Bushwalking topics that are not location specific.

Forum rules

The place for bushwalking topics that are not location specific.
Post a reply

Re: Things I have learnt.

Wed 09 Mar, 2022 3:27 pm

If the tent is wet I wrap it in the groundsheet, and this contains all the moisture. The tent is the last thing to be packed, so it's well away from clothing and the sleeping bag at the bottom of the pack, each in their own waterproof bag. Clothing that might be used during the day is in a waterproof bag at the top. If the tent is really wet it's packed outside the pack under the lid, as Roger describes.

Re: Things I have learnt.

Thu 10 Mar, 2022 8:57 am

I pack the tent in the same position within the pack whether it's wet or dry. However...

If the tent is dry, it goes inside the waterproof pack liner bag, but if the tent is wet, I slide it into much the same position within the pack, but outside of the water proof pack liner bag.

This keeps a dry tent from getting wet while walking, and keeps a wet tent from wetting dry gear while walking.

Works for me. :-)

PS. I use a dead dog bag (from the vet) as a pack liner. Tough, light, large and completely waterproof. Don't get the largest or second-largest size - they are huge. They are much the same as the tough pack liner bags you can buy from bushwalking shops but at a fraction of the price.

Depending on the vet, and whether they are used to this use of the bags or not, it's pretty funny how sympathetic they can be when I ask for a dead dog bag.

Re: Things I have learnt.

Thu 10 Mar, 2022 9:39 am

Kickinghorse wrote:Others have probably learnt this too but you always know if you’re first on track in the morning due to the unbroken face height spider webs!


Ha... yes indeed, experienced exactly this in the Grampians on the weekend.
And in the centre of the web, at exactly face height was large Golden Orb spider. I managed to stop with face about 10cm from the spider. We both managed to go our own way/s without inconveniencing each other :)

Re: Things I have learnt.

Thu 10 Mar, 2022 10:42 am

Son of a Beach wrote:If you're smart enough to know that carrying canned food is a reasonable idea when you'll be camping where there's no water supply (means you don't have to carry water for cooking, as the food already has exactly the right water content), then you should also be smart enough to either:
  • select cans with a ring-pull lid
  • bring a can opener
Failure to do so results in using the dangers of applying excess pressure repeatedly on a sharp knife, followed by stirring and eating around jagged sharp can edges. And do NOT attempt to wash up the can at all!

jagged can.jpeg
I learnt that not many people know this trick with cans:

Give the side of the can a bash with a rock or log to leave a reasonable indentation.
Then heat with the lid on.
When the pressure inside builds up enough to pop the indentation out, the contents will be about the right temperature to eat.
Make sure you mix well!

Re: Things I have learnt.

Thu 10 Mar, 2022 1:55 pm

ChrisJHC wrote:
Son of a Beach wrote:If you're smart enough to know that carrying canned food is a reasonable idea when you'll be camping where there's no water supply (means you don't have to carry water for cooking, as the food already has exactly the right water content), then you should also be smart enough to either:
  • select cans with a ring-pull lid
  • bring a can opener
Failure to do so results in using the dangers of applying excess pressure repeatedly on a sharp knife, followed by stirring and eating around jagged sharp can edges. And do NOT attempt to wash up the can at all!

jagged can.jpeg
I learnt that not many people know this trick with cans:

Give the side of the can a bash with a rock or log to leave a reasonable indentation.
Then heat with the lid on.
When the pressure inside builds up enough to pop the indentation out, the contents will be about the right temperature to eat.
Make sure you mix well!


I tried that once, and found the contents was too cold for me. :-( I'm probably just too fussy. :-)

Re: Things I have learnt.

Thu 10 Mar, 2022 5:02 pm

ChrisJHC wrote:
Son of a Beach wrote:If you're smart enough to know that carrying canned food is a reasonable idea when you'll be camping where there's no water supply (means you don't have to carry water for cooking, as the food already has exactly the right water content), then you should also be smart enough to either:
  • select cans with a ring-pull lid
  • bring a can opener
Failure to do so results in using the dangers of applying excess pressure repeatedly on a sharp knife, followed by stirring and eating around jagged sharp can edges. And do NOT attempt to wash up the can at all!

jagged can.jpeg
I learnt that not many people know this trick with cans:

Give the side of the can a bash with a rock or log to leave a reasonable indentation.
Then heat with the lid on.
When the pressure inside builds up enough to pop the indentation out, the contents will be about the right temperature to eat.
Make sure you mix well!


