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 »

Activity for Charlie Brumbaugh‭

Type On... Excerpt Status Date
Answer A: How to painlessly remove gunk left by tape gloves?
After looking around the internet, it seems that oils can be used to remove tape residue. So things like, Olive Oil Coconut Oil would be possibilities for removing the gunk and shouldn't hurt if it gets into cuts. They should also be good for your hands, especially if they are dry.
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Can I eat raw acorns?
It looks like eating raw acorns won't kill you but its not likely to be pleasant and can harm you. That said, even &#x201C;sweet&#x201D; acorns should be leached to remove what tannins exist in them because several studies show that unleached acorns can make you constipated and can harm your teet...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: What features should I look for in gear to support front wheels of wheelchairs for travel on snowy paths?
I think what you are looking for is these attachments called Wheelblades, Image Source essentially mini skis that lock onto the front wheels of a wheelchair, Wheelblades are designed as an easy-to-use solution that aid traction and give a little extra oomph through snow, ice and slush. .....
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: In what situations is it irresponsible not to carry a PLB or satellite messenger device?
TLDR: You can be irresponsible with or without a PLB The most basic principle of responsibility in the wilderness is that YOU are ultimately responsible for your own safety. With that being the case there are few things more irresponsible than than the idea that you can take risks, and if anything...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Camping on top of a mountain
You can sleep up high on top of peaks but there are a couple of reasons it isn't usually done, You have to haul all of your heavy gear (sleeping bags, bivy/tent etc) instead of leaving that at a base camp and taking a light day pack. There is usually less water higher up, so you have to haul that t...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: How to "store" excess rope in a running belay?
The way I have always done that is wrap the extra rope around my self. It goes over one shoulder and then under the the arm on the other side. Then, in addition to tying it at the end of the rope with a figure-eight like normal, you tie another figure-of-eight on a byte and clip that to your belay l...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: What do classifications of belays (like "4th class belay") mean?
A better description for 4th class belay would be simul-climbing or running belays. That is when you are roped together with intermediate protection. I described such a scenario here. Its typically done on easier climbs when the risk of falling is much lower. 5th class is actual rock climbing with b...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: How to describe a trail well for others in a systematic way?
At a minimum a trail description should include, Start End Distance/Elevation Change Estimated Time For describing the actual trail you would want to include, The general direction. What the elevation trend is, uphill vs downhill or mixed. The type of terrain, rolling, forested, flat, lots of s...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Possible snowy owl seen in the trees
As the Sherlock Holmes would say, How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth? If you look through the list of owls in Idaho, or the list of owls in North America you will notice that the only white owl is th...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: What is a nose-hooked carabiner and why is it dangerous?
To put it simply, it is when the nose of the carabiner gets hooked onto something, which reduces its strength dramatically. This happens by preventing the carabiner gate from closing and keeping it in a position that results in a catastrophic load pattern. This can happen for instance when sport c...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Question What is a nose-hooked carabiner and why is it dangerous?
In rock climbing a carabiner can get nose-hooked and it is a very dangerous situation. What exactly is a nose-hooked carabiner and why is it dangerous?
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: What to do if someone gets impaled in the stomach?
To quote from the Wilderness First Responder manual, Large objects found impaled in a wound should be left in place if you can get to a medical facility with relative ease. Yanking on an object can stimulate serious bleeding and damage underlying structures, especially if the object is impaled in...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Can you get permanent brain damage by spending a day at 10,000ft (~3000m) altitude?
TLDR: Yes, it can happen at that altitude, but the odds are extremely low. Long answer High-altitude cerebral edema has happened at lower than 10,000 ft. The condition is seldom seen below 3,000 metres (9,800 ft),2 but in some rare cases it has developed as low as 2,500 metres (8,200 ft). Sou...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Why is there a cock vane/feather?
Actually, it is done to minimize the possibility that the feathers will contact the arrow rest. Since there are different types of arrow rests, the direction pointed will depend on the type of rest. The nock of your arrows should be adjusted so that when placed on the string (nocked) the cock fea...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Can a click-up belay tool cause rope wear?
Any belay device will cause wear and tear on the rope since they work by applying friction to the rope. There is a lot more friction when lowering a person than when belaying them so wear on that part of the rope is to be expected. It&#x2019;s pretty normal for the sheath to look fuzzy or have s...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Can horses ford deeper/faster rivers than humans?
Horses are bigger and stronger and than humans and because of the square cube law, they have more mass to surface area which makes them better suited to fording deeper/faster rivers. As to whether or not you could cross where the horses do, that will depend on the individual crossing. You probably c...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Is there a smartwatch/activity tracker lasting 20 days for a trek to Everest Base Camp?
