Activity for Chris H‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Answer	—	A: Is a hole in a cold place warmer? The ground is a good insulator though it takes time to warm the soil closest to the heat source. A lot of heat will be lost from the top, but I assume there's a ground-level floor at the top of this room. If it's quite full of people, it will warm up fairly quickly, and stay that way. Any plausible s... (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: What are some good foods for recovering from calorie debt? Even if it's only for a day or so, you'll need to rebuild your glycogen stores (though many light packable foods are starchy and will top these up quite nicely). That requires carbohydrates, including simple sugars (and not just one type as there are different receptors). Fat stores will also need ... (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Would a lightweight 2-person tent or medium weight 3-person tent be better for near freezing weather? Approaching this from a slightly different direction, and assuming you're on your own or with one other person and therefore fit in either: Once you're in your sleeping bag you'll be almost immediately warm enough (if your sleeping bag and mat are sufficient). The times you get cold are getting chan... (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Activities on a long voyage to avoid boredom? One obvious activity that will appeal to many (but not all) outdoors people is watching the local wildlife. The sort of voyage in the question can't be far from shore, so watching for birds and cetaceans is a good way to spend time on deck. Ideally you'd have field guides (which may also be interest... (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is a tree that has been standing dead for a year dry enough for firewood? Maybe you could start by burning the thinner branches before moving on to the bits that are thick enough to need splitting, but it probably hasn't dried enough, without much surface area and that covered by bark. Cherry is desirable for woodworking though - the trunk probably has some value. (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to improvise a pair of tweezers in the wild? I've used bamboo tweezers before. They're normally made by gluing two flat pieces of bamboo togther with a wedge in between, but with skill and suitable thread you could lash the blades together with a wooden wedge. They can take a surprisingly sharp point or edge, but it wears fast. However you'd... (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Are there any natural materials that can be used as a magnifying lens (or to craft one)? If you can recover a source of glass, you should be able to melt it using a charcoal fire with bellows to force air and increase the temperature. You'd need a mould, for which clay would be good. This can be worked into shape, smoothed, and dried before casting the glass. This requires real glass, ... (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Ways to desalinate water when "lost at sea"? Salt dissolves in water so will pass though a normal filter or cloth. You can try that with a coffee filter at home. So there's definitely an error in the article. A still (i.e. distillation apparatus, whether solar or fire-heated) is the only easily improvised way to desalinate water, but the artic... (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: What could I keep in rucksack hip pocket? It depends on the size of the pocket, so here are a few very different ideas for small things you might want to get at without stopping (for long): Many I've seen would take a small phone or compact camera. I've used them to support the lens tripod mount when hiking with a SLR and long zoom lens, to... (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Start a fire with key fob battery? A bit more than a comment on Olin's answer: I've done an experiment, and no, you can't. I took: a brand new CR2025 some steel wool to make it easier; this is a nice firelighting filament with bigger batteries a tissue I shorted the cell using the steel wool, held in a pad of tissue to provide t... (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is there a difference between a hiking trail and a backpacking trail, including if it's the same piece of land? While there's a lot of overlap, a trail that can't possibly lead to anywhere to stay the night is unlikely to be called a backpacking trail, as backpacking implies multi-day trips carrying sleep gear etc. (not necessarily tents/bivis, as it could be hut-to-hut for example). If wild camping is forbidd... (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Does 'Single-oar sculling' have any use in recreational boating? One time I've seen it done is by the steersman of a dragon boat when going straight. It only adds a little thrust but an experienced helmsman can help novices along a little. (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: What do I need to do to a tent that's been stored for a long time? One specific thing point not otherwise covered is seams: seam sealant may need renewing, and seam tape may well have fallen off or be about to. I resealed one before the first time I used it, and some more seam tape failed that trip. (more)	—	about 6 years ago
Question	—	What's this backpack part called and how can I get a replacement? This is part of the chest strap of an Altura Morph backpack/pannier that I use for commuting. I've lost half the strap and one of my bikes can't take a pannier rack so I use backpack mode on that bike. That tends to be the bike I use in the rain; with a wet waterproof jacket the shoulder straps sli... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Hiking/Scrambling Etiquette? (UK Specific) It's not very different but here are a few things that might help Coming up from behind, a greeting is more common than a warning. I'm often on a bike and if I'm gaining on a hiker or horse rider (on a bridleway where all are allowed) I'll call out "good morning" in a friendly voice (tone of voice ... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Training for Kayaking out of season Without spending a fortune on a kayak ergo there are still useful exercises. These will tend to use body weight and and/or minimal equipment. A lot of the effort in kayaking comes from the core, so a good all round core routine will be an important part of any land-based training. Canoe and kayak m... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do you access the back of a large paper map? The laminated OS maps at least won't get damaged, but they're still troublesome in the wind. When I used to go to Dartmoor a lot, I had 2 maps, one folded to north sheet, and one to south. That's the best way to go if you need to use more than one map,even though on any given hike I only needed one... