Low-tech methods for getting home again

Excellent GPS information web sites

http://www.gpsnuts.com/mygps/ gps/tutorials/maps/maps.htm

A basic course on GPS usage.

www.garmin.com

Surf to Garmin’s downloadable handbook entitled, An Introduction to Using a GPS. The document provides outstanding information about map, compass and GPS usage.

http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/ manual/mapcompass.shtml

Princeton University’s outstanding map reading course.

Geocaching 101

 Global positioning systems have inspired a new high-tech, treasurehunting sport called “geocaching”— pronounced GEE-OH-CASHING. The hybrid word geocaching was coined from combining “geography” and “cache”—it means making stuff hard to find.  This high-tech, adventure treasure hunt involves locating a cache using your GPS unit. Most caches are positioned so casual observers can’t find them accidentally. A cache may consist of only a logbook for visitors to sign. More elaborate caches contain valuable or entertaining information, often in the form of DVDs, maps, tools and games. Visitors are encouraged to take what they like, but to leave something else of equal value.  What’s the most unusual object found in a cache? In 2001, an enterprising suitor used a geocache to propose marriage—hope the bride-tobe was technology-inclined!

Low-tech methods for getting home again

By Chantal Macartney and Illustrations by William Jessup

YOU’VE BEEN OUT on the trail for a full week and your GPS batteries died two days ago.

You’re lost, the food pack is alarmingly light, and the fun is draining from this trip faster than the colour from your cheeks. How do to find your way home?

It’s time to get back to basics. Here are some simple direction-finding ideas:

Use the sun as a compass

You’ve seen sun dials before: a circular platform with a rod protruding from the centre that helps you tell time. An improvised sundial can help you determine direction, too. 1. On a sunny day with little or no cloud, push a straight stick into flat ground. Mark the tip of the stick’s shadow with a stone. 2. After 10 minutes, place another stone at the tip of the new shadow. 3. Next, scratch a line in the ground between the two stones. This line will indicate an eastwest axis. How can you can tell which way is east? The stone that was placed at the point of the first shadow will be pointing eastward.

Find Polaris the North Star

At night, you can easily find the North Star by first locating the star constellation known as the Big Dipper. When you see it, imagine a line joining the two outer stars of the dipper and follow it out until you see the really bright star. This is Polaris—the North Star (see diagram). By walking towards it, you are walking north.

Find south by following the moon

Finding your direction at night under a half moon is quite easy when you know what to look for.

This direction-finding method won’t work with a full or new moon. As well,

it only provides a rough southerly direction—generally accurate to within 30 degrees.

Start by drawing an imaginary line connecting both of the moon’s points (see diagram). Continue the connecting line down to the horizon. Where the line meets the horizon is approximately south

. Orion’s Belt buckle

The three-star section of the Orion constellation is one of the best-known star formations in the winter night sky. Orion is plainly visible during the late fall, winter and early spring. By using Orion’s Belt, you can easily find the north-south axis.

Begin by finding Orion’s Belt. Orion comes up in the east, and sets in the west. A straight line drawn downwards through the centre star in Orion’s belt, and

staying parallel to Orion’s side, generally points south (see diagram). Conversely, a straight line drawn upwards through Orion’s belt to the opposite horizon points roughly north.

—Chantal Macartney, a regular contributor to Ottawa Outdoors, is always willing to tell others where to go.

Don’t get

this winter

Take our c-c-cold weather survival quiz

By Dave Western

COLD WEATHER COMMON SENSE.

Not everyone has it, yet minor frostbite or first-aid problems can quickly escalate into major emergencies (including hypothermia) for those who venture outside unprepared. With a little foresight, almost anyone can enjoy winter camping, backpacking or strenuous outdoor activity worry-free.

Take this Ottawa Outdoors winter safety quiz, then prepare to experience all of the benefits a Canadian winter has to offer. (Answers appear at the end of the quiz.)

