Camping and Wilderness Skills
94 flashcards by MentisLibrary
Gear that earns its weight, the knots worth knowing, map and compass navigation, shelter, fire, water treatment, weather signs, and all seven Leave No Trace principles. Skills for going farther out.
- What does it mean when a tent is called a 3-season tent?
- It is built for spring, summer, and fall, but not for heavy snow load
- What conditions is a 4-season tent designed for?
- Winter and exposed alpine use
- What does the comfort rating on a sleeping bag mean?
- The lowest air temperature at which a typical cold sleeper stays comfortable
- What is the main advantage of down insulation?
- The best warmth for its weight, and it compresses much smaller
- What is the main advantage of synthetic insulation over down?
- It keeps insulating when wet and dries much faster
- What does the R-value of a sleeping pad measure?
- Resistance to heat loss into the ground, with higher numbers insulating better
- Where should most of a loaded backpack's weight rest?
- On your hips, carried by the hipbelt
- What are the three layers of the layering system?
- Base layer, mid layer, and shell
- What is the job of the base layer?
- Moving sweat off the skin so it can evaporate away from the body
- Why is cotton avoided in the backcountry?
- It soaks up water, loses nearly all insulating value when wet, and dries very slowly
- What is the main strength of a canister stove?
- Simplicity and speed, it screws on, lights instantly, and simmers well
- What is the main advantage of a liquid fuel stove?
- Strong performance in cold and at altitude, with refillable fuel bottles
- What is the drawback of an alcohol stove?
- Low heat output, slow boil times, and a flame that is hard to see in daylight
- What is the difference between a water filter and a water purifier?
- A filter removes protozoa and bacteria, a purifier also inactivates viruses
- What are the Ten Essentials?
- Navigation, sun protection, insulation, illumination, first aid, fire, repair kit and tools, extra food, extra water, and emergency shelter
- What is a bowline used for?
- Making a fixed loop in a rope's end that will not slip or tighten under load
- What is a figure eight knot used for?
- As a stopper that keeps a rope from running through a hole, ring, or device
- What is a figure eight on a bight used for?
- Making a strong fixed loop that can be tied anywhere along a rope
- What is a clove hitch used for?
- Fastening a rope quickly to a post, rail, or carabiner
- What is a taut line hitch used for?
- Tensioning a line that you may need to adjust, such as a tent guyline
- What is a trucker's hitch used for?
- Cinching a line extremely tight by creating a mechanical advantage
- What is a square knot properly used for?
- Binding, joining the two ends of the same line around a bundle or a dressing
- Why should a square knot never be used to join two different ropes?
- It can capsize and spill under load, especially with ropes of unequal diameter
- What is a sheet bend used for?
- Joining two ropes together, including ropes of different thickness
- What is a prusik used for?
- Gripping a rope when loaded and sliding freely when unweighted
- What are two half hitches used for?
- Tying a rope's end securely to a post, ring, or tree
- What is a timber hitch used for?
- Attaching a line to a log or spar so it can be dragged or hauled
- What do contour lines on a topographic map show?
- Points of equal elevation
- What does it mean when contour lines are very close together?
- The slope is steep
- What does a map scale of 1:24,000 mean?
- One unit on the map equals 24,000 of the same units on the ground