Activity for RichardAtHome‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Answer	—	A: Will gelled fuel work in a cat can stove? If it's an open top cat stove (or any open top container) you can use gel. If it's a trangia style stove with tiny vents - no. Well, yes you can - the gel will still burn out of the trangia fill hole but it will clog up the vents. (more)	—	almost 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Does whiskey help keep you warm in winter? This was tested and “busted” on MythBusters: Turns out, just one alcoholic drink could make you feel warmer, but it actually lowers your core body temperature. How does alcohol employ this rule of opposites? Alcohol may make your skin feel warm, but this apparent heat wav... (more)	—	almost 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Are 35mm film canisters safe for holding spices? I'd be wary of the top popping off in your pack. I prefer to use screw top plastic bottles for this kind of thing. (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What proven alternatives are there to DEET? The British Army stationed in Scotland use Avon Skin So Soft (I kid you not!) against midges. The locals swear by it too. (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Does Moss only grow on the North side of trees? Moss prefers damp locations irrespective of facing. You need to cut out a few variables before you can use moss as a pretty reliable method to determine North: Ignore moss on the ground. The ground is usually damp due to water evaporating. Ignore moss that's growing on an incline. An incline slows... (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Are fires in natural caves/overhangs safe? The only time I lit a fire in a cave we had to evacuate due to smoke and a billion spiders dropping from the ceiling. This isn't a 'danger' for me in the UK - we do not have deadly spiders. Elsewhere this might be a significant danger. Much better to light it just outside :-) Use a reflector fire ... (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do you fashion a spear with a fixed blade Personally I wouldn't! You run the risk of losing/breaking your blade. Better to use the blade to sharpen a stick and fire harden the tip (till it goes brown, not black) it or attach something you don't mind loosing like a flint napped blade. (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Soft or hard drinking bottle? One benefit to a soft bottle over a hard bottle is: You can compress a soft bottle as you drink from it to reduce the sloshing of water in the bottle as you walk. (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Cooking over a fire A really simple, but effective fire is the 'Hunters Fire'. Basically you make a 'V' shape with two logs with the point in the same direction as the prevailing wind. The V shape allows you to support pots of varying diameter down the length of the fire. Light the fire in the middle. Sit a pot at ... (more)	—	about 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it safe to use water purification tablets after their expiration date? If you let them expire they may still work but they will probably be less effective. Considering how cheap they are and how long they last I replace mine before they expire. Getting sick sucks (and can be possibly fatal) from water born parasites. Don't take the risk. Do you wait for your car's bra... (more)	—	over 12 years ago