Part A: Find the best answer

1. It’s bedtime at camp and you’re already feeling chilled. What should you do to increase the chances of a comfortable sleep?

a) Change out of the clothes you wore all day and put on some other ones b) Have a warm drink (not caffeine), and eat a fatty snack c) Go for a hike to get your heart pumping d) All of the above.

2. The greatest danger(s) most people face during outdoor winter activities would be:

a) Getting lost b) Breaking a leg while skiing c) Hypothermia and frostbite d) Hypothermia, frostbite, dehydration and snow blindness.

3. Hypothermia occurs:

a) When your skin gets really cold b) When your body overheats c) When part of your body freezes d) When your core body temperature drops below its normal temperature.

4. Frostbite occurs:

a) When your skin gets really cold b) When you lose feeling in skin c) When part of your body freezes d) When you start shivering from the cold.

5. Snow blindness occurs:

a) When the sun is so bright that you cannot see the snow b) When the day is so dark and gloomy that you cannot see the snow c) When blowing winds create a whiteout condition d) When you lose your vision for a while due to reflection off the snow.

6. During a family camping trip, which member would be least likely to get hypothermia?

a) A young baby b) A teenager c) A mother in her 30s d) An elderly grandfather.

7. One material that retains a limited amount of insulating ability, even when wet, is:

a) Wool b) Down c) Polypropylene d) Cotton.

Part B: True or False?

1. Proper clothing and equipment are the keys to a safe and enjoyable winter camp. T__ F__

2. You should dress in pretty much the same way for all outdoor winter activities. T__ F__

3. A hat is sometimes more important for winter activities than are gloves. T__ F__

4. You can dehydrate faster in winter than in summer. T__ F__

5. On a bitter winter day, if you’re cold and thirsty, it’s dangerous to eat snow. T__ F__

6. If you build a snow wall around your tent, you’ll be warmer. T__ F__

Part A: Answers

1. D. Before bed, make sure you change into fresh dry clothes. The clothes you wore all day have sweat in them, even though you can’t feel it. That sweat will cool and make you cold. A hot drink will warm you up from the insides, but avoid caffeine; coffee and tea may actually make you colder. A brisk walk is another effective way to stoke up your internal furnace just before bed.

2. D. Winter’s most common dangers include hypothermia, frostbite, dehydration and snow blindness.

3. D. Hypothermia occurs when your core temperature begins to drop. If left untreated, the condition can quickly lead

Photo by Allen Macartney

to coma and death. If you’re properly dressed in layers and well equipped, the chances of falling victim to hypothermia are greatly reduced.

4. C. Frostbite occurs when part of your body freezes. Usually, frostbite affects your ears, nose, fingers and toes. In severe cases your hands, feet, legs and arms might freeze. Warm, dry clothing, mitts, scarves and toques will help you avoid this dangerous condition. If you get frostbite, the affected area will appear white. Warm the area with a hand until a healthy blush returns to the skin, then keep it covered.

5. D. Snow blindness occurs from the reflected glare of the sun on snow. It can occur on bright or dull, overcast days. Symptoms range from swollen and itchy eyes to a total (but usually temporary) loss of sight. Wear good sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes even on dull winter days. When buying sunglasses, look for ones that block both kinds of UV rays. And don’t forget to put sun block on your face. A sunburn is a sunburn, even if you got it at -20 degrees C.

6. C. Women usually have a layer of insulating fat to protect them from the cold. Mature adults are less likely to get hypothermia than either a teenager, baby or senior. The risk of hypothermia increases as a person becomes cold, wet and exhausted.

7. A. Wool retains a little of its insulating value when wet. Cotton is the worst material to wear. Cotton absorbs water and holds on to it, thus permitting it to freeze later on. For warmth, layer your clothes. Wear polypropylene against your skin to wick moisture away from your body. (Wicking occurs when moisture moves from the inside of a fabric to the outside.) A bulky layer of wool or fleece should go over the polypropylene, followed by a wind-proof shell. When it’s wet, waterfowl down just mats and loses all of its insulating value.

