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Q&A

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

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What's the difference between frontcountry camping and backcountry camping?

I know what camping is, but what are frontcountry and backcountry camping?

4 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by Sparkler‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What is the impact/risks of high altitude walking on individuals suffering from High Blood Pressure?

Setting aside the benefits of cardiocavascular exercise in general, what are the risks to hikers/climbers with high blood pressure at various altitudes? Is there an upper ceilling/threshold that...

2 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by Venture2099‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Can I use SteriGENE broad spectrum disinfectant on abseil rope?

I work in ecologically sensitive areas in NZ and my ropes routinely get soiled. I have been asked by the Dept of Conservation to clean and disinfect my ropes to minimise the chances of accidentall...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by user34581‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Mountain weather archive

Are there any weather, or at least temperature, archives for mountains? I have read that this information is very spotty, that it is not recorded for many mountains. In searching for this data, ho...

2 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by Loduwijk‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Philmont closed - any good places to go instead?

I was planning on a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch this August but it closed the back country for the rest of the summer. My troop already has group tickets on a flight to Colorado with Delta. I was...

2 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by JIMMYPlay‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Climbing outdoors makes the skin of my palm red and sensitive

I mostly climb at a rock climbing gym, and I can climb for hours until my forearms run out of gas. However, when I climb outdoors, usually the reason I have to stop is because the skin of my palm...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by user3667089‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How to safely mark a rope

I was reading this question and the first thing that popped into my head is what do you use to mark the middle of the rope? I was taught not to use any kind of marker on the rope (because there's ...

7 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Roflo‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What are the best camping sites in Western Massachusetts?

I'm seeking recommendations on the best places to camp in Western MA. Preferably not busy campgrounds, and with access to good hiking. Thanks!

2 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by Ian‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Is this bar-headed goose's behavior an indication of a problem?

After seeing this question which had this animation: I was left wondering whether this behavior was "normal" or at least healthy. I know sometimes when an animal exhibits odd behavior there's so...

3 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by Kevin Fee‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What is this brown dust/powder inside my old pack?

I have a Lowe Aline Attack 50 pack from around 2000 and recently much of the inside has accumulated a sort of brown powder that is either, I suspect, some kind of mildew, or the remains of the deco...

1 answer  ·  posted 7y ago by Michael Stern‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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I feel little stings in the sea

Yesterday I went to the beach when I get in the water everything was fine the water not cold the sea very clear. Then I started feeling little stings at all my body.I thought it was my idea. When...

0 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by Theo.Ri445‭

sea
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What's the problem with burying toilet paper?

In the backcountry, we should bury solid human waste (i.e. poop), and we are told to carry out toilet paper. According to this answer on tissues, for some kinds of waste the ecological impact is s...

3 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by gerrit‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Why do almost all backpacking packs have top compartment ("brain compartment") zippers facing backwards?

According to this answer to "what gear should go in the brain (top most compartment)", the brain compartment usually ends up becoming the knick-knack / catch-all pocket, for small items items t...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by Metamorphic‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How can I help birds know how to feed from feeders?

In Malaysia, the country I'm from, almost nobody puts up bird feeders. I have just bought a bird feeder from overseas, but the birds don't seem to know what the feeder even is, as they may not have...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by deskJob‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Usability difference between 0.1 micron 0.2 micron filter bottles?

We have been using older water filter bottles with charcoal filters. These are easy to drink from a combination of squeeze the bottle and suck will quickly fill your mouth with a swallow of water. ...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by James Jenkins‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Is it safe to use denatured alcohol as an antiseptic?

A lot of hikers carry denatured alcohol for cooking. Is there any risk to using it as an antiseptic for cuts and lacerations?

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

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What is the minimum amount of water per day to survive?

I am disabled in the wildness, there are no natural water sources available. I have 2 gallons (7.5 liters) of water. The only practical solution is to sit and wait for rescue. I will be resting i...

2 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by James Jenkins‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Can you put a tow truck stinger on a motorhome (RV)?

