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What do you consider essential in your tackle box? I always have two pairs of pliers, a knife and a file to sharpen my hooks. Then there's space for my reels and bait. Other essential outdoors gear I have in my backpack (compass, matches etc)

Hi Lorax - thanks for all that information - I'm intrigued now to see what kind of gear I have to use - a can of corn ???? I'm looking forward to the trip which will be at the end of March. I'll report back.

He must have been so highly intoxicated not to have noticed the pool was empty - however, had it been full and he was that drunk, going into water could have killed him outright. He's alive and hopefully his paralysis is not permanent.

Oh well, I'm guilty of believing the "moss on north side of trees" myth ... until now. I do like all three tips for finding ones bearings that are posted above - very useful information guys. Thanks.

Yes - 3 pieces of underwear ! Well, 3 base layers - a tee shirt, a pair of boxer shorts and a pair of "long johns" - all made of merino wool which "breathes" and also absorbs moisture.

I can go a pretty long time with my own smell ! It's all natural afterall - and "part of the experience". I do what others have said - use small a amount of water. Can you really get fungus if you only wash with water as Striker says? It's not happened to me (yet).

No, I've never been into a cave ! I've never even realised it before reading your post. Your enthusiasm (all 3 of the posts above) have now made this an ambition. I'm sure that Maine has caves - I shall have to research that. I do know that my native Peru has caves which i shall target when I...

I have a brand new pair of snowshoes for my New Year hike - they were a present from a friend. I bought myself a Christmas present of a new sleeping bag to replace my 8 year old, well-worn bag.

- Ha ha ! Definitely ! It would be disrespectful not to take your trash with you. I imagine that most people on this site are both respectful and environmentally aware - but it is good to revisit this issue to gather ideas. For example, I really like hikingshoes zioplock bag hung on the outside...

What will you be doing in the great outdoors on New Year's Day ? I shall be spending a few days with friends to "The Switzerland of Maine" - Jackson. We hope to trek on snowshoes and maybe do some ice-fishing.

I have to go to Europe on business soon and a French client has invited me to fish for carp in the lake near his village after I waxed lyrical about my fishing skills (ha !) in an email. It would be useful if I could impress this client. Any advice about what carp fishing equipment is...

I've just bought my first solar stove (parabolic) for camping. It is a bit bulky - but I am happy to be using something so environmentally positive - ie: completely pollution-free cooking. Any experience of these ?

I love swimming in both - but I have to cast my vote for saltwater, I feel so clean after a swimming in the sea. I also like the bouyancy of salt water - I can swim for longer and faster.

I've recently started fly fishing in Maine with a colleague who is teaching me. I've only been twice, both times to small trout streams. I'm still learning about flies - so will follow this thread with interest. I have learned two things - the style of fly depends on the bait. Mayflies and...

Never heard of this before. Are frogs really edible? I thought that edible frogs were a certain type which were bred purely for their legs? Are some frogs poisonous to eat ?

Hi Hayley and Woodsman - thank you for your advice. I never eat anything except the fish I catch - and there's a debate about that elsewhere on this site ! I have to say it is mushrooms that intrigue me most -but I have never and would never eat any in my current state of ignorance !

A well prepared tent is definitely the best way - that means a tarp underneath the tent, well-sealed seams and a rain fly. Carry extra ropes and pegs just incase the wind is high and that fly needs a bit more stability. I'd give trenches a "no" vote.

What a question ! I'd have to add Nepal and New Zealand to any wish list. My first choice would be the Mongolian Desert and within the US I'd love to walk/camp/fish along the whole of the Appalachian Trail.

Excellent question and I agree with the earlier replies. Conditioning should be built up slowly over short walks, in different conditions (plain, forest, inclined, weather!). Another consideration is that he properly broken-in boots !

I try not to think about this too much - I want to believe that the fish I catch is safe for me to eat. I guess most fish must have some levels of mercury in the flesh. I also think that fish which eat other fish may have higher concentrations than other fish in the same locality (eg: pickerel...