All Questions
1,371
questions
29
votes
5
answers
5k
views
What are some things to keep in mind when stealth camping?
Stealth Camping definition:
Stealth camping is the act of quietly finding a place away from people where you can camp for the night and then quickly slip away in the morning without being detected. ...
29
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What is this animal with orange webbed feet, a white head with black stripes, and really likes breadcrumbs?
Quite simply: What is this animal?
I have searched through various wildlife identification guides (particularly ducks and geese) and have so far not found anything close.
28
votes
7
answers
4k
views
How safe is it for women to hike alone?
Should a woman legitimately fear to be assaulted or raped on popular backpacking trails in the US when hiking by herself? How common are attacks of that nature? How does it compare to residential ...
28
votes
2
answers
6k
views
In a survival situation, should I drink unpurified water?
If I am in a survival situation, is there any reason I shouldn't drink the available water? I am aware of Giardia and cholera. Are these worthy concerns, or are there good enough cures available that ...
28
votes
2
answers
56k
views
Is whiskey a good disinfectant?
You see this a lot on films, the hero/heroine is injured and disinfects their wound(s) by pouring whiskey on it.
I'm a bit sceptical. If I'm in an emergency scenario and need to prevent infection. ...
28
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Why do shin splints happen?
I've gotten shin splints on long hikes - once 2 weeks into a hike, and another time 2 months. I wasn't able to determine how I got them though, which has really annoyed me! I get that I could ...
28
votes
15
answers
6k
views
Hiking: How to start?
I would like to get into hiking, and would like some ideas on gear.training to start. I have always enjoyed nature walks and even did some hiking when I was a kid in boy scouts, but that was years ago ...
28
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How to calculate backpacking food requirements for a dog
So I know how to calculate how many additional calories a day I need while backpacking. My question is how do I calculate how much food my dog will need while backpacking.
I'm hoping for a general ...
28
votes
5
answers
51k
views
What's the most remote place in the contiguous US?
The United States is a very developed place. Sometimes this can prove to be challenging when trying to find a place to get away from everything, especially east of the Mississippi where I reside. I am ...
28
votes
2
answers
11k
views
Possible diet to avoid/delay defecation
We plan to go on a three day hike (two nights). The amount of food is no problem of course, but we want to avoid defecation while on the trail. Which kind of food comes into question?
Edit: It's ...
27
votes
3
answers
2k
views
What do you do if you see a cougar?
Hiking on the west coast of British Columbia, there are likely to be cougars around the trails. What do you do if you see one?
27
votes
5
answers
37k
views
How far from a road do I need to be to not hear the traffic?
We are always camping in areas we have not been to before. We usually use Google maps (satellite) to try and guess about the appropriateness of a camp before going there.
From experience we know ...
27
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Skis versus snow shoes - when to choose which for travelling the backcountry?
When travelling the backcountry in high snow, do snow shoes or skis perform better? By "perform better" I mean how tiring and fast travel is.
Is there a general answer, or does it depend on the ...
27
votes
7
answers
2k
views
What clothing would be appropriate for hiking in -18°C with up to 30 km/hr wind?
I recently moved to Germany and am planning to do a hike in the Harz mountains. The weather is expected to be around -18°C. Most of the trail will be sheltered by forest, but the mountaintop is ...
27
votes
7
answers
6k
views
Meeting an unknown snake on the trail; what is the best thing to do?
The newsletter from the Virginia Wildlife Rescue League reported the following incident.
A man, his partner and her 4 year old daughter were walking in Farquier County (a rural county), when they saw ...
27
votes
7
answers
59k
views
What can I do to help relieve joint pain in fingers after climbing?
After I've been climbing for a while, my finger joints are very sore.
Is there anything I can do to relieve that pain?
27
votes
1
answer
28k
views
What are the advantages and disadvantages between gas, liquid and solid fuel?
It seems you can get fuel for stoves in either gas form (butane, propane, etc.) liquid (methylated spirit) or solid fuel tablets.
What are the particular advantages and disadvantages with each format,...
27
votes
1
answer
572
views
Pressing the knee while ascending
Usually I have a walking stick with me. But this time around I didn't have one along. With the hot and humid weather adding to the woes, we were going up a seemingly unending ascent.
The constant ...
27
votes
14
answers
9k
views
Are there any situations while backpacking that would require a watch?
One of my favorite things about backpacking is the absence of time constraints, you eat when hungry, sleep when tired and sort of track how much time is left until dark.
Would there be any situations ...
26
votes
7
answers
16k
views
Do polarized sunglasses protect against snow blindness?
Will regular polarized sunglasses protect me against snow blindness? And if not what type of glasses/goggles will protect me?
26
votes
3
answers
43k
views
How is hygiene possible with ocean water only?
Is it possible to clean yourself and clothes with ocean water only, without polluting the water and almost without budget ? If so, how ?
I've read that it's possible to:
brush your teeth with sand,
...
26
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What sort of rock climbing grade can a goat do?
It is quite well known that goats are into free solo rock climbing. Is there any evidence (even if anecdotal) of the highest grades they are able to climb?
26
votes
5
answers
33k
views
What do you risk when you ignore blisters and carry on walking?
The blisters can be very painful. If you walk further, you should expect it won't be easy and pleasant. And the blisters may get worse.