Part B: True or False?

1. True. Proper clothing and a warm sleeping bag are not luxuries in winter, they’re necessities. Although you might be able to put two good summer sleeping bags inside the other to provide warmth, do this only for relatively mild winter nights—never if you are far from help— and only if circumstances force it.

2. False. Your winter clothing needs will vary according to the type of activity you undertake and the amount of energy being expended. The clothing needed to keep someone safe and warm on a snowmobile at -40C degrees is considerably different from that required by a crosscountry skier in hilly terrain at the same temperature.

3. True. Although it’s best to have all the proper clothing to keep you warm, a hat is essential to prevent heat loss. Seventy percent of the heat lost by your body escapes through your head. A toque or warm hat is vital for warmth in winter. Use your toque as an effective thermostat to regulate your body heat. If you’re getting too warm skiing through the Gatineau, take your toque off. If you start getting cold, put it back on. Why not carry two toques? A heavy woolen toque is great at the end of a long day on the trail, but may be too warm while you’re out on the trail burning hundreds of calories an hour. A lighter nylon toque will prove useful when it’s too cold to leave your head uncovered, but too warm to wear a wool toque.

4. True. Winter air is dry air. That’s why your lips crack in winter. Your body moisture may evaporate so quickly in winter that you might not even know you’re sweating. That’s why it’s particularly important to drink half a litre of fluid every hour during strenuous outdoor activities. Here’s a quick test that will warn you The best way to avoid hypothermia is to understand what causes it.

1. Drink plenty offluids:

A dehydrated skier or camper has a slower metabolic rate, so the body produces less heat.

2. Eat lots ofnutritious food:

Good food is the fuel your body’s furnace burns to produce heat. Keep your blood sugar levels topped up.

3. Stay dry:

If you’re damp, your body is fighting a losing battle against the cold. Avoid sweating. As you become warm from exercise, open your jacket or remove a layer of clothing to keep your body comfortable. Carry extra dry clothing (e.g. socks, fleece, toque) in a daypack.

about moderate dehydration. How dark is the yellow colour of your urine? The darker the yellow, the more important it is to get additional fluid into your body.

5. True. Eating snow not only dehydrates you, it makes you colder. A cold, thirsty person who eats snow risks getting hypothermia in some cases. Before you can drink, your body must turn a solid (snow) into a liquid (water). This takes heat that normally would be keeping you warm. Eating snow to quench your thirst robs heat from your body and can quickly lower your core temperature—very dangerous.

6. True. If you build a snow wall around your tent in winter it will protect you from wind. Some winter campers take this one step further and actually build a lean-to shelter right over their tent, and close to the sides. The result: the snow will act like an insulating blanket around your tent.

Winter — just waiting to be enjoyed.

Winter doesn’t have to limit your enjoyment of the outdoors. All it takes is a bit of cold weather common sense.

Winter… I love it!

—Dave Western is an avid outdoorsman who spends much of his free time on the trails enjoying winter.

Tips for cleaning and storing camping gear

By Tim Allard

MUSTY, MILDEW-RIDDLED sleeping bags, clogged stoves, and rusty tools—these are just some examples of what can happen to outdoor gear when it’s improperly stored.

First off, if you like winter camping then you’ll have your gear out all season long and you won’t have to store it. If you don’t get out to winter camp read on. It is important to clean and dry your equipment before storage as moisture and dirt encourage mildew growth. Mildew will weaken your gear’s material and reduce its ability to repel water. Checking your gear when not involved in outdoors activities also gives you the opportunity to spot any needed off-season repairs.

Let’s look at some basic pieces of gear and the cleaning procedures, maintenance tips and storage options:

Tents

Tents are exposed to a variety of elements that weaken and dirty their materials, but frequent cleaning will help prolong your tent’s life.