Some terms may not be global, inline descriptions for questionable terms A motorhome is RV with an engine (as opposed to a camp trailer that is pulled by another vehicle). Many people will tow a ...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by James Jenkins‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

rv
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When should you repair rock gouges in skis?

When downhill skiing (although I assume this would apply to cross-country skiing or snowboarding as well), when should a gouge caused by a rock or other obstacle be considered large or serious enou...

2 answers  ·  posted 13y ago by jrdioko‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Is there a standard way of marking cooking alcohol containers?

The alcohol used for cooking is poisonous. Denatured alcohol, also called methylated spirit (methylated spirits in Australia and New Zealand) or denatured rectified spirit, is ethanol that has...

4 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by Charlie Brumbaugh‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What are good dive sites to scuba dive with cuttlefish?

My husband and I scuba dive together often, and he really wants to get the chance to scuba dive with cuttlefish (and why not they are super cute!). This can involve night diving. What dive sites a...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by Aravona‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What attributes should I look for in an inexpensive multi-purpose folding bike?

I have been considering a folding bike, it would be multipurpose, for short rides of 10 miles or less. I think I want multiple gears, as it may be used as part of Canoe Advventures My primary mot...

5 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by James Jenkins‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Why do seagulls circle around at high altitudes?

I was recently at a music festival in a field here in the UK. It was a nice hot day and I was staring up into the lovely blue sky. I noticed there were high numbers of seagulls circling above, seem...

2 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by System‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Criteria for putting up a tent in morning or evening shade

We're going to an area in France where the expected daytime temperature will be 30°C or higher. We use a light brown (beige) coated cotton tent. We have to decide whether to put it up in the mor...

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

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How to find good hiking maps for the Laugavegur trail in Iceland?

I will be hiking the Laugavegur trail alone and have been looking for good hiking maps (1:50 000) online. My google searches yield no good results. Where do you even begin to look?

0 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by Edza‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Why do upside down tree leaves mean rain

So I have heard this saying a lot and would like to know if and why this is true because the leaves are upside down now and I have always been confused by this because some have told me nay and som...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by JIMMYPlay‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Should one buy a higher shoe size while buying hiking shoes?

I've heard this multiple times from different people that while buying a hiking shoe, always go for one size larger than what fits you perfectly. The most recent one being a local store where I wen...

5 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by Ricketyship‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Purchasing a sit-on-top kayak

Sun Dolphin manufactures one or two 10' sit-on-top kayaks for under $350.00. I know they would be suitable for a day of recreational paddling on a calm lake or river. But could they reasonably be u...

2 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by Douglas Spaulding‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Is it okay for a duck/splay footed individual to rock climb?

If an individual walks with a pronounced duck-footed (splayed) gait, and is actively trying to correct this, is there any harm for the individual to begin rock climbing. I feel like a lot of edging...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by StrongBad‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What is the most effective method to clean skin exposed to poison oak?

Poison oak season has begun around here, with fields full of the nasty stuff growing everywhere. I tend to dress conservatively in areas I know have poison oak, to avoid getting exposed in the firs...

4 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by nhinkle‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How accurate is the method of finding north with a watch?

There is a method of finding north with a watch described here So you point the hour hand of your watch at the sun. Halfway between your hour hand and the noon mark is south. How accurate is ...

2 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by Charlie Brumbaugh‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Could Les Stroud have used guitar strings for rabbit snares?

In season 3 episode 1 of Survivorman, Les Stroud uses a guitar and a can of some consistently shaped chips made from potatoes of an unknown brand <cough>Pringles</cough> to make a trap ...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by Don Branson‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Where can I legally go hunting for rabbits with a slingshot in the UK?

Where can I hunt for rabbits with slingshots do I have to ask land owners or could I go into a forest away from people and hunt there?

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by Barney‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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When/Where do foxes attack humans?

There is an area that I would like to explore at daytime and at night time. I have seen only two foxes in that area during the day time. One of the locals told me not to go out at night because fo...

3 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by Moon‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What should I look for in throwing knives?

Inspired mostly by this answer, if I were to decide to buy a set of throwing knives for just for fun, what exactly should I be looking for? I do realize that throwing knives are not legal everywhe...

