Activity for Akabelle
| Type | On... | Excerpt | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edit | Post #41709 | Initial revision | — | over 4 years ago |
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A: What is this tool on a Swiss Army knife for? As a reamer, I used it to make wooden woggles for scout scarves. Also, if a can is too hard to open with the opener, I punch a few holes with this tool just to start the cutting with the can opener knife later. (more) |
— | about 5 years ago |
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A: How to repair worn hiking boot eyelets I would take a piece of yarn (something thicker, for example the one used for embroidery) and try to cover the whole eyelet with it - not just wrapping it around, but also securing it with little hooks, like the ones in the image. If you pull it tight enough, the eyelet will remain big enough to put ... (more) |
— | about 5 years ago |
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A: Hiking with a mule or two? From your question I cannot figure out on what terrain, what climate, what continent you wish to hike on :) but this read might be an interesting one for you. There is a guy from Hungary who travels with his donkey, mainly on the El Camino route, but also all around Europe. Here is his facebook pag... (more) |
— | about 5 years ago |
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A: Long distance hikes with small children It is not suitable for the wildest of outdoors, but an other option would be carrying some sort of trailer (I am not sure of the English word for it) which makes the luggage carrying easier. The picture below is for bikes (thus matching with @Loduwijk's answer). Here you can see the trolleys they... (more) |
— | about 5 years ago |
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How to remove butter stain from raincoat? Long story short, I got a huge oily stain on my raincoat. More precisely butter, on the shoulders part. It looks bad, it smells like butter, and I am really not comfortable having it on my clothes + under my nose. What I've tried so far: removing the butter mechanically as much as I could (wiping... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
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A: What's is the Leave No Trace way to dispose of loose tea leaves? If by tea leaves you mean the camellia sinensis used for green tea, then it is just as foreign to certain areas as banana peels are. I find Sue's answer from the coffee question quite decisive here. Furthermore you don't know by what was a certain tea treated, that means there is no guarantee that yo... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
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A: One week bicycle tour around Berlin Although @cbeleites' answer is quite exhaustive, I would like to add bikemap.net. I use it to plan my bike trips, I can connect dots on the map in any way I want, I can print the map with detailed frames, or send it to devices and use them directly from there. They have a lot of public routes added b... (more) |
— | over 5 years ago |
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A: Activities at the campsite With kids or without, I would consider building a shelter. There are a lot of shapes and sizes for it, a quick search for images can give you plenty of inspiration. It needs some preparation (planning and coming to an agreement how it would look like, walking around to find materials, find the right ... (more) |
— | almost 6 years ago |
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A: What are some effective ways of reducing itching from a mosquito bite? What I found useful when nothing else was on hand: putting a short layer of toothpaste on it. The menthol gives a cool feeling, thus reduces the itching. (more) |
— | almost 6 years ago |
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A: How to find natural salt licks? Although I checked your link, I am not sure how exactly you would personally use a salt lick (based on the images from the mineral lick wiki article). There might be certain signs that can give away a salty environment: plants that thrive in a such a place, dried edges of water streams/ponds where th... (more) |
— | almost 6 years ago |
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A: When filming wild animals with a drone, how far away does the drone need to be? Seems there is a lot of research done. I found this article which cites a lot of interesting resources. I could not retrieve precise numbers. They published a code of best practice, but they say also that "It advocates the precautionary principle in lieu of sufficient evidence, encouraging researcher... (more) |
— | about 6 years ago |
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A: Tips for avoiding losing things when backpacking? Before leaving home: I prepare myself two safety kits (see this one as an idea) - one contains medication and first aid, the other has survival tools (like matches and stuff to build a fire). I check their content periodically, so when I leave to a trip I just throw the boxes in my bag and know I hav... (more) |
— | about 7 years ago |
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What will this bright green caterpillar with small turquoise spots turn into? We found this beauty in our yard: It was 10 cm long and it was crawling pretty fast. What made it even more spectacular were the little turquoise spots on it. I suppose it will be a butterfly (but correct me if I'm wrong). Does anyone have a clue what species it is? I tried to look at some moth/c... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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A: Is hiking alone always faster? When I hike alone, I tend to stop very often, just to take photos or pick some herbs. Hiking with other people motivates me to go on. Of course, the slowest person dictates the pace of the group, and that is often me. What proved to be a good practice when I am with a bigger group is to split in tw... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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A: How to attach signs to trees considering tree growth? Why to put nails in the trees when you can paint the trail signs on them? I know, I know, it needs some updating each 2-3 years, but plastic and aluminium colors may also fade. I would consider one information board at the beginning of the trail(s), telling where each sign and direction leads, and t... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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A: What is the best type of shoe to wear for crossing deep rivers? Lighter than a shoe and preferred by many, there is also the option of Five Fingers, which are like a cross between a shoe and a glove. It doesn't hold the ankle, but at least provides the advantages of Vibram, and it holds more stable than a Teva or any other sandals. Usually I wear Teva sandals fo... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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A: Would there be any practical uses of a geological map for a hiker/backpacker? Disclaimer: I have no idea how to read the map above :) For me it would seem important in the case of longer time camping. After 10+ years of scout camp experience, I can tell that if you want to dig a, let's say, 2 meter deep hole (for latrines, for food storage, for waste food/water etc.), some in... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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A: How to temporarily mark a trail? These are some methods we use within the Hungarian Scout Organization - some may be a bit outdated from past times when communication was not so easy :) but still, these methods are non-intrusive and leave no trace. I will try to sum up the main points from the text + explain the sections. Title + ... (more) |
