Recent content by John H Swanson

Installing outhouses (at least on the AT and possibly LP) has been requested and discussed. Since they are not there, one can assume the park does not want them as the TC would have installed them by now if the park agreed. I think one issue would be the tendency for them to be used as garbage...

does that weight include wearing traction aid and carrying snowshoes on the pack? or wearing showshoes and carrying the traction aid?

I heard a story from someone who was present at an Adirondack ranger demo. He (the ranger) was pitching the utility of having an ax. He chops down a small conifer and uses some tinder to light the bows and then the small branches quickly creating a small and very smoky fire with the tree. The...

Once built a stretcher out of dead wood to carry a hiker with a broken leg out of the woods. Got to the road and was waiting for the ambulance with the ranger. I mentioned, that I was glad I could find the suitable dead wood to build the stretcher so i did not have to cut down a live tree...

I have hiked with an accomplished peakbagger that considered fire to be the emergency situation plan. I have had the good fortune of going through the scouting program which I subtitle: 5 years of experience building fires in all types of conditions. Making a fire in wet snowy conditions is...

Or maybe breaking treeline. I think the issue with Kate and in this case, might be summed up as decision making. Turnning around really is THE thing to do sometimes.

Late response, but for reference: 1) in previous years the road closed barricade was located just after (east of) the entrance to the Elk Pen parking lot. I think (i'm pretty sure) you are NOT allowed to park on Rt 17 or on the Arden valley road. 2) Seven Lakes drive remains open in winter...

Another point about setting up. When I was using a rectangular tarp I would set it up as an inverted V shape (like a classic A-frame tent.) The front height would be 2-3' off the ground and the foot height would be 6-12" off the ground and into the wind. Doing this I noticed that most of the...

Agreed the primary immediate difference is weight (when simply considering the material) Also, I would expect a difference in longevity if you'll be doing this alot or long distance thru hiking. That said, when you say silopoly, it brings to mind tailored shape vs. rectangular shape; and...

The same could be said for lightweight trail runners vs heavy boots. Down in metro NYC area we saw a flood of new hikers on the trails. Now, most of the hikers for some reason do not like hiking on rocks and our trails are frequently rocky. When the thread way has perfectlu positioned rocks...

Agreed that micro spikes are a wear item, but so too are many pieces of gear. Snowshoes for me last 20-30 hikes and then need repairs. When I was really bushwhacking alot, gaiters and mitten shells would last 1 season without repairs. Cotton canvas (summer gloves) 3 hikes. Pants were an...

One point mentioned in Bill Gates book on climate change grounded my impression of trees as a solution for carbon capture. paraphrasing here: If you covered the entire land mass on the earth with trees, it would only offset the CO2 produced by the US. He then says: Yes trees for capture...

I noticed that when the urethane coating starts to degrade three things happen. It gets an odor, it starts to get tacky, and it starts to peel off the fabric. I have prolonged the life of my tarp by dusting it with talc powder. I chose unscented talc to avoid any animal issues. I was able to...

yeah. synthetics (nylon and Polypro) vs. canvas and cotton, then 60/40. As already mentioned, LED lighting I also really appreciated oil dampening of compass needles. and wrist mounted altimeters.

The Marmot windshirt I have is different from the Precip jacket. The widshirt is lightly lined. The Precip is an unlined membraine waterproof breathable.