Hiking is any outdoor walking activity - usually along trails and across unmarked wild country.
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1answer
123 views
May hiking in Eastern California
In May this year (6–8 May) I will have a workshop in Mammoth Lakes, California. I would like to do some hiking in addition to this workshop (roughly one week). I have never been to the United States, ...
9
votes
1answer
3k views
How should you wash clothes after exposure to poison oak/ivy/sumac?
I have heard that the oils from poison oak, poison ivy, or poison sumac can remain on clothes even through a wash cycle. After hiking through an area with poison ivy (or poison oak/poison sumac), how ...
8
votes
5answers
568 views
How do I treat a blister? How can I prevent getting them in the first place?
When hiking with a new pair of boots or if I haven't been hiking in a while, my feet might get blisters.
How can I treat a blister and keep hiking? Are there things I can do to prevent getting ...
8
votes
3answers
161 views
How far is a reasonable distance for someone to hike on their first trip?
How far is a reasonable distance for someone to hike on their first trip?
I understand this depends on a lot of variables, such as the person's fitness, the route they are planning to do, etc, but ...
8
votes
2answers
557 views
Thinking about a road trip out West
My wife and I are thinking of taking a road trip from northwest Ohio to "out west" - Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, etc. I've never been farther west than Indiana, so it's a whole new ...
8
votes
2answers
106 views
Safest months to hike in Colorado
I've read that the summer months (June, July, and August) are the safest months to hike in Colorado because these are the least-likely times to run into ice patches that can't be crossed with normal ...
8
votes
3answers
320 views
What natural (non-synthetic) fabrics are good for the winter?
Which natural (non-synthetic) fabrics are good for hiking winter weather? I know cotton will generally trap moisture and invite hypothermia, while wool is warm but heavy. What other natural fabrics ...
8
votes
2answers
177 views
What good options are there for wine transport?
Large glass bottles just don't strike me as a "good idea" for hiking.
What options are there for carrying wine and preserving the flavor for a couple of days while hiking?
8
votes
3answers
108 views
How should I remove a leech?
Once a leech is attached, what is the proper way to remove it?
(I'm assuming that the method would generic for all leeches, but if there are special kinds, please note that).
8
votes
1answer
79 views
What qualities should I look for in a good walking pole?
I've seen walking poles range from <£10 to >£100 - and to a casual observer there doesn't often seem to be much to distinguish them, with both having good grips and shock relief / suspension. What ...
8
votes
1answer
214 views
Material of shirt for Desert hiking
I have pretty much always worn 100% cotton shirts when hiking but I have been reading more and more about the amazing "wicking" properties of other fabrics.
Is there one that will keep me cooler ...
7
votes
3answers
244 views
How do I prevent rocks or sand from getting in my boots?
So when I hike, usually I get a small pebble or two, or sand in my boots. How can I prevent this? I already wear pretty tight boots, and stopping every so often to take off a boot and get a rock out ...
7
votes
1answer
94 views
How can I locate the leak in a inflatable pad, while hiking
Kevin did a nice job of providing a quality answer here for how to find the leak if you are at home. However I usually realize I have a leak when it deflates under me in the middle of the night. If ...
7
votes
4answers
91 views
New Zealand recommended hiking maps, books and other resources
Me and my girlfriend will go there in January and we plan on hiking for a week or so. Unfortunately there are no maps or books available for NZ hiking in my area. Could you recommend some for me?
...
7
votes
2answers
196 views
What makes nylon an effective material for hiking pants?
I often see 100% nylon pants a lot in stores. What properties does it have that make it effective when hiking? Is it effective in all seasons or just under certain conditions?
7
votes
3answers
95 views
Packing delicate equipment for a hike
I always try to avoid taking much delicate on a hike, but sometimes it either can't be helped or I decide I want to take it anyway (camera would be the prime example!)
How can I best pack such ...
7
votes
2answers
103 views
Logs & Rocks - Step on or over?
Growing up we were always taught to never step straight over a rock or log because it is a good way to step on or startle a snake that you cannot see. However, on a lot of hiking forums I see it ...
