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Q&A

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

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What kind of canteen material will have the least effect on the taste of water?

I want to buy a canteen, and I have choice between aluminum, stainless steel, enamel and various kinds of plastic. I had canteens before that made any liquid taste horrible after just few hours. ...

3 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Jan Hlavacek‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What proven alternatives are there to DEET?

DEET is an effective mosquito deterrent, but there are many reasons it cannot be used. Per the CDC, cuts, eczema, and being a kid are all problems if you want to use DEET. What proven alternative...

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

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How to cheaply introduce someone to backpacking

I meet a fair number people who would like to try backpacking. Unfortunately the initial cost seems to be pretty high. Even an overnight requires a lot of big ticket gear (tent, sleeping bag, etc...

6 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Russell Steen‭  ·  last activity 9y ago by System‭

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What are the most important indicators of an high-risk avalanche zone?

If I'm heading out ski touring into an area I haven't been, what are the most important things to look for and think about to avoid high-risk areas for avalanches?

2 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Ross‭  ·  last activity 12y ago by System‭

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Is it legal to collect firewood (to take away) from woods and forests in the UK?

I've seen lots of people do this, and unless it was clearly stealing en-masse for profit I doubt there'd be a problem, but is it legal to pick up dead logs, kindling etc. and take them away to use ...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by berry120‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Why tunnel tents for the poles, Geodesic for the mountains?

I've noticed that polar expeditions seem to favour tunnel tents, and mountaineering expeditions prefer geodesic designs. Is there a reason why one design fares better than the other in its preferre...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by Simon Hodgson‭  ·  last activity 12y ago by System‭

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Are there any year round beaches with nearby bouldering?

I want it all in one. I recently went to Florida and fell in love with West Palm Beach, but I could never live there due to the lack of climbing. Are there any locations which combine year roun...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by Patrick Lee Scott‭  ·  last activity 12y ago by System‭

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As an experienced backpacker in the Eastern US, what should I know before hiking in the Western US?

I have done a good deal of hiking and backpacking in the Eastern US (mostly in New England), but I recently moved to California. What are the major differences in terms of preparation or equipment...

3 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by pkaeding‭  ·  last activity 9y ago by System‭

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Why do shin splints happen?

I've gotten shin splints on long hikes - once 2 weeks into a hike, and another time 2 months. I wasn't able to determine how I got them though, which has really annoyed me! I get that I could pro...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by Ryley‭  ·  last activity 12y ago by System‭

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Is it a good Idea to drink grape sap if you have no clean water?

In spring, the grape vines are so full of watery sap that a cut from my pocket knife causes it to trickle out fairly fast, and it can be collected in a container. Someone told me that it is a good ...

6 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by J. Musser‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Is it necessary to carry a knife sharpener?

Under the assumption that an emergency kit like the ones listed here are for the emergency of getting lost and being stranded for days, how necessary is a knife sharpener?

3 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Russell Steen‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What should I replace guylines with?

I need to replace some guylines on one of my tents. I normally use some paracord lying around but they have been getting tripped over more and more. I found some glow in the dark paracord, but be...

5 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by MaskedPlant‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

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Are there any easy hiking daytrips up mountains in Lofoten, Norway?

I realise that's a pretty big area, but we're going to be there for 6 days and we have a car so we can go prettty much wherever. We're not big on climbing - anything requiring equipment is out, we ...

3 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by victoriah‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Are there any cheap 1:25K electronic maps for the UK or Europe?

I have looked at offerings from MemoryMap and Anquet, but once you scale beyond a small area they become prohibitively expensive.

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by Chris Ballard‭  ·  last activity 12y ago by System‭

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What are some natural glues found in North American nature?

I'm curious how one could get/make some glue when in the wilderness. How did the Native Americans do it?

2 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by wyocalboy‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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How to harden feet to avoid blisters on long hikes

I've enjoyed hiking my entire life but I have one huge problem. The skin on my feet is extremely soft and sensitive. I wear good wool socks with properly fitting boots and change socks during long ...

