Mosquito Bite Prevention

In the South East Asia region, our weather is perpetually wet and warm which makes an ideal location for mosquito breeding . Apart from the irritating itch one experiences when bitten, mosquitoes become a problematic issue for health reasons when they are the cause of spreading disease. Malaria and dengue are two common diseases transmitted through mosquito […]

How I Train For A Hike

If you have read our Fansipan story, you will know it is a bad idea to not train for a hike, and embark on a tough climb. Ever since that experience, I have almost always done some form of training prior to going for multi-day or tougher hikes. Being in Singapore, we don’t have mountains to […]

Building an Improvised Shelter

Depending on your usage, sometimes, building an improvised shelter (also called as Basha) can be more convenient than carry a tent.  This is because an improvised shelter is lightweight and does not take up as much space as compared to a tent.  Here, we will go through the basics of building a simple shelter.   Items needed: […]

Tautline Hitch

Have you ever pitched a tent and couldn’t seem to make your flysheet perfectly balanced among the four corners? The reason? Uneven tension on the guy lines. The Tautline Hitch is an adjustable knot which allows you to easily vary the tension of a line without retying. As such, it useful in situations whereby the length […]

Darkest And Coldest Before Dawn

This goes back to 2008, when together with a group of 5 friends, we attempted to scale Mt. Fansipan in northern Vietnam. Mt. Fansipan is nicknamed “the roof of IndoChina”, standing at 3,143 meters tall, it is highest peak for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. We bought a 3 day 2 night package for our climb […]

What you need to know about Rat Urine Disease (Leptospirosis)

Leptospirosis, also known as rat urine disease, is a infection caused by bacteria called Leptospira which stays in the blood. Humans get infected through contact with contaminated sources. The bacteria invades human tissues and organs, particularly affecting the livers and kidney. Hiking and outdoor activities are considered high risk of exposure to leptospirosis. One may […]

Chafing Prevention

According to Wikipedia: “Chafing refers to the irritation of skin caused by repetitive friction, usually generated through skin to skin contact of multiple body parts.”   Similarly to blisters, chafing is a painful experience and one to avoid. The common place where chafing occurs while hiking is at the inner thighs. The main culprit? Cotton […]

Blister Prevention

Dealing with a blister on your foot while hiking is an agonising affair. Understanding how blisters occur and taking steps of early prevention will save you pain and misery. “Blister – a small bubble on the skin filled with serum and caused by friction, burning, or other damage.”   Causes Of Blister In short, blisters are […]