An old army trick for ration pack tins. Not sure how well it works for larger (eg baked beans) cans though?

Sent from my SM-G977B using Tapatalk

Re: Things I have learnt.

Thu 10 Mar, 2022 6:38 pm

When the pressure inside builds up enough to pop the indentation out, the contents will be about the right temperature to eat.
But take a large spoon in case you have to scrape your dinner off the surrounding trees.

Cheers
Roger

Re: Things I have learnt.

Sat 12 Mar, 2022 2:09 pm

Yeah I'm a bagger. Not peaks!
Last year upgraded to dcf dry bags, an expensive few grams saved.
Considering la nina I recently got a 15L heavy duty Exped dry bag specifically to put a wet tent in. Test it out this week. Also has daisy chain so could fit to the outside of a pack etc.

My backpack of the moment is built waterproof and if canoeing I use a barrel so anything wet steams up the rest of the gear. Hoping the Exped contains most of the tent moisture.

Rain or not, most of the time a tent is wet unless you don't leave camp until 10am or noon :)

Re: Things I have learnt.

Sun 13 Mar, 2022 6:07 am

rcaffin wrote:But take a large spoon in case you have to scrape your dinner off the surrounding trees.


What about camping above the treeline or cooking inside a tent?

Re: Things I have learnt.

Sun 13 Mar, 2022 7:23 am

Well, inside a tent should be interesting.
Above the tree line? Stiff out of luck there!

Cheers
Roger

Re: Things I have learnt.

Sun 13 Mar, 2022 4:47 pm

Close fitting, stretchy clothing is less likely to snag and/or tear than loose, non-stretchy clothing even if the stretchy fabric is significantly lighter.

Anyone know where I can get decent leggings with pockets?

Re: Things I have learnt.

Sun 13 Mar, 2022 6:45 pm

north-north-west wrote:Close fitting, stretchy clothing is less likely to snag and/or tear than loose, non-stretchy clothing even if the stretchy fabric is significantly lighter.

Anyone know where I can get decent leggings with pockets?


Depending on how deep your current pockets are. The fjallraven leggings have pockets and are meant to he good although I wouldn't spend that much personally.

Re: Things I have learnt.

Mon 14 Mar, 2022 5:36 am

EGM wrote:Depending on how deep your current pockets are. The fjallraven leggings have pockets and are meant to he good although I wouldn't spend that much personally.


They look good, but I'm not spending $300 on one pair of pants.

Re: Things I have learnt.

Mon 14 Mar, 2022 7:07 am

Try somewhere like Rebel Sports.
Or even somewhere like Target.
Cheers
Roger

Re: Things I have learnt.

Mon 14 Mar, 2022 9:28 am

north-north-west wrote:Close fitting, stretchy clothing is less likely to snag and/or tear than loose, non-stretchy clothing even if the stretchy fabric is significantly lighter.

Anyone know where I can get decent leggings with pockets?

Interesting. These are probably not close fitting enough, and maybe too warm, but might be worth having a look at while on special:

https://www.anacondastores.com/clothing ... 6534-black

Re: Things I have learnt.

Mon 14 Mar, 2022 2:19 pm

north-north-west wrote:Close fitting, stretchy clothing is less likely to snag and/or tear than loose, non-stretchy clothing even if the stretchy fabric is significantly lighter.
Anyone know where I can get decent leggings with pockets?

rcaffin wrote:Try somewhere like Rebel Sports.
Or even somewhere like Target.
Cheers
Roger

Or even Kmart for that matter. What about these? Cheap enough experiment:
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/active-womens-fleece-zip-leggings/3547304

Re: Things I have learnt.

Tue 15 Mar, 2022 9:06 am

Tortoise wrote:
north-north-west wrote:Close fitting, stretchy clothing is less likely to snag and/or tear than loose, non-stretchy clothing even if the stretchy fabric is significantly lighter.
Anyone know where I can get decent leggings with pockets?

Interesting. These are probably not close fitting enough, and maybe too warm, but might be worth having a look at while on special:
https://www.anacondastores.com/clothing ... 6534-black


Probably would be too warm, but I'll have a look. Thanks.

johnw wrote:
north-north-west wrote:Close fitting, stretchy clothing is less likely to snag and/or tear than loose, non-stretchy clothing even if the stretchy fabric is significantly lighter.
Anyone know where I can get decent leggings with pockets?

Or even Kmart for that matter. What about these? Cheap enough experiment:
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/active-womens-fleece-zip-leggings/3547304


Proper pockets, not a teensy little coin pouch.
I really wish those Fjallraven beasts weren't so obscenely expensive. They're the perfect design, but the price is ridiculous.

