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Hiking/Backpacking/Camping/Questions Answered by Expert Tom Newman
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Harriman conditions following 10/29 storm? | 11/2/2011 |
| Q: Our scout troop was planning to do an overnight backpacking trip in Harriman this coming weekend, ... A: No problem, but I think that if you follow the links and ask questions on the contact pages, where ... | |
| Harriman conditions following 10/29 storm? | 11/1/2011 |
| Q: Our scout troop was planning to do an overnight backpacking trip in Harriman this coming weekend, ... A: I live in Indiana, so I don't have a good idea about places other than locally, but I might still be ... | |
| Good camping spot | 9/5/2011 |
| Q: My boyfriend and I are looking for a good romantic camping spot. We are first time campers by ... A: I live in Indiana, and have never camped west of Colorado and New Mexico, however I have visited a ... | |
| camping | 2/24/2011 |
| Q: Why is camping and other outdoor activities a healthy choice to make? Also, how would you keep your ... A: I am not sure that I understand your questions. It is pretty obvious that camping involves ... | |
| hiking distances on map | 9/13/2010 |
| Q: My friend and I are debating how to determine hiking distances from a hiking map. The hike we plan ... A: You are right, on steep ascents and descents you will usually encounter switchbacks, where you will ... | |
| Best Type of Backpack | 7/28/2010 |
| Q: I'm planning a survival kit and am wondering what type of backpack would be best for extreme ... A: There are advantages and disadvantages to both the internal and external types or frames. It used ... | |
| camping and hiking NJ/NY | 7/22/2010 |
| Q: I am new to the NJ/NY area, and am looking for a good hiking and camping spot nearby. I am ... A: I live in Indiana and have never hiked north or east of PA, however, if you go this web site I ... | |
| Knobstone | 4/12/2010 |
| Q: Mr. Knewman: I am taking a BSA Troop to Philmont this summer. I would like to plan a trip on the ... A: I have never hiked the trail but here is some information that you can use... ... | |
| making fires | 3/17/2010 |
| Q: i was wondering if you could help me on making a fire with a firesteel. I live close by the ocean, ... A: I am not sure if you are asking how to use firesteel to create sparks or how to use those sparks to ... | |
| children and Havasupai hike | 1/19/2010 |
| Q: I have a daughter that would like to hike Havasupai. She is 10, however, she is in great physical ... A: The way that you explain your daughter I am not near as concerned about her physical ability as I am ... | |
| Good Campgrounds | 1/4/2010 |
| Q: I am in search of a campground in the northwest Indiana, southern Michigan, or eastern Illinois area ... A: You didn't say exactly where you would be coming from Indiana, Illinois or Michigan so in what you ... | |
| SRP | 10/14/2009 |
| Q: I have a science research project that I am doing for school. I need to know some things about ... A: Most soaps contain chemicals and can be harmful to wildlife if released into streams and lakes. ... | |
| camping in southern michigan or northern indiana | 9/10/2009 |
| Q: hi my name is jerry am looking for a place to camp that is primative were we can backpack in but not ... A: I am a Scoutmaster in Fort Wayne, Indiana we are about 20 miles from Ohio and 40 miles from ... | |
| Camping Tents | 6/29/2009 |
| Q: I am going for my first ever camping trip next weekend to Shenandoah Valley, VA and am a bit ... A: I think that the tents are pretty much the same, I am sure that you will find some advantages with ... | |
| Camping Tents | 6/27/2009 |
| Q: I am going for my first ever camping trip next weekend to Shenandoah Valley, VA and am a bit ... A: 1) What tent size I should purchase. BTW, I and my wife are both 6 foot tall :). I see 4 sleeper and ... | |
| biodegradable stuff/prices? | 4/14/2009 |
| Q: I work for a Youth Conservation Corp in the summers..and I am gonna be working in a state park this ... A: Even biodegradable soap can eventually pollute lakes and streams if it is not used sparingly so you ... | |
| Questions for school assignment | 12/16/2008 |
| Q: My teacher has given us an assignment to ask experts ten questions about something we want to learn ... A: My teacher has given us an assignment to ask experts ten questions about something we want to learn ... | |
