Trekking & Camping – Marc's WhiteWater Gear Reviews

Cutting Bar & Fabric Weight

This is a regularly used tool. Basically a steel flat bar, that is utilized as cutting bar and/or as dead weight for fabrics/cloth/patterns.
Tip: Never ever use an aluminium ruler for cutting. It is softer than your knife and the blade tends to “catch” or “dig into” the aluminum and thus risks cutting you, instead of your project.

Multi Angle Vice

My multi angle vice saves me out of many practical situations, allways offering me the possibility to work at a convenient angle

Hand Press

I use a hand press for punching holes, placing rivets and other accessories, in leather, kydex, fabrics and other materials.

Kydex Press

A kydex press is a must for shaping thermo plastics or leather when making sheaths and other objects.

tapemeasure

This dual metric (centimeters) & imperial (inches) scaled tapemeasure has saved me loads of time and irritation.

Vattentråg

We use these 32x23x10cm Ikea Vattentråg carton boxes with lid to store fabrics, patterns and larger habedashery items. (@ €0.59/box.)

Respect Wildlife

Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, [habituates them to humans], and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
Keep fires small. Only use down and dead wood from the ground that can be broken by hand.
Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes

Personally, I do not think campfires and nature get along. Ever.

Leave What You Find

Preserve the past: examine, photograph, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Dispose of Waste Properly

Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite, food preparation areas, and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
Utilize toilet facilities whenever possible. Otherwise, deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 20 cm deep, at least 60 meters from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 60 meters away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Durable surfaces include maintained trails and designated campsites, rock, gravel, sand, dry grasses or snow.
Protect riparian areas by camping at least 60 meters from lakes and streams.
Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
  - Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
  - Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
  - Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
  - Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
  - Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
Repackage food to minimize waste.
Use a map and compass or GPS to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

other visitors

Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.