Activity for Systemâ€
| Type | On... | Excerpt | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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A: Why do some climbing ropes have smaller load bearing than some paracords? Essentially para cord is stronger, but its less resilient. Climbing ropes do not need to be strong - you die above about 10G (1000kg) force from internal injuries caused by your harness, a braking strain above this is pointless, even if the rope does not break in a fall that generates very high G f... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Should you occasionally use locking biners on pieces of protection when using alpine draws? In an alpine environment there are many ways more likely that pro could fail than the gate opening - it not like sport or gym climbing where the anchor can be trusted, therefore, its wise to presume no individual anchor will hold, so if a gate did open and release the rope, the rest of the system wil... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: What clothing would be suitable for hiking and camping in 0°C? So at 5C, with 60Kmh winds, that gives you a feeling of about -2C See here. Not zero, If the air temperature gets to 0C then there's a potential for about -9C. You want to be aiming for a laying system so you can adjust your core temperature with movement, if you stop you'll want something to keep y... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Avoiding a "ding-dong" when lead belaying in the gym? I have seen this managed by having a runner on a low mounted hanger on the a joining climb. The resulting zigzag creates significant friction when the rope is loaded. An other way to manage this is to give the lead a dynamic belay in a fall - allowing a foot or so of rope to run though the belay, ... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Practical uses for commando/Australian rappel? I believe the "commando rappel" was invented by the military (special forces) though I can find no history of this. My understanding of the idea is that it allows you to rappel fast, gives you a free hand (to hold a weapon, handgun, etc) and allows you to see where you're going. So it's basically d... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Is there National Park-equivalent protected nature in the United Kingdom? The UK has an incredibly high population density (262 people per km²). This is one of the highest in the developed world. Though you're correct that there are higher ones; Holland has a higher one actually, but they also have space issue, that's why the reclaim land using dykes, etc. The UK was... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: How can I safely practice trad climbing? In the UK trad climbing is the most popular form of outdoor rock climbing: there are sport routes but there are many many more trad routes, so many people (me included) actually trad climb before they sport climb (outdoors anyway). Instruction Obviously the best (and safest) way to learn is from so... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Is it a good idea to grind Esbit fire tabs? A tab ground up to produce a powder will have a higher surface area, therefore the fuel is more readily available for burning, this is why you can light a ground tab using a flint and steel. The flint and steel produces less energy for a shorter period of time than a match or lighter so it needs acce... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Keeping Single Item Cold While Backpacking For 2 Days One suggestion, which you will need to try by experiment - dry ice on the bottom of a Thermos. Pack some layers of insulation on top of the dry ice, and put the item on top, with a thermometer so you can keep an eye on temperatures. Adjust the insulation to get the temperature sitting where you want... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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Where/how can I catch American signal crayfish in the UK? American signal crayfish are a delicious invasive species in the UK. I'd love to catch and eat some but I'm unsure how to go about this. Where/how can I catch American signal crayfish in the UK? I'm also wary that UK crayfish (because of the invasive species) are now endangered, so I'd want to ma... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: How to carry fat, greasy foods like tahini sauce and peanut butter? If in doubt, double bag... put them in a sealed bag of your choice, then put them in another sealed bag with the open end (of the first bag) facing towards the closed end of the second bag, if the first leaks the second should catch it. (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: is it a good idea to cover a tent with a tarp to protect for heavy rainfall? Generally a tarp is a bad idea as a long term solution as it shortens the life of the tent. As they are not shaped to fit around the tent (like a rain fly), they tend to sag in the middle and touch the outer. this quickly wears of the water repellent, and rubs the water into the fabric. Before long, ... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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How do "Dock leaves" work to reduce itching from stinging nettles? Dock leaves are the wild cure to stinging nettles, right? Everyone knows this. But how do they stop the stinging? What's the mechanism? (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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What are the criteria for tent for one person I consider buying my first tent. I do night-day hiking (once in several months). I am still a newbie. I have very hard choice: either to buy 1-person tent or to buy 2-person tent. Currently prices are "good" 2-person tent (60 eur), 1-person tent (100 eur), "advanced" 2-person tent (150 eur). Some... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: How dangerous is it to walk with wet feet in cold terrain? I am presuming this is not a hypothetical survival situation and it can be planned for. I used to regularly walked in wet boots for days, often in near (although rarely below) 0 degree temperatures, although pass hopping we could spend most of a day above the snow line with wet boots. A typical we... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: What should I bring home foraged mushrooms in? A brown paper bag should allow them to breath and keep your dignity. Don't keep them in it too long though, it's better than plastic but still not as good as something that allows the air to circulate. (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Rope between legs while leading on rock, ice The biggest problem with a rope between you legs is what happens in a fall and the way the rope can cause all sorts of nasty outcomes when its between your legs and you don;t get a clean offload. In the gym you expect to fall, its something that happens regularly in gym climbing. Despite many falls b... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Why do seagulls circle around at high altitudes? They are centering good thermal spots and picking up altitude so they're not putting any effort into flying while looking for food. (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: What is this tool on a Swiss Army knife for? That is a "punch/reamer". It allows your to repair leather (for example). You thread a thread of something though the hole and then use the sharp end to punch/push the thread though leather. In this way you can repair boots, etc. (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Where can I find help identifying an owl by its call? For UK birds the RSPB maintains a directory of birds The information on each bird includes a recording of it's call: (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Wild camping in the Brecon Beacons Wild camping in the UK is a grey area. Technically it is illegal to wild camp anywhere (Scotland and Dartmoor are the exceptions it is actually legal to wild camp in any unenclosed area there). Practically though, wild camping is tolerated in most wild areas (unenclosed remote areas like the "Breaco... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: What level of UV protection is recommended for glacier travel? Snow blindness is at best very painful. UV damage to your eyes is not something you want to play around with. If only 40% protection they are are not sunglasses, they are fashion accessories and offer no where near enough to protect your eyes for more than an hour. For $10 you will get glasses that... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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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, seemingly riding thermals to a great height (they quickly became speks in the sky). I started wondering, wh... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Which is the best clothing in extreme heat? Which is the best clothing in extreme heat? The answer to this is; what have people who have lived in deserts for thousands of years done?! Desert peoples have adapted their clothing and culture to provide the most efficient desert survival techniques, so Which is the best clothing in extreme heat? ... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Little or lesser-known multi-day hike routes would you look at visiting as far a field as New Zealand. Lots of trips, lots of information online - Its possible to do 10+ days and not see another person if you choose the trip and the time of year carefully. We have a vast track and hut network (In our terms a track can be nothing more than ma... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Running in bear country I would suggest for you to attach some kind of small bells or something that will produce noise, on the shoes, hands, and your belt. Mobile would not be recomended because battery might die on your trip. So every time you run it will signal every one in the nature, HERE I AM. After some time you will... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Waterproofing leaking canvas on a pop-up camper If its true canvas (cotton) and its leaking its pretty much past its best before date and replacement is the most reliable solution. Good news is Canvas takes water proofing products well and as long as its not rotten, should last you a many more seasons with the occasional re coat. Its been a long... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: How can I avoid or lessen sweating in a rain jacket? Staying dry in a rain jacket requires you to sweat less moisture than the cloths you are wearing can breath out. The most effective way to let moisture out is ventilation, unfortunately, that means holes big enough to let water in -e.g. cotton. With a rain coat, apart from wearing it open, Pit zip... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Can any waterborne pathogens survive boiling? Wikipedia has some interesting points on this: The elimination of micro-organisms by boiling follows first-order kinetics—at high temperatures it is achieved in less time and at lower temperatures, in more time. The heat sensitivity of micro-organisms varies, at 70 °C (158 °... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Is drinking water containing dirt harmful? Short answer, it depends. As with all fresh water sources the the important thing to notice is the context in which the water is in. I.e. where has the dirt come from? Where has the water come from? Couple of points that affect this: What is the dirt? Inert clay or run off from a sewer? What typ... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: What are the differences between golf and hiking/outdoor waterproofs? Reason a) Golf is synonymous with a form of fashion, to play Golf you must be wearing the 'correct' (i.e. insanely expensive) clothing. Some Golf courses have a high required standard of dress and although not breaking the rules, non-Golf specific gear is frowned on. Other courses are more relaxed an... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Waterproof shoes for men for +10°..+15°C and full-day use What brands and product lines to look first? Try as many as you can! The fit (not the brand) is the most important. Try on lots and see which ones feel the best. Which characteristics/features to look for? For that temperature range you want something pretty cooling. Lighter, thinner mater... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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How to encourage birds into the garden of a rented house? I live in a relatively rural area of North Wales in a new build house. I've been trying to encourage birds into our garden with limited success. There are plenty of birds in the area just not many in our garden! The problem is I can't make any radical changes to the garden as it's a rented house. I... