Climbing & Mountaineering Basics Articles & Videos

• How to Read Clouds on the Trail

  Learning how to identify and read clouds to predict the weather can be helpful while out on a trail. Cloud reading can aid in warning hikers or runners of impending rain or thunderstorms. Knowing how to read clouds and weather patterns allo… read more

• What to Wear on a Plane Trip

  You might be tempted to wear some of your outdoors gear on the plane when you travel to avoid having to pack it in your luggage. Doing so may save you space, but could cause extra scrutiny at the airport. read more

• How To Search For Hotels

  Hotels can be hard to find during an outdoor excursion, especially in a smaller town or sparsely population region. Types of hotels available in popular recreational regions range from small motels to larger resorts. Although finding a ho… read more

• Rope Splicing Technique

  Sometimes simply tying knots in your rope does not give you the binding strength you need to tow boats, bundle logs, lash a raft or shelter together, or any number of heavy-duty tasks. For jobs like these, only a rope splice will do. One us… read more

• How to Lash a Rope Ladder

  Whether it be for improving a campsite, the slope leading down to a riverbank or a backyard treehouse, rope ladders are imminently useful. A working ladder can be made with little more than a knife, some rope and some scrap timber. The tric… read more

• Instructions for Rope Splicing

  Campers, sailors, climbers and all sorts of other outdoor sportsmen use rope, and unfortunately a single spool of rope is not always long enough for the job it is needed for. Simply knotting two ropes together is no solution for heavy duty… read more

• How to Knot Rope

  Tying strong knots is part of numerous outdoor sports. One common task encountered by campers is securing bundles, such as might be necessary for a pile of logs, packing up foraged foodstuffs or making a field repair on a backpack. Another… read more

• How to Wash Sports Shoes

  When your sports or athletic shoes are looking dingy, you may be tempted to toss them into the washing machine. But washing machines and clothes dryers can damage shoes by tossing them around and exposing them to extremely high heat. Extend… read more

• Effects of Wilderness Challenge Programs

  The wilderness can be an innovative setting for education. Wilderness challenge programs allow participants to engage in experiential learning in an unfamiliar environment. Asking individuals to work as a group to meet a challenge allows… read more

• How to Make a Boy Scout Rope Ladder

  A basic field construction skill taught to many an avid outdoorsman in the Boy Scouts is how to make a rope ladder. In its most basic form, making a rope ladder requires nothing more than a length of rope. No tools beyond your own hands are… read more

• Las Vegas Climate & Weather

  Millions of tourists each year visit Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to gambling and nightlife, Las Vegas offers visitors desert adventures including hiking, biking and rock climbing. Although this city is warm for most of the year, the clim… read more

• Sailboat Rope Splicing Instructions

  Knowing how to splice rope can save money and time, or even prove to be a life-saving skill in an emergency situation. The most common splices are the eye spice and the short splice. An eye splice makes a loop in the end of a rope that serv… read more

• Petzl GriGri Review

  The Petzl Grigri is one of the most popular auto-locking belay devices used by rock climbers. Designed to auto-brake if the rope comes under tension, it is the ideal tool for working on a project where a lot of hanging may be involved. The… read more

• How to Find a Travel Buddy

  Nothing makes travel better than company. However, finding a travel buddy is not easy. There are steps you can take before the trip to make sure your journeys aren't lonely ones. Nevertheless, many journeys begin solo. Don't let that stand… read more

• How to Wrap Your Ankle With Athletic Tape

  Wrapping your ankle correctly can provide you with sufficient stability. It protects you from any hyperextension and gives your ankle extra support. The stability and support allows for a quicker recovery. And ankle wrapping can also provid… read more

• How to Make a Manila Rope

  Manila rope is made from manila hemp, which actually isn't hemp at all. The fiber comes from a relative of the banana tree. Much of the rope in the world used to be made out of it, but it has since declined to a rope-making fiber of minor i… read more

• When to Retire a Harness

  A harness is a crucial piece of equipment for a climber. If a harness fails, the chances of surviving a fall are slim. Knowing exactly when to retire a harness can be the difference between life and death. However, harnesses can also be exp… read more

• How to Use Maps & Guidebooks When Hiking

  Learn how to use maps and guidebooks to stay safe and found while spending the day hiking in this free hiking safety video series. read more

• How to Choose Backcountry Communication Devices for your Hiking Trip

  Learn how to choose backcountry communication devices to stay safe and found while spending the day hiking in this free hiking safety video series. read more