To clean a tent, turn it inside out and shake out any dirt from the interior before washing. Most nylon tents can be washed using mild soap and a sponge, and rinsed with clean water. Do not use a brush as it can damage the nylon and waterproof coating. Also, clean zippers and poles. Debris trapped in zipper teeth or pole joints can prevent parts from connecting properly. To wash, dip open zippers and pole joints in a bucket of clean water and remove visible dirt with a soft, bristle brush. After cleaning,

apply a small amount silicone lubricant at pole joints to ensure an easy fit.

Once clean, allow your tent and poles (including shock cords) to completely dry. Inspect the seams and connections of the floor, walls and canopy of the tent, making necessary repairs before storage. Tents can be kept in their original, or a slightly larger, stuff sack.

Sleeping bags

Air out your sleeping bag, making sure it is dry before storage.

Depending on the frequency of use, your bag may not require cleaning before storage. If it needs washing, however, obtain the manufacturer’s instructions since cleaning procedures vary depending on the bag’s materials. Try using a cotton or silk bag liner to Hang your sleeping bag for reduce the required long-term storage to ensure washes to keep the the materials retain their loft bag interior clean. and insulating ability. Liners are also easier to wash than bags.

Store the bag in a large breathable sack or hang it from a hook. Do not fold it over a coat hanger as the fill will become thin along the hanger’s arm, creating a cold spot in the bag where heat will escape. Bags should not be kept in their original stuff sacks as the tight packing will reduce the fill’s loft, limiting its insulating capacity.

Fuel stoves

Drain fuel from stoves before storing.

Leaving fuel in the tank causes lacquer to build up on parts like the fuel tube, restricting fuel flow. Keep fuel in its original container, or in a specialized A small funnel comes in handy when draining fuel bottle. fuel from a stove before storage. Use dishwashing soap Draining the fluid will reduce lacquer build-up on the stove’s internal parts. or a degreasing cleaner made with orange oils and a rag to remove dirt from the stove’s exterior. If required, dissemble the burner using steel wool to remove dirt from the rings and manifold. Note that burners must be reassembled in the proper order, usually alternating between waffled and flat rings, to operate properly.

After cleaning the stove, rinse it with clean water and turn upside down to dry before storage. To ensure smooth operation, apply a few drops of light machine oil to the pump cup, on the tank’s pump plunger mechanism. Keep your stove in a sealed plastic bag to prevent spiders or insects from crawling into the unit and blocking air flow.

Boots

At the end of the season, clean and waterproof your hiking boots.

Remove the laces and

Cleaning boots will remove dirt and sand that can damage, scratch and weaken leather.

insoles before cleaning. Next, lightly brush off any loose dirt before wetKnives and tools ting. To remove stubborn dirt or stains, Pocket knives and multipurpose tools use warm water with a soft brush and are a necessity in the outdoors and should soap for cleaning your boots’ material. be in top condition. Remove rocks from the boot tread with a Most tool components are made of sturdy object, like a flathead screwdriver, stainless steel which, if not properly and soak mud caked soles in an inch of cared for, will corrode and eventually water to loosen dirt. To finrust. To clean, remove ish cleaning, scrub laces in a loose parts, like mild soap solution and wipe tweezers, open the the inside of your boots with components and soak a damp cloth to remove salt in warm, soapy water from perspiration. for a few minutes. Use

The process for watera brush to remove any proofing your boots will vary depending on their mateAn old toothbrush is an excellent tool to clean pocket knives and multi-tools. sand or dirt trapped in the unit. Thoroughly rial. For example, waxed-based dry the unit after products usually require your boots to cleaning and apply light machine oil to be dry, while most sprays or liquids the joints and wipe the excess off with a recommend the boots be damp. Contact rag. Another option is spraying the tool your manufacturer or place of purchase with WD-40 and allowing it to dry. This for specific information on waterproofwill drive out any moisture from the ing products for your footwear. Finally, joints as well as protect the steel. Finally, after waterproofing, allow boots to dry don’t forget to sharpen your blades at room temperature; placing them near before storing your unit. direct heat will damage leather and Cleaning and maintaining your gear weaken glue. Boots can be stored with is a wise investment of your time. Proper your camping gear, or in a closet. care and storage will ensure your gear is ready for the upcoming season and functioning properly. To reduce the chance of mildew, store gear in breathable containers in a cool, dry place. Take some time for annual maintenance and your gear will be in top shape once the warm weather arrives.

