Communities

Writing
Writing
Codidact Meta
Codidact Meta
The Great Outdoors
The Great Outdoors
Photography & Video
Photography & Video
Scientific Speculation
Scientific Speculation
Cooking
Cooking
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Judaism
Judaism
Languages & Linguistics
Languages & Linguistics
Software Development
Software Development
Mathematics
Mathematics
Christianity
Christianity
Code Golf
Code Golf
Music
Music
Physics
Physics
Linux Systems
Linux Systems
Power Users
Power Users
Tabletop RPGs
Tabletop RPGs
Community Proposals
Community Proposals
tag:snake search within a tag
answers:0 unanswered questions
user:xxxx search by author id
score:0.5 posts with 0.5+ score
"snake oil" exact phrase
votes:4 posts with 4+ votes
created:<1w created < 1 week ago
post_type:xxxx type of post
Search help
Notifications
Mark all as read See all your notifications »
Q&A

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

Filters (None)
50%
+0 −0
Trekking Pole Length

I was recently convinced to buy a pair of trekking poles for backpacking. But how long should they be? What is the optimal length to adjust my trekking poles, when carrying a heavy pack? I have t...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by theJollySin‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
What's the name of the old cross country ski boots with three holes at the front?

I have old cross country skis which require those boots with a flat end with three holes which you insert into three pegs on the skis. I'm looking for the name of that style of boot in order to be ...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Shawn‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
What areas in the south-western US are the wildest?

Where are the wildest places in the south-western US? By "wild" I mean places where evidence of people or their lasting effect on the land are minimal. Particularly, I am looking for places with ...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by DudeOnRock‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Boot tongue orientation?

I recently bought a pair of Meindl Ohio winter boots. I am generally happy with them, but I have noticed that, after a day of wearing the boots, the tongues of each boot tend to migrate outwards. ...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by nibot‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
SkyDive Equipment

In 2009 I successfully completed the AFF course, after a stop due to the birth of my son I'm going to resume regular activity. I currently have 31 jumps, all carried out by renting the equipment, ...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Cristian Porta‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Should I use my cold weather boots in 40-80&#xB0;F weather?

I need to select a pair of shoes for when I go out to Yosemite this weekend. The weather has been fluctuating like crazy - last we checked, there was a foot of snow on the ground, but now the lowl...

1 answer  ·  posted 12y ago by Brad Koch‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Practicality of Beards

I have several friends with full beards. After talking at length with one, he started to convince me the protection it offers might be worth it. So, I thought I would come and ask. What are the P...

4 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by MaskedPlant‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Trousers and jacket for winter walk up to 1085m (Snowdon)

I will be walking up Snowdon in Wales, 1085m, this February and am looking for advice on what jacket and trousers to get. Weather supposedly is windy, may be snow-covered and probably wet. Should ...

3 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Konrads‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
What&#x2019;s the difference between a B and a T ice axe?

Some ice axes are labeled as “B”, others as “T”. What’s the meaning of these letters and what are their practical implications?

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by zoul‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
What are a few backpacking foods that have the calories yet are lightweight?

Possible Duplicate: What is the most efficient food to take a for a 12-15 day hiking trip? A list of suitable foods for a long hike I normally carry brown rice, oatmeal, instant potato...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Camden‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
How should I check climbing equipment to tell whether it is still safe to use?

I have, unfortunately, not had the opportunity to go climbing (and thus use my climbing equipment) for a couple years. I know that such equipment, especially the rope and webbing, can degrade over ...

3 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Kevin‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
When does a geocached area become "saturated"?

The 161m (0.1mile) rule in Geocaching is a pretty infamous one. However, the rules also state this: Please don't hide a cache every 600 feet just because you can. The two main goals of the satu...

2 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by berry120‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
What are different knots named in English?

As English isn't my first language, I don't know the English words for different knots. Any translator fails on this part too. Can someone point me to a source? edit: Please also describe synonym...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by System‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
What's the best protection for my knees while bouldering?

I've been top-roping for several months. About a month ago I found out how much fun bouldering is. I've been getting quite a few scrapes on the knees working certain routes, or from falling. I'm...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Don Branson‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Packing delicate equipment for a hike

I always try to avoid taking much delicate on a hike, but sometimes it either can't be helped or I decide I want to take it anyway (camera would be the prime example!) How can I best pack such equ...

