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Q&A

General Q&A about the great outdoors and outdoor pursuits.

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In Canada, does a frontcountry campground kitchen shelter typically include a freezer?

In European campgrounds, it is common that there is a kitchen shelter with a freezer, where people who camp without electricity can freeze their ice packs, in order to subsequently use those with c...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by gerrit‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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What routes in the Canadian Rockies have minimum group sizes (and where can I find about those)?

I like to be alone in the wild. I know it's not the wisest thing to do, but I do it anyway (and I'm not the only one). Today I learned that some routes in Canadian national parks may enforce mini...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by gerrit‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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When (if ever) do backcountry campsites in the major Canadian national parks in the Rocky Mountains grow quiet?

The Canadian national parks in the Rocky Mountains are very popular (and for good reasons). Banff National Park had 3.3 million visitors in 2012-2013, and Jasper National Park had almost 2 million...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by gerrit‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Places for canyoning in England / Wales

I've always liked the idea of canyoning, but it seems that there's few places where it can be done in England. Does anyone know of any such places?

3 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by berry120‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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What should I do for a dislocated shoulder?

Under the assumption that I'm far enough out that I need to hike out on my own, and that I have someone who can help... what is the best way to immobilize a dislocated shoulder for a long hike out ...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Russell Steen‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Advantages of types of sleeping bags over another

I have never used a Mummy type sleeping bag, rather I have hardly used a sleeping bag. I am afraid, I am more of a carry-mat, sleeping-pad and a blanket guy. It never occurred to my mind that What...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by WedaPashi‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Can I camp in the backcountry outside backcountry campsites in Jasper National Park?

In Jasper National Park, when I am hiking on trails, must I camp on designated backcountry campsites, or can I camp anywhere I want? According to this forum post on tripadvisor: Yes, random ca...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by gerrit‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Improving sport climbing skills

I recently made a sport climbing course mainly to give it a try and also to learn something about belaying in general. It's fun, challenging and I got hooked quite a bit. Overall I was around 10 ti...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Wills‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Why did my new sleeping bag come with 2 bags - one large and one stuff sack?

I just bought a new sleeping bag online and it came in a large draw cord bag and there was also a small stuff sack in the package. What is the point of the large draw cord bag?

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Andrew Welch‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Hiking boot help

A couple of friends and I are going on a road trip this summer, and we're planning on hiking the Grand Canyon, Half Dome, Observation Point at Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Longs Peak. I've been trying t...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by user3116‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Trekking poles: Collapsed or fixed?

I recently purchased some collapsible trekking poles (Komperdell Ridgehiker, made in Austria) and found them quite useful in terms of being able to extend or retract them slightly for going up and ...

4 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Trail Tiger‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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What EXACTLY is the chemical coating on the outside of GoreTex?

I've got a pretty good understanding of how GoreTex works. I understand that the outside chemical coating effectivly holds water off the outer layer (using little chemical spikes). But I can't q...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by System‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Color vision deficiency a dead end for mountaineering career, as an athlete?

Is having color vision deficiency a problem for mountaineering ? Can one so, pursue mountaineering as a career ? Do professional mountaineering schools and expeditions accept climbers with color vi...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by user7524‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Sizing up high altitude boots

I currently use La Sportiva WildCat Trail Running Shoes size 43 for trail running/light hiking and Nepal EVO's size 44 for Ice Climbing and Alpine adventures. The Nepal EVO's fit me perfectly with...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by AM_Hawk‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Replacing rope/cord/tape/slings on protection gear

We all know that due to age-related deterioration, ropes, harnesses, slings and other "software" should be replaced after a certain period even if thay have not been damaged or been involved in hig...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Paul Lydon‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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What is the proper tension for a tent line

When setting up a tent and staking it out, what is the proper tension for the lines? I generally just make them arbitrarily tight, but have no idea how that would perform in high wind or other con...

2 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Russell Steen‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Is it normal for a double skin popup tent to leak in slight rain?

