Hiking and Backpacking

First, realize that the odds of running into a bear are remote - even in "bear country", so don't freak yourself out too much. To stay safe however, keep two things in mind: 1. bears don't like surprises, 2. they might investigate anything that smells interesting, especially if it smells like food. To avoid surprises make noise as you walk in areas where your visual distance is less than a half mile or so. This could include wearing "bear bells", and talking or singing as you walk. As for number 2 above, take pains not to smell too interesting to a hungry bear. Don't use hygiene products with strong aromas, such as deodorants, perfumes, or fruity shampoos. Never eat or prepare food within 100 feet of where you will sleep. Keep your food, and nice smelling items - like toothpaste - in a separate bag or container that you hang in a tree overnight. When you camp set up what has been called the "bear-muda triangle". Your tent, food and waste disposal areas are the three points of the triangle, separated by at least 100 feet each.

Since you are not likely to wrestle a bear I don't think that a big "Bowie" knife will do. A smaller knife that can be used for cutting rope and some small whittling will do. A large knife is dangerous and almost always too big for practical use. Sheath knives are good knives but again a small knife with a 4" blade is sufficient. Using a knife to chop down a tree is not a good idea because that is what axes and chainsaws are for. I especially like a folding knife best because they can be put into a smaller sheath or in your pocket. There are many "multi-tool" knives that I would suggest. Leathermans is my favorite because they come in many different styles. They have smooth blades and serated blades. Saw blades and files. Scissors and screw drivers. You can get just about any combination on your knife that you would need. Look at all other manufacturers too. Your tastes and needs may be different from mine. Make sure that whatever you get it is a quality knife with a blade made from high quality steel. Remember to keep it sharp. A dull knive is more dangerous than a sharp one.

I won't suggest one kayak company over another because there are several good ones out there. I would suggest that you go to some major outdoor stores; ie Gander Mountain, Bass Pro Shops, Cabellas, L.L. Bean, etc.. That way you could look at some and compare just like you would anything else. Kayaks are rated for weight and taylored to what your needs are. Recreational, touring, rapids. I weigh @275 and am 6'2". I not only need one for my weight but my length also. Talk to some people face to face. They will be glad to help you. I would also suggest that you take a kayak safety class at a local YMCA or Community College. They are fun and well worth it. If you have no luck with a kayak then I would suggest a canoe. There are some canoes that have a wide flat bottom (like me) and are very stable. I like to canoe because I can tote more gear with me and fish easier from it. Have fun. Wear a life jacket.

Try to think of where you had it last. If it's still lost, check with anyone who may have borrowed it. Last resort, you may want to purchase a new one.OR you can look underneath/on maybe your bed,bathroom,and room.OR just use an old backpack so u wont have to buy another one.

1) The Lake District is about brilliant vistas and beautiful walks/sailings, not just hiking. Although - hiking is great!

2)Walk the Cat Bells - not too high for average adults - but a fun walk for you and older kids.

3) Walk around Buttermere for a great stressless fun easy walk with younger kids, and during summer there is often an Ice Cream van at the end!

4) If you want to do the mountains then buy an OS maps, you'll need them!

There are lots of mountains in the lakes - buy OS map OL7 (The English Lakes) Then you'll need OL5, probably OL4 too, and possibly OL19 and 31! You can count the hills and mountains then! Cheers, have fun ;-)

If their are they`er under the sand bar.

locked in a basalt flow.

Morrison Trail in the Allegheny Forest is nice trail along the Allegheny Reservoir.

because if the relief rain. relief rain is caused by the mountains and because there are so many hills and mountains there it rains a lot.

Also you could think of the water cycle because of all the lakes - water - the water cycle can duplicate many times!

Bugs are safer to eat than plants if you don't know anything about eatable plants. Most all bugs are eatable BUT it depends on where you are lost eg. what part of the world. If a bug has a foul oder don't eat it. Grass hoppers and ants are ok but grub worms are of choice most all worms are eatable. you can purchase survival hand books most all of these have a list and pictures of insects and plants that are safe to eat and also the ones that are poison.

