View Full Version : basic,advanced and essential skills
I got the idea from Cuffs post, in the humor section,and i think that is a serious issue that many of the members here could comment and advice on the matter from experience ,trial and error,or practice. already there is a article on : Tips and Tricks ,and it should be Tips,Tricks and Skills. So the questions is:> Do You Have Skills? :-? for hiking, camping...of course. post your best or whatever you prefer.
My skill is "Stayin' Alive" - to the tune by the Bee Gees! :D
Know how to pitch your tent/hammock/bivy in bad/rainy weather. And practice this at home first!
Watch the Food Channel a while . . . learn how to cook something besides water without burning it! :)
Learn the skill of "don't be in such a hurry" . . . slow down and enjoy life! :-?
Frolicking Dinosaurs
12-05-2007, 17:14
I think my most important backpacking skill is the ability to think outside the box. Things go wrong out there and being able to use what you have to make things work is an important skill.
when confronted with the unexpected, stop and think before you act. A lttle common sence rather than panic goes a long ways. :D
take-a-knee
12-05-2007, 17:28
there are no advanced skills. If you want to be "high-speed" in any endeavour, master the basics.
when confronted with the unexpected, stop and think before you act. A lttle common sence rather than panic goes a long ways. :DThat's actually been "the draw" for me in being a backpacking enthusist for 34 years. I call it "taking what mother nature throws at you and dealing with it successfully." Dealing with the elements and the unexpected creates an adrenaline rush challenge for me! :)
kayak karl
12-05-2007, 17:29
"PATIENCE" time fixes many things!
SGT Rock
12-05-2007, 17:49
Skills that one should aquire and attitudes are slightly diferent.
Skills:
- Build a fire. You may not always want or need one, but if you are ever up the creek so to speak, this could be invaluable.
- Navigate using a compass and map - again, this is something you probably don't need to do all the time, but when you do need it - a map and compass are useless unless you know how to work them together. And really, this is more than knowing a compass points north and a map is the paper with the squiggly lines on it.
- Dig a cat hole. Really, I mean it. Some folks that already hike need to learn.
- First Aid. Enough said.
- Set up a shelter. In the rain too.
- Gear repiair. Nice to know how to fix or at least temporarily repair some of your gear like a stove.
- Cook - well maybe. I don't think most trail cooking requires you to know much more than how to boil water for the most part.
Attitude:
Flexability
Confidence
Questioning
Openness to new ideas
Willingness to help others - backpackers in general are still some of the best people I have ever met. Folks that still basically live by the golden rule.
taildragger
12-05-2007, 18:36
Knowing when and when not to push, this goes for farting as well
-backpacking = packing a b.pack properly,balance it right ,fit it right to your back,adjust it as you go whit different loads+ - food and water...uneven load=Pain
-chose and wear the right footwear,compatible whit the load in your backpack...
-know how to filter and treat water right,if your filter fails,or you lose your aqua Mira, - boil it.snow is water...
-basic first aid 101 skills, if you have hypothermia i could save you...or if you are dehydrated i don`t give you 1L of cold water at once to drink...
P.S. swiss army knives are for sissies :D
Learn to have an odd mix of flexibility and stuborness!
The skill I've improved at the most since taking up hiking is hanging a bear bag. Practice, practice. I read a tip here at WhiteBlaze to use a partially full water bottle with ridges (Gatorade Undurance Formula one liter bottles work great) as the weight you use to tie your bear bag cord to, instead of a rock. Works great.
Basic: walking
advanced: walking while carrying stuff
expert: walking while carrying almost no stuff
CoyoteWhips
12-05-2007, 20:56
P.S. swiss army knives are for sissies :D
Dude! You'll be answering a knock at your door and it'll be the Swiss Army and you'll be, like, "Oh, crap!" 'cause they're gonna want to kick your butt!
skill:
this depends on personal choice: to know how to chose,use and maintain a 4-6 inches full tang fixed blade knife,and recognizing that is a nr. 1 survival multi tool of choice ,and if a pocket knife that has a blade that i can brake of easily whit my bare hands... is a toy :D
take-a-knee
12-05-2007, 22:12
skill:
this depends on personal choice: to know how to chose,use and maintain a 4-6 inches full tang fixed blade knife,and recognizing that is a nr. 1 survival multi tool of choice ,and if a pocket knife that has a blade that i can brake of easily whit my bare hands... is a toy :D
Good point, cause with a "real knife" you can pick up a hardwood "baton" off the ground and use it to split (wet) wood.
