Denise |  Q. What is the difference between a good compass and a cheap compass?
On my cheap compass, the needle sticks. You have to tap it to be sure you are heading the right way. I believe a good compass is more reliable, and it built better to withstand all the knocks and bumps sure to happen while camping. Ted 13 Miller St., Toronto, Ontario
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Otto | Q. What is the difference between a good compass and a cheap compass?
Construction materials. The magnet size, glass vs plastic casing... etc. Pay the extra bucks. Its well worth it. Jamie Trandell, Magneto Enterprises, 7 King St., Georgetown, Ontario
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Gus | Q. What is the difference between a good compass and a cheap compass?
Functionally not too much except for a good compass will have a casing that allows you to line up the compass with the map for orienteering. It depends on your intent whether or not you need to spend to buy the more expensive compass.
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 Q. What's the best hiking compass available? my wife and i are getting ready to do some hiking/backpacking on the vermont long trail. i'm looking for a good quality compass that works good on the trail and is durable.
"Sighting compasses on our site (except the gps plotter..."
When I used to do a lot of camping and hiking along the Allegheny Trail, I used a similar compass, and it did everything that I needed and was very helpful.
Here is the description from the web site:
Suunto MC-2G Sighting Mirror Compass with Global Needle
This compass is our "BEST PICK" for overall features. You can use the clear baseplate with maps, sight with the mirror, and never slow your stride with the global needle that accepts tilts up to 20 degrees and still reads accurately. To top it all off, the global needle has a quicker dampening time than a standard needle. Other professional features that make this compass a BEST PICK are the built-in clinometer, adjustable declination, luminous bezel, luminous guidance points, and convenient map scales.
This is Suunto's top-of-the-line Navigator MC-2 compass with Suunto's patented global needle for true world-wide performance. Other features include an additional sighting hole for superior bearing accuracy, a luminous bezel, an adjustable declination correction scale, and a built-in clinometer. Each baseplate features anti-slip rubber pads, an inch scale, 1:24,000 map scale, 1:62,500 map scale, a round magnifying lens, and a red nylon lanyard. Plus, receive a FREE Compass and Map Guide with this compass!
Dimensions: 2 .5in. x 3 .9in. Weight: 74 g
Suunto MC-2G Global Compass 51MC2GLMSRP: $74.95Our Price: $ 59 .95
Cordura Compass CaseThis black padded cordura compass case offers both protection and convenience. Each case is outfitted with a velcro closure at the top and a sturdy belt-loop on back. With inside dimensions of 3 .8in W x 5 .1in H, this versatile case will hold any of the baseplate or mirror sighting compasses on our site (except the GPS Plotter ).
Outside Dimensions: 4 .5in Wide x 5 .75in High
Inside Dimensions: 3 .8in Wide x 5 .1in High
Color: Black
Weight: 1.1 oz.
Cordura Compass Case 51MCP $ 9 .95
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Q. What type of compass is the best to buy for a wilderness trip? a friend of mine is taking a month off to hike and i wanted to get him a compass. any recommendations?
well i like your idea but i think if you went with something more ornamental it would probably have more sentimental value to him then just a normal compass . i think anyone would like something like this. oh and this would be a functional compass for him to use on his trip also
http://cgi.ebay.com/BEAUTIFUL-SOLID-BRASS-SURVEY-COMPASS-WITH-STAND_W0QQitemZ190233945697QQihZ009QQcategoryZ37967QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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Q. What do you think of this story? i love writing but i want to know what you all think of this story i wrote that way i have an idea what people think of it. i normally write poetry so it may not be very good but any opinions would be nice. ttyl =)
christmas. just the word gives me the chills. its not that i don’t like christmas its just kind of scary like halloween in december. now don’t get me wrong i love the gift giving and the receiving is pretty cool and i love the family time, it’s the getting the gifts from the folks that really blows. parents. now don’t get me started on that subject. they should be banded from every store year round. they have no clue what so ever to get you for christmas or your birthday for that matter. every year it’s the same. we go to my aunt and uncle’s house we all have dinner and we exchange gifts and i get the pleasure of opening another package of underwear year after year after year. yippee. now i know what you’re thinking. what’s so bad about getting underwear, right? i mean underwear can be pretty cool especially after christmas when you test the mighty power of your waist band. but, imagine your best friend and also secret crush sitting beside you, when you hold up a package of tidy whiteys. of course, he starts laughing while i turn redder than aunt b’s sweater. now, your best friend may not do this, but sadly my best friend has no respect for my feelings at the moment while he’s laughing his head off. well, while he still has one anyway. i pushed him hard nearly making him fall off the couch. he snickered softly. i glared at him. he softened his gaze and puts his arm around me apologizing while trying to control his laughter. i smiled at him while my heart race increased. he tugged my sleeve softly asking me to come with him. now, it was time for us to exchange gifts. i got him a gold inscribed compass. he hikes a lot and is always complaining that his compass never works. it better work now because that compass cost me all my allowance plus some christmas money. he tells me to close my eyes and puts one arm around my waist while the other held up mistletoe. he whisper merry christmas and then he kissed. maybe christmas isn’t so bad after all.