13 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Justin C‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What are the tradeoffs for a Tomahawk over an Axe

I've watched a few videos on cutting tools and the use of axes. However I'm not clear on what the advantage (or disadvantage) is of a tomahawk style axe over a typical belt or hand axe, such as th...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by Russell Steen‭  ·  last activity 9y ago by System‭

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What hand and finger exercises help with climbing?

It's been a while since I went rock climbing but I'd like to get back into it. What are some hand exercises that will help with climbing?

9 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Kevin‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Do I need skins to drag a pulk on skis?

In a few weeks time I will be taking part in expedition skiing across Iceland. Our kit will be in pulks and we will be skiing with Nordic skis. Uphill I'm sure we'll need skins, but on the flatter ...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by Simon Hodgson‭  ·  last activity 12y ago by System‭

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Yellowstone back country camping trip?

My wife and I are trying to figure out if back country camping in Yellowstone is something we are prepared for. We've never done this before, so the planning is the hardest part for us right now. W...

3 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by motoxer4533‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How to minimise erosion damage to footpaths when walking?

As a fair-weather walker I frequently find myself on routes that have suffered from erosion due to the large numbers of people hiking along them. I wish to cause the least possible amount of furthe...

4 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Brian Hooper‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

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Good ways to avoid snakes when hiking?

I'v been told that walking with a heavy foot-fall will deter snakes. Is this really true?

2 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by wyocalboy‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

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How do I remove mildew from a tent?

Similar to this question, but mildew tends to be very resistant to removal. I sadly failed to keep my tent dry enough, and now it has a couple of mildew spots. They're not bad, but I would rather...

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

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What do I need to be aware of if I'm considering purchasing a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)?

Obviously, I can't just buy it, push the button and expect a helicopter to show up. Are there monthly or registration fees? Do I need to get a permit or register with someone? How does it all work...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by Hartley Brody‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How do I tie a double fisherman's knot?

In climbing, a double fisherman's knot is used to tie together two separate pieces of rope. How would I tie such a knot?

3 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Reverend Gonzo‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Reattaching waterproof rubber on GPS

The black waterproof rubber seal round my Garmin etrex h has just started to peel away, and while not a major issue at the moment I don't really want to use it in the rough when it's waterproofing ...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by berry120‭  ·  last activity 12y ago by System‭

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Is bear spray effective against other animals?

Is bear spray (pepper spray specially formulated to be effective against bear attacks) effective against other animals, especially mountain lions or wolves? Or is there something in it specifically...

3 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by jrdioko‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

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How to toughen up hands?

So I climb. It keeps my hands pretty rough, but for my day job I am a desk jockey now. I was wondering, are there exercises can I do to keep my hands rough so they don't get torn to shreds when I d...

2 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by MaskedPlant‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What is the impact of clothing color in a tropical jungle environment?

I heard that light colors attract less insects than dark, that dark colors could be warmer, and I was advised against wearing white in the jungle. Where can I get a comprehensive list of the effect...

2 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Shawn‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

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Dealing with very cold climate (clothing)

In the near future I will have to prepare myself for a Siberia expedition. During the winter, average temperatures in Siberia range from -10°F (-23°C) to below -50°C (-45°F).1 What should I...

4 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by syntagma‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Does Fj&#xE4;llr&#xE4;ven produce serious outdoors gear, or is it just trendy?

I noticed that there is a lot of (quite expensive) Fjällräven outdoors gear for sale here in Germany and am curious whether this is a brand worth looking into, or whether their products are more tr...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by nibot‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How do you properly dispose of human waste while snow camping?

Assuming the cat-hole is the preferred protocol for waste disposal in the area you are backpacking, what should you do when the soil is buried below A LOT of snow, and/or frozen?

4 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Lost‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

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How to reduce the annoying sound of falling raindrops on a tent?

Every time I go camping and it starts to rain, I can't sleep anymore because the raindrops that fall on the tent causes a really loud and annoying sound. Is there any technique or tool to avoid or ...

5 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by RoflcoptrException‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Is the "Rule of 3" proven for food?