I was going to write a lot of stuff, and then I read Rock's post... he said almost everything I was going to say. The only thing I'd add would be basic shelter making skills. Nothing fancy, just enough to get out of the rain if need be.
And I'd like to second the making a fire. In an emergency, this is one of the most important skills to know. At the very least, be able to make a fire using a single match.
And I'd like to second the making a fire. In an emergency, this is one of the most important skills to know. At the very least, be able to make a fire using a single match.
I agree with the fire making skills! I always carry emergency fire starter (vasaline coated cotton balls).
I started a fire one time... NO matches!!!
The Weasel
12-06-2007, 13:49
Foot/leg care, which is not "first aid":
- Selection of boots/shoes/sandals/insoles and care for same
- Selection of socks and care
- Blister prevention and treatment
- Ankle development/training and role of stretching
TW
hopefulhiker
12-06-2007, 13:51
Learn how to stretch! There are all sorts of stretching exercises you can do before and after a hike to prevent injuries and cramps.. I learned a bunch of stretches from other hikers on the trail.
Learn how to use the trekking poles effectively. A lot of people just seem to carry them along.
Learn knots! Basic knots come in handy, square, clove hitch, taut line, and bowline.
Learn about plants and animals! It will ehance your enjoyment of your hike! I am no plant or animal expert but I wish I had studied it more before I did my thru...
Very nice list by the Rock.
Wondering where he might have learned to think like that? :-?
I think my favourite skill to learn and to practice is how to sit down and make tea and get warm and relaxed even in the worst possible situations. Admittedly in some situations this is not the most immediate thing to do, like while falling through the ice, or falling down a hill, or wrestling with a bear, or while busy getting oneself lost. Nice think to do immediately afterwards though, or instead of.
Get all your gear soaking wet and go sleep in the back yard on a cold night. Find out that there is truly nothing (that isn't warm blooded) that is "warm when wet". That's about the safest way to experience a "life or death" situation.
Words for hikers, campers, and other outdoors people to live by:
"DO try this at home". ;)
I have done that at home. Wool is warm when wet. No I would not want to sleep in it, but better a wet wool sweater and wet sleeping bag than a wet sleeping bag without the wool.
I used to sail in cold water before wetsuits. In early spring and late fall we wore wool with cheap light nylon over top. As long as you kept the water exchange to a minimum we were warm when wet. Or at least as warm as a 98# kid might expect to be getting constantly soaked and immersed in 40-50F water. Not comfortable for sleeping in though. When the good quality polyester fleece first came out I thought it was amazing how little water it absorbed and considered it superior to wool for water sports. Of course dry suits were popular by then also, and neoprene wet suits had been in widespread use for a while. Now for hiking in cold wet conditions I think it is best to have a combination of wool and quality fleece and skin layers and cheap light nylon, and to keep the wool on fairly continuously and use the other layers for temperature and ventilation regulation.
canerunner
12-07-2007, 08:42
I agree totally, Jak. Wool is the key to staying warm when it's damp or even wet. Fleece is a workable alternative in many cases, but real qool still is the best insulator when mositure is an issue.
