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Q&A

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

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What makes some beaches better spots for beachcombers than others?

I live within walking distance of Del Monte beach in Crow City, USA (Also known as Monterey, California). I enjoy scouring the beach for interesting-looking stones, seashells, and bits of seaworn ...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by B. Clay Shannon‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Is it safe to climb everest base camp in the month of september?

I am visiting Nepal for the first time this year most probably in the month of September. I am planning to trek Everest base camp starting from namacha bazaar till khumbhu icefall. Please let me kn...

0 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Lokesh malik‭

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New Suunto Ambit3 and don't know how to move log data from watch to moves count

I am brand new to the activity tracker watch world and can't figure out for the life of me how to transfer an activity from the log on my watch to movescount. I have everything connected and my mov...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by Liz‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Can deep wave action be partially predicted by lunar phases?

Where I walk weekly (Del Monte Beach in Monterey, California), I beachcomb for shells, glass, and particularly stones. Most of what gets cast up is rather dull and uninteresting - gray and black ro...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by B. Clay Shannon‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Recommendations for anchoring long rope swings

Some questions about rope swings similar in size to the the corona arch swing which has an accompanying setup video. Assuming you can avoid rope abrasion, do swings like this damage climbing rope...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by Kenn‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Are there wild camping rules in Scotland?

I am planning a 7 day trip in Scotland. I am considering some possible cheap options for accommodation, and I have read wild camping is permitted. Are there any rules that need to be respected? Doe...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Faorodia‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Is 8 miles of unpaved gravel road a lot for a old-ish consumer road car to take in normal weather?

When going to Goose Lake, WA is there any worsened chance that the car will not be able to "take" ?

7 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by ming yeow‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Insect repellent alternative for mosquitos and ticks?

DEET seems to be the main insect repellent that works for pretty much all of the bug world. I just don't care for it, it feels weird, smells weird, and likes to melt stuff. Most the alternatives ...

0 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Carson Reinke‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Is it feasible to plot my own trekking route from Lima to Cusco?

Per the recommendation of ppl, I'm breaking this question out into separate posts, so here goes: Is it feasible for me to plot my own route through the Andes, as opposed to keeping to established ...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by Alex Clough‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Highest point of the Planneralm 3D course (Robin Hood land)

I'll travel to the Planneralm next summer to shoot a little 3D. However, we've a person in the group which is a little bit concerned about the height (she has a shortness of breath if she goes too ...

0 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Highest point of the Planneralm 3D course (Robin Hood land)

I'll travel to the Planneralm next summer to shoot a little 3D. However, we've a person in the group which is a little bit concerned about the height (she has a shortness of breath if she goes too ...

2 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Downsides of a bullet point for 3D archery

I would like to have bullet points for 3D archery. I just think that they look better than combo/field tips. However, I was suggested that I shouldn't use them for 3D archery. What are the disadva...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Downsides of a bullet point for 3D archery

I would like to have bullet points for 3D archery. I just think that they look better than combo/field tips. However, I was suggested that I shouldn't use them for 3D archery. What are the disadva...

0 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Looking for trails that are open in Iceland in mid-March for a multi-day hike?

Looking for trails that are open in mid-March for a multi-day hike. I believe Laugavegur is closed, and I haven't found much in the way of marked trails.

1 answer  ·  posted 9y ago by Faelid‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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What to wear to walk to showers: clothes or towel?

This will be my first tent camping trip in my life. And I don't know what to wear to the showers. I usually sleep naked in the summer so my preference is for just wrapping a towel around my waist a...

4 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by RedWold321‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Quality of duck vs goose down

While searching for a sleeping bag I was told that goose down is clearly superior to duck down in terms of quality. I guess that means e.g. the fill power (measured in cuin). What exactly are the d...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Wills‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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How does weather affect an altimeter watch?

