Activity for Michel Keijzers‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Answer	—	A: Long distance hikes with small children I see a lot of ideas already. Whenever a kid gets bored (or better: before that time), make sure it gets distracted. For kids a long walk without much 'change' is maybe boring. So you can try: Singing songs together (don't make other hikers annoyed) Find games to do … this can be simple o... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: The best solution for carrying a D-SLR when hiking There are camera bags looking like the picture below. This one is quite big, there are also smaller ones. The benefits are: It has lots of small compartments, so you can put your lenses and accessories sorted Or you can add non camera related items within the same bag. It has multiple openings, so... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I keep my iPhone going on a multiday hike? Most items have been mentioned (and I will not repeat them), but some obvious I didn't see are: Turn off Bluetooth Turn off WIFI Already mentioned was making the screen brightness lower. A screen is using up a lot of power. Related are: Don't look more than needed on the display. I assume you can... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: Other than good shoes and a stick, what are some ways to preserve your knees on long hikes? For running, I had knee problems when I 'landed' on my heel after every step. This forces the shock going directly into your knee. I 'fixed' this force by landing every step on my mid foot. I can imagine for walking when you want to roll your foot as much as possible it is hard, but you can try to... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: Knife as defense against stray dogs A knife is probably better than nothing, as most have said, a stick might work better. In case you don't have anything (I can imagine you don't want to walk continuously with a stick and you could unexpectedly face a dog). Whenever you get caught by a dog and he is near, two good things to do are: ... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: Where can I find public water tap for cleaning/bathing in the Netherlands? About water, I cannot say that much. As long as the water is flowing, mostly it is good, however if there are agriculture lands around the river (which is very often the case), it might be filled with pesticides or other chemicals making you sick. Except for bars etc, I'm sure most people want to gi... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: Do tent colors have functional purposes? Most things have already said, the only item I couldn't find is that if there is a multi-color pattern on it, it might be slightly easier to set up the tent (especially when each side has its own color); this mainly applies when the tent is big. Also, a lighter tent is easier to setup in the dark if... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to clean trail running shoes? Most things have been said. Anyway, after cleaning, it's not a good idea to put them under or near the central heating. Although it's not bad for a shoe to wear them while wet, it can cause blisters. This means I only clean them when it's really needed and the easiest is: Take out the soles If t... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to begin trail / fell running? Besides the good answers above, think about your breathing technique and step length. First, adjust your breathing, when running uphill short distances you can increase your breathing speed (e.g. once per 2 steps instead of 3 or 4). Don't do this for too much distance. If the distance going uphill i... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: Running shoes for asphalt + winter conditions? Except for the type of shoes, I wouldn't use shoes with a thin sole, because when the road is covered with snow it's very easy to miss some dirt or other small objects where you place your shoes on. I even would say, it is better to run slightly more on your mid-foot and not heel, to prevent twisti... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it poor etiquette to ask fellow backpackers where they have been/where they are going? If you pass someone that is going in the direction where you are going, and you want to know some information about the area you are going to, than you also include it in your question, something like: Excuse me, my plan is going to go to place X, do you know if it is flooded? Than the other knows... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do I make people not be afraid of me and my dogs? Most of the times the hikers might be more afraid of the owners having big dogs than the dogs themselves. So (if you at least want this), make yourself and/or the dogs as least aggressive looking as possible. Maybe by putting some funny accessory on the dogs, or the leash, or on yourself. If you lo... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do you take field notes at below 0 °C, without freezing fingers? When usin pen and paper, you have to move/bend your fingers; only thick isolation helps, but makes writing difficult. The problem with a phone is that the touch screen only works with fingers or some specific (mostly thin) gloves. As you tried, audio recordings doesn't work neither. However, in th... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: When hiking, why is the right of way given to people going up? Also as someone said above, when going down the vision is better than for people goin down. In addition, if a bigger group has to pass another bigger group, the group going down can much more easy anticipate on having to pass the other group and find a suitable spot to stop. This is much harder to s... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: What's wrong with swimming out far? Another reason which I think is not mentioned before is something runners or other long duration sports people experience which is called the 'man with the hammer'. If you would swim for multiple hours (even with some short rests), the body is using its energy reserve. When that is finished, the fat... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: Should I run if I see wild dogs? Most things already have been said above. What I can add is that if you find a tree, a dog can stay there for very long time. A (domestic) dog we had once sat an entire day under a tree because of a cat. I'm sure in a real situation you're not going to search for a 'comfortable' tree, but the most... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it warmer to sleep naked in a sleeping bag? I did several (short) winter hikes below zero degrees Celcius (freezing point) while having only a plastic cover and sleeping bag. I always took of my clothes, especially jacket (since it was slightly wet due to snow), and put ALL clothes inside the sleeping bag but not wearing it. Because of your ... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is the most efficient food to take a for a 12-15 day hiking trip? As a runner, it is very common to eat 'heavy' food the days before doing a marathon for example. Typically is pasta food but I'm sure rice will do too (it has been mentioned also above). The benefits of pasta are Cheap Reasonably compact (if you take spaghetti there are less empty spaces, altho... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: Clothing for cold weather hiking The key for cold weather clothing is layers ...some tips (some from experience, some from reading/hearing from others): Use layers, especially on your top body Wear something on your head (you lose a lot of warmth through your head) (moved up by comment of bob) Your body (chest/back) is most import... (more)	—	about 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: Sleeping solo in a double sleeping bag The parameters of your girlfriend would matter depending on the ratio of 'space' occupying, but let's ignore that for now. I would put a cord or something around it to minimize the space; air needs to be warmed up too. You should try to tie it in such a way, that you have on one side a 'triple' lay... (more)	—	over 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to win against ants The best way is to reduce (actually to remove) any kind of attractions they like: food and water. If they cannot find anything useful, than they will stop releasing scents that attracted other ants. This means, you have to make sure there is no (open) water or drinks nearby, no sugar in any way, and... (more)	—	over 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: Boots or trail runners with reference to blisters? I also have feet which are blister sensitive, but I'm not overweight. In principle, everything that 'dampens' your steps, avoids blisters, but cost energy. So it's a tradeoff. This includes for example thick/extra socks, soles. My experiences with hiking and walking events: About shoes: Not too ... (more)	—	over 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: How should a backpack be carried to keep from injuring the spine? Some things I learnt from books, occasionally an instructor and from others: Pack heavy things close to your body. So do not put heavy things in the outside pocket at the back of your main backpack space. There you can pack your lightest items (walking sticks, for example). Pack heavy things on the... (more)	—	over 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: Knee injuries prevention using knee protectors Actually, I would use knee protectors only when needed. It could be used to prevent it, but mainly if you suspect you might get an injury. Instead I would focus on preventing by using a better technique for going up or down a slope, like: Making small steps Not going straight up and down, but zig-... (more)	—	over 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: How much time/distance on average does it take take to break in hiking boots? It depends. For the boots I had, and military/long walking events experience: Tougher boots take longer to break in, simply because the material is less flexible and takes time to 'form' around your feet (if they do it at all, hence some plastic kind of snow boats). Depending on the person, some pe... (more)	—	over 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: How stiff of a sole should I look for in hiking boots? Long time ago I used walking boots and had to use crampons (lend by the mountain travel organization). My shoes where not from the highest category, and during one occasion, a clampon slipped off. So when you expect to need clampons use very stiff boots. Also, think about: A stiff sole makes that... (more)	—	over 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: What foods should I avoid when backpacking? It depends on the kind of hike. But some of my 50 cents: If you don't want to take tools to cook, use food that comes self-supportive. If you don't have water, don't eat food that needs a lot of water (or dehydrating) If space is important, use freeze-dried food. If space is important, don't use fo... (more)	—	about 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: Light-weight emergency overnight-gear I used to sleep some times in the Belgium Ardennes which have a very mild climate. For size, weight and especially cost reasons I used agricultural black plastic (don't know the official English term). I used it like a tent replacement; I had a simple sleeping bag but in case of emergency it can be u... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I report an emergency via SMS text message? Instead of sending a text message to a single person, you might think of using a group SMS to increase the chance for having a friend forwarding the call to 911. Or use whatsapp in a group, in that case you see it will be send (and possibly received). (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I conserve water over long treks? Maybe not a real way to get water inside your body, but what helps with me is chew on chewing gum. It distracts from the feeling I'm thirsty or drinking too much water without really needing it. Also chewing gum is very light to take with you. Of course the gum is not a substitute for water which is ... (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are the dangers of swimming in natural waters? I also would like to add: plants or sea 'wire' (hope that this is English). They tend to grow along the river banks and if your feet get strangled into it, it might be difficult to get your feet out of it, especially when the river flows. (more)	—	over 11 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to maximise the chances of survival when stranded in open sea? I always learned swimming on your back does not cost much energy. Your hands which are mostly tired first do nothing while swimming this way and your legs do the work. Also you don't sink when you barely swim this way. (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why go without socks with climbing shoes? Every layer between your feet and the ground (or hill or whatever you are climbing) adds some distance resulting in: - less balance - less 'feel' with the type of material you are climbing - you feel ditches/gaps/small stones better (depends on how thick your shoes are) Also you might be able to hav... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: What should I do if I break a shoelace in the wilderness? First, I always have at least one shoe lace in my first aid kit (I know, not the most usual place, but I never forget it and it only needs a very small space). Also some piece of washing line (e.g. for drying clothes) can be used. If you don't have one of those and the shoe lace has broken on multi... (more)	—	over 12 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do I identify dangerous, marshy land? Some additions to the answer above: Try to walk near bigger trees (no marshland there) Avoid water Use a walking stick or just a stick of wood (you can even use it in case you would have to cross something or help with going up/down or just as help with walking). (more)	—	over 12 years ago