Activity for theJollySin‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Edit	Post #41342	Initial revision	—	about 4 years ago
Edit	Post #40687	Initial revision	—	about 4 years ago
Edit	Post #40432	Initial revision	—	about 4 years ago
Question	—	What do the UIAA markings on rock climbing gear mean? I buy my rock climbing hardware in America and it all comes labeled with UIAA ratings. These ratings make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. My gear has met mythological engineering standards. They have been blessed by Officials Who Know Things. A real, live person tested this carabiner, and it pa... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Question	—	Solar Power While Backpacking I am planning a multi-week backpacking trip (the JMT in California), and want to bring a real camera. What are some good solar power options for charging my camera batteries on a long backpacking trip? (Just to be clear, my camera is a Sony a7 and doesn't take AA or AAA batteries. It takes those wo... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: When should you use gear to climb a tree? I am an avid rock climber and the answer to all similar questions is always the same: Use safety gear when you feel unsafe. If you want a number, falls from over 5 meters (15 feet) are where you will start to incur more serious injuries. However, you can twist your ankle standing on flat ground. ... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is there a definitive list of the tallest mountains in the world that require little or no mountaineering experience? I doubt a definitive list exists. But here is an algorithm to create your own list: What altitude-based things make climbing a peak require gear? At what altitude do problems in step 1 start occurring? What non-altitude-based problems might cause a climb to require gear? What peaks nearest me are ... (more)	—	almost 10 years ago
Question	—	Depth Perception in the Mountains I'm not from the mountains. Every time I go into the mountains I lose all depth perception. I can't tell by looking if a peak is 100 meters or a 1,000 meters above me. I have to stare hard and look for context clues (usually trees). This has led to some hilarious problems. If I spend enough time... (more)	—	almost 10 years ago
Question	—	Does sandpapering finger tips improve rock climbing? Is sandpapering your finger tips an effective way to improve anything about your rock climbing? On occasion, I will see climbers in YouTube videos or people at the local crag using sandpaper on their finger tips. Why do people do this? What benefit is there? Is this, perhaps, more superstition than ... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: Could smoking pipe tobacco or a cigar attract bears and/or other wildlife? To get an official answer to this question, I decided to email the National Park Service at Yosemite NP. The park ranger said: Bears are attracted to "food" odors. When talking about food storage, anything that has an odor regardless of packaging is considered "food." For this reason, cigaret... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Question	—	Are headaches a bad sign at altitude? Last weekend, we had a nice hike up Price Peak in the Sierras. We went from sea level to above 10,000 feet (3,000 m) in about 6 hours. And I had a ROARING headache. I could hear my heart beat in my ears at all times. My entire head throbbed. But, honestly, I was expecting it. We changed altitude to... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: Rock Climbing - Beginner's Guide for Quick Improvement? Okay, this is a BIG question. One short post on the internet will not give you everything you need. To that end, I suggest reading some climbing training guides. I have read a few, and find this one to be the best. That being said, in my experience, the important points to hit are these: Technique... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Question	—	How to use a Rap Ring I have never used a Rappel Ring before but I am told they are really useful. Apparently, if you're trying to rappel in a situation where you have to leave gear at the top to get down safely: use a Rap Ring. How do you use a Rap Ring to rappel? (I would appreciate images of any complex knots or gear... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Question	—	John Muir's Gear List What gear did John Muir actually take on long trips? I live in California these days, and around here we revere John Muir as a legend of the outdoors. But the legend seems larger than is possible. John Muir is said to have traveled for weeks in the back country, but he never took any food with him, ... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: Where to store non-food related trash in bear territory? If it has any scent at all, put it in your bear can. If you're worried about cross-contamination between your trash and your food, bring a trash bag you trust. I keep my food in a plastic bag but my trash in gallon ziplocks. When backpacking, my food and trash are separated only by plastic. By the ... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: Can bears smell empty beer bottles? This answer may depend on the type of bear, but somehow I doubt it. If you ever visit Yosemite National Park, go to the Happy Isles Visitor Center. They have an old Jeep door on display. The Jeep had once belonged by a camper who left a tube of chap stick in their car as they slept. A ... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Question	—	Dog Breeds for Backpacking and Trail Running Which dog breeds are best for backpacking? I know malamutes do well in the cold and on mountains, but what if I'm backpacking in the summer? Which dog breeds are good for daily trail runs? I would love a dog that would wake up with me every day and go on a 3 to 7-mile trail run. Somehow, I can't ... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: Recipe for backcountry ice cream? The way I see it, you have two options: Buy some astronaut ice cream. Bring/find some ice and make ice cream in a plastic sandwich bag. I bet you could easily replace the ice in the standard 'ice cream in a bag' recipes with snow. You might have some trial-and-error to get the proportions right, ... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: Pink Winter Sleeping Bags A wonderful woman I know has the Habenera bag by REI (link). It's a warm bag. We've taken it backpacking in the snow and on mountains, and she likes it a lot. It's also a high-quality, light-weight bag. And it's pink. (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are the major difference between a regular sleeping bag and one designed for women? We did some research on this once and the results were kind of sad. For major backpacking brands of sleeping bags (say, Marmot or Big Agnes) the major differences between sleeping bags for the two genders were these: Women's sleeping bags were slightly smaller. A bag that is listed as a '20-degree... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Question	—	How to Tell When Minimal Running Shoes Are Worn Out? How can I tell when my minimal running shoes go bad? Let me explain. Conventional Wisdom The conventional wisdom of marathon runners is that running shoes will eventually 'go bad'. That is, at some point the shoes will still work fine for walking around the house and working in the garden, but the... (more)	—	almost 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why are there ropes on fingerboards? It all depends on how you want to mount your rock rings. I mounted mine like this from a door-jam pull-up bar: Though you could mount them like monkey bars, or any other way: The idea, from a training perspective, is that if the rock rings are hanging from rope you have to expend more effort wi... (more)	—	about 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Does whiskey help keep you warm in winter? Please don't drink alcohol to stay warm. It may make you feel slightly warmer temporarily, but it isn't actually helping you. According to my favourite volume on Wilderness Medicine (page 156), a small nip won't hurt you if you already have a cold-induced injury. However, it is strongly correlated ... (more)	—	about 11 years ago
Question	—	How to maintain climbing strength while training for a marathon Over the next 6 months I will be training for my first marathon. This means I will be running 4 times a week, with at least one long (10-20 mile) run each weekend. I have run several half-marathons before, but each time I lost a lot of my power and strength climbing. I don't want to start from scrat... (more)	—	about 11 years ago
Question	—	How to clean rock-climbing shoes? I have never found a good answer to this one: How do you clean rock-climbing shoes, without ruining them? Let me be more specific. I have a pair of modern leather-and-fancy-rubber climbing shoes made by a major brand. They fit exactly the way I want and the rubber is still sound. But they reek l... (more)	—	about 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is scientific relation between body weight and backpack weight in mountain climbing? I am a decent climber and a better scientist, and I strongly suspect there is no scientific answer to your question. I have been on my long climbs and backpacking trips where I had to carry a pack. The most important factor in how much weight I (or my friends) carried was not height, weight, or gend... (more)	—	about 11 years ago
Question	—	Safe way to mark a carabiner gate? At the crag this weekend I noticed that my climbing partner's carabiner had a great feature: a red line painted such that you know the carabiner isn't locked until the red is hidden. I love this feature. Unfortunately, I already own dozens of carabiners without this wonderful red line. How can I ... (more)	—	about 11 years ago
Question	—	Rappelling in the Rain Last night I had a nightmare that I was 5 pitches off the ground and it started to pour rain. When I woke up I realized I have no idea how to deal with this. Asking around, everyone says two things: Don't get caught in this situation. Plan better than that. Rappel down. In reality, I do plan bet... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is the fastest style of sled? While searching online for an answer to my question, I came upon the this pseudo-scientific research. They did not test the old wood-and-metal sleds, so this may not be good science. Never-the-less, Here are the results: The fastest sled the "researchers" found was the Airboard. At $269, this bette... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: What good factual books have you read on an outdoors topic? Backcountry first aid and medicine Wilderness Medicine This book covers it all. Do you need to know about that snake that bit you? Look in here. Did someone fall and break their ankle? This has you covered. Do you have rampant diarrhea? How dangerous is that rash? Will eating snow fix your dehyd... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: For what it's worth: climbing-tape First off, let me admit, I have never made crack-climbing gloves with tape. But I have bought a lot of tape over the years, and I have always regretted buying any tape that wasn't climbing-specific. Oh, the tape may make all kinds of claims. But in the end it is always too weak to hold up to granite... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Does eating snow help dehydration? The most authoritative source I know is the Wilderness Medicine textbook, and it has some very useful information on this problem. Snow is mostly air. Let's say you stuff yourself full of snow. Unfortunately, the snow you eat is mostly air and not water. So it is extremely hard to get fully hydrate... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Question	—	Difference between a Fingerboard and a Hangboard This is just a climbing terminology question: What is the difference between a Fingerboard and a Hangboard? Maybe there is no difference at all? Maybe it's subtle? I have been Googling around and asking people and have gotten no consistent answer. (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it safe to drink out of a rusty thermos? Warning! I am not a medical professional. However, I asked my favorite doctor and she seemed to think it would be okay. She said rust would just look like iron to your body and it would be consumed like food. So, I guess it is broadly safe. She also said that she wouldn't do it under any circumsta... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Question	—	What is the fastest style of sled? Winter is here and, like every year, I am still thrilled when the extended family rounds up all the little kids and we go sledding. This year we compared our sleds and found that some were significantly faster. What is the fastest style of gravity/human-powered sled? Are inner tubes faster than r... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Question	—	How do I mount a hangboard in an apartment? In the last few months I have come to the conclusion that I need to have a fingerboard at home if my climbing is to get to the next level. But the problem is that I live in an apartment. How can I mount a fingerboard in an apartment? What options are there in an apartment to mount a fingerboard with... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Cheese and eggs on backpacking trips Personal anecdotal experience: hard cheese: lasts about a week in cool climate boiled eggs: lasts 3 (maybe up to 5 days) before they start to get weird unboiled eggs: I have never even thought of taking them backpacking, but I know they are safe for two weeks unrefrigerated. (This might be a joke ... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Question	—	Should I be more careful about postholing during winter hikes? This weekend I am going to do one of my favorite things: winter hiking in the Sierras. When I say "hiking", I mean that though we might be trodding up a mountain in the snow, it is not real mountaineering. I won't wear plastic boots and probably won't use my ice axe. I have always loved hiking in t... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is there a protective substance, like an epoxy, I can use on my feet so I can backpack barefoot? I have gone on several barefoot day hikes and really enjoyed it. Easy peasy. I have a couple of thoughts for you: Barefoot hiking is fun. I never ran into any problems. If you want to be extra safe, maybe start running barefoot on weekdays. That will build up the callouses on your feet and really... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: What exercises should you do before a ski trip to build leg stamina? I am not a medical professional and can only offer you anecdotal experience. I have had great success preparing for the ski season by running on steep hills. I found the biggest hills nearby and run on them 2-4 days a week. At first, your legs and your lungs will be killing you. But you will gain mu... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Question	—	Trekking Pole Length I was recently convinced to buy a pair of trekking poles for backpacking. But how long should they be? What is the optimal length to adjust my trekking poles, when carrying a heavy pack? I have tried walking around my living room, and I cannot decide what length is ideal. How much does it matter? S... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are the different methods to purify water? THE official information can be found on the CDC webpage. The CDC defines the problem in terms of what you're trying to kill: Protozoa, Bacteria, or Viruses. They address each of those in terms of water treatment methods: Boiling, Filtering, Chemical Disinfection, (or now-a-days UV Treatment). Plea... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Question	—	Will Iodine Tablets Ruin My CamelBak? In the past, I have gone backpacking with some fairly expensive, heavy water purification tools. But the more I read about water safety in California's Sierras (here and here), the less I think these high-tech solutions are necessary. Can I just drop some iodine tablets into my CamelBak? Will the t... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Buying a Backpacking Knife A lot of factors go into choosing a backpacking knife, but I will break it down into four categories: weight cost survival utility your surroundings Weight There are a lot of high-quality knives out there in the 1-3 ounce range. The most experienced “ultra-lightweight backpacker” I... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Are used climbing shoes safe? Your life will not be at risk from used shoes. No. But you will run a serious risk of getting athlete's foot. This happened to me and it took six months to get rid of. Beware. (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why go without socks with climbing shoes? I've been bouldering outdoors for a couple years now and let me ask you this question in return: Why wear socks in your climbing shoes? What is the possible benefit to wearing socks? Try it. Your shoes will still stink, I guarantee. Your feet run the risk of slipping around in your climbing shoes. ... (more)	—	over 11 years ago