Water filters

Clean water filters during the season to remove debris, which can reduce water flow and filtration speed.

Prepare your filter for storage after each use by disassembling the unit, rinsing the filter components and allowing them to air dry. When storing water filters, leave hoses and accessories unattached to prevent seals from weakening. Depending on the type of system you own, and frequency of use, you may be able to store and reuse your water filter cartridge next season, or you may need to purchase a new one. See your product manual or dealer for specific information on cleaning your cartridge and model.

Clean water bottles and hydration packs with a cloth, and allow them to soak in warm, soapy water.

Solutions of water and baking soda, or a cup of water and one tablespoon of liquid bleach, are good for removing stains and odors. Another washing method is to fill two-thirds of the container, cap it, shake it and let it sit until the water cools. Use caution when opening, as pressure is formed from the shaking process. Many water bottles are dishwasher safe but do not place them near the unit’s heating element. Once washed, remove caps to allow units to dry and keep caps off during storage to reduce stale odors.

Additional gear and tips for storage and maintenance:

• Self-inflating mattress pads should be stored flat with the valve open. Longterm storage in a stuff sack will limit the pad’s ability to inflate. • Ensure you remove batteries from any electronics (such as GPS units, 2-way

Don’t forget to remove the batteries from any electronics you may use when camping. Batteries can leak acid when stored for long periods and cause damage to your equipment. Apply lubricants to knives and multitools and leather protection to your boots after washing—beware that cleaning products often remove lubricants.

Disassemble your stove over a drop-sheet to keep all the pieces together. Choosing a contrasting color will allow you to spot small items, such as screws and springs.

radios, or flashlights) to prevent battery acid leakage which can ruin your equipment. Inspect your gear for any loose screws or bolts that need to be tightened. Don’t forget to clean and store your cookware. Aluminum pots can also be touched up by applying a few drops of vegetable oil to a paper towel and wiping the container’s interior.

Inspect your gear and make a list

Take the opportunity when cleaning your gear to inspect other equipment and stock up on supplies during the off-season.

Check rope and straps to ensure they are fit for another season’s use. Also, do an inventory of your first aid kit and spare parts, such as flashlight bulbs, and make a list for the upcoming season to replenish supplies.

Make your own rules for shinny by Angie and Ryan Brown (aged 13 and 11) knows you don’t keep score in shinny.

With outdoor rink season coming soon, we thought we would share some H ockey Night in Canada was of the shinny rules we play by on our extra special November 22/03. outdoor rink: In front of over 56,000 fans in • Make your own rules! –20C weather, the Edmonton Oilers and • Best way to pick teams is to the Montreal Canadians faced off on throw your stick in a pile at centre ice an outdoor rink placed in the middle of and have one player throw sticks Commonwealth Stadium. We watched down to each end — with his/her the game with our cousins between eyes closed. games of mini-stick on the floor. • Shinny is only played for fun

We had little choice but to listen to • Be your own hero — there can be our dad and uncle talk about the “glory more than one Hossa or Redden on years” of Guy Lafleur and the Montreal the ice at once! Canadians and Wayne Gretzky’s Oilers. • No fighting. They said the game in Edmonton was • If you want to play, you have to like a big game of shinny — and that’s shovel. where we got confused! Everyone • No ‘chicken shots’—shots most be

from in the crease area. • Everyone is welcome — from beginners out on skates for the first time, to Dads trying to relive the

“glory days”! • No laughing at Dads — well, don’t get caught! • No slap shots. No raises. • Pass to the beginners and little kids, but make them work for their goals. • The game never stops, you just take a break when you want to. • The game does stop when all the pucks have disappeared in the snow banks. Everyone looks for them. • Mother Nature owns the rink.