3 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by berry120‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Should I register caches when I know in longer perspective I will move?

I've registered some caches in Poland. It strike me that reviewer from GeoCaching was asking how I'm supposed to service caches far from my home location. In the meantime I moved to Germany, which ...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Danubian Sailor‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
What can I use to label my medicine tubes?

For my first aid kit, all of the medications are repackaged. I use nalgene snaptop vials like these. I have found that even permanent sharpie marker rubs off fairly quickly when hiking. I can...

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

50%
+0 −0
Difference between a Fingerboard and a Hangboard

This is just a climbing terminology question: What is the difference between a Fingerboard and a Hangboard? Maybe there is no difference at all? Maybe it's subtle? I have been Googling around an...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by theJollySin‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Can I replace Dish soap?

I have been trying to get my weight down on longer backpacking trips. I have already taken to buying very strong soap and using very little, but I was wondering is there something I can replace the...

5 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by MaskedPlant‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Long distance hiking trail markings in North America or parts thereof

In many European countries, dedicated long-distance hiking trails are marked with a white-red marking, like in the photograph below: Source: Wikimedia Commons. I've seen this in at least The Net...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by gerrit‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Winter food: which types of food are less inclined to freeze?

I already asked if I had to change the food for winter. Since freezing is a major concern in winter, which types of food are more suitable because they are less inclined to freeze ?

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Amine‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Would it be acceptable to plant OC's mobile cache into GC's caches?

I have currently no place of permanent perspective (from the geocache's point of view, I think it should be about 5 years, to be able to service cache in that time). So I'm thinking about creating ...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Danubian Sailor‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
What dried vegetarian foods have the highest ratio of calories to volume?

I mostly hike in bear country, which limits how much food I can take to the volume of my bear canister. This excellent question dealt with foods that are great on a trip where food-selection criter...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by DudeOnRock‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
What are the best ways to increase your draw weight?

What exercises exist for increasing your strength in order to increase the amount of draw weight you can pull back on your bow? I was told just push-ups but, is there anything more that can be done?

2 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by J Lundberg‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Beginner Ski Touring - Avalanche Terrain

So, I've taken my AST1 (see here for info, it's a Canadian course), and I'm starting to get into backcountry skiing. Just wondering what people would recommend for beginner terrain? Specific examp...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Paul Kirby‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Trail maintenance: what is considered inappropriate when maintaining a trail?

Every year at the beginning of the spring, I do preliminary hikes and do some light maintenance (removing broken tree from the trail etc...) but this question made me realize to what extend should ...

3 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Amine‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Snowshoes for hilly terrain

What are the snowshoes criteria that I should look for if I want to snowshoe on a hilly terrain ?

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Amine‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Should I always take a hard hat if I go scrambling?

Should I always take a hard hat if I go scrambling? Scrambling (also known as alpine scrambling) is a method of ascending rocky faces and ridges Quite often when I'm out on ridges in the UK, ...

3 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by Aim Kai‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Things to consider when choosing a sailing club

Apart from the obvious like price and location(s) what should I look for when choosing a sailing club? Some of the things are difficult to assess, tips on assessment are welcome. I want this quest...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Didi Kohen‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Are PLBs banned or otherwise useless anywhere?

This comment raises the idea that PLBs may not be allowed inland in the UK. A later comment refuted this, but I never even considered they would be disallowed anywhere, but simply rented one and to...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by gerrit‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
finger grip improvement exercisers

Possible Duplicate: What hand and finger exercises help with climbing? I'm looking to get a product that will improve my finger grip- have been looking at powerballs & grip masters b...

0 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Bella‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
What are some good ways to waterproof a geocache / letterbox?

Has anyone got any good tips on how to (cheaply) waterproof a geocache or letterbox? Those pill pots used to work brilliantly - one inside the other - but now they seem to be rather hard to come by...

4 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by berry120‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
What's the best writing implement to carry to sign a Geocache?