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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Which glue to use to repair a tent outer? In strong wind (and bad tent placement) on the top of a hill, one of my tent poles snapped. I've subsequently replaced it. But the snapped pole has put a hole though one of the pole guides on the tent outer. My tent comes with a "repair" kit including scrapes of material to fix the outer but no glue.... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Back country solution to itchy insect bites Over the counter antihistamine products - especially tablets (due to light weight and effectiveness), but also topical creams such as stop itch and antihistamines are the most effective solution. These should be carried in your first aid kit if you have a history of allergy problems. Even for those t... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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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 applied to stop (or help with) the itching? (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: North Ridge of Crib Coch grade I walked this route the other week. It's a simple Grade I scramble, probably easier ground than Crib Coch itself and simple to navigate. Finding the best way down from the north ridge of Crib Goch is not easy and this is one section that you may wish to recce first I didn't find this an issue... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: How to use an avalanche shovel as a snow anchor for a belay? The ideal direction is with the shovel facing away from the direction of the pull. If facing in the direction of the pull, The sharp edges cut though the snow significantly reducing its holding power. The sharp edges of the shovel though the holes would cut a nylon cordette or sling - you would nee... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Identify this bird call? It's a magpie Here's a copy of an identical call from the British Library archive (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: What are good baits for crabbing? Anything smelly! Though crabs can't smell (as we think about it) they are scavengers by nature and detect their food by "smelling" microscopic particles in the water. So something really stinky and rotten will generate more "smell" thus attracting more crabs! Keeping them on the line is more tricky.... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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Why do Robins tilt their head to the side before pulling a worm out of the ground? I've seen this happen several times. The robin hops along, stops, tilts it's head slightly and then grabs the worm/grub, etc. What's the purpose of this gesture? I'm thinking it maybe helps them focus on the target? (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: What makes a good surfing location? Couple of factors that I'm aware of Swell/Geography This is why most of the UK has bad surfing. The swell is the energy generated in the Ocean, this is ultimately what drives the waves. To generate swell you need big powerful weather systems. These typically only form in oceans. The problem with th... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: What is the difference between "dry rope", "non-dry rope" and "dry core rope"? Dry ropes and dry-core ropes are very similar. Basically they've been treated so they repel water (this does not make them water proof). "Wet" ropes have no treatment. What do these terms mean, and what are the conditions or types of climbing in which you would prefer one or the other? If yo... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: How do I help people enjoy camping/hiking (like I do!)? Heh this question is similar to: How can I convince my friend to become vegetarian. You can't simple as that. But you can show them another dimension of life while hiking or for example eating vegi food, and if they are in the state of changes they would love some life changing decisions to be made. ... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Sleeping Bag Damp for long time - risks of use? Being as the bag is synthetic and the water was relatively clean your likely ok to boil wash it and use it again. If it had been down and/or contaminated water I'd strongly recommend binning it. Down would have rotted and you couldn't guarantee getting rid of all of the nasties in contaminated water... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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When is the midge season in Scotland? What time of year are the the dreaded midge's in Scotland at their worst? I've only really been into the Higlands in Winter and I would prefer to avoid the worst time for these if possible. (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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Belaying two seconds? I'm planning on doing some Grade III scrambling/low grade multi-pitch climbing this weekend. Normally just me and my girlfriend would do this kind of thing, I'll lead she'd second. But I'm thinking of taking another friend along this time. I'll still do all the leading with two seconds. I'm unclear ... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: How much Carbohydrate should I ingest during a long distance hike (18 hours plus)? This page on endurance running discusses a formula of 0.7 -1.0 gram/kg body weight per hour. Although higher than your figures, the ultra endurance runner can tolerate food digestion better than a 90 minute sprint cyclist, and must also replace energy being used (A 90 minute cyclist gets the half of ... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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North Ridge of Crib Coch grade I'm trying to get some info on the grade of the North ridge (going into Cwm Glas, not the main crib coch path but the alternative route coming from Nant Peris) of Crib Coch. I've been up Crib Coch several times but never done the north ridge. There is no footpaths marked on the maps. This description... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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How much Carbohydrate should I ingest during a long distance hike (18 hours plus)? I'm planning on doing a long distance hike (mountain climb) for charity in the next few weeks (the wales 3000s/15peaks). I've spent a bit of time looking into nutrition but I couldn't find a lot on how much I energy I should be ingesting for this. The nearest I could find was a cycling article on t... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |