Posts by Tom Collins
Caves breathe. As the outside pressure increases or decreases the air inside a cave has to equalize. The most common cause is a pressure change is when the the outside temp changes due to the sun ...
You don't mention budget, but a couple things I really like when car camping are: Beautyrest air mattress (about $100). Can be very firm if you like that, and the edges don't collapse like most a...
If it's honeydew, then soap & water should do the trick. Do not use harsh soap. An alternative method is to use a gritty, oily mixture to rub it out. I'm thinking maybe baking soda & veg...
These two you mentioned are very important. Expected departure and return Date & time to consider overdue Just saying what time you're expected back isn't enough. If I'm going in an area th...
I wanted to add some points to the discussion, as well as list another product. First, as noted, 100% DEET is overkill. Once you go over 35%, it doesn't get better. Second, DEET is not good for y...
Forget the DEET. That's for mosquitoes, and it's not a repellent, but rather it interferes with their sense of smell so since they can't smell you (food) they don't bother you. It's also toxic. Ci...
I use this for my outdoor activities in general, and not just mountaineering. Not sure who said it first, the quote is attributed to many. "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention...
More suggestions. Btw @Kate, I loved your list. During the day. Day hikes River / lake swimming Just exploring Practice survival skills At night. Word games book reading Theological / poli...
I haven't tried @Vorac answer, but it sounds interesting. I'm not going to say if popping a blister is correct or not. But, if you do, this is how I was taught to pop a blister: Get a needle (ste...
As an experienced caver, I can say @studiohack & @manoftheson both good advice. Here's some additional pointers, in no particular order. Some of this is copied from my comments, but new info as...
You can make your own easy enough. Just print onto a clear transparency (used primarily in overhead projectors). Tape that onto some clear plastic (can purchase at Home Depot and maybe art store).
You asked about equipment & training. What you didn't ask, but may be useful is where to hike and who to hike with. There are hiking & outdoor clubs all over the place. Most of them will ac...
As @wedapashi already stated, permethrin is a very good choice. And even though it's an insecticide, I find it works well as a repellent also. I treat all my clothing (even socks and underwear) and...
This is an answer I read somewhere else, but haven't tried it myself yet. Take this answer for what it's worth. It was stated that cat litter crystals do a good job of absorbing moisture. They a...
As for different animals, or yourself, marking their territory, I think the only time that makes a difference is when the two animals are in competition with each other. A bear or mountain lion wil...
Sorry, don't have any references handy. But from what I've read (including ranger stories), cougar attacks on humans are very rare. And from what was described as stalking, is just plain watching. ...
Most small tents these days are pretty easy to set up, but you will have to do a little more than just "throw it at the ground". :-) In the US, we have a retail chain called Walmart that sells p...
Here's what I've done for group camping (both car & canoe camping). Communal food & cooking. It's just easier. Cooking equipment. You bring what you need depending on what food you buy,...
There are many, many state, national, & BLM parks, reserves, forests, wilderness areas, recreation areas, refuges, & conservation areas with a 3 hour drive. I don't know which ones allow wi...
I like a few features on my snorkels. A purge valve on the bottom near the mouthpiece. This allows for much easier purging since you don't have to push the water all the up the snorkel. A splas...
Customs may complain, but not likely. I'd make sure to pack it with your climbing gear, along with the chalk packaging. If customs suspect drugs, a simple test will confirm it for them. However...
The answer has already been picked, but I want to throw in my 2 cents as well. While I'm not against plastic, the sample you show turns me off. Looks too urban. If they make one that looks more na...
All 4 major carriers have either implemented or are implementing text-to-911 service. U.S. mobile providers commit to emergency texting service In the event that this doesn't work, you can always ...
If you want to do this as a hobby, there's lots of places you can go. The American, Yuba, & Klammath rivers have the most gold. A lot of the parks have something in place to allow to do a littl...
My personal experience is that I do not hike/backpack with out trekking poles. I find them very useful on inclines, declines, and even flat terrain. I long ago lost count in the number of times the...