— | over 7 years ago |
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A: How do you create a sense of community on a backpacking trip? There are a lot of games out there ("team building" games, introductory ones, icebreakers etc.). This is just the first result of a google search. All games can be adapted to the size and age of the group, but using such games needs preparation in advance. Some people find such games a nuisance, othe... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: How to deal with dogs on public hiking trails? Disclaimer: I am from Romania, my answer is a bit tailored to this corner of the world. This issue is very common in Central/Eastern European countries and in the Balkans: not only the household dogs in villages, but stray ones (even in cities), and especially the shepherd dogs. Might be a bit repea... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: How can I get comfortable sleeping on my side (backpacking)? What I tried, after waking up with sore hips + being extra sensitive for cold in the hip area: I bend a bit on the stomach side. This helps with the pain, not with the cold Having a good sleeping bag excludes the need for several layers while sleeping: I fold these (coat, raincoat, towel) and put t... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: Tips and tricks for backpacking with a guitar My choice was getting a ukulele. Small, light, has a soft padded case which I sometimes wrap in a plastic bag (or put the uke in a bag and then in the case), and I can easily attach it to the main backpack I have (not hanging loose like a guitar & its case would). Might not be as challenging/fun ... (more) |
— | almost 8 years ago |
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A: How do you deal with a picky eater on a backpacking trip? What we did in our local scout troop when we met picky children during several day long hikes: explain them how the trip will look like: we camp in such places where we can make fire, but we will not have place for three pans and five pots to cook some fancy thing, especially not for a bigger grou... (more) |
— | about 8 years ago |
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A: As Mountaineers what can we give back to Mountains? Once you learned to appreciate the Mountain, the best way to give back (in my opinion) is to teach others how to behave in nature. This would spread the knowledge you gathered through the years, deepen the Leave No Trace mentality, help people bond with nature, and one day - why not? - maybe make the... (more) |
— | about 8 years ago |
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A: How to assess the likelihood of a tree falling in a forest? I would also consider a few things: actual weather for the following night: heavy storms and strong winds may break even healthy branches, not to mention the dry ones terrain + state of the soil on which the camping would be: very dry/cracked soil + steep terrain would increase the chance of dry t... (more) |
— | about 8 years ago |
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A: Why would fatigue cause fever? Sunstroke or dehydration would also cross my mind. Think back to the environment, circumstances, equipment and weather you had then: did you miss a hat? was is a really hot day? did you drink enough water? (more) |
— | about 8 years ago |
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A: How can I boost morale on long backpacking trips? Things I use with our scouts: Singing + a special game: because we already know each other, the children/youth are not having a problem singing in front of the others. I introduced a game called "Give me a word"; once you have the word, the group's task would be to collect 5 (or in "hardcore" vers... (more) |
— | about 8 years ago |
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A: Can anyone help with identifying this tree? I would say it is a walnut tree. The bole is flat, and at first sight it seems that someone cut the lower branches of it (at some point when the tree was younger). The leaves also look like the ones of walnut. If it has no fruits on the branches then it might be a bad year, or some hail destroyed th... (more) |
— | about 8 years ago |
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How to keep small rocks and stones out of hiking boots? I keep encountering this issue during summer, when wearing short trousers or a skirt while hiking: my boots get filled up with small rocks and stones, and I must stop from time to time to empty them. I guess this is a common issue, but I was wondering: is there some method to avoid, or at least lesse... (more) |
— | about 8 years ago |
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A: Games for kids in the great outdoors Some things I would do: teach 1 type of medicinal herb, something easily detectable (peppermint, for example), and then let them collect some amount (50, for example); set some boundary so they would not wander away too far. When at home, dry the leaves and make a tea from what they've picked make... (more) |
— | over 8 years ago |
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Is dryer lint worth using as a fire starter even if it's also a pollutant? I have been reading about dryer lint as an effective kindling material, but I keep having the feeling that in some way it implies burning "plastic": all the artificial materials, coloring (although it might have been well washed out by then), detergents, chemically treated threads etc. Can it be cons... (more) |
— | over 8 years ago |
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A: How to store tinder on a hike? I use a bigger tin box (it is left from an old Str8 perfume), and within that I put the things in ziplock bags. (more) |
— | over 8 years ago |