Wool, when all of the lanolin hasn't been washed out of it, is very water resistant. I have worn a heavy wool shirt out hunting in the cold rain of February, and been remarkably warm and dry. Water will bead up and run off of a wool garment if it isn't completely soaked or immersed. That's my experience, anyway. A couple of layers of wool work wonders, and they are breathable, so moisture escapes easily.
nitewalker
12-07-2007, 09:00
i have gotten better at nutrition on the trail. one time on a hike up to garfield it took me about 30 min to get from the water area to the shelter due to no breakfast or lunch during the course of the whole day. i was glazed by this time, no energy, a spliting headache , cramps and no appetite until 2hr later. i was a mess....so i have learned to have more than enough inmy food bag...another skill i have is to figure out what mother nature has in store before it happens. if one pays enough attention to her, she can give away whats instore...and last but not least is to adapt to the situation at hand. i have become real good at this over the last 10 yrs . when pop died i had to take over the family campground so i belive this along with many hikes has taught me the necessity of adapting to a situation when needed.........peace out, nitewalker
DawnTreader
12-07-2007, 10:53
I've got chill skills, patience, willigness to learn, and am very adaptable, and can go long periods in uncomforatable situations.. I find this skills a necessity when LD hiking.. . everything else I just picked up along the way... NBD
Don't not try something because you arn't an expert at it.. If your smart you'll learn and if your dumb, you may have a horrifying survival story that we can all comment on at a later time and date..
maybe not a skill, but after many trips of leaving things at home, I now have a checklist, I follow when I am packing to leave. My son and I went on a family campout with his cub scout pack a few years ago, without a flashlight, that hurt, I had to buy a "scout flashlight" at the scout store. $8 for a $2 light. My worst mistake was leaving the rainfly to the tent on our very first backpacking trip to the Cohutta Wildnerness. We got soaked. I was carring a lot of extra weight the next day because everything was wet. Only because it was in the dead of summer we survived.
Then just a few weeks ago we hiked up to Brasstown Bald, the highest point in GA. Because it was a day trip I did not use my checklist. I was only going to take food, water, and an extra sweatshirt. Luckily I threw our headlamps in my pack at the last miniute. Sure enough it was dark when we made it to the parking lot. After reflecting on this, It seems a bit foolish to go on a dayhike, late in the day without a way to start a fire, or one of those space blankets.
soulrebel
12-07-2007, 12:03
farting-loud-->louder-->loudest w/ perfect pitch
pooping-holding it-->straining it-->doodle art time
drinking-scared carry all-->filter/maybe-->camel up raw
cooking--it comes in a bag-->I freeze dried my own-->It was in the trash, vending machine, or I have fresh meat and potatoes.
eating-nah-->sounds good-->food coma please
smoking-bad-->ok-->warm and relaxing
sleeping-rather hike-->sleep is good-->why do you keep getting up before 8am
fires-how do i start one-->too tired to get wood-->ragers are nice, fireban? i don't see a fireban.
shelters-love them-->register reader-->we passed a shelter .5mi ago?
gear-i need more-->I need less--->more beer, any gear
hiking-oh yes i love it-->it goes up and down-->i keep forgetting my dynamite for the hills
moonshine-blindness-->that's all they have?-->I tethered myself to my sleeping bag so when i pass out...
sex--i've done it a few times, by myself in my bag--->I've got porno on my ipod--->that's a pretty tree or what a soft lil rabbit
hmm trying to think of a few others---back to my smoking jacket
Using a checklist is a great skill. Let me add that to my list.
Now where was that list?
We had a guy in grade four that could fart to God Save The Queen. Now that's a skill.
we are in the straight forward section
I too have converted to lists... I can pack my pack without it, but I had to start using for dayhikes!! raingear, 1st aid kit, snacky foods, water... for some reason I cant seem to remember all the stuff I need to take on a day hike... thank goodness for lists!
we are in the straight forward sectionWhoops. Sorry about that. Soon to be fixed.
Incoming!
Drying out clothing is a very important skill in winter, since staying dry is often futile, and extreme cold often follows cold and wet. Much of it is clothing choices, but there are also skills. Building a small drying fire is one, but sometimes a tealight will work on wool socks. A bit damp, but then wearing them as mitts can help finish the job. Managing your layers to maximize clothes drying is also good. I will usually keep my wool on and peel the other layers off and let my body heat and the wind and sun do much of the work. Sometimes beating your frozen clothes on a rock works very well when its extreme cold. It all takes practice. Knowing what to expect from your clothes and gear and weather changes is half the battle.
-skill: to know how to properly signal a S.O.S. in 2 different ways at least.