There is at least one, the Vector Luna Smart Watch. Vector Watch&#x2019;s tagline is &#x201C;The smartwatch with a 30-day battery life&#x201D; and they really put the battery lifetime in the front line. It is really hard to find a smartwatch these days which will hold the charge for a whole month...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Question Is this rock I found on the Toiyabe Crest Trail an arrowhead?
I found this arrowhead-shaped rock on the Toiyabe Crest trail in Nevada, USA. I'm wondering if it actually is an arrowhead. It's about 1.5 inches long. The reasons that I think it could be is that it's about the right shape and the edges looked like it had been sharpened. It also has what looks li...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Eye safety when starting a fire with a magnifying glass
I would just use eclipse glasses. As they are safe to look directly at the sun with, then they should be fine to look at the bright spot caused by the magnifying glass. Just make certain that they are certified and not rip-offs and then you should be good to go. They meet all of your requirements an...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: What's the best or easiest way to attach a loop tag onto canvas?
If I was going to do this, I would use a Speedy Stitcher or similar tool, to stitch the loop to the tent and then cover the stitches with a canvas seam sealer. I wouldn't trust glue as there is going to be a lot of pull on the loop tag (the whole point of adding the loop tag is to be able to exer...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: What is a good R value for a four-season sleeping pad?
It looks like there is not a consensus on what the minimum R value should be, but that the higher the R value the better. It will also depend on how you sleep and what your comfort level is. If it would be possible to borrow one to try it out before going I would suggest doing that. Its worth trying...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Can I use solar showers when camping at Department of Conservation or other campsites in New Zealand?
It looks like the answer is yes as they are one of the recommended items to bring as a camp host. Solar shower &#x2013; there are cold water showers available Camp host information for Kenepuru Head Beyond that, solar showers are mentioned by several reviews of the campgrounds. The showers...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: What exactly do the 2 knobs on my Zeiss 10 &#xD7; 25B binoculars do?
The knob on the left is for adjusting the focus to the distance, the knob on the right is for diopter adjustment. Beside the center focusing wheel, there usually is a separate diopter adjustment that serves to compensate for unequal vision that might exist between the viewer's two eyes. The diopt...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Question How to decore a retired climbing rope?
One of the things you can do with a retired climbing rope is to decore it (remove the main center section), and turn the sheath into rope bracelets. The last time I decored a rope I cut it into approximately 4 ft sections and then pulled the center strands out before cutting it into smaller pieces....
(more)
over 6 years ago
Question Do mountain lions play with their food?
House cats will play with their food i.e. catch a mouse then let it go and then recatch it over and over again before finally eating it. Do mountain lions exhibit similar behavior?
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: How to estimate the time between direct sunlight and sunrise?
The solution is the same as for estimating the time until sunset. What you do is hold your arms straight out in front of you and then stack them up from level until you reach the horizon. Each hand is equal to approximately one hour. This can be useful in situations where you have the option of cam...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Question How to estimate the time between direct sunlight and sunrise?
Sometimes due to a high ridge or other land feature, the time that the sun comes over the horizon and gives direct sunlight is different from the time calculated by a sunrise table. From personal experience it can be up to several hours later. Is there a way to at least estimate the time of direct...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: How to compactify the long straps on a tent or tarp when not in use?
For my tarp I just fold the tarp and then wrap the strings around it. For a tent you can wrap the cords as described in these answers so that it looks something like this, I wouldn't worry too much about it, the more you camp and use it, the better you will get at it.
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: When calling in elk during bow season, where should the caller be in relation to the hunter?
The caller should be at least 50 yards downwind of of the hunter. The reason is that elk have a good sense where a call is coming from and won't get very close (usually around 50 yards) to that spot unless they see another elk. If the caller is right next to the hunter, the elk will usually stay j...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Question When calling in elk during bow season, where should the caller be in relation to the hunter?
If you are hunting elk in a team of two people with one attempting to call it in and the other to kill it, where should the caller be in relation to the hunter?
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: How do forest fires affect rock climbing?
A forest fire can definitely affect the rocks and cause hazards (in addition to the hazards in the forest). Hot burning fires destabilize rock. This can result in removal of rock coatings, flaking, scaling, and/or abrasion. Source Spall is flakes of a material that are broken off a large...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: What is a lava tube, as a place to see bats? Are there any in the United States?
Basically, a lava tube is formed when a underground lava flow stops flowing, leaving behind a long tubular cave. A lava tube is a natural conduit formed by flowing lava which moves beneath the hardened surface of a lava flow. Tubes can be draining lava from a volcano during an eruption, or can be...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: How does a European Robin differ from an American Robin?
American Robin, Source European Robin Source They are from different families of birds, The American robin (Turdus migratorius) is a migratory songbird of the thrush family. It is named after the European robin3 because of its reddish-orange breast, though the two species are not closely ...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Question Are there any studies showing that being in good aerobic shape will lessen the risk of altitude sickness?