The proverbial "Rule of 3" says you can live three weeks without food. Are there any documented cases of people actually living three weeks with no food in the wilderness and surviving? For tho...

4 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Russell Steen‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What to bring into a tree stand?

What should you be putting into your pack when you head up to a tree stand, beyond your gun or bow and ammo, to hunt whitetail deer?

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by J Lundberg‭  ·  last activity 12y ago by System‭

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Which side of an emergency blanket should I use?

A common emergency blanket has two sides, one is orange and the other silver. Which one should I keep on the inside?

3 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Stefano Borini‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

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Prevent mosquito bites: insect repellent patch or just eat vitamin B1?

I'd like to use natural malaria prevention. Insect repellent patch seems to be very promising. One patch contains 75 mg of B1 and covers 36 hours. However, it's not very cheap. Many other traveller...

5 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Tomas‭  ·  last activity 9y ago by System‭

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What is the proper way to tarp tent to avoid condensation?

I tried pitching a tarp instead of a tent this weekend. In worked well, kept off the rain etc, except for the condensation. It was far worse than any condensation I've ever had in a tent. We had...

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

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How to tell if water is likely to have cryptosporidium?

I often use CLO2 (for example this product) to treat drinking water when I’m backpacking and boiling is not convenient. The instructions for the product say that the dose should be tripled if the ...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by Big General‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What are the key differences between Mountaineering and Rock Climbing?

I think the title speaks for itself. I have done a basic google search and I do not find the references to be sufficient. I'm looking for a short synopsis that would educate a layman such as myse...

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

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Is it okay to trust your health to a mushroom hunters guide?

If I were to go mushroom hunting on a hike, Should I trust a field guide, or do a little research on it first? I've heard of too many deaths caused by mushroom eaters making a mistaken identificati...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by J. Musser‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How long does water need to be boiled for to kill all bacteria / viruses?

This has come up a few times in a few other questions, but I've heard varying opinions from different people in a number of answers and comments on here - some saying that just boiling for a moment...

4 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by berry120‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

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Does hiking with a dog in bear country increase or decrease your risk of a bear encounter?

I've heard various rumors that dogs might help keep bears away, or might be a bear attractant. Is there anything more concrete than anecdotal evidence to go on? From the companionship end, they ar...

5 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Lost‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

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Is it better to wear one pair or two pairs of socks while hiking?

From personal experience I tend to wear two pairs of socks, normally some running socks and then my hiking socks on top of that. It helps me avoid blisters. Quite a few of my friends thinks this is...

7 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Aim Kai‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How do I take care of Gore-Tex boots?

I have a pair of Gore-Tex walking boots that I have used a fair bit now and want to make sure I keep them serviceable for as long as possible. What is the best way to maintain Gore-Tex walking boot...

4 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Phil‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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How do I get started duck hunting?

There's a huge list of things to start duck hunting. Dogs, decoys, blinds, etc, and it's a chicken/egg problem. How could I possibly know how to buy and train a dog, which decoys to buy, etc., wi...

3 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Colin Akins‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What to do if you're bitten by an adder?

I've heard that while adder bites are venomous the number of people who have died from them are extremely low. If you're on a trek and you're bitten is it safe to continue for a couple more days be...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by berry120‭  ·  last activity 9y ago by System‭

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Is there a protective substance, like an epoxy, I can use on my feet so I can backpack barefoot?

Is there something that works like epoxy or natural tar that I can apply to the most delicate impact points of my feet (balls and heel) that will form a very durable bond, and let me backpack (i.e....

5 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by themirror‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How to find objective reviews of outdoors gear?

It is often difficult to know what to look for when shopping for outdoors gear. Is there some magazine, website, or other resource that does Consumer Reports style objective evaluation of outdoor...

3 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by nibot‭  ·  last activity 12y ago by System‭

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How can I avoid putting cinder burn holes in my clothing?

This is especially problematic if you dress up in layers, the last one being, for example, a raincoat. Putting a burn hole through your rain coat let's the rain in... Are there some tricks in fire...

4 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Shawn‭  ·  last activity 12y ago by System‭