Of course there are people here that could fill up a page by them selfs,but that will be called a article. so i`m going to post a skill/week Morse code distress signal · · · — — — · · ·
To know WHEN to call out in distress. Youre tired, have blisters and "cant" walk another step is one thing. Have fallen ala DWM from leaning on imaginary trees, broke said leg in fall, call for help.
-skill : good to know to save your skin (literally) learn how to identify -Poison ivy- oak- and -sumac . don`t put your backpack on it :-?
Ya know I've never come across poison ivy or poison oak or poison sumac, and I wouldn't recognize them if I did, and I hike in shorts and bushwack a fair bit. I'm I imune, or just lucky? Sorry that wasn't straightforward. Anyhow, definitely a good skill.
Know and recognize some useful, and some right nasty, plants.
Chaplain
12-20-2007, 22:37
Obtaining clean water to consume. (I use a Sweet Water filter system. I have it down to an art and it works great for me.). -SunnyWalker
Havent seen anyone mention building a fire in the rain for warmth
I've heard there is a way to hold a candle under a poncho but I haven't tried it myself. I will certainly be wearing wool when I do. Still not sure about the poncho itself, whether the skill is intended for a modern nylon poncho, or an old style scout puptent poncho, or a traditional wool poncho.
Fire after rain is not so tough. Fire during heavy rain or heavy snow and high winds might be very tough, especially without an axe or something. I can use my Kelly Kettle to make hot tea in just about anything though, as long as its in the woods and not out in the open.
Surviving out in the open. Ways and means. Now there's a bunch more skills I don't have.
regularly look up. seriously, a majority of people who find themselves disoriented in the back country do so because of a failure to make an occasional stop to look and listen, to gain situational awareness.
beyond that - well all things have a way of working themselves out, despite our best efforts ;)
I remember from that movie,
But it struck me as right,
That men die of shame,
But they don't die of fright.
- JAK
Jim Adams
12-21-2007, 02:22
No matter age, condition, sex, weather, skills, alone or in a group...KNOW WHEN TO QUIT!
Anyone can hike themselves into the ground and be forced to go home.
geek
Here's one for the season: Don't die in damp clothing in cold weather when your sleeping pad's in your pack. Take it out and shove it under your jacket. It may be stiff, but it will keep you warm.
Another one is to use plastic bags on your feet under your socks as vapor barriers to keep your feet warmer. There are more durable options, but in a pinch plastic bags (bread loaf wrappers, especially), will keep your feet warmer than socks alone. Remember not to put them outside your socks, or they'll cause your feet to sweat, compromising the insulative value of your socks.
Blue Jay
12-21-2007, 03:06
skill:
this depends on personal choice: to know how to chose,use and maintain a 4-6 inches full tang fixed blade knife,and recognizing that is a nr. 1 survival multi tool of choice ,and if a pocket knife that has a blade that i can brake of easily whit my bare hands... is a toy :D
This is flat out funny. You're now going into a redneck standup routine, right?:banana
Blue Jay
12-21-2007, 03:13
The one advanced skill I can think of is not required, like many that have been given here. It is very simple but hard to actually accomplish. You need to change the common perspective about being wet, since you will be spending a great deal of time in this state. You can learn to like it. Once you do, hiking becomes waaay more pleasurable.
tmdombrosk
12-21-2007, 03:16
Positive mental attitude
dessertrat
12-21-2007, 11:30
Ya know I've never come across poison ivy or poison oak or poison sumac, and I wouldn't recognize them if I did, and I hike in shorts and bushwack a fair bit. I'm I imune, or just lucky? Sorry that wasn't straightforward. Anyhow, definitely a good skill.
Know and recognize some useful, and some right nasty, plants.
Some people are immune, or near immune. I believe I am in the "near immune" category, at least with respect to poison ivy, after having had it a number of times as a child. I see it sometimes, ignore it, and sometimes get minor itchies, but nothing serious. Same for mosquito bites-- they used to make me swell up when I was a kid, and now they do nothing to me.