| Smartwool vs Silk clothing | 7/26/2008 |
| Q: Smartwool jackets and shirts. What do you think of them? I have tried on the Cascade and Zirkel ... A: I am more into hiking and camping rather than cycling so I usually use one of 3 coats that I ... | |
| The nitty-gritties of backpacking | 6/16/2008 |
| Q: During the summer I volunteer as a scoutmaster for a Boy Scout camp. Last summer we went on a 3-day ... A: You have some really good well thought out questions. 1. Using the cathole: Nobody ever claimed it ... | |
| how to paddle a canoe | 5/16/2008 |
| Q: I am utterly confounded by what looks to be a simple action when paddling a canoe down a tranquil ... A: The key to going in a straight line is to apply the same pressure on both sides. You say that you ... | |
| Camp Menu | 5/13/2008 |
| Q: My husband and I will be taking our 3 children, ages 11, 7, and 6, beach camping for 3 das. We will ... A: Yes you lay them right on the coals. If you put them on a grill it might take longer to cook. You ... | |
| Camp Menu | 5/12/2008 |
| Q: My husband and I will be taking our 3 children, ages 11, 7, and 6, beach camping for 3 das. We will ... A: First for just a 3 day period keeping food cold should not be a problem. The best suggestion that I ... | |
| waterproofing a tent | 4/9/2008 |
| Q: I just bought a brand new tent. Should I water proof it before I use it? Thanks, JD A: With today's new tents, I find that it is unnecessary to waterproof tents. I have bought 3 personal ... | |
| Is it safe to enter caves? | 3/31/2008 |
| Q: I am wondering if it is safe for people, exspecially children to enter caves where bats are? I have ... A: I am not an expert on bats or caves but I did find some information that I think will answer your ... | |
| Mixed | 3/4/2008 |
| Q: I am looking for a dual advise. 1)my current backpack weighs around 2/3 kg hence I need to know of a ... A: If your current backpack is 2/3 kg that is only about 1.5 pounds. That is a really light backpack ... | |
| Knobstone Trail | 1/15/2008 |
| Q: I want to hike the KT this year in early April. I'm wondering how long I can expect the hike to ... A: The Knobstone Trail is 49 miles long if you don't to the loops and 58 miles long if you do the ... | |
| backpacking. | 12/14/2007 |
| Q: i wanted to know what are the basics in backpacking, like what kind of pack to get, what you need to ... A: This is a really broad question to be answered in an email. There are many books that you can get ... | |
| food !!!!!! | 12/9/2007 |
| Q: me again i will only be using a small billy 350ml and a gas cooker do you have any other recipes for ... A: Matt, by the way nice last name where are you from. You can take any of the recipes on the web ... | |
| FOOD !!!!!! | 12/8/2007 |
| Q: Hey there i need to know some quick and easy hiking recipes that don't take to long to cook thanks ... A: It really depends on what type of hiking that you are going to do. Are you talking about about ... | |
| sleeping bags | 10/24/2007 |
| Q: Ive been in the market for a winter sleeping bag for a few months and have finally decided on the ... A: You have all of the correct information, you now just need to decide which you are going to do. The ... | |
| Backpack | 3/28/2007 |
| Q: Im about to go backpacking around europe for 6 weeks. I will not be carrying a tent and so on but i ... A: Amy, Size is only a minor aspect when buying a backpack. The only important part that size plays ... | |
| Thermal clothing? | 12/22/2006 |
| Q: I am quite tall so have somtimes made the mistake of buying long-johns that were slightly too short. ... A: Mike, That is a good question and you have a good point about stretching the material but I think ... | |
| tent camping | 8/30/2006 |
| Q: in cold conditions do you stay warmer sleeping on a air mattress or sleeping on the tent floor. A: Neither is the best solution. The best solution is to sleep on one or two ground pads. These will ... | |
| Road Trip Camping with Kids | 8/2/2006 |
| Q: Background: I have five kids, ages 6, 6, 6, 3, and 5 months. I live in Michigan, but I'm from ... A: I think that you need to try it to determine if it is right for your family. It sounds as if your ... | |
| waterproofing | 7/5/2006 |
| Q: I have a large marque type tent (aprox 20 * 15 feet) which needs waterproofing. any advise on ... A: The best suggestion is to go to a camping store and buy commercial seam sealer and waterproofing ... | |
| Backpacking | 2/20/2006 |