I really love wearing an altimeter watch while in the mountains. I know that it's affected by weather, but unfortunately I don't actually know how it is affected. This usually causes me to ignore t...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Felix‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Lapland UKK hike in late-May

My dad and I are planning to hike the Lapland UKK from Aittajarvi to Kiilopää in late-May (22-30).We are planning to drive from Helsinki to Saariselkä, about 12 hours drive. Is it possible to dri...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by TomCo‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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What ropes could I use to suspend a hammock?

I use paracord for a lot of stuff but looking for something stronger, for holding up a hammock. I'm thinking it would need to be 1000lb strength or stronger. Would type IV paracord (850lb strength...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Clay Nichols‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Efficacy of snorkel mask defogging agent on safety glasses

Will the de-fogging agent for snorkeling/scuba goggles prevent or mitigate steaming up of safety glasses worn outside on a hot, humid day?

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by ab2 MonicaNotForgotten‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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What is the correct way to attach a rope to a harness with carabiners?

So you know how when you're belaying you clip in to the belaying loop, and when your climbing you tie in to the two loops the belay loop is stiched through... When you're climbing, what part would ...

2 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by Tyson‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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How do hikers cross fast-flowing rivers without wading staffs?

Outdoor instructions in Lapland often recommend to always use a wading staff for river crossings, and not a trekking pole. Ever since I purchased my Folding Wading Staff in a Swedish outdoor store...

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

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How to detect a crevasse on a glacier

When you're walking in a roped party over a glacier, how can the leader detect crevasses? Sometimes it's possible to walk existing tracks, but even then it's possible to have a crevasse fall. W...

4 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by ibex‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Gear for Car-camping with 2 small children

We're a family of 4 - two adults, one toddler and one infant (5 months) recently moved to the US for a year. We'd like to go camping for a few long weekends this month and next on the East coast (a...

4 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by emmanx‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Is an emergency blanket effective as a ground sheet?

On a recent question that was closed as a duplicate (correctly) one of the comments was to use a foil blanket as a ground sheet instead of a tarpaulin in a bid to reduce the overall pack weight. Is...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Chris J‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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What to do when a snake blocks a narrow trail?

Some time back I was on a very narrow mountain trail with a cliff rising to my right and a steep gorge dropping to my left. The trail was blocked by by the viper below (with the gorge just out of s...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by Tullochgorum‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Are the canisters for isoButane (empty weight) heavier than other Butane mixes?

I'm planning to use a butane "canister stove". The only canisters I can find locally are Butane/Propane mixes. My understanding is that Propane canisters are extra heavy b/c Propane is under highe...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by Clay Nichols‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Back country solution to itchy insect bites

On a recent walk I got bitten to death by midgies. I was itching all day until I got home and put some antihistamine cream on them. Is there anything available (plants, etc.) that I could of applie...

6 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by System‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Why is it unsafe to handle metallic equipment with bare hand at higher altitude?

I have seen a few documentaries where the high altitude mountaineers constantly keep the hand-gloves ON. Is it really because handling the metallic equipment with bare hands can cause a Frostbite? ...

4 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by WedaPashi‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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What are the rules for eating raw, wild meat?

Can you always eat raw meat (wild) as long as it is fresh?

4 answers  ·  posted 13y ago by Justin Self‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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How to carry fat, greasy foods like tahini sauce and peanut butter?

Peanut butter and tahini sauce are very high in calories and I am searching for a lightweight but safe way to carry some while backpacking. They are soft and oily, so of course I really don't want ...

7 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by Dakatine‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Acclimitization: Would 20 min at an "oxygen bar" deliver more than an ephermal boost to a healthy person?

My last trip was just a hiking trip, so I stayed at a hotel. For $35, the hotel offered 20 min at their "oxygen bar". I was tempted, but did not succumb. I didn't have a headache, or feel nausea...

2 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by ab2 MonicaNotForgotten‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Light-weight emergency overnight-gear

What is a good emergency-overnight-sleeping-setup when every ounce counts, like on long technical routes (grade V or VI) where the goal is to do it in one day (without hauling), but one wants to pr...

7 answers  ·  posted 11y ago by DudeOnRock‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Does leaving a knot in a static cord damage the cord as it does with dynamic rope?