Rebel does have some that look promising also. Time to go shopping (yuk).

Re: Things I have learnt.

Fri 25 Mar, 2022 1:27 pm

In Tassie, thorns and prickly leaves are like leeches; there's always one that will get through your defences.

Re: Things I have learnt.

Fri 25 Mar, 2022 2:48 pm

north-north-west wrote:Close fitting, stretchy clothing is less likely to snag and/or tear than loose, non-stretchy clothing even if the stretchy fabric is significantly lighter.

Anyone know where I can get decent leggings with pockets?


The Macpac merino trackie dacks (small % of nylon) are quite close fitting, particularly lower thigh down to ankles. Two side pockets and a rear pocket with zip. Well worth a look.

Re: Things I have learnt.

Fri 25 Mar, 2022 7:22 pm

north-north-west wrote:Anyone know where I can get decent leggings with pockets?


https://www.mountaindesigns.com/womens- ... 2111-black

Macpac have several to choose from…. Currently on sale.

Re: Things I have learnt.

Fri 25 Mar, 2022 7:41 pm

Kmart, Womens Active outdoor wear:
Active Womens Merino Base Layer Pants $5.00 was $10 but no pockets
Active Womens Outdoor Pants $20.00 was $10 with pockets

Cheers
Roger

Re: Things I have learnt.

Tue 29 Mar, 2022 9:16 pm

Marmot on sale at MD:
https://www.mountaindesigns.com/womens- ... s/90182110

Re: Things I have learnt.

Wed 30 Mar, 2022 8:06 am

Yeah, I've been eyeing those up. I'd prefer a darker colour but they're about the best design I've seen so far apart from Fjallraven, and beggars can't be choosers, etc.

Re: Things I have learnt.

Wed 30 Mar, 2022 11:09 am

Free delivery too..... I couldn't help myself :D

These are a steal: https://www.rebelsport.com.au/p/macpac- ... 86602.html

I already have 2 pairs so I'll leave them this time round. Favourite pants of all time.

Re: Things I have learnt.

Thu 31 Mar, 2022 9:43 am

Not to be too embarrassed/proud to pull the pin on state Rescue after doing a serious injury to your ankle,limping out and thereby doing further damage. (Dislocated and fractured Fibula)

Phil

Re: Things I have learnt.

Thu 31 Mar, 2022 10:15 am

Kickinghorse wrote:Not to be too embarrassed/proud to pull the pin on state Rescue after doing a serious injury to your ankle,limping out and thereby doing further damage. (Dislocated and fractured Fibula)

Phil


That's no good and you did the right thing for sure. Did you get surgery?
I've been in plaster for 2 weeks now after a similar experience. Easy walking too. Right foot slipped, left foot slipped and got wedged and over I went. Rolled my ankle, fractured my Fibula. At over 100kg, I think SES were happy the helicopter showed up LOL
heli.jpg

Re: Things I have learnt.

Thu 31 Mar, 2022 2:58 pm

Crollsurf apologies re the ambiguous post but my intention was to say that I’ve learnt that one shouldn’t be too embarrassed/reluctant to call for help as I did the opposite, hauling myself out and adding further complications to my overall recovery. Yes surgery plate and screws.

Phil

Re: Things I have learnt.

Thu 31 Mar, 2022 6:02 pm

Kickinghorse wrote:Crollsurf apologies re the ambiguous post but my intention was to say that I’ve learnt that one shouldn’t be too embarrassed/reluctant to call for help as I did the opposite, hauling myself out and adding further complications to my overall recovery. Yes surgery plate and screws.

Phil


Got ya. It's hard to make the right call. One of the problems with self rescue, is the ligament and tendon damage you do along the way. The broken bone will heal easily enough. Hopefully the other damage heals in good time and you're back into it

Re: Things I have learnt.

Thu 31 Mar, 2022 7:20 pm

Someone once tried to walk out of Wollangambee Canyon with a broken leg, a splint and tranqs. Very silly.
He now has one short leg.

Cheers
Roger

Re: Things I have learnt.

Thu 31 Mar, 2022 9:06 pm

Thanks for the good wishes Crollsurf. A broken leg maybe a different level of misadventure Roger. It wasn’t until I had extracted myself and boot was removed that the full extent of what might be going on was revealed. Up until the X-Ray results I was hopeful that it might have been a bad sprain/ligament damage.
And to misquote one of this forums members “We are too old before we are smart”

Phil
Post a reply