While trying to sleep in the backcountry my mind wants to stay in alert mode at night causing considerable sleep loss. I've tried OTC sleep aids and melatonin (3 mg) to only modest success. Any additional suggestions would be very appreciated.
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Is there something that works better than water and if so, what? Also, does warm liquid hydrate better than cold, or vice versa?
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Buck, what's the best in-the-field painkiller on the market. Do you
recommend one more than another?
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I went to Nepal this year and trekked thru the foothills of the Annapurna. After hitting one of the highest points of the trek, I started swelling in my hands, feet, and face. What exactly can I do to prevent this in the future?
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I hike in the Midwest and I was told that in a lightning storm that it's best to stay away from hardwoods like hickory trees and oak trees. Is this true? And if so, why?
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After long, multiday trips, I get calluses on the bottoms of my feet. Lately they have been very painful. I’ve had this problem before and the pain went away after a two-day rest—but it’s not going away now. Can you help?
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I've heard that bleach and iodine tablets are only good for water purification for six months. What about white vinegar? Will it purify water? And does it have an expiration date?
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I have a burning sensation in the soles of my feet when I am long-distance hiking, but no blisters. Do you have a solution?
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I've just returned from some bad weather in the mountains. The top half of my big toes have been numb during the trip till now. Should I be concerned? Will they regain feeling again in time to come?
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Can snoring deter bears and other animals from your campsite? I know that my friends like to not tent next to me.
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How much time does it take for the body to absorb water into the system after drinking it?
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Will white vinegar (used to clean camping kitchen gear) attract bears?
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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?
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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?
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If cups and cook pots are exposed to untreated water, are they safe to use after they air dry?
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Can you get rabies or other diseases by using a bite valve that some animal has been nibbling on? Will alcohol sanitizer "sterilize" it?
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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. The DC current allegedly polarized the molecules of the venom.
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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. Set me straight, Buck!
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Camping in bear country with children and diapers: Do diapers inside the tent, wet or dry, attract bears?
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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?
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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?
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Is it possible to experience mild altitude sickness with backpacking trips below 10,000 feet? I experience gas pain during the trip, and after I return, I’m somewhat tired, short of breath and sickly feeling for days after. I'm in great shape. Any ideas?
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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?
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Does using sunscreen or bug repellent attract bears?
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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.
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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?
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How long does it take to start feeling the effects of poison oak exposure?
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Can you get some of the waterborne parasites, such as Giardia, through open wounds or cuts and scrapes?
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Buck, I have heard that the bonding agents like Super Glue or Krazy Glue can be used to seal wounds in the backcountry, But I also understand that they could cause the patient problems. Is this true, and what's the risk vs. benefit?
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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!
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Will placing a copper penny on a wasp, hornet, or bee sting reduce the pain and swelling?
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I'm preparing for a trip in bear/mountain lion country. 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?
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My wife, who's allergic to bees, is reluctant to hike with me. What can I do to ease her fear of getting stung?
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I use duct tape for potential hot spots on my feet when I go for a long hike, and it works great. I want to try the same for chafing between the legs, but I'm too scared to try. Do you know if this works better than lotions or creams?
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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?
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Do odorproof bags work? And are they any more effective than standard zip-top bags for keeping in smells?
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Can you advise on how to deal with a cougar encounter?
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Is bear spray effective against snakes?
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Is it safe to wear DEET in summer when bears are around? I've heard the bear will come after you because it smells.
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Q: A friend told me today that if a bear (or alligator) chases you, it is possible to outrun them if you run in a zigzag pattern because they don't turn very well. Is this true?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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I sprained my ankle two months ago playing volleyball. I can hike on level surfaces, but side-to-side motion—typical of backpacking—hurts. I wear a lace-up cast when hiking. Should I stay off it, or use therapy and exercise to strengthen it?
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Does dark-colored clothing really attract more mosquitoes then light-colored clothing?
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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?
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What is the best thing you can do to train for a climb or long hike?
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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?
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I want to wear deodorant, but I don't want to attract attention from bears. Is baking soda a good solution?
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Will drinking urine when no water is available allow you to survive longer? I have heard conflicting information.
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I'm curious about insect repellents for kids. Is DEET okay to use on a six-year-old? Thanks!
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I recently did a tough 14-mile hike and woke up with a huge headache and nausea. 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?
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Does bear spray really work? I have heard mixed things. If it does work, how?
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What is best diet at high altitude--fish, carbohydrate etc?
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I have been an avid backpacker for most of my life, and now that I'm getting up there in age I'm noticing my posture getting poorer. Does backpacking contribute to this? And do products like the posture girdle straps I've seen online help—or do the muscles and bones require more support than that? Is this a job for the chiropractor?
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How toxic is methanol? Is it safe to get on my body?
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Cold weather sleeping--is it correct to don the clothes you intend to wear the next day, so you're not sleeping in sweat-dampened attire and then becoming chilled overnight?
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During my hikes in the fall, between the summer and winter layers, moisture builds up and my chest tends to rub raw. What is the best way to stop this, besides changing shirts more often? Could I use something like Vaseline?
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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?
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If I take my dog on a high-altitude excursion with me, should I acclimatize Fido as well as myself before we go?
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When carrying a pack of pretty much any size and weight and using the hip belt, my left leg will go numb sometimes. The problem goes away if I loosen the belt, but this defeats carrying the weight on my waist. (I've been fitted by knowledgeable people.)
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What are the pros and cons of using UV light pens for water treatment? How effective are they against parasites, bacteria, and viruses?
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I needed some ibuprofen for a sore shoulder and found an outdated bottle of it in my kit (oops!). Are there any harmful effects from outdated ibuprofen? Does it degrade with age, and if so, how much?
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I'm going fishing in the Trinity Forest rivers, and there are a lot of bears there at this time of year. I can't afford an expensive bear deterrent: What can I use to assist me? I was told to use regular pepper spray or bleach.
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We're rafters. In a thunderstorm, should we stay in the boat (the absolute lowest point around) or pull ashore and get out of the water?
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On an episode of Survivorman, Les Stroud cooked grasshoppers, stating if you didn't, you might get a tapeworm. But he ate a raw scorpion–couldn't one just as easily get a tapeworm from a scorpion?
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I am trying to lose weight and boost my stamina for a hike to Colorado next year. Should I eat a big breakfast for a three-day hike to the Porcupine Mountains, or a smaller breakfast and rely on my fat reserves to help burn off the weight?
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Is it better to drive a long distance to a much higher elevation (like from the Northeast to the Rockies) to get used to the elevation gradually?
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On a recent backpacking trip, I underestimated the amount of mosquito repellent we'd need. Clothing did not deter the little buggers, and fires were not allowed. Is there a North American plant that can be used, or something one can do to avoid being eaten alive?
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I know that all snakes are edible...what about snails? Is all escargot created equal?
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I've been told for years that the proper way to wait out a lightning storm is to crouch down. But I always wondered why this was better than just lying down on the ground. You would seem to be less of a target if you are lying down flat.
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I have a friend who is a city arborist. He knows a bit about plants as well as trees. He told me that it was possible to build up a relative immunity to poison ivy by ingesting the leaves of the plant in small doses over time. Is this true?
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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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