I've heard to never leave a knot in a climbing rope for an extended period of time as it can deform and weaken the core of the rope. I'm unclear if the same is true for static cord and rope as wel...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by STW‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Does any tent manufacturer promise to have replacement parts?

A few years ago I got a 2-person tent for backpacking. At some point, I let the rain fly get too hot. It became sticky and its waterproof coating peeled. I tried to buy a replacement rain fly, but...

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

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V-chamber vs trapezoid construction

I am searching for a down sleeping bag and found two alternatives. They are from one manufacturer so data should be comparable. bag ("A"): T_limit = -13°C weight = 1000g filled with 600g of 85...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by Wills‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Hints for hiking the west highland way

I am a 'newbie' in hiking, and I will be doing this trail in July. Following more or less this plan: -> Milngavie to Carbeth (8km) -> Carbeth - Drymen (11.2km) -> Drymen to Rowardennan ...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by antao‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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How to get rid of RV awning/canopy stink?

I have a camper (tow behind RV) with an awning. Every time I unroll the awning/canopy it stinks. I have scrubbed it with soapy water, and left it open to air dry several time. But it always get ...

2 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by James Jenkins‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Can rock climbers easily transition to canyoning?

Rock climbing and canyoning/canyoneering are very different. However, it seems like the two disciplines would also have significant overlap in skills and gear-- knots, rappel techniques, harness, r...

4 answers  ·  posted 9y ago by Chris Mendez‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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What to do in a herd of angry cows?

Sometimes I have to go through a herd of cows on a pasture when hiking in mountains. Cows are generally very peaceful creatures and there is no problem usually. However, I missed this "Danger! Bul...

0 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by vojta‭

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Quick release knot for attaching kit

I'm currently using a double fisherman's bend to tie my kit together but it's a bit fiddly to take apart. Is there a better knot for the task?

3 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Chris J‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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How to tandem rappel/abseil with a child?

So my toddler just barely fits the smallest child's harness on the market, which of course means she's big enough to go climbing and rappelling with daddy ;) I've been playing around with differe...

1 answer  ·  posted 9y ago by ShemSeger‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Rapelling an overhang

How do you bypass the overhang, mid-rappel? --. <-- Start of rappel | | __| <-- Overhang | | Do you go to your knees and then step one foot over at a time trying not to squash yo...

5 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Adam Terlson‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Slings for anchoring and lanyard in rock climbing

Probably common question, but: What slings do you use to build anchors for belaying the 2nd in rock climbing? Dyneema or nylon? I had discussed this problem with my friend and he said that Dyneema...

1 answer  ·  posted 10y ago by dhpasta‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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What is Fast Packing?

I've heard it referred to as a cross between running and hiking, but what does that end up looking like? What type of milage/hour are people doing, there chafing issues, and is this the type of act...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Sean Kolk‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Which type of cooker to use above 6000m?

I'm an enthusiastic mountaineer and hiked up several 4000m - 6000m peaks till today. Now I'm faced to a problem I think many mountaineers are faced to: Which type of cooker do I use above the 6000...

0 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Otterbein‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Is it safe to use a motorcycle helmet instead of a skiing helmet for skiing?

I have a perfectly good motorcycle helmet (one that encompasses the whole head, including the chin) that I never use (I bought it for lessons, but never bought a motorcycle). However, I do not have...

2 answers  ·  posted 12y ago by bitmask‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Swimming while in the high seas

When sailing, can the passengers of the yacht safely go swimming while in the open seas? That is, when some miles away from the coast-line.

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Pierre B‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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What are the non-obvious pros and cons of an "Instant Tent" vs. a tent with shock cord poles

Some newer tents have integrated pole systems where the poles collapse quickly but stay attached to the tent body. The obvious pro of this design is that setup and takedown is faster and can be do...

3 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by fields‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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What attributes does a good reliable beginner kayak have?

My Wife and I are looking into getting into recreational kayaking, no rapids or anything. Trying to find a good reliable Kayak that we both can get. We are looking for a sit in and ideally with som...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by BBrocker‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