This answer mentions, The single most effective thing you can do to improve your acclimatization rate is to get in good aerobic shape before starting your trip. It seems plausible that being in good aerobic shape would help one acclimatize, are there there any studies to back this up?
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: How long after a forest fire can you safely re-enter a forest?
As far as the danger from hotspots, it looks like it could be a while, A municipal leader in British Columbia's central Interior says he wouldn't be surprised if wildfires that have chewed through more than 10,600 square kilometres of woodland smoulder until 2018. Chairman Al Richmond of the...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: How to tell the difference between elk and hunters using elk calls?
The tricks are, Humans carry both bugle (bull) and cow calls, while a bull elk won't make cow noises. So hearing a bugle and then a cow call from the same place is almost guaranteed to be a human. Humans can be over eager to respond and will bugle back very quickly while elk will take a while. Elk ...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Question How to tell the difference between elk and hunters using elk calls?
Sometimes when hunting elk, especially archery, you will hear elk calls and be unsure whether it is an elk or a human using an elk call. How could one tell the difference?
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: What is the Origin of the Word "Sendtember" in Rock Climbing?
It's a combination of Send and September. Sendtember &#x2013; according to climbing folklore &#x2013; is blessed with perfect cool, dry, stable spring conditions in which climbers can harvest the gains made in a long winter of hard training. September, they say, is the most sendingest month of th...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Is it safe to take a shower outside during a thunderstorm?
One of the basic principles of lightning safety is that you don't want to be the highest thing around and you don't want to be under something that is the highest thing around. For example only one group has ever been struck while floating the Colorado through the Grand Canyon, but multiple people h...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Question How warm does it need to be for bats to come out of their caves?
Once, I was waiting for bats to come out of a cave (I knew there were some in the cave) and they never came out that I could see. While it was after hibernation and the bats were definitely awake (up and squeaking), it was kind of cold (too cold for short sleeves) and I wondered if that might have k...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Would a gunshot echo in a cave?
It turns out that gunshots can be used to map caves, The decade-long search might have gone a little differently, though, if soldiers had access to a new system that can use sound waves from a gunshot to quickly map unknown caves and tunnels. The portable system, created by David Bowen of Acente...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Question Can I avoid dew by sleeping at higher elevations?
On backpacking trips, I would like to avoid dew because it means either waiting till the sun has come up and dried my stuff off or packing wet things and drying them later. My experience is that dew is less likely at higher elevations, is this true or simply a coincidence?
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Why do Old Town canoes have dramatically higher capacity than Osagian canoes?
It could just be a difference between how the companies calculate it. From an article about kayak weight capacity, There's no industry standard for determining the maximum weight capacity of a fishing kayak. Every company approaches the question a little differently. The more you dive into the n...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Is belaying a lead more difficult than a top roped climber
If a climber on top rope, takes a fall, there isn't much force at all compared with the forces that are generated when a lead climber falls. That force has the potential to pull the belayer into something or even off the ground and into the climber. There is also a risk, when the lead climber first ...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Can you float-treat a rope?
No, because whether a rope floats or sinks is dependent on its specific gravity (which in turn is dependent on the materials used). [...] Those with SG [special gravity] greater than 1 are denser than water and will, disregarding surface tension effects, sink in it. Those with an SG less than 1 a...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: Tips for avoiding losing things when backpacking?
The tips that I can think of are, Keep your backpack organized and place things into the same pockets each time. Try to avoid pulling everything out of your backpack if you don't have to. If you have to pull stuff out of your backpack, place them onto a barren surface like a rock or tarp (avoid lon...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Question Tips for avoiding losing things when backpacking?
It can be a real pain to lose or forget something when backpacking, especially if you have to backtrack miles to retrieve it. Are there any tips to avoid this?
(more)
over 6 years ago
Question How much less efficient is a solar charger when on a car's dashboard instead of in direct sunlight?
When car camping, I use a solar charger to charge my electronics. Sometimes I can place it outside, and other times I will stick it on the dash to charge things. I can tell that putting it on the dash is less efficient, but I wonder by how much?
(more)
over 6 years ago
Answer A: How to stop in the middle of a rappel without an autoblock?
The simple solution is to take the rope (both strands if rappelling on a doubled rope) below the device and wrap the several times around your upper leg and hold your upper leg perpendicular to the ground (this keeps the rope from slipping off). It's not particularly comfortable and you don't want ...
(more)
over 6 years ago
Question How to stop in the middle of a rappel without an autoblock?
Sometimes people rappel without a backup prussik, such as when canyoning and sometimes an auto block needs to be adjusted. In either of these situations, is there a way to stop yourself in the middle of the rappel?
(more)
over 6 years ago