Recent content by omegaman

General question (out of curiousity)- Regulations requiring bear cannisters in the high peaks region of the Adirondacks have been in place for a while (year or so?). Has the change had any noticeable impact in the behavior of bears in troublesome areas such as Marcy Dam or Lake Colden areas...

Metallurgical aspects of corrosion FYI - Stainless steels resist corrosion because they have chromium added. The chromium forms a chrome oxide layer on the surface which "helps" to prevent corrosion. Often stainless steels are passivated to remove surface contaminants which show rust spots...

Something similar Another aspect of the problem (maybe)- Last summer (on a Philmont trek) one of our crew started losing it- It was a hot sunny day and we figured he didn't drink enough water. He kept claiming he did. Drinking more water did not seem to have an effect. It turns out that he...

Question on insulation What kind of insulation do you use? Is it plain ordinary fiberglass? Also if you are precise kind of person or want consistancy, you can order the smaller drill bits from industrial supply places like McMaster Carr http://www.mcmaster.com or MSC Industrial Supply (...

Probably depends on the general weather leading up to Memorial Day. My experience with hiking on MD was a couple of years ago, we did Blue Mountain and then went to the Adirondak Museum (great museum to learn about the adirondaks) as a day trip with the family. I would say the weather could be...

Why internal? I realize the general trend is to go to internals and externals may be on the endangered species list but I would ask if an external is a better choice. If you are going through rough narrow trail or bushwhacking, I could see it but for a lot of established trails the major...

Dehydrator question I bought a cheap dehydrator and it works on banannas and fruit (that is all that I have tried it on). I know that there are more expensive dehydrators out there with adjustable temperature settings. For the stuff listed on this thread do you need a higher end dehydrator...

Depends on weight I think the key things for camp shoes (not in the car on the way home shoes) 1.) hard enough soles so when you walk around you don't feel every pebble 2.) the weight (luxuries are a matter of preference I think when backpacking). I thought most sandals were pretty heavy. 3.)...

Where can you get the McMartin Map I bought the McMartin guide book and the map is sold separately. Barnes and Nobles which sold the book told me they had no way of ordering the map. I looked on the internet without much luck. Where can you buy it. Thanks

Thanks for the Info The info on colors on the web site was great. As far as the heat aborpstion is concerned, I was thinking about (noncamping/family cases) where I might have to set a tarp up for shade but you are right, I can't really recall being inside a tent in the daytime. The last part...

I am thinking of making my own tarp or tarptent and I started thinking about tent colors. Any thoughts on which color is technically the best. Does one color (heat absorbtion) work better in the winter or summer? Does one color cause additional condensation? Is visual impact a factor (leave...

Rights and responsibilities Is it right to expose someone of lesser maturity to someone's adult choices? As a parent, I don't think so. You have a right to do whatever is judged legal by society but I don't think anyone should violate my right to have a pleasant wilderness experience. I think...

I reread the book as I was travelling out to New Mexico for an 80 mile backpacking trip with a bunch of 15 year olds and I thought it was perfect mental preparation for me (not to be so serious or stressed out at little things). It is intended to be funny and maybe it just appeals to those of...

As a Scout a long time ago and a scoutleader now, My observation is that the BSA is starting to do more toward formally including LNT into its programs. As a second cycle Cub Scout leader, I know the BSA has instituted a nw LNT program where Scouts of all ages can earn a patch. See this link...

A mystery question? I was looking around our local sporting goods store and I came across a tent produced by the Mountainsmith Company of Colorado. This is not a camping store but they do carry some reputable brands. This tent was a solo tent and with a ten dollar off coupon was only fifty...