Activity for furtive
| Type | On... | Excerpt | Status | Date |
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A: What is the difference between a sac liner and a dry bag? Rucksack liners don't require as much sturdiness as a dry bag since they go inside a rucksack/backpack, which gives it protection and structure. As such rucksack liners weigh less than dry bags and alone won't stand up to the same abuse but inside a backpack will perform optimally. (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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A: Is there an organization for adults to learn outdoor skills with their kids? The American Alpine Club and the Alpine Club of Canada each have local sections that offer regular skills courses in ropes, weather, orienteering (map, compass, GPS), climbing, mountaineering, avalanche safety, glacier travel, backcountry cooking, ski touring, how to lead groups, and more. Membersh... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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A: Tent repair on Antarctic expedition The best answer is to consult with the manufacturer, expedition grade tents are usually bomber proof but I respect that you always want to be prepared for the worst. My strategy: Small punctures and tears: use a cold weather tape such as Echo All Weather Repair tape which can still form an adhesiv... (more) |
— | over 8 years ago |
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A: What kind of stones should not be used to grind food? Granite, marble and jade are all common stones used for mortar/pestle combinations. There are probably many other stones that are safe, but you want to avoid the following: anything that is porous such as sandstone or dolomite anything that will break apart easily, mainly sedimentary stone anythin... (more) |
— | over 8 years ago |
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A: What trees/bushes are best suited for a simple bow? In the Canadian prairies saskatoon and choke cherry trees were used to make bows by the first nations. (more) |
— | about 9 years ago |
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A: Outdoor activities for shoulder season Ice skating is my favourite elusive shoulder season activity. Out here in Banff we'll often get the right conditions in late November for the ponds to freeze over without a snowfall, creating a crystal clear skating surface. But it doesn't happen every year, and it takes just one snowfall to ruin ... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Are there any unguided via ferrata routes in the Canadian Rockies? Nordegg has a via ferrata that was set up by COE, the owner Mike Adolph "...recommends anyone using the via ferrata to do so through a guide, although if a climber shows up with a helmet and the correct harness and clips, they could go solo." Mt. Nimbus, BC has a via ferrata run by CMH. CMH says t... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: MSR Sweetwater dripping Water coming out of the pressure relief valve means that your filter is clogged, it say so in the instruction manual. Have you followed the "prepare filter surface" instructions? Did you remember to rinse the cartridge and pump out the loose carbon? (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: First ascents by Edward Whymper Mt. Whymper in Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, was first ascended by a party led by Edward Whymper in 1901. He also got first ascent at the beautiful Stanley Peak, which is named after the same Stanley as the Stanley Cup, and located just across the highway from Mt. Whymper. (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: How long is an activated charcoal filter good for after initial use? A filter like that will will be good for 50 gallons even if it's used over two years. You'll want to make sure you dry it properly between uses, and some filters have boiling instructions (esp. those with clay ceramics) when they haven't be used for an extended period of time. (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: What Canadian national/provincial/territorial parks permit random backcountry camping, if any? I don't have a lot of experience in this field, but yes, Parks Canada has designated back country camping locations in most of its parks. Crown land camping can be done in almost any province. Rules vary by province, here's Ontario for example. I know that in BC you can camp on most logging roads, so... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: How do I determine if a tent can handle strong wind? I'd love to write a nice long post regarding this once I have time. Short answer: height/profile: the lower the profile, the better off you are. anchoring: tent pegs, guy-lines, these are both important, you can't peg a tent on a mountain made of granite, that's where guy-lines really help. sh... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Thunderstorms in the Canadian Rockies in September? Rainfall in Banff/Lake Louise is pretty low in September. Thunderstorms are much rarer in the Canadian Rockies than in the rest of Canada. I've lived in Banff for six years and there have only been thunderstorms three times in that period. That said, avoid high mountain-exposure in the event of a thu... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Is there a Canadian equivalent to Forestry Rangers At the federal level your best bet is either Parks Canada or the Canadian Forest Service, which is part of Natural Resources Canada, which also has tons of other relevant areas such as maps and map data. At the provincial level there is a whole gamut of environment, forestry and fishery departmen... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: How to dry Gore-Tex boots in the field The army solution is to have two pairs of boots so that one pair dries while the other is worn (yes, even in the field). Another solution is to use goretex socks so that it doesn't matter what state you boots are in. I find wool socks keep warmth even when wet, and don't chafe or cause blisters the ... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: What routes in the Canadian Rockies have minimum group sizes (and where can I find about those)? I can't speak for Jasper National Park, although you'll want to check out this page on warnings and closures regularly, but for Banff National Park the two areas that are commonly restricted to group access are Moraine Lake/Larch Valley/Sentinel Pass/Mt. Temple/Paradise Valley area (groups of 4 minim... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: When (if ever) do backcountry campsites in the major Canadian national parks in the Rocky Mountains grow quiet? I live in Banff National Park and go backcountry camping on a regular basis. Peak season for Banff, Kootenay, Jasper, Glacier, Yoho, and Revelstoke (and really, pretty much any Canadian National Park) are July and August. That said, it's also usually the best time to camp, as the weather is mild, t... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Group Trips: 1 Large cook group or smaller cook groups of 3 or 4? Cooking as a large group is bad for a variety of reasons: More work to coordinate roles, responsibilities. Limited cooking resources (stoves, pots, etc.) means waiting, frustration, idleness, or carrying more than one of everything. More likely to waste fuel. Waste of energy/misuse of downtime e.g.... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: In Canada, does a frontcountry campground kitchen shelter typically include a freezer? No, there won't be anything electrical. A front country kitchen will usually contain: a wood burning stove 2-4 picnic tables food storage lockers a bear proof trash container (nearby) Depending on the park there may be a woodpile next to the kitchen. Food storage lockers are also dependant on t... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |
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A: Hauling a pack during climbing Here's a detailed article on hauling called Hauling 101. Summary: Use a pulley Back up your pulley Use a safety line or tie yourself in independently Attach a 40 foot piece of static line (7 mm is a good diameter) permanently to the haul bag, to be used as a leash. This will help with lowering ... (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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A: What shoes to wear while climbing monolithic granite rocks? The category of shoe you are looking for is an approach shoe, the name comes from their use by mountain climbers as their shoe of preference for approaching a climbing pitch. They're lighter than hiking boots and are designed for trails and for scrambling. Approach shoes tend to have smoother soles... (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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A: Has anyone tried making their own make-shift Hydrapack? There was a TV show called SAS Survival Secrets a few years back and one of the guys carried a regular condom in his emergency pack and showed how he could use it as an emergency hydration pack/bottle. I think he was able to put about 2L of water in it. (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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A: Walking through a Thigh-high snow Three thoughts: If the snow is thigh-high, then you should be either using touring skis or snowshoes to "float" over the snow. You'll expend way less energy. Seriously, I can cover probably 10x-50x the distance (or more) with alpine touring gear or snowshoes in the same amount of time as someone w... (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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A: Where should a band be tied to stop bleeding from wound? For wounds with heavy bleeding or that are deep, the standard practice is to: Apply direct pressure to the wound. Elevate the injury to decrease blood flow. In short, if the flow of blood is high enough that it won't clot then you want to impede the bleeding by whatever means possible. As mentio... (more) |
— | almost 11 years ago |
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A: Minimal northwest mountain camping with emerg. bivvy and tarp? You'll want insulate yourself from the ground. If you're on mountain there's a good chance you're on rock, and while it keeps heat from the sun well, once it gets cold it stays cold, and you'll feel it. I recommend a foam pad for the best cost/weight ratio. (more) |