7
votes
1answer
218 views
One-day hike around Prague
I'm planning on visiting Prague and I was wondering if there are any nice one-day (two-day tops) hikes that I could do around there.
It doesn't have to be in the mountains, although that would be ...
7
votes
2answers
155 views
Does the solar powered fridge work as advertised whilst hiking?
I stumbled across this link the other day which seems rather ingenious and was wondering if anyone has tried such a contraption whilst hiking? If not, do you think it would be effective? I'm tempted ...
7
votes
4answers
507 views
Which brands make wider hiking boot sizes?
My old boots are dying. Sadly it took me quite some time to find them, and the particular brand is not made anymore. I have wide feet, like 4E wide, but some 2E boots will fit fine. Unfortunately ...
7
votes
2answers
122 views
Where can I find information on letterboxing in my area?
Letterboxing is a precursor to geocaching, wherein participants leave notes / stamps in boxes in the wild...
It's helpful to have a list or guide to letterbox sites when embarking on a search, as ...
7
votes
2answers
87 views
Are roads in Iceland closed to hikers outside the winter?
In a couple of years I hope to cross Iceland east to west through the centre. I understand the the roads in central Iceland are only open in the summer. Is that for vehicles only or for walking as ...
7
votes
1answer
170 views
How can I prevent plantar fasciitis?
Every year or so I'll end up with plantar fasciitis after periods of time where I've walked a lot. In general my walking shoes are fine and have arch support but occasionally I'll need to use sturdier ...
6
votes
5answers
181 views
What should I do if I break a shoelace in the wilderness?
If I'm hiking in the wilderness and my shoelace breaks, what's the best way to go about fixing it assuming I have no spare?
6
votes
3answers
87 views
Advice for first Grand Canyon Hike for Eastern Hikers
My friend wants to do an overnight on the grand canyon this summer. We are experienced hikers in pretty good shape. However we've NEVER hiked out west, much less the Grand Canyon. What are the key ...
6
votes
2answers
117 views
Energy bars for outdoors activities: what are the important criteria?
What are the criteria that I should worry about when buying energy bars ?
What are the ingredients to avoid and those to look for ?
6
votes
3answers
156 views
Is department store merino wool less effective than branded (i.e. SmartWool) merino wool in staying warm and wicking moisture?
At my local Costco, I see a Kirkland brand 100% merino wool quarter-zip sweater being sold for $25. On EMS, I see a SmartWool 100% merino wool half-zip sweater costing $140. Would I be potentially ...
6
votes
3answers
68 views
Can I use a garbage bag to approximate pack size
I am planning my first multi-day hike. I haven't selected a pack yet. I do not know which size pack I need. I see that packs are rated in liters. That got me thinking since some white garbage bags are ...
6
votes
2answers
87 views
Experiences hiking with a baby: diapers
So, I recently posted a question on hiking with a baby - my wife and I used to hike a fair amount, and we would like to get cracking again soon, but with our 7-month daughter.
I'm currently trying to ...
6
votes
3answers
166 views
How do I read a topographic map?
When navigating in the backcountry, you'll usually bring a topographic map that shows the terrain so you can tell if there will be steep slopes or cliffs that might make the route difficult.
A ...
6
votes
3answers
115 views
What lower temperature limit should I look for in sleeping bag for the Appalachian Trail?
I'm planning on hiking about half of the AT Northbound at the start of May 2013. What sort of temperature ranges can I expect to encounter, and what should I look for in a sleeping bag to best suit ...
6
votes
3answers
71 views
What should I look for in hiking binoculars
I'd like a pair of binoculars for hiking. I don't have a specific use other than for looking off of overlooks, at animals, etc. What are the important things to look for in a good set of binoculars? ...
6
votes
0answers
38 views
How can I physically prepare for high altitude hiking? [duplicate]
I intend to go to Tibet in August. I play badminton,tabletennis or volleyball every week and my fitness is decent. But I have not been exposed to high altitudes like in Tibet (16000 ft; 4900 m). How ...