I like that! It reminds me of one of those short stories you enter in magazines like Seventeen or something. It's a really great start and keep up the great work!
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Q. What do you think of my story? hey this is one of my short stories, please tell me what you think. all criticism welcome.
christmas. just the word gives me the chills. its not that i don’t like christmas its just kind of scary like halloween in december. now don’t get me wrong i love the gift giving and the receiving is pretty cool and i love the family time, it’s the getting the gifts from the folks that really blows. parents. now don’t get me started on that subject. they should be banded from every store year round. they have no clue what so ever to get you for christmas or your birthday for that matter. every year it’s the same. we go to my aunt and uncle’s house we all have dinner and we exchange gifts and i get the pleasure of opening another package of underwear year after year after year. yippee. now i know what you’re thinking. what’s so bad about getting underwear, right? i mean underwear can be pretty cool especially after christmas when you test the mighty power of your waist band. but, imagine your best friend and also secret crush sitting beside you, when you hold up a package of tidy whiteys. of course, he starts laughing while i turn redder than aunt b’s sweater. now, your best friend may not do this, but sadly my best friend has no respect for my feelings at the moment while he’s laughing his head off. well, while he still has one anyway. i pushed him hard nearly making him fall off the couch. he snickered softly. i glared at him. he softened his gaze and puts his arm around me apologizing while trying to control his laughter. i smiled at him while my heart race increased. he tugged my sleeve softly asking me to come with him. now, it was time for us to exchange gifts. i got him a gold inscribed compass. he hikes a lot and is always complaining that his compass never works. it better work now because that compass cost me all my allowance plus some christmas money. he tells me to close my eyes and puts one arm around my waist while the other held up mistletoe. he whisper merry christmas and then he kissed. maybe christmas isn’t so bad after all.
i like this, but i think you could draw it out more.
i was also wondering who was talking? at first, i thought a girl, but then you mentioned tidy-whiteys, and i thought a boy...be more specific with the gender, unless you want it to remain a mystery, if this were a longer piece.
the description was good, to start with, but if you go back, you could probably add more detail to the setting.
don't forget to separate thoughts into paragraphs, and add dialogue to help your characters seem more real!
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Q. What do i need to know to survive in the wilderness? i am planning on living in the forest for a reasonable amount of years, maybe my whole life. i am looking at making traps, and edible plants, but what do i need to know in order to survive? there will not be any towns or anything i can just walk to. i plan to live in canada and construct my own tools, traps, home, meals, etc. i will be 100% forest living. i need a list of what i should bring, or make. here is what i have came up with:
i got this from the site and copied what i thought was necessary.
http://www.greatdreams.com/basic.htm
1) water collector (pot, bag, etc.)
1) tooth brush
2) purifier (iodine, bleach, chlorine)
2) ductape
3) a lot of lighters or matches and a
water proof container to store the
matches in, and any other item that
may get damaged from the water.
5) bag pack (waterproof)
4) ductape
5) bow & arrow
6) ax and/or hatchet
7) crazy glue
7) pocket knife (and army swiss knife)
8) compass
8) rope (thick and thin [to tie rocks
together to logs and/or other things])
10) safety pins
9) wash cloth (for period) or cloth
10) hiking boots
11) an edible plant book
12) bobby pins
12) a book on animal tracks and marks
13) a reasonable amount of food until
you start to hunt and cook on an open fire
14) salt
15) seed packets (vegetables and fruit)
16) pellet gun
17) flint
18) gloves
19) needle & thread
20) floss
21) soap
22) flashlight
23) fishing equipment
24) clothes
tell me what you think and what i missed. any survival websites will be great. 10 points for best answer. thanks!
You missed:
Almost everything that you listed will be used up or wear out in a short time.
Somebody to drag you out of the forest when you break your leg.
Generator to provide electricity so you can continue to ask questions on Y!A.
