Activity for manoftheson‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Edit	Post #41869	Initial revision	—	about 4 years ago
Edit	Post #40508	Initial revision	—	about 4 years ago
Edit	Post #40503	Initial revision	—	about 4 years ago
Question	—	Tips for using a "wag bag" to pack out human waste I've been an avid lover of the outdoors for all of my life, camping in quite varied terrain, but so far in all these locations I've been able to use the usual LNT cat-hole methods to take care of human waste. This year however I'm planning to make several trips where I'll need to use a "wag bag" to p... (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Question	—	How to stop rain from entering at the cuffs of my rain jacket? So this is one of those things that I've grown so accustomed to that I've not really put any effort or thought into looking for a solution. I've just "dealt with it" to the point of ignoring it for so long now. Almost all rain jackets provide an adjustable cuff via velcro or other means to cinch up ... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Question	—	Easily accessible, short hikes in New Mexico? I'm getting ready to make a pretty big move west and I'll basically be driving across the whole US. One state I'll pass through is New Mexico, and I'm looking at heading through the mountains there. What are some hikes I could potentially do while driving through the state? Here are some criteria: ... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Red River Gorge Summer Red River Gorge is one of my favorite places I've climbed and I've only been in the summer months. Yes it is more humid, but it's not unbearable, though I'm from the Southeast so I'm a bit used to that. I found that I still enjoyed the climbing enough that I don't remember being bothered by the weath... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is the most effective way to keep warm in a Hammock in below freezing weather? There a few possible remedies to your cold sleeping woes. You already have most of the appropriate equipment so these are some of my suggestions: For general coolness, first I'd recommend some type of vapor barrier/shield on the outside of your underquilt to block the air movement in your insulation... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Washing clothes on long hikes Find a spot at least 200 ft away from water sources, camp, and trails. (Per LNT guidelines) Place soiled items in a gallon zip-loc bag with water and small amount of concentrated, biodegradable camp soap (I use Dr. Bronner's). Burp all air from the bag. Agitate the mixture until desired laundering i... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Question	—	How much does it cost to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail? It's been a dream of mine to thru-hike the AT ever since I first discovered it. I'm hoping to plan a trip one of these days, but honestly don't even know where to start as far cost. I imagine it could vary quite a bit, depending on what kind of equipment you use, what type of food, how often you stay... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Which knot for climbing: figure eight, yosemite bowline, bowline on a bight? The three knots you listed are all quite suitable for tying in to a sit harness for rock climbing. The figure eight is the most widely used and most readily and easily inspected, and is not a bad choice for tying in: ...When tying into the rope there’s a reason the figure eight knot has b... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Question	—	What's the most remote place in the contiguous US? The United States is a very developed place. Sometimes this can prove to be challenging when trying to find a place to get away from everything, especially east of the Mississippi where I reside. I am pretty sure the answer is likely somewhere western (Montana maybe), but what is the most remote plac... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Toproping with two ropes joined by a double fisherman's This is why I would not do what that group was doing. It would be safer to just lead this route and/or do a top-belay if possible. Let's look at this simply from a safety standpoint, and more specifically rope stretch. A 200 foot single pitch top-rope climb means 400 feet of rope from top to bottom... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Lowering off from anchors vs. rappelling after a climb? This applies to most sport situations, but there will by some exceptions. This assumes you have draws or other proper gear at the anchors that are not part of the fixed anchors. Just led the route: Lower Following but not last: Lower Following, cleaning all pro but anchors: Lower Last and cleanin... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Question	—	Tips and tricks for backpacking with a guitar There are numerous compact and travel guitars that exist, some of which are designed specifically for outdoor pursuits like backpacking. This is one I've been considering. Being a musician, music is one of the things I miss most while in the wilderness, and I'm hoping to remedy that soon with a gui... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Question	—	Groups: What are proper occasions for a large, shared hole for waste? So of course the common standard for proper burying of solid human waste is burial in a cat-hole, and generally this means one hole per instance per person. This is what I practice and teach on personal and group trips, per LNT guidelines. But in what instance is using one large, group hole (latrin... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Question	—	Are Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel truly toxic to burn in a campfire? For a very long time now, I've believed and taught that burning Rhododendron or Mountain Laurel in a campfire will make you sick because of the toxins in these plants becoming airborne then inhaled around the fire. Many people I know that I trust also believe the same thing, but is this really true? ... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Question	—	How durable is cuben fiber in real, practical use? For years I've seen high-tech cuben fiber gear and drooled over how incredibly lightweight it is, and longed to buy or make some of my own equipment with it. (Then upon seeing the price tag, well, my mouth then closes.) It's made of Dyneema so it's theoretically quite a strong fabric for outdoor gear... