Recent content by Geo.

In the northern hemisphere it's on the cooler/wetter north side. In the southern hemisphere it's the opposite. This will be true of growth on stones, rocks etc., too. Having said that, it's only on 'average' as many areas will have conditions where growth will appear equally all around...

I've used the watch method for a quick assessment of general direction to take. The closer to the equator you are though the less accurate. You need correct local time of course and take off daylight saving if it's in force. And It'll indicate true north/south not magnetic! Another tip I've...

Second part continued... The practical entries, and there were just a few, were penned by Alaskans who noted the weather conditions, the river's depth, and so on -- the sort of information useful to other backcountry travelers. Jon Nierenberg, a Stampede Trail resident, left a detailed...

Here's the first part of the second article... A writer for the Anchorage, Alaska Anchorage Press, wrote this following long article about Chris McCandless and those who visit the "death bus." A Man Made Cold by the Universe Sherry Simpson Before we started our small journey to...

Here are a couple of well written articles that were copied and posted on another board I frequent. They're pretty long, but I think members here may find their comments interesting. The first is from an Alaskan Park Ranger, the second from a journalist for the Alaska Anchorage Press. I have...

There's been quite a bit written about Chris McCandless. Read the excellent and somewhat haunting book by Krakauer but haven't seen the movie as yet. Couple of points of interest that weren't mentioned... In the movie he is depicted as shooting the rapids in the Grand Canyon. This was not...

Hi Rich, don't frequent that area as much as I'd like as it's a few hours drive from where I live, but there are plenty of other spots here to choose from. My favourite area which unfortunately is even further away, is at the southern end of Stewart Island (which lies off the southern tip of...

Thought these pic's taken in NZ's South Island might be of interest and show a bit of NZ terrain. Taken on a four day hike. Up one valley, over a pass and back along another valley. Not long after I made this trip, there was a bit of an avalanche that dammed the river in the valley below. It...

There are a few "unusual" methods around for starting a fire - spotted this one on how to start a fire using a condom and water. Thought it may be of interest, or to file away somewhere for possible use someday! (Got to use the darn things for something) :) Video clip Here

My take on it is, three days without water (less if it's hot or you're physically active) and you'll be in real trouble, so I'd definitely drink when I felt I needed it. I'd think the majority of 'bugs' in remote water sources will take longer than three days before they have any drastic...

Came across this video link on ice axe use and thought it would be of interest. Pretty good visual advice on axe use... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM3xLshmNnk Cheers, George

Hi, interesting thread. I've lived in New Zealand for many years (originally from the UK) but have had some experience of the outdoors in NZ, the USA and the UK. (Mexico to Canada along the PCT, hiked the length of the UK off road as much as possible and hiked the length of NZ's north Island...

Just finished reading "Voyageur" by Brit writer, Robert Twigger. Excellent. He copied a journey made by a Scot (McKenzie) in the 1800's - across the Canadian Rockies in a birchbark canoe, mainly against the river flows, paddling, hauling, portaging. Only successful attempt since McKenzie did...

Hope they post, it'll be interesting to hear how they are getting on, particularly the route they've taken. I finished a solo LE to JoG last July. (73 days) Think the most enjoyable bits were parts of Wales, the Pennine Way and parts of the Highlands - bit too populated further south!