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Q. The most basic requirements for spending an extended period outdoors? i am planning a camping/hiking etc trip to mexico with my father and we plan to be away from civilisation for most of it. whilst i have yet to do any proper research, i have looked up the basics as to what would be needed to survive in this environment.
can you add or take away anything from the list below- bearing in mind this is just preliminary basics?
i should also add we will not be completely alone per se; local authorities will be informed of our intentions and we will look into the best type of radio/phone etc to carry.
the list (to be carried on foot, some items duplicated):
tent (+ ancilliaries)
water purification tablets
dry food
knife, multitool, machete
kindling and waterproof matches
compass
the absolute bare minimum required for spending an extended time outdoors is
- an ability to make fire (matches, lighter even flint and steel if you know how to use them)
- some type of cord ( I suggest parachute cord about 50 feet is usually recommended)
- a knife. (I suggest a working type knife, a kukri or marine kabar would be my choice,not one of those fancy survival knives you by at walmart
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Q. Need expert advice for survival trip in pacific northwest / washington? i am planning a trip with a friend into the wild. it will take place most likely in june, for 3-5 days. we plan to drive as far as possible somewhere in the cascades, then hike until we find a good place to set up. we will bring minimal supplies after we leave the vehicle, along the lines of a knife, compass, basic firestarter, a hatchet/machete, and warm clothes.
i need some advice/hints from someone who has done this before and/or knows what to look for.
i'm trying to pick a location, and my first question is;
are there any geographic patterns (i.e. riverbeds, streams, earth forms) i should be looking for that would indicate the abundance of wildlife. i was thinking close to a lake would be good, but maybe up on a hillside to keep a good vantage point for predators. but then again a hillside might not be the best habitat for food sources. also, i will not have a chance to survey the area until i get there, so any advice in picking a camp location would be helpful too.
also, what is the surest form of water purification? i have heard iodine is bad for long periods of time, and we would be going for 3-4 days. i'm considering not bringing anything at all, as this would be most realistic in a survival situation, and perhaps building a birch cone filter. what are my alternatives here and how do they compare as far as availability in the wilderness and effectiveness for purification.
next, i am considering bringing a gun for safety measures. i am not of legal age to carry a concealed weapon, so it's shotgun or rifle on this one. i think a ruger 10/22 would be realistic, but relatively ineffective in the event of a bear attack. i might not even bring one though, the whole point is to push ourselves to the limits of human survival physically and psychologically, so the gun might deter from that a bit.
i'm looking for ultimate and complete seclusion from civilization, to see what the human mind and body does when removed from captivity. so any advice or experiences you have to share would be greatly appreciated.
alright since the two answers so far are essentially useless and do not answer my question in any way... let me emphasize the need for actual input here. i will not be bringing food, or anything that i wouldn't have in a survival kit. this is not a trip i'm taking to have fun, it's for the experience and the challenge.
Hillsides are good, depending on how far from the water resource you happen to be. Many animals migrate or even daytime up-slope. Halfway between the crest of a finger and bottom of a draw, if possible, allows both good shelter from elements and access to water.
Iodine over one week won't be that big of a deal except for taste. Regular bleach can be used, if you plan ahead (one to two drops per quart and left overnight). Or carry a purification filter, but you want to minimize equipment, so that is probably right out. Boiling water, already mentioned, is best in that category. A big pot can be used for a lot of things, from cooking to noise making to fishing to collecting berries. Do not skimp on water intake!
Why would you need to conceal a weapon? Were you planning on robbing a river bank? Carry what you feel safe with...you probably won't actually need anything. If you are really worried about bears, then a 20G shotgun with double-ought or slugs would do you a lot better than a 10/22, and would even be legal. Add some birdshot shells, and you eat comfortably, too. Oops, just re-read, said you are trying to push your limits. Get a 8' or 10' walking staff, and if you really run into a situation with a bear, you can use it as a pike. Can be useful for a boatload of other stuff, too. I'd also suggest an real axe rather than a hatchet or machete, both of which are pretty limited in usefulness. You be glad you carried the extra weight. Don't get stupid and try to down a big tree, though, I've seen some folks get dead doing that in their own backyard.
Warm gear, whether it be sleeping bags or layered clothes or whatever. Keeping your body at 98F is the challenge: plenty of hydration so the body can keep cool, clothes for warmth. Don't depend on fire for heat. Fire is for cooking, good for psychology, but not so great for actually keeping you warm.
Last thing...please leave a "flight plan" with someone. It is such a bitch for my buddies in the National Guard to search half of Oregon or Washington or wherever for missing campers. If someone at least knows where you were headed (preferably a point like a specific hill or lake, not an entire county or national park), and when you intend to be back, at least they can narrow the search down to a reasonable area. Not saying something is going to happen, but just in case it does. Take a mirror (any mirror) and a coach-style or storm whistle: they take up very little space, weigh next to nothing, yet are indispensable if they ever are needed.
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