Posts by Martin F
Let's address what you refer to as "Grid declination". Unfortunately, there are two competing definitions: First, the definition you are conforming to, is that it is the angle from grid north to m...
Tandem kayaks are extremely common. That said, some degree of qualification is needed. Unlike "solo" and "tandem" canoeing, the terms "single" and "double" are used. (They can be abbreviated to S ...
As you can see from an answer to your other question, you cannot determine your global coordinates via a magnetic compass. Navigation, however, where you wish to use a compass to help you travel fr...
What are the different names for camping stove alcohol and where can I get such a fuel? Note, this is not about white gas (aka "Coleman" fuel).
The folks at Smartwool explain why you should not use fabric softener on Merino wool: Machine-wash on gentle cycle in warm or cool water (avoid hot water as heat may shrink wool). Use mild soa...
A strap running through a buckle is typically easy to loosen and tighten as desired. Usually, it stays in place. Sometimes, however, it slowly (or quickly) works its way loose, as though the thickn...
Something not widely understood yet of critical importance is the cold water shock phenomenon. Cold-water shock is the first stage of the sudden and unexpected immersion in water which temperat...
You mention hiking boots but you show what are more like mountaineering boots. The difference between the two types of boot have implications regarding their use for certain types of climbing: Hiki...
There are detailed instructions at gizmodo.com/how-to-make-your-own-tent-footprint. The example used is even a Big Agnes (but one with an isosceles trapezoid rather than your simple rectangle). Es...
I reuse "single-use" plastic bottles many, many times. Generally, they do not break. The big advantage of many outdoor-use plastic bottles, however, is that the lid remains tethered to the bottle....
It will depend on whereabouts along the Thames you live but there are many canoe and kayak clubs and water-based outdoor recreation centres around. It is possible to get into it without any trainin...
You did not say whether you were going downhill skiing or cross-country. The difference is significant: When downhill skiing you are being carried uphill each time between runs and so are not gene...
The problem you describe is known in surveying as three point resection – essentially you need to observe angles, from an unknown point, between three points whose coordinates are known. Ideally,...
There are some very crude outdoor compasses which tell us the direction of true north (and assume we can estimate angles from north). The following also assume we're in the northern hemisphere. A ...
Another reason for extending a snow saw handle is for preparing a snow stability test, for avalanche awareness. There are various such tests and most initially require digging a trench then isolati...
What is a "top cap" on a climber's haul bag and how does it work? In Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills (and also at neilhopkins.us/mountaineering-guide-2/aid-climbing-equipment) is A to...
They constitute a sine table for (0 - 45) degrees. Trigonometry: rise = slope distance * sine (inclination angle) Example: You observe a slope length of 50m, and an elevation angle of 10°. The...
They are said to be little patches that simply stick onto clothing, lasting for 12 hours. They are made from "natural ingredients" and DEET-free so I have my doubts. How well do they work?
There are three different ways of describing elevation gain/change for hikes. The least useful – and sadly a very common – method is simply to subtract the starting elevation from the ending elev...
A thin, heat-reflective sheet (aka “space” blanket) is a popular outdoors emergency item, having a number of uses. See adventure.howstuffworks.com/survival/gear/space-blanket and gotimegear.com/blo...
A great starting point would be to undergo an intensive program in outdoor skills and leadership. In Canada there is COLT -- Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training. COLT is 100 days long and covers ...
The simple answer is to first draw the declination diagram (or at least picture it in your minds eye). Following is an edit of my answer over at GIS.SE: https://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/617...
The ground sheet should not be necessary -- the bivi bag should protect you from a wet, dirty ground -- but you will need a sleeping pad under you for insulation from a cold ground. Having a duvet ...
Yes, snowshoes can be very useful when mountaineering. The ideal conditions for their use are lots of snow and fairly gentle slopes. The deeper the snow, the greater the advantage snowshoes have ov...
A combination of nylon webbing (i.e., a strap) and a plastic buckle that's both quick to cinch tight or to loosen. They're usually called Accessory Straps or Compression Straps. The strap comes in ...