I often find when Geocaching ordinary pencils don't seem to leave much of a mark at all, especially if the log is wet, and especially on the smaller logs pens are difficult to "get going" without a...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by berry120‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Apart from down, is there any outdoor material that should not be stored stuffed?

Down sleeping bags and down jackets should not be stored in the stuffbag, but as loose as possible. Tents, as far as I know, can be stored stuffed as long as they are dry. Are there any other mater...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by gerrit‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Performance of fur garments?

How does the performance of genuine fur garments, as might have been used traditionally, compare to that of down and modern synthetics? (Insulating power (wet and dry), water repellency, and any ...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Mr.Wizard‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
How to heal "blown tips" faster after a climb?

I just started rock climbing recently (by the way, it's awesome!). I tend to tear up my fingertips though when climbing on rough rock or for long periods of time. It takes a couple days for them to...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by GorrillaMcD‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
How to seam seal Tyvek?

Tyvek generally comes in 4' and 5' wide sheets. To make a suitable tarp, footprint, groundcloth, etc. I will need to sew together a couple of sheets. How do I seam seal the Tyvek to prevent leaki...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Russell Steen‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Climbing Insurance

I think I should've donde this ages ago, but, well... better late than never. Could you recommend a good insurance that covers climbing? It could be a travel insurance or a medical insurance. I'm...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Miguel Madero‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Outdoor activities in San Francisco when it's misty and raining?

I'm spending the weekend in San Francisco, and after a week indoors at a conference I'm keen to do something outside. My plan had been to ride the trolley down to Fisherman's Wharf, hire a bike and...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Gagravarr‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Jerky or Freeze-dried food : Is the salt they contain a concern?

Almost all outdoors activities require having a certain quantity of water to prevent dehydration. Many types of jerky or Freeze-dried foods contain high amounts of salt. Should that be considered? ...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Amine‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Winter food : Should I change my habits for winter?

Should I change my food habits for my winter activities? Is simply increasing the quantities or choosing food with higher calories enough?

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Amine‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
What is a self erecting tent and why should I want one?

What is a self erecting tent? What are the advantages of a self erecting tent as opposed to a tent that isn't, and what are the disadvantages?

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by gerrit‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
How do I recognise quicksand and how do I get out if stuck?

This year, a Danish citizen went missing without a trace in the mountains of northern Sweden. It is not the first time; in total, ten people are registered as missing after venturing into the mount...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by gerrit‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
What are the advantages of learning to ski on a trip? (as opposed to beforehand)

I'm a non-skier right now but am thinking of going on a ski trip. As far as I can tell there are two options for learning. On a dry ski slope before I go Start my trip with learning What the th...

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

50%
+0 −0
How to be safe on lake and river ice and what should I do when I fall through?

It's late October and in cold, northern hemisphere climates, winter has arrived, and moderate northern hemisphere climates will follow soon. In my area, small lakes are already frozen and people ha...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by gerrit‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
What are some things to keep in mind when stealth camping?

Stealth Camping definition: Stealth camping is the act of quietly finding a place away from people where you can camp for the night and then quickly slip away in the morning without being detec...

3 answers  ·  posted 13y ago by sixtyfootersdude‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
Near-realtime satellite snow-cover imagery via easy web-interface

I'm looking for a freely accessible website that provides access to recent high-resolution (<~1–5 km) satellite-based snowcover estimates (snow / no-snow). Many meteorology websites provide an i...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by gerrit‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
City tickets as exchange objects?

Is it good idea to use city tickets for public transport (laminated or in string bags) as exchange objects or traveller objects (krets)? Are such items welcomed by the geocachers community? From t...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Danubian Sailor‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

60%
+1 −0
How can you make snares safe?

I've been watching a LOT of snare/trap setting videos. They spend an lot of time making the snares nigh invisible. None of these snares would seriously injure a person, but I would like to avoid ...

1 answer  ·  posted 11y ago by Russell Steen‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭

50%
+0 −0
Should I worry about moisture in my inflatable sleeping pad?

I use a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir sleeping pad. This is not self inflating, so I have to breathe in to the sleeping pad to inflate it. Are there any precautions for storing the bag to avoid gnarly bac...

2 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by Benzo‭  ·  last activity 11y ago by System‭