5
votes
4answers
110 views
When do small waterfalls get significant freezing
We went out this weekend to try and catch a frozen waterfall such as the one. We had a great trip but it was clearly a misguided venture at our current tempuratures.
At what temperature would we ...
5
votes
2answers
122 views
Is there special eiquette for hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) during AT Season
Is there any special etiquette or "good things to know" for hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) during AT, or peak, season (for that section)?
5
votes
3answers
571 views
What negative consequences can result from having too much toe room in a shoe
I have large feet, that can be difficult to find the correct size shoe. Typically, I've been wearing size 13, but I have found that I get too many blisters with this size, and I don't have much wiggle ...
5
votes
2answers
76 views
How do you determine current trail conditions before going on a hike?
In addition to getting the current weather report on the day of a hike, how does one find out if the trails are currently in good shape and what kind of gear may be necessary that day (i.e. crampons)?
...
5
votes
3answers
150 views
Pain in the heel after a hike
So, I just went hiking, testing out a pretty new pair of shoes. The test trail was about 6 miles round trip. I started to notice on the way back that the back of my heel was a bit uncomfortable, like ...
5
votes
2answers
127 views
How do I identify dangerous, marshy land?
At a casual look, grass with a bit of surface water on it can look very similar to a potentially deadly marsh, and in many rural places there can be lots of both after it's been raining! In dry ...
5
votes
2answers
119 views
Are there any easy hiking daytrips up mountains in Lofoten, Norway?
I realise that's a pretty big area, but we're going to be there for 6 days and we have a car so we can go prettty much wherever. We're not big on climbing - anything requiring equipment is out, we ...
5
votes
1answer
83 views
How to get more information about a planned tour?
This summer, I plan to walk from the Wormser Hütte in Austria to the Heilbronner Hütte in Austria. I know that this can be done in 1 day, but when googeling, the tour length differs a lot. Some ...
5
votes
1answer
82 views
What are the advantages of a double sleeping bag?
In the context of a long hike (AT, PCT, CDT, LT, etc.):
What are the advantages and disadvantages of double sleeping bags over two individual sleeping bags? How do they compare to single sleeping ...
5
votes
1answer
116 views
6 day trek in Nepal Himalaya
What are some easy/moderate hikes in the Nepal Himalayas that do not span more than 6 days of walking? I looked at Jomsom trek but it is 8 days. I am looking for a trek that offers nice scenic beauty ...
5
votes
1answer
183 views
Rougher treks with Vibram Fivefingers
I hike quite a bit in Vibram Fivefinger Kimodo Sports. Like the KSO, they are covered and don't have a problem with rocks getting in. I strongly prefer them to boots for marked trails, and would ...
5
votes
2answers
67 views
What do unusual waymarks in France mean?
I recognize the official system for French waymarks of Grand Randonees and local paths like shown here:
but I've also seen large white rectangles with a horizontal red line in the middle. They are ...
5
votes
1answer
39 views
How to choose a safe cliff path
When walking alongside eroding cliffs in more built up / touristy areas, there's usually big warning signs or closed paths if the cliff is unsafe to walk on. Sometimes it's obvious why, if the path is ...
5
votes
1answer
65 views
Interactive online map of long-distance / marked trails against best freely available topographic map background
I've recently learned about the U.S. national trails system, apparently akin to the European long-distance paths. I found an (incomplete?) table of U.S. national trails and a rather poorly layed out ...
5
votes
1answer
98 views
Where to find hiking shorts that last more than a few months?
I'm one of these crazy people that tend to wear cargo shorts all year round, and do a lot of hiking and general outdoor activities in them. However, because of this they tend to wear out relatively ...
4
votes
4answers
267 views
What is this knee pain when going downhill?
I can hike uphill practically all day. However as very soon after I start a descent, pain builds on the outside of my knee. What is causing this and can I do anything to prevent/mitigate it (other ...
4
votes
1answer
106 views
Is a compass generally accurate in only one hemisphere, or both? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Navigational gear worldwide
I'm not that well travelled (never been outside of Europe!) but at some point I'd love to head elsewhere to perhaps hike somewhere a bit more ...