_terrapin_
12-21-2007, 11:59
Hiking isn't rocket science. That's what I like about it. :D
Javasanctum
12-21-2007, 13:27
Pay attention on WB and absorb knowledge from these guys like a sponge. Then most important: Never try something you haven't practiced in your back yard or on a day hike. Practice a thousand times and I mean everything from navigation, to pooping, to sewing a repair on your pack. (Well, OK, maybe don't poop in your back yard a thousand times:rolleyes: )
saimyoji
12-21-2007, 19:32
Choose your tent site carefully.....look up, don't camp under widow makers, or worse yet....treed bears. :eek:
whitefoot_hp
12-21-2007, 22:18
Pay attention on WB and absorb knowledge from these guys like a sponge. Then most important: Never try something you haven't practiced in your back yard or on a day hike. Practice a thousand times and I mean everything from navigation, to pooping, to sewing a repair on your pack. (Well, OK, maybe don't poop in your back yard a thousand times:rolleyes: )
practice hiking?
Some one said learn morse code good but can the guy at the other end read it. Also someone said make day pack list is there a night pack list also ??
_terrapin_
12-22-2007, 01:05
Some one said learn morse code good but can the guy at the other end read it. Also someone said make day pack list is there a night pack list also ??
The "morse code" used for a distress signal is universally understood. Basically, any sequence of three repeated sounds will do. Some hikers carry a plastic whistle for that purpose, but I've heard someone (maybe Sgt. Rock?) suggest that the sound of a stick or spoon banging on a cook pot carries better.
pyroman53
12-22-2007, 11:31
Learn how to select a tent/tarp site that won't end up a huge puddle in a heavy rain. Most of the best "looking" sites turn out to be the worst, especially in heavily used areas, once it starts raining. Few ground cloths or tent floors can keep you dry if you chose wrong. Avoid the bowl shaped sites, watch for subtle slopes changes, be alert for areas that might channel runoff through your intended site, and look for the tell-tale signs of puddling (you'll see where the loose organic material had floated and collected).
Christopher Robin
12-22-2007, 19:41
Dress like an onion so you can peel those clothes off or put them on. Put your rain gear in the pack last. Now the symptoms & tretments for, Sunstroke, Heatstroke, & hypothemia. If lost don't panik, stop & huge a tree, rock or one self, &eat sumething you like. S.Rock dido.
Just Jeff
12-22-2007, 20:36
Lots of good ideas in here...attitude first, basic survival skills (shelter, water, fire, food), and practice. When you have these, gear doesn't matter as much.
Sometimes it's tough to really adjust to that last point, though...especially for military folks, who are taught that everything has to be bombproof, and you need 2 of them, and you need to have the right gear for every contingency, etc. Hiking is not war and it's not survival. With a few basic skills, you can REALLY cut down on the gear you carry. Big knives and hatchets are perfect examples - I'm rarely more than a day's hike away from roads or towns, so with map/compass skills and a signal whistle I don't think I'll ever be in a true survival situation where a big knife or hatchet will make a difference.
Now if I were REALLY going into the back country, I'd have a fixed blade knife on me for sure...because in some situations there's no substitute for it.
Learning the difference and being comfortable without that heavy knife took some adjustment, though. So the real skill I'm getting at is - figure out exactly what kind of trip you're going on, and match the gear for THAT kind of trip...no more, no less.
Javasanctum
12-23-2007, 00:38
practice hiking?
That's the coolest part. Practice hiking by actually hiking.
Blue Jay
12-23-2007, 09:35
Now if I were REALLY going into the back country, I'd have a fixed blade knife on me for sure...because in some situations there's no substitute for it.
Only if you are dumb enough to get yourself in a situation where you have to cut your own arm off. Now I am aware this can lead to talkshows and lucrative book deals but I'd rather have my arm. Cutting garlic is about the only reason you need a knife at all, other than clutching it when the fictional attacking bears come.
Just Jeff
12-23-2007, 09:48
Three days from anywhere and my tarp rips. I'd like a real knife to cut shelter-making time down by at least a third.
It's raining and I need to make a splitwood fire. Ain't gonna do it with just a minitool.
Etc...
Sooner of later you will screw up.
When you do, you will feel shame.
Get over it. Shame kills.
Survive first. Atone later.