| Q: How much water should youth (12-17) backpackers be consuming in hot weather? Maximum pack weight for ... A: I don't believe that there is a correct answer for this question. How much water depends on several ... | |
| backpack for scout | 12/8/2005 |
| Q: I am looking for an internal frame backpack for my 12-year old son who is a boy scout. He goes on 2 ... A: Steve: Here is a great web site to look at to help you understand how to fit a backpack. ... | |
| little pigeon river,gatlinburg tn | 12/5/2005 |
| Q: I've tried to find out for years where the little pigeon river starts and ends.I've noticed it in ... A: Linda, I live in Indiana and am not familiar with the area, but let me give you some information ... | |
| torch | 10/14/2005 |
| Q: I am looking to buy a wind up torch and i was wondering if u could advise me on a particular brand ... A: John, I have always used small battery powered flashlights (never more than two "AA" batteries ... | |
| Meals for Camp-Outs | 10/5/2005 |
| Q: We will be taking 10 Cub Scouts on their first camp out and are looking for easy and quick meal ... A: Here are some of my favorite "Easy Cleanup Meals" For breakfast... Scrambled eggs in a bag.... ... | |
| Coleman Stove | 9/12/2005 |
| Q: I heard to store your Coleman stove off season you need to empty the stove of all the fuel. I am ... A: I can think of a three reasons to empty your fuel. One would be it is safer to store an empty stove ... | |
| camping fuel | 8/28/2005 |
| Q: I'm going camping in a month or so. I'm trying to find a type of camping fuel, but I can't remember ... A: Morgan: I answered this question once, but it apparently did not go through. Let me try again... ... | |
| Water | 7/26/2005 |
| Q: I just recently went backpacking and had a couple questions concerning clean water. First is related ... A: Kyle: A.) First is related to boiling. I have been told that boiling is the only sure way to ... | |
| shoes | 6/25/2005 |
| Q: it was very helpful and helped me to plan out better approach and so on. I'll get back to you if ... A: Vinod, I am glad to hear that my information was helpful, can you tell me how they changed? To ... | |
| trekking | 6/21/2005 |
| Q: This is gonna be a long one Now this might sound weird , I am into trekking and hiking however ... A: Vinod: Wow this is a tough one, not from the technical side but from the cultural side. I don't ... | |
| GPS | 5/5/2005 |
| Q: How are you? Thanks for taking questions from people. My question is about GPS. Do you have much ... A: I have a Magellan and I am quite satisified with it. It is about 6 or 7 years old and I have not ... | |
| Hike n camp | 3/25/2005 |
| Q: I've just moved to Chicago and would like to find a nice place to hike and camp. I wouldn't mind ... A: I live in Northeast Indiana (Fort Wayne) and usually hike this area or the AT. We will be hiking ... | |
| cleaning old canteen | 2/4/2005 |
| Q: I have an old belt canteen, the kind thats covered in canvas and clips to your belt. It has been ... A: This is not my area of expertise but my guess is that if only water was used in it you could ... | |
| About tent camper trailer? Thanks | 11/10/2004 |
| Q: may I ask a question? I plan to buy a new camper trailer? I wonder if I can use the tent (or popup) ... A: I am sorry but I do not have any kind of trailer and only do tent camping so I don't really know ... | |
| Sleeping | 8/25/2004 |
| Q: How you avoid slipping and sliding in sleeping bag on a pad? A: Jim: Can you explain the problem a little more. I usually sleep on a cot which keeps me from ... | |
| Hiking in Northern New York | 7/18/2004 |
| Q: Im looking at finding a 2 or 3 day backpacking trip in Upstate New York (was thinking of the ... A: I haven't hiked that area and am not familiar with the hiking up there. The Appalachian Trial goes ... | |
| Tips | 10/23/2003 |
| Q: I am doing a research, and was wondering wether you could help me out. If you are willing I want ... A: As a scout leader most of my vacation time is spent doing scout things. I seldom stay in a Resort ... | |
Hiking/Backpacking/Camping
Tom Newman
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 43 in Fort Wayne, IN. We have an outing every month. Most months involve tent camping, usually in State Parks. We have made 4 trips where we have hiked 50+ miles on the Appalachian Trail. We expect to continue this until we have hiked the whole trail... (40+ years).
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