When we are out for more than a few days, backpacking or on expedition, our feet support each and every step. When it comes to foot pain, what starts out as minor discomfort can start a cascade of increasingly severe issues. So, while it may be tempting to hold off treating a minor issue, we never know when the minor issue can be a precursor to more inhibiting problems.

When we are climbing, camping, or hiking at higher altitudes, we want to do what we can to acclimatize well, helping our body adjust to the less oxygen we take in with each breath. According to respected physicians, like Dr. Peter Hackett, we want to avoid certain sleep aid medications that slow our respiration rate, making acclimatization even more difficult.

The quad anchor is traditionally done with a doubled over sling and produces two different double-strand master points. But with a little creativity, we can create a raised shelf that sits higher than the lower master point.

The quad anchor is traditionally done with a doubled over sling. Well, if we have a 240cm sling, we have enough material to triple it over before tying our load limiting knots, raising our master points higher and adding three two-strand, load-limited master points to the setup. Here's how to do it.

Ice climbers drill holes into the ice that connect at the back and then run cord or the rope through those holes to make "V-thread" anchors. While there are tricks to fish the cord, runner, or rope from the back of the tunnels, it is far easier to do with a "V-thread tool." Here's how to make a DIY version made from a wire hanger.

Ice climbers will build several different kinds of "threaded" anchors, drilling holes into the ice that connect at the back and then running cord or the rope through those holes. It may feel like the names are used interchangeably, but they can have specific meanings and each of those different anchor types have their pros and cons.

As a community, we climb, we succeed, we fail, we learn, we climb some more. And the techniques evolve as we learn. Those changes to tools and techniques sometimes include modifying what was once foundational skills. Here’s an example of a change to what used to be standard rappelling technique that has evolved to a new best practice.

While the flat overhand bend is typically considered the standard knot for joining two ropes and doing a double-strand rappel in a climbing context, there are times when it might not be the best choice. Here are a couple of situations when a different knot may be a better choice along with a how-to on tying two of those alternatives: the Half Gibbs and the Gibbs bends.

When we are rappelling (abseiling) in high winds, yes we have to worry about getting the ropes down the route, but we also need to consider which strand to pull as we take our ropes down after the rappel. If we choose the wrong strand, we might end up with a tangle that can get our ropes stuck and unretrievable.

When we are belaying from a Münter, we may have to turn that hitch into a clove once our partner is up and at the anchor. We can do so cleverly with two clips or with one. It is safer to only open the gate once, but that is only if this maybe more complicated method of tying the hitch is done swiftly and correctly each time. Tradeoffs.

If we've had the waist strap buckle on our backpack break, we can fix this in a minute using two carabiners we likely already have on our harness. It's enough to get you through the climb, or even the expedition, if you are away from the shops you need to get a replacement buckle.

When we bail from a single protection point on a rock climbing route, we can eliminate unnecessary risk by adding a prusik knot into our lowering procedure. Here's why.

In today's world of online ordering - or even if we have packaging that gets in the way of actually touching the product - it can be hard to tell if a ferro rod will be a softer material that throws bigger sparks or a harder material that lasts longer. Well, we can get a good clue from the specifications, but we need to do a little thought work, too.

We all look for many different features when we are looking for a climbing harness, and I am no exception. But there is one feature that I find to be a must have on my alpine harnesses that maybe isn't always available when looking for the lightest model or a model for different styles of climbing. I want to make sure I can easily and fully open up the leg loops.

When I did a video about a new type of wrap I was going to try on my ice tools, I got a question asking about why we wrap our ice tools at all. Well, here’s some of the reasons.

There is nothing that says you can climb with a backpacking park nor backpack with a climbing pack, but they have differing features for specific reasons. I got asked about why climbing packs have zippered pockets in their hoods (or brains), and it has a lot to do with having a secure place to get to items without having to go through all your items.

After one year of use and one big expedition in Asia, I've learned enough about the Samaya Ultra 60 pack. The full video goes deeper into what I've found to be the pros and cons along with a few modifications I've made to my pack.

Just like there is a difference between climate and weather, there is a difference between today’s weather and weather patterns. When we climb in a new area, understanding that difference, can help us strategize our ascents. Various local communities can be a fountain of information in this regard.

Climbing at three miles (4800 meters) above sea level can be a challenge for out body's physiology. Having access to almost as high of peaks in Colorado, the full video goes into how I spent the final month before my trip to that three-mile altitude to ensure I showed up pre-acclimatized to the altitude along with a discussion about why intermittent trips up to altitude can still help acclimatization.

Getting our tent packed up and stowed away can be very difficult in windy conditions. By being tactical about when we pull  up our last two tent stakes, we can greatly simplify our task.