Before I roped up for my first long multi-pitch climb, I had a friend go over all the basics with me: how to place and clean gear , a few different knots , rope systems and management , rappelling , anchor building , and verbal commands. I even sort of knew how to hand jam. For the first few pitches, everything went smoothly. I was remembering everything I had learned—how to tie a clove hitch, what it meant when my partner tugged on the rope three times as opposed to four, and to stay hydrated. That made for ten pitches of climbing and harness hanging with a full bladder.

We know how to keep ourselves comfortable, clean, and efficient. But what happens when we step into the backcountry for the day? For several nights? For a month-long expedition?

Renowned climber and long-time MSR ambassador Steph Davis answers your questions about climbing, fear, challenges, equipment, injuries, and other core topics that come with a living life in high and wild places. My advice is to just relax about taking a leak! Naturally, the same does not go for REAL bathrooming. There are two ways you can deal with these issues as a climber.

Clearly Tim has gone off his rocker I hear you say. And when sleep comes it can be really really deep. I generally have a fantasticly deep sleep and then wake up bursting for a wee a side effect of being at altitude is that the body makes you pee more because of a pH imbalance that occurs.