No Stainless steel is extremely hard, difficult to put a good edge on but once sharp it will keep its sharpness - tinfoil is soft and will not dull the sharpened blade -you could cut it all day with no effect on your knife.

Your first strategy should be to avoid water as much as possible. You may not be able to prevent it from raining, unfortunately, but you can keep from setting up your tent where water will accumulate. Avoid areas just off shore as river and lake water levels can rise with precipitation or melting snow, or even tides when next to larger bodies of water. Next, try and put your tent on higher ground wherever possible and avoid areas where water obviously travels (check for natural trenches or subtle grooves in the ground worn by water). Definitely stay away from areas that are already wet, as this is an obvious clue that water will accumulate.

The next thing you should consider is keeping your tent from getting and trapping water inside. If your tent does not have a rain fly, or for further protection, bring along a tarp to drape over when rain is obviously on it's way. Take care of the bottom of your tent, making sure to avoid holes where water can seep in. Avoid setting up your tent on top of things that will wear the bottom (e.g. rocks, branches etc.) and use a tent skirt for further protection (a plan old tarp is a much cheaper alternative). Also try not to wear shoes and boots inside and keep sharp objects covered.

Finally, make sure you maintain your tent properly, as it will become less resilient with age and use. Patch up any holes, clean the exterior, remove dirt and leaves from the inside and air out your tent after every trip. Then make sure to store it properly only when it is completely dry.

Follow these guidelines and you will be as close as possible to never being wet inside a tent.

A cloth on a canteen helps cool the canteen only if it is kept wet.

When water evaporates what it is doing is changing state from a liquid state to a gaseous state. The water doesn't change temperature at all but it requires the addition of heat to change state. That heat is called the latent heat of vaporization. The latent heat of vaporization for water is 1060 BTU/lb. That is quite a bit. When the water in the canteen cover evaporates it has to draw heat from somewhere. It draws it from the canteen skin which, in turn, gets it from the canteen contents, and cooling the contents.

If the canteen cover dries the process stops and heat flows in the other direction (from hot to cold). The cover probably provides a little insulation value, but not very much.

Check this out. You might find it interesting. Fifty years ago it was not unusual to find something like this hanging from a front bumper. It looks like they are still available.

http://www.lifestylestore.com/ls_survival_water.html

I think down

Since deer flies (and horse flies) like nice warm days, the best time of day to avoid them would be the cooler mornings and evenings. However, because they also don't like wind, mid to late afternoon (when it's most breezy) in open spaces can make for great fly free hiking.

Let others pass you if they catch up, say a quick hello or how are you doing to them, and make them feel acknowledged

The soldiers and aviators, airmen and parachute jumpers did use D-rations for emergency purposes so they would keep up their blood glucose. The D-Rations consisted of chocolate bars, candy, vitamins and gum. The men said they were real life savers on the long hours in the planes and when they ran out of K-rations. Some of the airmen would also grab sandwiches from the mess hall to use with the D-rations. Some managed to get thermoses of coffee too.

Yes, a wet stone only requires some kind of lubricant. An even cheaper way is to wet the stone with your own saliva. Once. the stone is lubricated put the blade at a 15 degree angle to the stone and slide the blade away from you.

It's very unlikely, not many companies will compensate for competition in such a manner as to allow their products to be used by them.

In visors of course it is.

It is used primarily for fueling lanterns and camp stoves.

National forests are owned by the Federal government, and the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture, takes care of the forest.

I believe that 61 times litres is cubic inches

Blairvadach Outdoor Education Centre, Scotland, has a website: www.blairvadach.org.uk/
Telephone: 01436 820491
The address is: Blairvadach, Shandon, Helensburgh G84 8NN01436 820491
On their website, have a look at: What should I bring to Blairvadach?
Much depends on what course you are taking? And what clothes you would normally wear in the evening?

It is 88 miles.