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Question	—	What are some effective ways to deal with sand when camping on or near the beach? I've done plenty of camping in my life, especially since it's part of my job, but one area where I've been particularly challenged is camping where sand is involved. It just gets everywhere and into everything and can become quite miserable quickly if not managed well. It almost seems impossible to k... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Applications of a slip knot in climbing? Slippery versions of knots/hitches are very useful in many applications, but have limited use in climbing. But there is one application for which I often use a slippery overhand knot. In Sport climbing When I'm cleaning a sport route and need to rappel, I'll tie a slip knot in the rope (before I un... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to dry Gore-Tex boots in the field Without having to carry any extra items and thus extra weight, this is what you can do to dry your boots, Gore-tex or otherwise, in the field, in above-freezing temperatures: Prevention: Make every effort to keep your feet dry in the first place. Sometimes it's just inevitable though. Absorb exces... (more)	—	almost 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to get started on canyoning? Quite simply, find someone else who is doing this and has been doing it for a quite a while and is willing to teach you. This sport is quite technical, and you can't do it (safely) alone anyway. One possible way is to find a company that guides canyoneering trips and get a seasonal job with them whe... (more)	—	about 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: What should I do for a dislocated shoulder? First do a proper assessment and determine that it's actually a dislocation and not another problem or that there isn't also another injury in addition to the dislocation. This requires the proper training which is beyond the scope of this medium. This is not a substitute for proper training. So you... (more)	—	about 10 years ago
Question	—	Group Trips: 1 Large cook group or smaller cook groups of 3 or 4? On trips I lead, we always split up into smaller cook groups, yet I did have one occasion a long time ago where we cooked as one large cook group. Long enough that I don't remember if it worked well or not. (I don't think that it did, but we also could have done something wrong.) On extended trips i... (more)	—	about 10 years ago
Question	—	Trekking poles: what are the pros and cons of Anti-shock vs standard designs? This is not a shopping question just to preface that issue. I'm not looking for a specific brand or model of trekking pole. Also to add some background information, I have borrowed trekking poles once, but do not own any. They are a rather new thing for me to consider as I've been a bit stubbornly (a... (more)	—	about 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: What material is the wick under the burner on a multi-fuel stove? As seen in the photos of the repair kits below, the wick is the fabric-like material which is made of fiberglass. It doesn't burn but does eventually degrade when exposed to the high heat of a stove. A simple replacement wick could potentially be fashioned out of nearly any fiberglass insulation suc... (more)	—	about 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: Can I upgrade my MSR Wisperlite International to also be able to burn propane? This question honestly could be too localized on these specific products. However, considering the ubiquity of these stoves I find it is probably quite useful information to know if they could have interchangeable parts. MSR's Whisperlite International & Universal stoves are very similar product... (more)	—	about 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: What precautions are needed for caving? This began as a comment but quickly began to grow, so I suppose now it's my supplementary answer to studiohack's great answer. Personal Experience - If you haven't been to any caves at all, explore a much smaller, easier one first before setting out to do a rappel-entry cave. This allows you to get... (more)	—	about 10 years ago
Question	—	Could smoking pipe tobacco or a cigar attract bears and/or other wildlife? Bears and other wildlife are attracted to unusual scents, especially anything that could potentially be mistaken as food, such as often-sweet-smelling, aromatic pipe tobacco or cigars. However, you're essentially just burning the material and just creating smoke. And animals general aren't attracted ... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: Can body-to-body rewarming be used as a last resort treatment of hypothermia? First, this answer is not a substitute for proper training. I recommend taking a class in Wilderness First Aid or higher to be better prepared for things like treating hypothermic people. Second, hypothermia is a term that tends to have different connotations with different people. Sometimes what pe... (more)	—	about 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: What to do with old hydration bladders? I would try these options below in order, if you haven't already done so. Repair Contact the manufacturer or a retailer that sells that brand. There is a good chance they might fix them under warranty. I've had many good experiences with getting older equipment that you think might not be covered t... (more)	—	about 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is there special etiquette for hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) during AT Season In peak season (late spring/summer) most trail etiquette on the AT relates to thru-hikers, but not all of it, and generally is about the same on the whole trail. Thru-hikers are of course those who are continuously hiking the entirety of the Appalachian Trail, north or southbound. This information is... (more)	—	about 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Things to keep away from climbing ropes The following references from a few major rope manufacturers cover rope care thoroughly. Please see the bottom of this answer for a summary. From Bluewater Ropes: Avoid stepping on your rope. Beside the potential of cutting, stepping on a rope will grind dirt into the core and increase the possi... (more)	—	about 11 years ago