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Criteria for putting up a tent in morning or evening shade I've just got back from the French Alps and while I was in a camper van, the others were in tents. There are a few things to consider: Will the sun light/heat wake you in the morning? This is a function of you, the tent, and the time of year. Can you ventilate the tent well enough to cool it before... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: What attributes should I look for in an inexpensive multi-purpose folding bike? The first problem with folding bikes (which to some extent they share with electric bikes) is that the things that make them special are quite hard to get right. This is in contrast to a standard diamond frame, where a workable bike can be made using the cheapest components from a reputable manufactu... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: How many days does it take to reach hiking X miles per day? I don't think it works like you think it works. If you're trying to build your distance, you might do 8 miles one Saturday, then the next weekend do 8 on Saturday and 6 on Sunday. The next, 10 on Saturday and 8 on Sunday. Or more if you feel up to it. Mixing training and a through hike is a recipe f... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Are there any biodegrable freeze dried packages? The first difficulty is technical: keeping such food dry requires a moisture barrier, or it will absorb water from the air. There aren't many materials that will do that, and biodegradable plastics, or the waxes in waxed paper, don't biodegrade very well (if at all on the ground). Other degradable pl... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: How essential is the darkness/tint of a pair of sunglasses to protecting your eyes? The dark tint isn't required for UV blocking. That's not to say it's not a good thing to have. Many plastics have strong UV absorption, and some safety glasses have an additional coating. For blocking UV lasers this has been tested, though UV laser glasses are often a pale straw colour. Many safety... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: What do you call the criss-crossed elastic strap on this Northface backpack? On backpacks intended for cycling (including some generic commuting/school bags) this is often described as helmet storage, even if those backpacks have no other cycling-specific features. Bike helmets are often damp with rain or sweat, and are single bulky items that won't escape from the net. (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: How many miles should one expect to get out of a good pair of hiking boots? Terrain makes an enormous difference. I have a pair of light boots that have lasted me nearly 10 years and probably over 1000 km with many more to go (normally with a backpack, quite often over 10kg). I used to have the shoe version - identical except for the height of the ankle - as well. The sole w... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Shoes for hiking and minor rock climbing in Australia? For walking on rough terrain and scrambling in hot conditions I've found hiking shoes or approach shoes to work very well. That is after all what they're meant for. They're a bit tougher and heavier than trainers, and I suspect that the ones you had were essentially trainers styled like walking shoes... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Can the loft of a synthetic bag stored for years be restored? One thing worth a try is if you have a tumble drier (clothes drier) that will do cold or at least cool. The last 10-20 minutes on the timer is often cold. (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to permanently label Nalgene bottles? Clear repair tape over the top of a good marker pen will protect it indefinitely up to hand washing (a dishwasher will soften the glue of some tapes). Make sure to wrap the tape right round so it sticks to itself. I have a such a bottle for washing up liquid, that's been labelled like this for 20+ y... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Question	—	How can I repair a mapcase (reattach Velcro)? I have a mapcase made of clear plastic (PVC I think). It has a roll top held shut with velcro. Both sides of the velcro were attached by some sort of welding process but one of them has completely come off. I've tried reattaching it with hot glue, which seemed OK at first, but didn't survive one u... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to estimate the volume a person sweats? I doubt it's possible to get a sensible answer with realistic equipment, as removing evaporation will make you sweat more. So weighing your clothes while tightly sealed would give an overestimate. The best way to get a rough idea might be to weigh clothes on a fairly still, humid, overcast day, usin... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Can you attach a non-load bearing hip/waist belt to an existing bag? Bags that are long enough and sturdy enough to take a hip belt probably already have them. The belt needs to couple well to the frame/load if it's going to take any weight so you need more than just sewing skills. This doesn't mean it's impossible, just hard, and the best source of materials might be... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Wild animal in Virginia that sounds like monkey cackling/laughing? Grey squirrels make a surprising range of sounds, including quite a loud one sometimes called barking, but repetitive and rather like a cackling at times. This video collects a few of them; you might want to skip to about 3:40. Your Eastern Gray Squirrel is the same species as we have (introduced) i... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to deal with keeping a first aid kit inside a hot car? Keeping things against the floor with insulation on top is often the best approach for keeping them cool. This could be under the front seats or in the spare wheel compartment, but many modern cars have compartments under the boot (trunk) floor. The tops of these compartments provide some insulation ... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to protect sunglasses without a case? A clean sock will protect them from scratches with no need for fasteners and it takes a fair bit of pressure or impact to actually damage glasses (bending them slightly is another matter). Once wrapped they can go in the top of your pack or any pocket. (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to transport personal belongings while swimming long distance? Until you got to "shorts and T shirt" I'd have said a waterproof belt bag. I've used them kayaking (on the rare occasions when it's warm enough to go without a drysuit or at least dry-cag in the UK) and for swimming in the sea/lakes/rivers. They'll hold a decent wallet, phone and keys without much ... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Self inflatable mats: the more air, the more comfortable? Extra air works if the reason it feels too hard is that you're compressing the filling (these mats have an open, springy foam inside). But of course there's a point where adding air makes it firmer even though the air moves so you're supported over a larger area. Just add with old-fashioned air mattr... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to keep paper from being damaged by water in the outdoors? When it comes to printing, there are printable vinyls for both laser and inkjet printers. Some inkjet inks run badly in the wet whatever the substrate, while others show little or no deterioration. Even on paper I intend to keep out of the rain, I prefer laser printing for outdoor use as it can try a... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Looking for a simple gps tracker with long battery life For one day a phone will do it. Most android phones allow GPS in flight mode and there are plenty of apps that will log tracks offline (I use one called IPbike as a bike computer with data and WiFi turned off, for example). Some allow you to select how often to get your position, to save battery. An... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Question	—	Is there a reason for seeing a lot of roadkill badgers in the spring? I spent much of today cycling around quiet country lanes in South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, and saw at least 6 dead badgers on the road. I saw a few others earlier in the week on different lanes (similarly quiet). One or two wouldn't have surprised me, but I ride this area a lot, a... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it warmer to sleep in a car or in a tent? I suggest using both the car and the tent together. A car will lose heat fastest through the windows, so use the tent to cover them (and the top). The windows are a thin single layer of glass, while the panels trap a layer of air between the metal outer and a lining that is a better insulator than ... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is an effective technique for plogging? I suggest the first step is to go for the light, grabbable stuff - plastic bottles for example. The contents, if any, can be poured onto the ground. This assumes your roadside example, which is likely to be so polluted that pouring out a bit of sugary water (or even urine, found in bottles by the sid... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Question	—	What do I need to do to a tent that's been stored for a long time? I have a rather nice 1-2 person hiking tent from over 20 years ago. It's still made, with very few changes, and is a double wall design that pitches in one go. I thought it was nylon but the current model is polyester; it's certainly synthetic. It was put away clean and dry some years ago, tightly ... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: What ever happened to the proposals for no-rescue zones for backpackers? There are lots of good reasons to reject such proposals, and these would have stopped them being implemented. Some examples: Deliberate injury - would the emergency services attend if someone was assaulted? If so, claim assault and you're rescued; if not, all sorts of things could go wrong, from il... (more)	—	over 6 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to contain the stench of climbing shoes? Seal them away (in transit and at work - store them somewhere dry and well ventilated at home). You could use a dry bag sold for kayaking etc. Small ones are cheap on ebay but I've linked to something slightly better. There are storage bags that seal and allow you to suck out the air with a vacuu... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Can smoldering logs be transported safely Not inside anything you're in. A smouldering fire is pretty much the worst thing for generating carbon monoxide. That will poison you. I'd include the boot of a saloon car (trunk of a sedan?) as there's normally plenty of ventilation between that and the cabin. Another reason for this is in case i... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Hiding backpack waistband I can't tell from the picture whether this would work with that pack, but with some of mine I run the hip belt round the pack rather than round me, before fastening it round the back. If you're worried about it snagging after that, you might want to put an elasticated rain cover over the top. I've s... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Does a chewing gum really help in keeping mouth moist? It's perfectly possible for both to be true: it moistened your mouth but doesn't help with hydration The act of chewing stimulates saliva production, so your mouth is less dry. But that wastes a little water as you exhale. It also diverts ways from keeping you hydrated. These are both small effects, ... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Does warming an enclosed area with an open flame provide help with drying wet fabric? Almost all common fuels produce water when burnt, as they're made up of hydrocarbons. That is to say the hydrogen in them combines with oxygen to form water. The extreme example is methane, which has 4 hydrogen atoms to one carbon In a completely sealed but poorly insulated space (an approximation t... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Diet for Long-Term Camping Stews based on fresh vegetables and pulses (dried or tinned) are as healthy as you like and can be made from only shelf-stable ingredients. With the addition of potatoes or pearl barley you can cook a meal in one pot, over a fire or camping stove without much control. Sauces can be based on beer/wine... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Kayak for fishing and low class rapids? A kayak that can handle rocky class 2 rapids can handle inshore waters in benign conditions, or surf a little. Whether it's good for fishing is another matter; for that I'm used to seeing sit-on-top boats. These are also good for a little summer coastal paddling, and I've seen them on easy whitewate... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: What types of food make for good emergency rations that I can store in a car? You're unlikely to have to eat all your emergency rations in adverse conditions, so apart from a variety of bars I suggest : Nuts. I'm quite partial to chilli peanuts, toasted corn kernels and things like that for endurance cycling. They're one of the few savoury options. Crackers (e.g. cheese fla... (more)	—	almost 7 years ago

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