Editors' Choice

On a recent backpacking trip, I underestimated the amount of mosquito repellent we'd need. Is there a North American plant that can be used, or something one can do to avoid being eaten alive?

I've been told for years that the proper way to wait out a lightning storm is to crouch down. Why is this better than lying down on the ground?

Does soaking your feet in black tea before a hike reduce sweat and prevent blisters?

How can you take along trekking poles when flying a commercial airline?

I take long dayhikes (20-30 miles) and am looking for an emergency shelter to use in case I don't make it out before nightfall. Will a waterproof bivy sack on its own be sufficient in case of rain?

You can safely bring 100 packs in the tent with you, but what I think you're really asking about is food...

Do you know of a boot maker who makes really wide boots that are true to size?

I hear about people eating rattlesnake all the time: Are all snakes edible? And what about eels?

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?

Does the human body absorb cold water or body-temperature water faster?

Are the fuel canisters for backpacking stoves refillable or recyclable? Or are we just creating more waste when we purchase these stoves in the quest of lightness?

Is there a multipurpose helmet out there I can use for skiing, climbing etc. or should I just plan on getting one for each season/sport?

I'm confused about the capacity figures that backpack manufacturers claim. With daypacks it seems that the figures advertised are always about 20 percent higher than what the pack actually holds. What gives?

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. Any suggestions for remedying that?

What's the best spray to keep mosquitoes off of me?

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?

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?

What do you think about giving Benadryl as a sedative for a snakebite victim? Or just having it handy for panic situations?

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?

Is it true that mummy bags should not be stored in a stuff sack, but rather hung in closet between trips? Seems like a waste of space.

Is it safe to hike if you have high blood pressure?

When camping in frigid temperatures, what's the best way to keep my food warm long enough to eat it? And how can I clean my pot once the food has frozen itself to the sides?

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?

My middle two and sometimes three toes go numb when I hike. I have very good boots that fit well. Any ideas?

I plan on backpacking Europe for about a month. What is the most suitable backpack for me to use?

I know you need more sodium when you're sweaty and backpacking, but how much is safe?

Now that summer is here, what are the best methods for preventing heat exhaustion and heat stroke?

I just returned from a trip to the High Sierra and found a 1/2 inch tear in the bottom of my Big Agnes tent. The fabric is silicone treated nylon. How do I fix it?

What is the best way to wash my fleece so that I get longer use out of it?

I do a bit of camping on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I am looking for a 3-person tent that can withstand the howls and gusts of the winds without collapsing or flapping so loud it keeps me awake. No $3,000 tents please.

Are there any companies that make packs for bigger guys, and a 54" waist?

In your video on <a href="http://backpacker.com/videos_2007_editors_choice_award_winners_msr_reactor_and_primus_etapower_camp_stoves/gear/gvideos/3">Camp Stoves</a>, why do you keep one of the gas canisters in a pan of water?

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?

I have heard reports of bears and panthers in areas around where I want to solo hike this summer. Is it okay to go alone?

What is the approved procedure for removing a tick?

Anyone coming from lower altitudes to 8,000 feet or more may experience headaches, unusual fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and lassitude. Expect, also, that you'll do some heavy breathing, even after you acclimatize. These physiological responses are discomforting, but not serious.

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.?

Do you think our bodies "remember" acclimating?

How can I prevent shin splints when I'm hiking downhill?

Are survival blankets dangerous to use during electrical storms?

What's the difference between cheaper and more expensive trekking poles?

The plastic buckle on my pack's hip-belt slips. Is there a way to make it stay in place, or a better buckle?

If there are no trees to hang a bear bag, what is alternative food storage option?

Only one herb has successfully passed the thin-air test: ginkgo biloba.

As high as they can climb. Kids are sturdier than we think and scientific data supports this. Studies suggest that young hikers are not more susceptible to altitude sickness than the rest of us; indeed, many children travel to resorts at high elevations without complications.

Will opening and closing an umbrella scare a bear away?

Why don't people get sick from swimming in lakes and rivers when they probably ingest plenty of contaminated water?

I'm looking for a lightweight cold pack to carry on backpacking trips that will keep my insulin cold. What do you recommend?

What multivitamin/herbal remedy you suggest for overcoming altitude sickness?

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?

Is wearing two pairs of socks better for cold-weather backpacking?

Is it possible to have an allergic reaction to zinc oxide?

I always get a rash on my shoulders where the pack harness rests. Is there anything to prevent that?

How long should you boil water before drinking it?

If you were to wear an altimeter watch on an airplane, what would the elevation reading be?

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?

Is a can of personal defense pepper spray an effective bear deterrent?

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?

Do chiggers bite dogs, and if so, how do you combat that on the trail?

What is your mileage recommendation for novice hikers spending their spring break on the AT?

They look nice, but do hammocks really work?

What do I need to bring and do in case one of my children has an anaphylactic reaction to something like a bee sting on the trail?

What is the best way to get rid of leftover white gas, before I get on the plane to fly home?

What is your advice regarding proper winter bag sizing?

Will vinegar repel bears or harm the environment?

Where can I get emergency medical coverage for international travel?

Is there anything that can be added to water (that is safe) that will lower its freezing temperature?

Do you have any suggestions on camp shoes?

What causes&ndash;and how do you prevent&ndash;air bubbles from showing up in liquid filled compasses?

Sometimes I smell ammonia in my sweat. What is my body telling me?

Over the years I've hoarded a lot of dehydrated food. Does this stuff ever go bad?

What does the 650-fill or 700-fill label on a down jacket mean?

Does what color your tent is effect whether bears are attracted to it or not?

How long can waterborne parasites survive on the outside of a Lexan bottle?

Will eating match heads containing sulfur keep mosquitoes away?

My wife's hands swell when she hikes. Is she in danger?

How good are the alcohol stoves at high elevations and/or any elevation?

What's the best way to re-attach seam seal tape that is pulling away from waterproof fabric items such as a waterproof stuff sack or tent fly?

Down versus synthetic sleeping bags: What's the deal?

Can I safely purify water inside my CamelBak hydration reservoir?