Question	—	Advantages to hammock camping on multi-night trips This question asks what the downsides are to hammock camping, but doesn't really address the reasons why you would want to sleep in a hammock to camp. Let's say I'm backpacker new to the idea of sleeping in a hammock. What are the advantages of a hammock or reasons to choose it over the traditional ... (more)	—	about 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Safe way to mark a carabiner gate? The method by which carabiners in any color are coated (either gate or body) is anodizing, which is going to be nearly impossible to sufficiently replicate with anything practical and cost-effective at home. With anodizing, the coating essentially becomes part of the aluminum itself. So anything you ... (more)	—	about 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Sleeping in twos in one hammock There is another post in which my answer deals with this question among other things. I have not yet met anyone that has tried to sleep with two people in a hammock that still practices it. I have tried it, and while it's ok for a short nap or just relaxing, for overnight and/or multiple nights it's... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Fixing a Jetboil igniter Remove the igniter from the stove. Take a fine file or sandpaper and make sure there is only clean metal on the electrode tip. Often times these get corroded and dirty. Use a Scotch-Brite pad or steel wool to clean the burner itself so that it also exposes clean metal. DO NOT use sandpaper on the ... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Do bear-safe rules still apply in the winter? Some reasons for leeway: Regulations allow for it. Each park and wilderness area have their own rules and regulations. Some may allow for relaxed practices during known hibernation periods of their local bear population, though some may not. This is simply something that will require personal resea... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Question	—	What are some good gluten-free foods for backpacking? I have quite unfortunately found out several months ago that I'm gluten sensitive. Nearly all my meals I've planned and eaten on the trail have included wheat, and thus gluten, in some fashion. I'm still learning how to eat satisfyingly gluten-free at home, and on the trail this has proven to be even... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I locate the leak in a inflatable pad Sometimes you don't have a place to submerge your pad to find leaks, or it's just too cumbersome to do so. Here is a method for leak-finding that can be done at home or in the field: (Note the location: in a crease that is repeatedly stressed, being by the valve. Also note the difference between bu... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Difference between a Fingerboard and a Hangboard A fingerboard, hangboard, and training board all refer to the same thing: a device used to train for climbing that mounts on a wall or other vertical surface to improve strength and endurance. What is a Fingerboard? A fingerboard is made from either wood or resin, and can be as small or as... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Question	—	Methods for taping hands, wrists, and fingers for climbing? I've been climbing off and on since I was a teenager, but one thing I've never done much of is taping my hands. As I gained more experience, it's value is now apparent. What are some good techniques for taping fingers, hands, and wrists for different types of climbing, and how does each tape job ac... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are the downsides to sleeping in a hammock on a multi-day hike? I've been a hammock backpacker for about three and a half years now. I love it. There's not a better way to backpack in the summer in my opinion. But despite numerous advantages to hammocking, there are some downsides (tradeoffs): The biggest potential downside, as others have mentioned, is heat ... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: What makes nylon an effective material for hiking pants? Nylon, among other synthetics, is an ideal material for clothing for most outdoor pursuits for several reasons. I will use the example of cotton as the traditional fabric for comparison: Durability: Nylon itself can come in several varieties, some of which are more durable than others due to differ... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is there a large difference in WFA (Wilderness First Aid) programs? The organization I work with has used NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute for training in Wilderness First Aid for several years until this past one when we switched to American Red Cross's Wilderness & Remote First Aid course. We have our own staff that are now ARC instructors is the reason for t... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: What kind of Tyvek is suitable for footprint material From what I've discovered there are really two main types of Tyvek: hard-structure and soft-structure. The numbers you refer to are variations in applications of the two types. Hard-structure, type 10, is most commonly recognizable in the housewrap application and is suitable for a ground cloth. It i... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Preferred way to wrap someone with Hypothermia? I would like to add to berry120's answer with my own. I thought of suggesting this as an edit but thought adding an answer was more appropriate. What he said is correct, however I think it is important to mention a few things. If you are treating someone in this fashion, they most likely have sever... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: What can I use to label my medicine tubes? I've personally found paint pens to work quite well. You can find them at Wal-Mart in the craft section and most likely any craft store. They are the brand "Painters" made by Elmer's. I use the ones with fine tips for labeling, which is slightly more defined than a Sharpie. They also come in a varie... (more)	—	over 11 years ago