Activity for Karen‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Answer	—	A: What kind of berries are these purple and reddish with crown looking tops? The leaves and berries look like a blueberry, probably a highbush blueberry from your description. If that's the case, they are edible. I'm not familiar enough with Colorado vegetation to know if there are any poisonous lookalikes in the area. (more)	—	over 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to trap and relocate raccoons? Why Not Trap? Raccoons are smart. They know that one of them got caught in the trap and they know that by going in, they risk the same. If you're patient, it's likely you'll catch more within a few weeks or months. But you should really reconsider whether relocation is the humane option you assume. ... (more)	—	over 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: Camping alone in the wilderness in the USA In the US, Designated Wilderness Areas are areas relatively untouched by human influence where users are only allowed on foot and with pack animals. Some areas will have other restrictions, like permit requirements for overnight trips or seasonal fire restrictions. Most are tens of thousands of acres... (more)	—	over 5 years ago
Answer	—	A: Allergic to Neoprene and need water shoes One summer job, I needed shoes to walk on a rocky beach, sometimes in the water, for 5 to 10 miles per day all summer. Stretchy neoprene shoes were terrible for this- no traction and no support. So I used regular sneakers. I chose a pair of cross country racing flats. The model I used are no longer ... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Should one purchase a smaller water shoe size? Since you are looking at shoes that only come in full sizes, I'm guessing you're looking at very cheap shoes. A cheap water shoe is usually made of a rubber sole and an upper of neoprene (somewhat stretchy) and very stretchy fabric. If your foot fits on the sole, the upper should stretch enough to ac... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I desalinate ocean water enough for cleaning or showering? You linked to an industrial sized watermaker (75 gallons per hour) but they do come in smaller sizes for significantly less money. But think hard about how much water you actually need. I'd consider your 80 L/day to be very generous. Ocean water at a normal level of salt is sufficient for showering ... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to stay dry in the nether regions? That kind of problem is miserable, but fairly common. There are a few things I'd suggest to solve it. Good, wicking underwear. It sounds like you've tried at least one version, but it is worth experimenting with different styles, brands and materials. I'm a fan of merino wool for dealin... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: Confusion in selecting a tent, too many variables Waterproofing is one of the most important things to the average camper, so an reasonable quality, inexpensive tent will stay dry through mild rains and occasional thunderstorms, and if the tent is stored properly and only used a few days a year, that waterproofing should last at least several year... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: How should I plan a backpacking trip with people who have never backpacked before? Make the trip short and easy. Better to have them wishing for something longer than regretting that they're stuck on the trail. Just spend one night on the trail, in good weather if you can arrange it. The four most important things for comfort are sufficient water, good shoes, a comfortable pack, an... (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Question	—	How should I plan a backpacking trip with people who have never backpacked before? I want to go backpacking with a couple friends, but I'm the only one of us with any experience, and I mostly day hike. I've only done a couple of backpacking trips. They've never backpacked, and only hiked occasionally. (more)	—	over 7 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I tell the difference between an American Crow, and a Common Raven that lives in America? The biggest difference between ravens and crows is that ravens average 2 feet long with a 4 ft wingspan, while crows are about 1.5 ft long with a wingspan of 3 feet. These numbers can vary a bit regionally and by individual, but for a casual birder, the size difference along is enough to differentiat... (more)	—	almost 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: My head torch/lamp has a red mode, why? In addition to the answers already mentioned, I prefer red light while outdoors in the summer because it seems to attract fewer insects. I always seem to have more insects flying around my face if I use white, and fewer with red. (more)	—	almost 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to take care of an acrophobic person while hiking? I'd treat a new acrophobic hiker the same way I would any other new hiker I was out with. I start out by asking them what they are comfortable with before we even start, as well as what their fitness level is. For instance, I have a friend in poor shape with terrible balance who occasionally comes wi... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Where does uncommon litter come from? I live an area where a lot of the woods was farms a hundred years ago. 50 years ago it was bushy fields, now it's heavily wooded with increasingly narrow cart paths running through it. A lot of the stuff I run into was probably dumped by someone creating a dump site a few decades ago, when you could ... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Does a small antler really mean "bad genes"? Genetics is one factor contributing to a deer's antler size, but certainly not the only factor. In many cases, maybe most, it isn't even the most important factor. Age: Young bucks that aren't fully mature will always have smaller antlers. A deer whose health is declining due to old age may also hav... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: What should I do to avoid ticks other than wear particular clothing? You will pick up ticks by spending a lot of time outdoors, but I routinely find them after walking across 10 ft of grass between my car and my front door. No matter how much prevention you practice, keep an eye out for Lyme symptoms, and go to the doctor for antibiotics if they show up. A vaccine wou... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: What to consider when shopping for prescription sunglasses? I'm an extremely nearsighted person who has trouble with contacts and spends a whole lot of time being active outdoors. As a result, I've done a lot of investigating into prescription sunglasses, and tested several pairs. The biggest difference between sunglasses and regular glasses is that sunglass... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Will a compass work underground or underwater? Compasses are good equipment both spelunking and diving. Even the deepest cave you could go to is still near the earth's surface, geologically speaking. The earth's magnetic field is also essentially the same under water as above. If you are using a compass, what you need to be aware of is nearby ma... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to get rid of illegal artificial paints on historical monuments? When I've had to clean spray paint from remote destinations, we've used chemical paint removers in spray bottles and scrub brushes. Do not do this on a historic site without permission from whoever manages it. There is a very good chance you will cause at least slight damage while removing the spr... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Can I use a blue plastic tarp to float my vehicle across water? If your tarp is heavy duty enough, I'd expect it to work. Most blue plastic tarps are fairly thin and weak, so while it might work, it would be risky. The difficulty is that you will be abrading the tarp by driving onto it, probably subjecting it to abrasion from rubbing against the jeep's body, an... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: When do boats have the right of way? The short version is that whoever can most easily get out of the way, does. Others have answered with the legal, official rules, and if you are at all serious about boating, you need to learn these. But if you are out boating and need to figure out what to do quickly, this rule of thumb usually work... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why aren't there any electric stoves that can be used for cooking where you can't build a fire? Battery powered stoves and ovens are available, but they don't get as hot as a regular oven. They are designed to plug into a car's 12V outlet, so they need a car battery, which is impractical for someone on foot. As a result, they are not designed to be light weight. They work for car camping, thoug... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Paracord rope strength You'll need to test to be sure, but it will lose quite a bit of strength. When I sailed, I was taught that you lose as much as 80% strength by tying a knot. So if you have 500 lb paracord, by this estimate it could support about 100 pounds reliably when knotted. The weakening is at the point of the ... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: How can I recognize a game trail? I'm going to give some things to look for, but none of these are definite giveaways. It is very unlikely you will be able to tell a barely used human made trail from a game trail. Hikers like to be very obvious about the trails they make, and established trails are well worn. If a trail is very narr... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Is it safe to drink snow? If it is clean, fresh snow, it is safe to drink. This is basically drinking rain water. It hasn't had time to pick up pollutants when it is newly fallen. I live in New England, and kids do this all the time. You get taught early to only do this with white snow. Make sure that the snow is actually cl... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Finding water in the dry wilderness This answer is based on my experience in the Mojave desert, where open running water is very rare, especially in the summer, and springs have a moderate chance of being poisonous due to chemicals in local soils. The easiest thing way to find water is to have the water come to you. Make sure people ... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why do some fisheries have a lower size limit and others have an upper size limit for keeping fish? A lower size limit is designed to allow a fish to reach breeding age before it can be taken. An upper size limit is designed to prevent the most effective breeders from being taken. It is based on the fact that in many species a more mature adult will have a larger number of successful offspring, a... (more)	—	about 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How do I achieve/maintain optimal hydration? The absolute best way to figure out when to drink is by paying attention to your thirst. If you drink a cup of water when you aren't really thirsty, your body will start getting rid of excess fluid within a few minutes. But if you drink that same cup when you are seriously dehydrated, you won't pee... (more)	—	about 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Inexpensive ways to learn cross-country skiing The cheapest ways to try cross country skiing are borrowing equipment, yard sale equipment, craigslist, or rentals. If you like it, and rent frequently, that stops being cheap. If you make friends who run or are otherwise active, ask around, and someone might have a spare set of skis and poles they ... (more)	—	about 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Eating ash in Soviet Union This is not a survival technique. The way to determine how many calories is in a particular food item is to measure the amount of heat energy emitted when an item is burned. Anything burned to ash is basically calorie free as far as food value goes. Ash is composed of whatever was unable to vapori... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How effective are pen launcher bear bangers compared to bearspray? Bear bangers and bear spray are designed for slightly different situations. Bear bangers are intended to use when a bear is still a ways off, but is showing no signs of leaving, or is wandering towards you. The idea is to scare the bear off before he gets close enough that you need to be seriously w... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to hide a trail turn? This answer assumes that either land ownership is not an issue, or that you have permission from the owner. Please read Olin Lanthrop's answer for a discussion of the ethical issues of whether you SHOULD do this. A lot of the details of trail obfuscation depend on the local ecosystem. For instance, ... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: What's the best way to dispose of a body in the backcountry? Depends on where you are. Near Las Vegas, there are plenty of abandoned mines where a body will almost certainly remain undiscovered for years. Talk to the local mob for specifics. (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: What happens if I inadvertently set off a personal locator beacon? The first thing you need to answer this question is to know who will be responding when your beacon goes off. The beacon manufacturer should be able to provide you with this information. Then you can find out what their policies are in regards to false alarms. The responsder may vary depending on whe... (more)	—	about 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why shouldn't I buy an ultra light tent? I have three tents, including an ultralight Big Agnes Fly Creek 2. The others are dome tents, including a Eureka Tetragon 2 and a Big Agnes four man tent. The Fly Creek is extremely light, but I only ever use it backpacking when I'll be the only one in it. It is too small to hang out in comfortably... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why does sunscreen not work all day? I'd like to add to the existing answer that while sunscreen effectiveness does decrease as it is absorbed into the body, wears off, or is washed off, high SPF sunscreens will still block most sun after the two hours. The FDA recommendations for reapplication every two hours are basically to provide m... (more)	—	over 10 years ago
Answer	—	A: Wood versus plastic trail signs? As a New Englander who hikes a lot, I’d say that the sight of any good signage is so startling and unexpected that the appearance of the material should be a distant secondary concern to the signs’ utility. There are a few things to consider that you haven’t mentioned: How l... (more)	—	over 10 years ago