Experts

Q: What would you recommend for chafing, the nasty red rash that can develop on the inner thighs on a long hike? Is there an over-the-counter treatment?

Once a heel blister starts to get better/heal, does keeping it exposed to air each night (so the area dries after the day of hiking) improve healing, or is keeping the area moist and soft with a dressing better?

I'm having trouble deciding upon an insulating layer. I can't decide to go with fleece or PrimaLoft. What are the downs and ups of the two?

How should my daypack fit? Should it fit differently from my weekend or week-long pack?

If cups and cook pots are exposed to untreated water, are they safe to use after they air dry?

Can you get rabies or other diseases by using a bite valve that some animal has been nibbling on? Will alcohol sanitizer "sterilize" it?

I've got a great sleeping bag but I can't sleep without a pillow. Do you have a recommendation for a lightweight pillow or some kind of trick for making one with my gear?

Can an electric jolt from a DC source (i.e., spark plug wire, hand-held stunner) neutralize snake venom? I recall a series of articles on this published in the late '60s by an outdoor magazine.

I've read many outdoor books to get up to speed on camping, cooking, hiking, etc. I would like to hear what your choices of books might be in the outdoor education area.

Going to the bathroom in the wild. What do I need? Do I need to pack out my waste? How? I'm going on a multi-day trip and am not sure what I need.

I once heard that pouring granulated sugar into a deep, bloody wound would aid in clotting–but I've always heard that putting anything into an open would is bad.

How do I remove pine sap from my down sleeping bag (and other gear for that matter)?

Camping in bear country with children and diapers: Do diapers inside the tent, wet or dry, attract bears?

I saw an episode of Survivorman where he drank water knowing it was contaminated and would cause him to have diarrhea. He said that having diarrhea would be better than being dehydrated. Would you agree?

love hiking and camping, but not alone. I'm one of those people who think about running away when I hear one stick break in the woods. Is there any way I could mentally prepare myself for sleeping alone in the wilderness?

I heard somewhere that it isn't necessary to bring water to a boil in order to purify it, as long as you get the temperature up to 140 degrees or more. Is this true?

After I return, I'm somewhat tired, short of breath and sickly feeling for days after. I'm in great shape. Any ideas?

I'm a navigation newbie. Basically, I just head to the trailhead, look at the map there, and go. Is there essential, basic navigation equipment that I should have at all times, even on a dayhike?

What are the best options for treating heat exhaustion in a remote area (no cell phone service) with no one else around? Is there something I can add to my first aid kit that would help?

Trekking poles are not for every occasion.But, man, my poles sure saved the day (and my knees and ankles) when I descended from the rim of the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River.

Could you explain what "minimum weight," "packaged weight," and similar terms mean?

Q: Does using sunscreen or bug repellent attract bears?

Regarding Giardia and crypto: Can one develop a tolerance or immunity to them? I remember drinking from streams as a child while fishing and hiking in the backcountry. Surely I couldn't have been lucky than many times.

I know I'm supposed to use a bear canister all the time in bear country but they're really bulky. If I'm going on an overnight trip, do I really need one? And if I do, is there a sealable bag option that might work

I'm having my first child this summer, and I plan to hike and camp with her in the mountains as soon as she can hold her head up. How will I know if she's acclimatized to the altitude?

How long does it take to start feeling the effects of poison oak exposure?

Can you get some of the waterborne parasites, such as Giardia, through open wounds or cuts and scrapes?

I have heard that the bonding agents like Super Glue or Krazy Glue can be used to seal wounds in the backcountry. Is this true, and what's the risk vs. benefit?

Baselayers. I need a good one for summer and fall. I know wool is great but frankly, I itch and get pretty hot when I'm mid hike. Any suggestions?

How do I get the campfire stench out of my gear? I tried washing it but no-go.

In a bivy, what are the chances of a rattler crawling in with me and/or of me rolling over on one with my arms and torso bare? I'm not sleeping well with this!

What can I feed my dog throughout the day while we are hiking to keep his energy up?

I've seen bells marketed as a way to notify animals that you are in the area. Could use of the bell actually attract predators that are used to hearing bells on livestock?

Yes, pee is about 95% sterile water, but that other 5% is a noxious brew of waste material that your body is trying to expel.

My wife, who's allergic to bees, is reluctant to hike with me. What can I do to ease her fear of getting stung?

I want to try duct tape to prevent chafing between the legs, but I'm too scared to try. Do you know if this works better than lotions or creams?

Pain in my shoulders and hips is destroying my ability to camp. Can you recommend the best, most cushioned, and lightweight pad that might help solve this problem?

A friend who used to read electric meters told me that all the readers carried a squirt gun loaded with ammonia to repel dogs. Would it work for bears too?

I commute by bicycle to work 15 miles one way. Where can I find a backpack for clothing and hydration that is visible to vehicles?

Do odor proof bags work? And are they any more effective than standard zip-top bags for keeping in smells?

Can you advise on how to deal with a cougar encounter?

Is it really necessary to have big hiking boots with really sturdy ankle support? I've always used trail runners on multi-day trips without a problem.

Is bear spray effective against snakes?

Times are rough, and I don't have the spare cash to blow on top-dollar gearfor every essential. If I have to skimp on one, which one should I cut corners: tent, sleeping bag, pack, or boots?

Is it safe to wear DEET in summer when bears are around? I've heard the bear will come after you because it smells.

What would you suggest for a windproof lighter that is simple and dependable?

What is the best lightning safety strategy when camping above treeline, and the storm strikes in the middle of the night when you are all asleep in tents?

I am going to summit Kilimanjaro, but I only have summer weight sleeping bags good to 40 degrees. Would it be effective to double bag a couple of my summer bags?

How should a shell fit ? I can't decide between L or XL. Is it best to have ample layering room or should it be tight and form fitting. I can't decide whether to go up or down.

I am hiking from Mexico to Canada this May (2,650 miles), and my two friends are mostly going to munch on trail mixes--but I can't eat nuts! What can I eat that is lightweight, yet gives me what my body needs to hike 20-plus miles a day?

I've used a UV light pen for water treatment, and typically scoop water into the bottle. But will the pen kill any parasites, bacteria, and viruses that are in the droplets around the rim of the bottle, or does it just kill those in the water being stirred?

Does Talc powder block the GoreTex membrane of my boots? And what are the best odor killers for GoreTex Boots?

I've been backpacking for ten years and have never had any pain in my legs, but recently I've been getting a severe pain down the front of my legs and swelling in my feet. What could I be experiencing?

Do campfires deter bears?

I have been backpacking for 15 years and I have not been able to find a way to stop black toenails. Help!

I sprained my ankle two months ago. I can hike on level surfaces, but side-to-side motion--typical of backpacking--hurts. Should I stay off it, or use therapy and exercise to strengthen it?

Does dark-colored clothing really attract more mosquitoes then light-colored clothing?

Q: Would taking an over-the-counter antihistamine (like Zyrtec) before getting in the tent help get rid of the itch from mosquitoes or other itchy things for the next day?

On a recent backpacking trip, the sole of one of my hiking boots came loose. I was able to use a tent cord to tie it on and hike back to the trailhead. How do you repair loose soles on hiking boots?

I'm an extremely heavy sweater no matter what the weather. Should I really trust my hi-tech clothing to be absolutely dried by my body heat?

Q: What is the best thing you can do to train for a climb or long hike?

I once punched a black bear in the nose that was sniffing my hammock while I was in it. The bruin retreated and huffed at me for a while, and I huffed back. Since then I've always wondered, does huffing at a bear encourage it to act aggressively?

I want to wear deodorant, but I don't want to attract attention from bears. Is baking soda a good solution?

I am wondering how to keep warm in the tent at night. Is there a such thing as a tent heater?

Will drinking urine when no water is available allow you to survive longer? I have heard conflicting information.

I'm curious about insect repellents for kids. Is DEET okay to use on a six-year-old?

How do you remove poison oak or Ivy sap from boots?

I thought it was dehydration, but ended up in an emergency room being treated for an exercise-induced migraine. Anything I can do to prevent this from happening again?

If I only backpack in America, do I have to get a water filter with a purifier, or will a filter for bacteria only suffice?

I have heard mixed things. If it does work, how?

What are your thoughts on waterproofing your own clothes, particularly pants. Would that be a waste of time?

Is steel better than aluminum when choosing crampons?

What is best diet at high altitude--fish, carbohydrate etc?

A link between posture and backpacking has been discussed in the medical community but never, as far I know, has it been really studied.

When camping in subzero temperatures whats the best way to keep my food warm long enough to eat it?

Cold weather sleeping--is it correct to don the clothes you intend to wear the next day?

My favorite trail is snowed over now but I still want to get out there. Should I use snowshoes or crampons? Or is there something in between?

I just had a wonderful time hiking the Grand Canyon. But after 28 miles, I have swollen, painful legs from the knee through the ankle. Any tips for recovery?

If I take my dog on a high-altitude excursion with me, should I acclimatize Fido as well as myself before we go?

How much gear I should pack? I don't want to bring too little, and I don't want to be overexerting myself with too much. What's in the ideal pack?