam mats? The only meaningful thing I can think of is that the R-value of a pad is crucial to being warm in colder conditions. If the manufacturer of the foam padding you are buying provides the R-value (or the material used, and you can find the R-value independently) then you have a good way to compare to "... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to keep water cold in hot weather? If you're hiking in dry, hot weather places, and you have a whole backpacking setup your best bet is to store your water deep in your pack. The sun is your only real enemy here. In the desert, I've had success with packing my bag so that my water is "wrapped" in my insulated gear - jacket and sleep... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are some toilet paper alternatives you could use in the woods? The options: Smooth oval rocks (from river beds if possible) Snowball Rounded sticks Leaves (as said elsewhere, be careful of which kinds) soft pine cones (relatively rare, but plentiful where they exist!) handful of grass Carry a piece of cloth specifically designed for this purpose and be sure to... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can you prevent trekking pole locking mechanisms from slipping? Keep the inside of your poles clean. If they get soaked or sandy or muddy, clean them out after your trip and let them air dry. Clean the actual lock mechanism occasionally. Depending on the pole type, there may be a rubber cylinder that does the locking, clean it, and consider lightly abrading it... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Question	—	Why do shin splints happen? I've gotten shin splints on long hikes - once 2 weeks into a hike, and another time 2 months. I wasn't able to determine how I got them though, which has really annoyed me! I get that I could probably prevent them with proper stretching or warming up or something, but I'd be just as happy to unders... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why does my belay device have two holes? It's a trick! Don't use it! Rappelling/Abseiling is the answer though. Some people use it for belaying twin or double ropes too. (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: What type of mosquito repellent is most effective? Mosquitoes love me, so I've had opportunity to try many variations of repellent. Most of the things you mentioned are effective immediately after application. For me, the difference is how effective they are after hours of sweaty hiking. For that, I lean towards high percentage DEET in a lotion-ty... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: Washing clothes on long hikes Rinse your socks and undies out with water, rub them on rocks then re-rinse and wring dry. Put them on damp in the morning. I can't think of a lighter weight solution than that :) I've done plenty of trips with no extra pairs of anything. You certainly won't smell good at the end of 10 days, but ... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it worth buying a footprint for a tent? I've been surprised by how durable tent floors are. I've never used footprints, and I have a silnylon-floored tent (i.e. not very durable material) that has lasted hundreds of nights and still doesn't have any holes or thin spots. So really, I would call it wasted money and weight in your pack to c... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: What negative consequences can result from having too much toe room in a shoe I hiked all of the Pacific Crest Trail (4000km) and the Continental Divide Trail (4200km) wearing shoes 1.5 sizes too large and 2-4 widths too wide (i.e. normally size 11.5D but wore 12.5EEEE). The main advantage was no blisters. I sometimes slipped around a bit on weird terrain, but overall did no... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do I treat a blister? How can I prevent getting them in the first place? Here is my magic blister treatment method. You need to have this stuff in your kit: Lanolin: Yes, otherwise known as sheep grease. Sold in pharmacies as an aid for breastfeeding mothers. It is essentially a lubricant wax that will keep a blister happy and not stuck to what you put over it. You... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: Can/Should I cook in my tent? If you are in bear country, I agree 100% with everyone - cook somewhere else. 100m away minimum. In winter, not in bear country, getting out of your tent to cook sucks. Fortunately, many mountaineers have discovered that some stoves do not produce excessive carbon monoxide. And there's a handy ta... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: What equipment do I need as a beginner outdoor rock climber? I would say you need things in this order. Only #1 is required: A harness. You can't climb with a rope unless you have one. Shoes. You can get by with runners, but climbing shoes make a world of difference. Chalk/chalk bag. If you don't sweat much, this is not crucial, but a little chalk is very ... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: Hiking boots vs trail shoes Hiking boots excel in a few situations: Extended side-hilling/traversing. Good boots take the stress off your ankles People with bad ankles. The ankle support of a good boot is hard to argue with. If you have ankle problems, I don't think trail runnes are appropriate. Heavy loads. Even if you d... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: Should I get trekking poles for snowshoeing, or stick with ski poles? Trekking poles can telescope down and pack away. If you happen to have a shelter that uses trekking poles to hold it up, sometimes you need to be able to set your poles to a different height. Some people also like to lengthen/shorten their poles depending on whether they are going down or up hil... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are some good tips and techniques for packing a backpack? The key to keeping your back happy is to drive as much pack weight to your hips as possible. A side note on weight is that the lighter your pack overall, the happier your back. A lot of the packing order depends on your particular pack, but in general, the bottom of a pack is below your hips. Ther... (more)	—	almost 13 years ago