— | about 11 years ago |
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A: How to prepare for and survive wildfire? You touched on one thing: fires are often seasonal. Want to avoid fires in the Canadian Rockies? Come in the winter time. Want to risk smoke inhilation in the BC interior, come visit in August. Find out what the situation is in the area you are visiting, for the extent of your visit. Most parks hav... (more) |
— | about 11 years ago |
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A: How to find new poles for old tent? One trick is to get an aluminium tube the same size of the exiting one, about 3 inches long and slide it down over the split. A bit of glue or tape to hold it in place and you're good to go. (more) |
— | over 11 years ago |
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A: What collapsible or compact skis should I get for commuting? The only retail folding skis are from Mountain Approach, and they are touring skis with skins permanently attached, so are more of a snowshoe than a ski, and only really for going uphill in the back country (you fold them up when you summit and then snowboard down). As for short cross-country skis,... (more) |
— | over 11 years ago |
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A: How can I tell if a natural snow-bridge is safe to cross? If you have no choice but to cross a snow/ice bridge then normal practice is to be roped in with two other people and to use a snow probe. If a 3m probe passes through without resistance then it's not safe to cross. Normally the 3rd will self belay the leader and second, who start about 10 feet b... (more) |
— | over 11 years ago |
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A: Should I re-wax downhill skis after using skins? Having snow stick to the bottom of touring or telemark skis after removing skins is a common occurrence. You can mitigate it by bringing some glide wax with your or by using a liquid or spray. I keep a little a glide wax that looks like underarm deodorant in the bottom of my avy pack just for this p... (more) |
— | over 11 years ago |
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A: Winter Camping: How to warm up your boots in the morning? General tips to help you out: If your boots have felt liners, then remove the felt liners and keep them in your sleeping bag. It goes a long way to making things bearable in the morning, but I'd only recommend doing this if your liners are dry. Once you've set up camp, switch to hut slippers. This ... (more) |
— | over 11 years ago |
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A: Facility to test cold weather gear in London UK Could it be the Indoor Skiing Snow Centre near London? The temperature in The Snow Centre ranges from -2 to -6 degree Celsius (more) |
— | over 11 years ago |
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A: Experiences hiking with a baby: diapers I've got experience with this. The first trick is prevention: we would encourage our kid at any rest break to walk around bare-bottom and try to get them to go pee (there's tons of techniques, I'm a fan of making a hissing sound every time you go pee or take your kid to go pee, and having them re... (more) |
— | over 11 years ago |
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A: Are folding poles suitable for cross-country skiing? There aren't any x-country specific adjustable poles because there are no real benefits. The skis will always be longer than the poles. Unlike hiking or splitboarding, scenarios where you need to stow the poles but not the skis don't exist for x-country skiing. It adds weight in a sport where we... (more) |
— | over 11 years ago |
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A: How to minimize sea sickness? Dimenhydrinate (popularly known as Gravol in Canada and as Dramamine, Driminate, Gravamin, Vomex, and Vertirosan in the USA) is an over-the-counter drug used to prevent nausea and motion sickness that's considered highly effective. Anecdotally, I was constantly throwing up on boats in South East As... (more) |
— | almost 12 years ago |
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A: What are the key factors when choosing a sleeping bag for backpacking? I think you've covered all the factors except shape. The shape is either rectangular or tapered at the feet (aka mummy). Tapering means less weight and less space to heat with your body, but also a bit less freedom of movement. Rectangular sleeping bags can often be connected together, which is goo... (more) |
— | almost 12 years ago |
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A: Beginner Ski Touring - Avalanche Terrain In Banff you'll find Bow Summit is the go to beginner place. Parks has a great avalanche terrain map that shows you where to avoid, it's best to stay in the trees. Don't forget to check out the Parks Canada Avalanche Bulletin. Other good beginner spots include Boom Lake, which has a nice 3km tree s... (more) |
— | almost 12 years ago |