1 answer  ·  posted 7y ago by Charlie Brumbaugh‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How much will the ceiling of a snow cave drop by during the night?

Every time I have slept in a snow cave, I have woken up to a ceiling that was noticeably lower than when I went to sleep. Is there a good rule of thumb for estimating how much lower it will get? ...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by Charlie Brumbaugh‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How do songbirds and small animals know when there's a hawk in the immediate vicinity?

At any given time in our yard, we have at least 20 birds, up to the same number of squirrels, 15 or so chipmunks, and a few rabbits. Our many feeders and birdbaths are mostly under big trees and ne...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Would it make sense to backpack with an 8 lb tent at Philmont Scout Ranch?

I am going to Philmont Scout Ranch in the Rocky Mountains in New Mexico, USA, this August. I am planning on using the Eureka Timberline 4 tent, which weighs about 8 pounds. I am doing a 7 day trek ...

2 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by JIMMYPlay‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How to tape torn skin to continue climbing?

I have got this annoying issue when bouldering: a sheared callus on the small finger: I would like to tape this and continue climbing (with extra caution). I am not an expert in taping, and any ...

2 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by anatolyg‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How does one steer a two-person kayak?

My wife and I recently bought an inflatable, tandem kayak. I grew up canoeing and we've had many enjoyable outings on the water together, so I thought two-person kayaking would be relatively easy....

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

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How much difference does wind chill make if you are inside a snow cave?

From this answer, -148 °F has been survived inside a snow cave, and this question is asking for the unadjusted temperature, which leads me to wonder how much the wind chill would matter. If you ha...

2 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by Charlie Brumbaugh‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How to get a top-mount cooking burner for 20 lb propane tank?

Currently, I use this cooking setup and it is pretty convenient when the travel space is tight: However, its BTU potential is understandably modest and I would sometimes like to cook a soup or b...

2 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by amphibient‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Is there a recommended type of can for building a penny stove?

Related to this question, I have had better luck with the smaller energy drink/V8 juice cans than standard 12 oz pop cans. The other question on the site mentions both beer and Redbull cans. Is th...

2 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by Charlie Brumbaugh‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What is the most severe temperature that a proper snow cave can protect you from?

This question was prompted by my answer to Under what conditions does heating a backpacking tent artificially make objective sense?. In my answer, I mention the possibility of hiking across Antarct...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by Loduwijk‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How do I tie a sleeping bag to my backpack?

I recently upgraded to a modern backpack and I'm stumped as to how to tie accessories down to it. My previous backpack had tie-down points on the bottom of the pack that I could attach long straps...

6 answers  ·  posted 13y ago by Edward Thomson‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What is the difference between AMO/AMA and ASTM spine declarations?

This question asks "Are the Goldtip and Easton spine declarations AMO/AMA or ASTM??", What exactly is the difference between AMO/AMA and ASTM spine declarations and what difference does it make?

0 answers  ·  posted 6y ago by Charlie Brumbaugh‭

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What was the temperature without windchill for the climbers that "Minus 148 Degrees" is written about?

The book Minus 148 Degrees is written about a winter climb of Denali in which a rapid weather change forced the climbers to seek refuge in an emergency snow cave. The title is a reference to the c...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by Loduwijk‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Is there a definitive list of the tallest mountains in the world that require little or no mountaineering experience?

I was wondering if there is a list of the tallest mountains in the world where you can walk or scramble up to the summit? As opposed to using even basic rope skills?

5 answers  ·  posted 13y ago by Aim Kai‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Any reason to prefer bow-fishing over rod-fishing?

Is there any reason to pick bow-fishing over rod-fishing. As far as I know it's extremely difficult to aim for fishes beneath the water surface. This makes me wonder if there is any rational reaso...

3 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What is the reasoning behind not disposing of fish guts in the water?

Quite a few fishing regulations say something similar to this, Don’t dispose of fish entrails or other byproducts into any body of water 2018 Colorda Fishing Fish die in the water all of t...

1 answer  ·  posted 6y ago by Charlie Brumbaugh‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