HowToDoThings.com Recent Climbing & Hiking Articles

How To Buy Binoculars

garrett — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:39:06 -0700

Second to spectacles, binoculars are the most extensively used and extremely useful optical gadgets. They come in various sizes and versions, and are a necessary part of your kit if you are the type of person who is extensively outdoors and frequently travelling. However, there are also binoculars which can be used indoors, for example, theatre/opera glasses. The different types of binoculars available in the market today are ‘compact binoculars’, ‘hunting binoculars’, ‘astronomy binoculars’, binoculars for military, marine and bird watching, digital and telescopic. When you decide to buy a pair of binoculars, it is important to know exactly why or for what purpose you need them. Based on this, there are some necessary technical specifications and usage factors to know and understand which will help you pick the right pair of binoculars for your needs.

How To Find True North Without a Compass

gin rummy — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:17:54 -0700

If you are reading this article you are either lost in the woods with your laptop or you plan to get lost in the woods in the near future. Either way, these simple steps are an excellent way to get you out of this bind. I may joke around, but this is serious stuff. The longer you stay lost the lesser your chances of being found. If you have an idea where the nearest ranger station is, try going there. The problem is that when you are lost in the woods, you don't really know which direction you are going. Unless you know some important tricks, you'll likelywind up going in circles.

There are several ways to find true north without a compass. Here are just some of the things I have come up with that might prove useful to you.

How To Get Fit for the Footpath

Journey Beyond Travel — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:48:38 -0700

You’re out with your friends hiking in Colorado. It’s a day’s jaunt, up and down through pristine woods and azure lakes with some of the starkest scenery statewide. However, your friends are good-humored, talking and jabbing jokes the whole way while you gasp for every breath. You’re the one they have to wait on; you’re the one they constantly ask, “How are you doing?”; and, worst yet, you’re the one everyone at some point asks, “If you’d like to turn back?” You gasp and say, “No” (yet again). Get fit the next time you take to the footpath by following these "how to" steps:

How To Find Great Hiking Trails

tmiller158 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:21:50 -0700

How To Keep Your Dog Safe in the Deep Wilderness

harryoakes — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:23:19 -0800

We all enjoy sharing our outdoor experiences with our pets. There's nothing more spiritual or rewarding than to cuddle up to your dog and watch a sunrise or sunset. To share in the majestic beauty of the wilderness. There are some very important factors to consider before you head into the outdoors with "Fido".

Terrain. Ask yourself: Can "Fido" handle the terrain? Is He / She in shape for this adventure? Can the terrain injure or kill my dog? What can I do to minimize the risks?
To protect the dog from a falls off of a cliff, make sure your dog wears a HARNESS.

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How To Plan a Solo Backpacking Trip

ronkhare — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 10:48:22 -0700

First, a warning: Solo backpacking trips are extremely dangerous. Many national parks will not allow a person to travel alone, be it hiking, backpacking or any other outdoor sport. Before you decide to risk it, check with the rules and laws of the parks and wilderness areas beforehand.

That said, there are rewards along with the risks. Backpacking is a great way to escape the insanity of the modern world, and traveling alone allows one to soak in nature without the constant interaction and chatter a partner would provide. However, without the extra pair of hands, feet and eyes, the dangers of backpacking increase exponentially.

This is for experienced backpackers only. If you are a new backpacker, go on a few trips with experienced friends first.

How To Be Safe in Avalanche Country

McQ — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:29:57 -0700

While carving lines on a board or set of skis is one of life’s great pleasures, the potential for danger, in the form of avalanche, is something that should always be in the back of snow enthusiasts’ minds. Especially those who like to travel in the backcountry. Each year, about 200 Americans are caught in avalanches with about 30 of those resulting in death. Avalanches can occur at any time of year but are especially common in winter, spring and early summer. Luckily, most can be avoided by following these guidelines. Keep in mind that whole courses are given in avalanche awareness and the science behind it all; these tips are no substitute for avalanche training.

Check www.avalanche.org for the latest conditions. There are links here to avalanche centers in North America’s most avalanche-prone regions.

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How To Stay Injury-Free

McQ — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:14:17 -0700

If you’re the physically active type, just about the last thing you want is to miss out on pursuing your hiking-biking-skiing-boarding-rowing (or whatever) passion because of injury. A pulled hamstring. A tweaked knee. A back thingee that hurts every time you move like this. (Ow!)

Luckily a few ounces of prevention can go a long way toward keeping you off the disabled list. Here are some tips:

How To Recreational Tree Climb

Shellystefbyrne — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 17:22:21 -0700

Unlike the tree climbing of our youth, recreational tree climbing is a fun and easy-to-learn activity that utilizes arborist rope, a saddle harness and a unique knot system to assist with ascending and descending a tree. It's an amazing feeling being in the arms of very large trees. You can sometimes get as many as fifteen climbers in a tree at once.