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A: Cheese and eggs on backpacking trips I've gone 3 days with eggs in the backcountry but I live in the Rockies where it stays cool in the shade and night. I've been told if you keep a few eggs in a tin of flour that they'll keep for a week. (more) |
— | almost 12 years ago |
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A: Snowshoes for hilly terrain Elevation bars are great, but more important are the grips/spikes on the bottom, not just for icy snow, but for fallen wood/exposed roots which are especially slippery in the winter. That traction makes all the difference. Ideally the grips run parallel to the length of the snowshoe, usually to the ... (more) |
— | almost 12 years ago |
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A: What is the benefit to telemark skiing? The main (and classical) advantage of telemark skiing is not when you're going downhill, but when you want to travel on skis. Telemark skiing goes back to the days before chairlifts, when the ski was a flotation device used for ascending as well as descending. The free heel (and a set of skins or sca... (more) |
— | almost 12 years ago |
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A: Are Ice grips worth buying? I've been using Petzl Spiky Plus for four seasons. I like that they are mostly soft rubber and can easily be put in a small backpack pocket. They only have six microspikes per foot but they grip really well. Sadly two of the spikes came off when a friend borrowed them, I never did find out why but ... (more) |
— | almost 12 years ago |
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A: Is it safe to use a motorcycle helmet instead of a skiing helmet for skiing? Motorcycle helmets should not be used as a replacement for a ski helmet: Most motorcycle helmets weight between 1,000 and 2,000 grams, while ski helmets weigh between 330 and 600 grams. You are expected to fall repeatedly with ski helmets (on the order of up to several times a day), so it needs to... (more) |
— | almost 12 years ago |
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A: Are there significant behaviour differences among bear species to adopt different safety rules? From Trip Savvy Bear Safety Tips: If a Grizzly Bear Attacks… Play dead! Lie face down on the ground with your hands around the back of your neck. Stay silent and try not to move. Keep your legs spread apart and if you can, leave your pack on to protect your back. Once the... (more) |
— | almost 12 years ago |
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A: What shoes keep me warm in the cold? My criteria for winter shoes/boots are pretty simple: 3/4 or higher cuff to reduce the chance of snow getting in Goretex to keep water out A Vibram sole to keep traction on ice A thicker sole than usual to avoid the cold ground When I try the shoes on at the store I wear thick wool socks (if you... (more) |
— | almost 12 years ago |
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A: Should I worry about moisture in my inflatable sleeping pad? My understanding that the only time inflating a pad by breath is bad is when it will be used in sub-zero conditions, as the moisture can freeze inside the mattress. (more) |
— | about 12 years ago |
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A: Forecasting the weather in the wilderness If you see "horse tail" clouds (long and wispy) or mackerel/fish scale clouds high up you can expect rain in the next 36 hours. See 'em both at the same time and it'll rain tomorrow for sure. Cloud towers (cumulus): a good chance of rain later on in the day. Mammatus (those big bumps on the bottom o... (more) |
— | about 12 years ago |
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A: Is there a portable / comfortable pillow suitable for camping / backpacking? I use a down sweater in a stuff sack. It means one less thing to carry, and the down has more loft/comfort than using clothing in a stuff sack. A lot of sleeping bag liner carriers also work as pillow cases by having fleece on one side. (more) |
— | over 12 years ago |
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A: Wax paper as a fire starter I use alcohol based napkins (aka wet-naps/handy-wipes). They are individually packaged, light in a cinch, come free with a lot of fast food (fried chicken, ribs, etc.) and the packaging is usually pretty robust a protecting the contents from being compromised. I also use them for cleaning my hands,... (more) |
— | over 12 years ago |
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A: Big group/basecamp tent Go for a tent without a floor. High traffic causes wear and tear and you're likely not going to expect people to take off their shoes as they come and go, spillage becomes less of a problem, and putting down chairs and tables doesn't risk tearing the floor either. (more) |
— | over 12 years ago |
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A: Practicality of Beards After a month my beard got long enough that it started catching liquid in it the same way a rag might, so as much as I thought I'd escape the mundane task of grooming, I still have to trim my upper lip, usually on a weekly basis. (more) |
— | over 12 years ago |