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A: Legal situation to bowhunt in Hungary for foreigners What I have found here on page 2 is that you are allowed to hunt with gun permit + up-to-date "hunting ticket", or with foreign hunting permit. On page 1 there is reference to a law saying that you may strike with your hunting gun or hunting bow if you clearly identified the game and the strike would... (more) |
— | over 8 years ago |
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A: How do I treat hot spots and blisters when I have no moleskin? In such cases I try to tie my shoelaces differently, to change the way my foot sits in the shoe - if my ankle is too loose (thus the blisters), I would try to change that in case I cannot get any help. This is not a long term solution, especially if you tie your shoelaces too tight they may affect th... (more) |
— | over 8 years ago |
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A: How can I conserve water over long treks? Once I was advised not to drink too much, but rather just sips, to get rid of the thirst: a camelback + a drinking tube in your backpack should be handy in this case. Of course, apply with reason: do not get yourself dehydrated! drink a lot before the trek (as advised in other answers), and not only:... (more) |
— | over 8 years ago |
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A: How to find route for pedestrian I often use Bikemap.net, not only for bike trails, but also for hikes: has really good maps and also nice route planning functions; you can save your maps to be available offline, and then track them on your smartphone. Or you can print the detailed maps, frame by frame. The Bikemap page took me to... (more) |
— | over 8 years ago |
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A: What should I do about large trash left by others on USFS land? If it is a more polluted area, try the method suggested by WedaPashi (cleanup activity with friends), or take a look at Let's Do It - a worldwide trash-collecting/volunteering action; find your country and contact the local organization. This also puts the issue in an other light (and on the world ma... (more) |
— | over 8 years ago |
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A: How to find a trekking buddy Try starting a discussion on the couchsurfing page of the given Swedish region saying that you would like to do this or that type of trekking, for given period and difficulty, preferably include what gear would be needed; this way locals and nearby travelers may contact and join you, but beware: ther... (more) |
— | almost 9 years ago |
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A: What are safe/effective leaves from around the world for use in tidying up your backside after answering the call of nature? Plantago major is not only a rough plant with strong leaves which grows technically everywhere, but also a useful herb. Try to find bigger leaves, perhaps not from the strict proximity of the road. (more) |
— | about 9 years ago |
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A: What are good items to leave in a geocache? Some other ideas: plasters/band-aid (if you don't worry about them getting "expired") cat-eye reflectors (even upcycled ones), to be mounted on bagpacks small, one-usage raincoats (more) |
— | about 9 years ago |
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A: Toothpaste in the back-country and the principle of leave no trace I prepare my toothpaste using this recipe, main ingredients here being baking soda and coconut oil. Positive parts: it works just as well as "classical" toothpaste, it is safer to swallow, ingredients are natural. Negative parts: it has a more fluid consistence, needs a somewhat heavier container to ... (more) |
— | about 9 years ago |
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A: How to light a fire with wet firewood? In such cases the kindling material found on the ground might be also wet: try searching for thin dry branches on the lower parts of trees. Especially the pine trees are "built" in a way that the lowest branches die and dry as the tree grows - the rest of the branches are usually thick enough to keep... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: How to carry fat, greasy foods like tahini sauce and peanut butter? Out of some wonder, the peanut butter in our area comes in plastic jars, meaning that it is lighter than a normal jar. I save these plastic jars during the year and use them later on hikes. Also, in the local grocery stores I can buy some dairy products which come in plastic buckets and boxes (like... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: How do I get mold off my sandals? It might be a bit brutal solution though, but the dermatologist once told me to use formaldehyde to disinfect shoes after infections - it might be an option for mold too. Wiki confirms here. The procedure was: put the shoes in a plastic bag, soak a huge cotton ball in the formaldehyde, tie the bag ti... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: Back country solution to itchy insect bites I remember buying in pharmacies a liquid prepared on the spot, from mint powder and saline solution (unfortunately this mix is sort of local-specific to our Romanian pharmacies, so I cannot provide a link). This was applied on mosquito bites and allergy rash - it stopped the itching for an hour or tw... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: How do I protect my book(s) while backpacking? It might sound a bit odd and not-so-related to the question, but have you considered carrying a Kindle? I got used to carry mine along, wherever I go (bagpacking included). Advantages it doesn't get bent corners and broken spine; if you pack it in a good place, it doesn't break at all a fully cha... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: A list of suitable foods for a long hike Although I cannot provide numbers on the nutrition facts, I would still share my experience; before leaving to a week-long hike with three friends we prepared small bags of instant porridge: some amount (1-2 spoons) of the above-mentioned whole milk power 4-5 spoons of oatmeal (preferably the one ... (more) |
— | over 9 years ago |
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A: How safe is sleeping in bear country? In Romania we also have a high population of bears, and recently they wander also in forests on lower sea level altitudes (such as ones at 300 m); they even enter the towns and villages, picking food from the trash. Attacks have been reported usually in cases when people went too close to bear mother... (more) |
— | about 10 years ago |
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A: What foods are unsafe to cook over an open fire? It might be more dangerous simply due to the fact that it is raw - but this danger is real only in the case you travel with the meat for 2-3 days without proper cooling. If you cook it the first evening of your hike then it should be fine - and again, whatsisname's answer applies. For longer trips, ... (more) |
— | over 10 years ago |