Category Archives: Outdoors

Strength degradation in webbing and cord with introduction of knot

I’ve always used webbing for setting up top rope anchors, but recently I’ve investigated using cord instead of webbing. For one thing, knots are easier to undo in cord then in webbing after being loaded. But is there any difference in strength between knots in cord and knots in webbing?

Interesting to see that a knot (Bowline of figure 8) will introduce a weakening to 73% of cord tensile strength.

Maybe more interesting is that in webbing, a water (overhand) knot degrades the strength much more then a figure 8 knot. Water (overhand) Knot gives a 57% of webbing tensile strength, while a figure 8 gives similar to a cord figure 8, at 71% of webbing tensile strength.

http://www.bethandevans.com/load.htm

 

Trip Log, day 10 & 11 ; Fanshawe Lake

Day 10 (tuesday)

I had a hard time sleeping last night. I felt like I was awake quote a bit and could not fall asleep many times, though my sleep tracking app showed lots of deep sleep. Loosing faith in that sleep tracking app.

Proof-IMG_7144

Fire and tea. Again.

It was quiet on the camp ground last night. In our area, there is only one other camp site that is occupied. Three young adults in tents.

Continue reading

Trip Log, day 8 & 9 ; Fanshawe Lake

Day 8

Music is loved by our neighbors more this morning! Just minutes after 8am, the group camping site is breaking the morning silence with some music (from someone car) and singing. The music from the car stereo keeps going off and changing every couple of minutes. Sounds like they are searching for the right CD to wake everyone up with.

Proof-IMG_7027

This morning we meet up with the locals at a public shelter on the campground for a pancake breakfast. Two pancakes, three sausages and OJ. Tasty. We got there just in time as there was talk of being nearly all out of pancake mix and minutes later the news that they were out of syrup also surfaced. Continue reading

Trip Log, day 6 & 7 ; Fanshawe Lake

Fanshawe Lake Conservation Area

Day 6 Continued

Set up camp at Fanshawe Lake Camp Ground was done by 17:00. Rain is moving in. We can hear thunder and the sky is darkening. Tarp goes up. It’s an automatic response by now. As luck would have it, there is a family 2 sites down with a girl of similar age to E. They begin their friendship by riding their bikes around the camp ground.

How easy they make friends.Proof-IMG_7137 While resting for a minute on our campsite the increasing roar of an airplane flying overhead becomes overly apparent. Of course. The London International Airport’s main runway 15/33 lines all the airplanes on their descent and takeoff glide path right over the camp ground. Oh well. Hope there’s not too many landing and takeoffs this coming week. Continue reading

Trip Log, day 5 & 6 ; Pinery Provincial Park

Day 5

Last night we had another thunderstorm. Came in around 1am and laster for a couple of hours. It was fierce. Lots of thunder and lightning, and intense rain. I got up at when the thunder got louder, and went outside to see if anything needed to be sheltered. A few things like camp chairs, firewood and some clothes were still outside and got moved to shelter. The bikes were locked to a tree, and didn’t bother moving them. One rain storm won’t hurt them.

The temp forecast was about 13 deg which made it comfortable to sleep in and the morning is still cool. First priority is to boil some water for tea. While that’s happening, second priority is to make a fire.

Ten minutes later, there’s few things better than enjoying a warm cup of tea by a warm fire.

Proof-IMG_7136

Surprising few mosquitoes out at this campground. There have been a few, but the majority of flying insects consists of household flies. Continue reading

Trip Log, day 3 & 4 ; Pinery Provincial Park

Day 3

Made some pancakes this morning: half almond flour, half regular pancake mix and three eggs (instead of one). Protein rich! Added dried cranberries to some for some extra flavor. Topped breakfast of with some bacon and green tea.

Still overcast this morning with the sun peeking through the clouds from time to time. As the morning rolls into lunch time there is more blue sky and less cloud cover.

Ella Practicing her knitting

Ella practicing her knitting

Helen went out for a relaxing massage in town and our neighbors are hinting at a trip to the boat rental house. Sounds like a great idea. Cash only at the boat rental as the power is still out since Sunday night. We get ourselves a canoe and a 2 person kayak. Continue reading

Trip Log, day 1 & 2 ; Pinery Provincial Park

Pinery Provincial Park

Day 1 (sunday)

And were off. 10 am departure was nearly on schedule.

Ready to go!

The bikes were a new addition to the gear we normally bring camping. A new bike rack that slaps on the back of the car was all what was needed. Than and the fact that both mom and dad bikes needed wheels taking off so they would not interfere with the trailer tongue.

After a stop at my brother’s house for lunch, we proceeded to the Pinery Provincial park. Continue reading