About a year ago I was given a three person dual skin popup tent. Almost new but possibly a factory second. (It's made by "Vango" and I think it could be a "reject" because one of the four guy rop...

4 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by hippietrail‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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What is the true risk of suffocation from different combustion sources in a tent? (CO2, CO)

Aside from risk of fire (which for this question we will assume has been fully mitigated) what is the real risk of suffocation if one were to use a stove, lantern, or candle lantern in a tent? The...

3 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Lost‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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How water proof are these kinds of tents?

I have been living in the US for some time and I was surprised to see that these kinds of tents are pretty common now I was skeptical about the effectiveness of this "partial" rain fly in case o...

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Martin Van der Linden‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Stability and ergonomics of Garmin Etrex 20

I'm thinking of buying Garmin Etrex 20 (or 30) for geocaching purposes. I've read reviews in internet, and after that the issues with ergonomics and stability makes me worry, if that device will be...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Danubian Sailor‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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What specific features should I take into account when buying GPS device for Geocaching?

I've been geocaching using Android smartphone, but it slowly becomes unsatisfying. The battery time of Android smartphones is too low, I need to minimize time I'm walking with device on, because ba...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Danubian Sailor‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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What is a "stitch-and-glue" kayak?

I decided to kill some time today and look at pictures of wooden kayaks online. I kept seeing the phrase "stitch-and-glue" with respect to some of the kayaks. What does this term mean?

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Jonathan Landrum‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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What is the difference in terms of application of a rucksack with greater than 50L capacity?

I am looking to buy a rucksack. I want to move quickly and pack minimally on a week-10 day long trip so I"m tempted by packs around the 45-55L range. However, I want to get a pack that is also vers...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Andrew Welch‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Food nutrition for week long hike

I'm going on a week long hike in Southern Spain. I envisage myself being away from civilisation max 3 days. What kind of food should I take at any one time? There are infrequent farm houses and out...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Andrew Welch‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Rougher treks with Vibram Fivefingers

I hike quite a bit in Vibram Fivefinger Kimodo Sports. Like the KSO, they are covered and don't have a problem with rocks getting in. I strongly prefer them to boots for marked trails, and would ...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by Peter DeWeese‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Will gelled fuel work in a cat can stove?

Recently a friend suggested using gelled fuel in a cat can stove instead of liquid alcohol. Since a cat can stove works by using pressurization to create the "jets" it seems flawed, but has anyone...

2 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Russell Steen‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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How to take care of steel crampons?

What should I do to increase the lifetime of my crampons, maintain them properly, and check whether they can still be used safely?

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Ben Crowell‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Tent for High Altitude Trekking

I am planning to do the Kangchenjunga base camp trek (in Nepal) in the coming months. I read that a tent is a must for this trek as it is not a tea house trek. I am thinking of buying a tent for my...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Pumori‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Difference between Gore-Tex Pro Shell and Gore-Tex Active Shell

What is the difference between the two Gore-Tex technologies in real world usage? Specific factors: Which one packs down smaller? Which one is more breathable? Which one is likely to last long...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Scotty.NET‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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What's the maximum temperature difference wind-chill can account for?

If I understand wind-chill (which I probably don't), the air feels colder because your body doesn't have as much time to heat the air as it passes by. But in that case it seems like there should b...

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by dspyz‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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How can rope/cordage be packed to minimize tangles?

I generally pack my cordage in little bundles like Unfortunately for any significant length (100' for instance) it just turns into a wadded mess when I try and use it. How can I pack this stuff...

5 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Russell Steen‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Campervans - larger vs smaller

We are looking at purchasing a campervan for our family (2 adults - 3 boys) and are trying to balance the merits of a larger van vs a smaller van. We are keen to understand what practical consid...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by BillyBigPotatoes‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Trekking poles on planes

Have people been able to bring their (folding) trekking poles onto planes? We're flying without checked-in baggage (on Wizz Air, from Europe to Israel). We've paid for "two large cabin bags", and t...

