Does soaking your feet in black tea before a hike reduce sweat and prevent blisters?
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I was just wondering, since I hear about people eating rattlesnake all the time: Are all snakes edible? And what about eels?
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On a consistently wet, rainy 3-day trip, I experienced softened skin that cracked. I never was able to get dry shoes or socks. Each day my feet would be soaked within minutes. What can I do in the future to help stop this?
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Does the human body absorb cold water or body-temperature water faster?
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I'm a side sleeper who can't get through a night on a sleeping pad without pain in my hips and knees that causes me to toss and turn from about 1 a.m. on. Any suggestions for remedying that? I sleep well on a regular mattress.
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What's the best spray to keep mosquitoes off of me?
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My son came back from an outdoor camp and proclaimed that rubbing the liquid from the broken stalk of a fern on a sting from nettles, poison ivy, or poison oak will stop the stinging. Is it true?
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I live at sea level, and am backpacking in Yosemite for 10 days. I've heard there are supplements that boost your oxygen intake, if you take them a week or so in advance. Is the hype true, and is it worth the money? The ones I have seen are not cheap!
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What do you think about giving Benadryl as a sedative for a snakebite victim? Or just having it handy for panic situations?
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I recently went hiking in the Phoenix area. I feel like I ate about a ton of dust–a fine particle, like talc. (Silly me, I didn't think to pack a mask.) Is that "trail dust" bad for my lungs?
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Is it safe to hike if you have high blood pressure?
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I've tried different boots, inserts, socks, and lightening my load, but I still seem to get overuse pain in my knees very early in my hikes. What else can I do to minimize knee pain?
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My middle two and sometimes three toes go numb when I hike. It is usually about 4-5 miles in, and not always on the same foot at the same time. I have very good boots that fit well. I've also noticed this with athletic shoes when working out. Any ideas?
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A lot of freeze-dried foods contain an extremely large amount of sodium. Not to name any brands, but the average serving contains 1,500 mg of sodium! That times 3 meals is nuts. You need more sodium when you're sweaty and backpacking, but how much is safe?
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Now that summer is here, what are the best methods for preventing heat exhaustion and heat stroke?
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On a recent backpacking trip, I mixed Aquamira water purification drops in my Nalgene before we reached a water source. I noticed a mist coming out of the empty bottle just prior to filling with water. What was that, and is it safe to drink?
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I have heard reports of bears and panthers (yes, panthers in upstate New York) in areas around where I want to solo hike this summer. Should I be concerned? Is it okay to go solo?
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What is the approved procedure for removing a tick? They used to be an uncommon varmint in Western Washington, but this year, I've already picked up three. Fortunately, I observed them before they attached. Ick! Ick! Ick!
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How much does an altitude of 10,000 feet affect a backpacker? I have hiked more than 5,000 miles on the AT, but the highest you get is a little over 6,000 feet. I am in my early 50s and still in decent shape, but I don't know what to expect at a higher elevation.
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I have always used chemical treatments to purify my drinking water. I was thinking about getting a water filter, but I understand that it will not filter out viruses. Is this something I should worry about if I'm backpacking in the U.S.?
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Do you think our bodies "remember" acclimating? I have been to Everest and many fourteeners, and seem to fare better at altitude than first-timers.
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How can I prevent shin splints when I'm hiking downhill?
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Are survival blankets dangerous to use during electrical storms?
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Will opening and closing an umbrella scare a bear away?
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Why don't people get sick from swimming in lakes and rivers when they probably ingest plenty of contaminated water?
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I'm a Type 1 diabetic and I'm looking for a lightweight cold pack to carry on backpacking trips that will keep my insulin cold. What do you recommend?
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We're going to Peru. What multivitamin/herbal remedy you suggest for overcoming altitude sickness?
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How long should you boil water before drinking it?
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If you were to wear an altimeter watch on an airplane, what would the elevation reading be?
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I will be backpacking in southern Arizona's deserts and drinking from cattle tanks. How should I treat or filter the water inside these tanks?
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Is a can of personal defense pepper spray an effective bear deterrent?
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After a day of hiking, I get severe leg cramps in my calves. Can you explain why these are happening and what I can do to prevent them?
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Do chiggers bite dogs, and if so, how do you combat that on the trail?
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Are bears, mountain lions, and other predators attracted to, or repelled by human urine? I often 'set up a perimeter' when camping in bear country by peeing in different locations outside of camp. Is this effective or am I just watering a lot of different rocks?
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I have three kids younger than five years old, and want to know what I need to bring and do in case they have an anaphylactic reaction to something like a bee sting on the trail. I'd hate to find out the hard way what I should have done.
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I'm interested in purchasing cold weather sleeping bags for my wife and myself. We'll be using them for backcountry snowshoe and cross-country ski camping excursions. What is your advice regarding proper winter bag sizing?
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Will vinegar repel bears or harm the environment?
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Where can I get emergency medical coverage for international travel?
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Is there anything that can be added to water (that is safe) that will lower its freezing temperature? This would be useful on a winter, overnight camping trip.
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Sometimes I smell ammonia in my sweat. What is my body telling me?
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How long can waterborne parasites survive on the outside of a Lexan bottle?
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Are bears attracted to bug sprays containing sweet-smelling citronella or lemon eucalyptus?
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Will eating match heads containing sulfur keep mosquitoes away?
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My wife's hands swell when she hikes. Is she in danger?
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I always get a rash on my shoulders where the pack harness rests. Is there anything to prevent that?
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Is it possible to have an allergic reaction to zinc oxide? My friend lathered up with it after getting a severe sunburn, and she experienced swelling and considerable pain
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Is wearing two pairs of socks better for cold-weather backpacking?
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A friend told me vitamin C can eliminate the taste of iodine in water. How much is necessary and does it affect the purification process?
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Can I safely purify water inside my CamelBak hydration reservoir?
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Do high-blood pressure medications increase my risk of hypothermia while hiking in negative-40°F weather?
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How can I prevent shin splints when I hike downhill?
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Are survival blankets dangerous to use during electrical storms?
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What should you do if you're in a tent, and you hear a bear outside?
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Knee Relief: After injuring my knee last year, I've noticed that the joint tends to swell after a long day of hiking. In addition to taking Advil and icing for relief, what exercises can I do to help my knee recover?
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What should I eat during hikes on hot days?
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Are children more susceptible to altitude sickness? How high can kids safely go?
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Besides acclimatizing and drinking plenty of fluids, can I use herbs to prevent altitude sickness? Which herbs are best?
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