4 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Eyal‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Use of gore-tex for a DIY Double-layer hammock

I'm planning to sew my own double-layer hammock. I found a simple pattern here: http://diygearsupply.com/diy-guides/hammock-guide/ I was thinking about modifying it a bit, to have the bottom layer...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by kender‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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What is a good knot to tie a short loop around a bracelet?

I want to tie a hair band around a bracelet, so it's easy to store and remove. It's too short to put it around my wrist, so I tried a cow hitch, but I'd like something more compact/secure. Any idea...

0 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by nachocab‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Potability measure of water on Volcanic Mountains

Is it safe to drink water found from natural resources on the Volcanic Mountains? Considering Chemistry part of it, What could go wrong if I have no way to boil it, at the most I can filter it with...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by WedaPashi‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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What are some effective ways of removing stains from my bush knife?

Now that I've been using my khukri for a couple of months, the surface is getting rather stained by plant sap. I've tried rubbing it with a piece of cloth and ash but the stains just refuse to disa...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Twilight Sparkle‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Are there any reliable and/or easy to use "rule of thumb" guides for windchill calculations?

Weather forecasters often give two tempertures, the actual air temperature and a 'feel like' temperture that takes into account wind speed. Is there a rule of thumb for calcualting the 'feels like ...

4 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Simon Hodgson‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Roping together on an icy path?

I'm planning a mountain hiking trip and one of the issues is that the trails that we're following will almost certainly be covered in ice. There are two of us and we'll both be wearing shoe tractio...

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Blackbear‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Is it possible to check the safety of a used climbing rope?

In the comments to my answer on Can you use a rope that has been in storage for a few years? the question arose if one could have some expert check a used rope whether it is still safe to use. As a...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Benedikt Bauer‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Affordable South Korea topographic or hiking maps, in particular for the Jeju Olle trail

Where can I find topographic maps of South Korea? If those don't exist, where can I find good hiking maps? Specifically, I'm looking for maps suitable to hike the Jeju Olle Trail. For topographi...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by gerrit‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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What type of oil to use for axe heads

I bought a forest axe and its manufacturer says to oil the axe head before storing to prevent rusting. What type of oil should I use?

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by HTDutchy‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Hauling a pack during climbing

Generally when doing multi-pitch climbs, I prefer to just climb with a light pack. However, sometimes that's just not possible and the pack(s) must be hauled instead. What are some good ways to ha...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Felix‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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How to assure safe searching for cache hidden in my own backyard?

You shouldn't place a cache on someone's property without permission, that's for sure. But when the property belongs to me, I can hide cache on my own backyard. However, what should I do to assur...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Danubian Sailor‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Make UPS-like cache searchable in winter

When hiding something in the forest on the surface, there's a great practice called UPS (Unusual Pile of Sticks, the German version is very sweet: Hasengrill). They prevent people from boaring a fe...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Danubian Sailor‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Trekking maps of Svanetia available abroad?

Are there any trekking maps of Svanetia available abroad? I'd like to purchase the maps before arriving to Georgia. The preferred map scale is at least 1:50.000, however 1:100.000 would also fit ...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Danubian Sailor‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Are Trangia and MSR fuel bottles inter changeable?

In other words, could I purchase a 1 litre Trangia fuel bottle and the MSR Dragonfly liquid-fuel camp stove and use them together? Or would the smaller, slightly more expensive MSR fuel bottle be t...

4 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by ajmccall‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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How to estimate is the branch thick enough to stand on it?

Some geocaches are placed high on trees: You need to climb there to log. But standing on too thin branch can be very dangerous. Is there a formula to estimate how thick must be a branch of a g...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by Danubian Sailor‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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Safe looking for caches in hollows

Caches are very often hidden in hollows. Generally any tree with more or less visible hollow is a very probable geocache hide. Often you can't easily look into that hollow because it's deep or lo...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Danubian Sailor‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭

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How to choose a safe cliff path

When walking alongside eroding cliffs in more built up / touristy areas, there's usually big warning signs or closed paths if the cliff is unsafe to walk on. Sometimes it's obvious why, if the path...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by berry120‭  ·  last activity 10y ago by System‭