But what do you risk, except from pain and getting more ...
26
votes
4
answers
18k
views
What are common climbing techniques for strongly overhanging walls and roofs?
What are common climbing techniques for strongly overhanging walls and roofs?
In order to avoid a strength oriented climbing style and focus on technique.
26
votes
6
answers
5k
views
How to stay clean on a multi-day hike?
I love hiking but there is a serious problem - I find it disgusting to be sweaty or dirty. I am literally unable to function properly if I do not get a thorough and warm shower every morning.
This ...
25
votes
5
answers
4k
views
How can you prevent kids getting lost at night while camping?
When camping in more remote areas with young kids, how can you make sure they don't take a stroll and get lost in the middle of the night?
We won't be near lights, established "bathrooms", etc. The ...
25
votes
7
answers
4k
views
Why shouldn't I buy an ultra light tent?
I have a workhorse of a tent, an Alpine Meadows, (described in this answer) that I really like. We bought it 30 years ago, and at first we just had way more stuff than we should, and eventually we had ...
25
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What to look for in a durable, 3-season sleeping bag?
I'm looking to purchase a camping sleeping bag. I'd like one that's high-quality, durable, and suitable for weekend hiking/camping trips during spring, summer, and fall in New England. (Most of my ...
25
votes
4
answers
25k
views
Does touching the tent outer wall from the inside make it leak?
This question about how not to make anything touch the outer wall of the tent implies that doing so lets the outer tent leak water through. I never head this problem with my vango mirage tent during a ...
25
votes
10
answers
4k
views
How do you eat nettles?
In my other question Can you eat dock leaves? How can they be prepared?
@ThatIdiot says:
... the stinging
nettles are one of the best forage foods out there.
So how do you prepare these? What ...
25
votes
7
answers
26k
views
What are the key differences between Mountaineering and Rock Climbing?
I think the title speaks for itself. I have done a basic google search and I do not find the references to be sufficient. I'm looking for a short synopsis that would educate a layman such as myself.
25
votes
8
answers
4k
views
What hazardous wildlife is there in the UK?
And what situations should I try and avoid in regards to wildlife and areas prone to hazards in the UK?
Edited my question to cover the other answers more as they were very good additions to the ...
25
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Is it realistic to teach yourself rock climbing?
I've been wanting to get into rock climbing for a while but I live in a very flat area with no climbing gyms around. I'm planning on moving to the Pacific Northwest soon and I wanted to know what the ...
25
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Why did the wolf-pack withdraw from attacking me?
While this has happened about 22 years ago, I never really stopped thinking about it and still regard it as unsolved mystery. While I asked plenty outdoormen, nobody had this experience. Having ...
25
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How can I improve my footwork while rock-climbing?
When I'm rock climbing, I feel like I've got hand holds down as far as where to grab on and understand that the hands are mainly for balance. However, I can't seem to figure out my feet. There are ...
25
votes
14
answers
14k
views
Am I packing too much for a 2-3 day hike in the forests?
I have decided that I would like to hike.
I have read a bit on hiking, and bought some gear and a backpack to get started. I want to start with backpacking through mostly flat forests, and later ...
24
votes
2
answers
41k
views
What should I do when caught in lightning while in my tent?
Suppose I'm caught in a heavy thunderstorm while lying in my tent, on my foam sleeping bad, in my nice waterproof tent. Suppose I have a good campsite so I don't need to worry about flash floods. ...
24
votes
13
answers
6k
views
What are the advantages and disadvantages of water bottles versus bladders?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of water bottles versus bladders? Is there any reason to prefer one over the other, in terms of health, safety, cost, convenience, or maintenance?
24
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How can I signal for help in the wilderness?
What are some different ways I can signal for help in the wilderness?
I'm looking for methods that apply in all seasons, particularly in the mountains, with forests or meadows & plateaus.
24
votes
2
answers
30k
views
Is it safe to use denatured alcohol as an antiseptic?
A lot of hikers carry denatured alcohol for cooking. Is there any risk to using it as an antiseptic for cuts and lacerations?
24
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Leave-no-trace-exception for tissues?
I'm absolutely harsh when it comes to littering in the woods. After a break I take an extra turn to check if everything was picked up. Someone accidentally left a tissue on the last tour and I put it ...
24
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Overview of free and open huts in Norway outside the system of the official tourist association DNT
On my hiking trips, I mostly sleep in my tent, but occasionally I appreciate to have a roof. Mostly by chance, I've found on my trips a number of free and open huts in Norway that are not owned by ...
24
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What equipment is recommended when camping with a baby?
I have a 3 month old daughter and am currently planning a short camping trip next month here in Australia where the weather should be warm but may also be wet. What should I take to ensure an ...
24
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Ice skating on a frozen lake -- how thick should the ice be?
When ice skating on a frozen lake or river, how thick should the ice be in order to have fairly high confidence you aren't going to fall through?
A small drill (for ice fishing) is available to ...
24
votes
7
answers
13k
views
Is it unsafe to ride the chair lift with a backpack?
I like the convenience of having a backpack when I ski.
Last winter one of the lifties at the local ski hill gave me guff about my backpack, claiming that it was unsafe. I wore the same backpack ...
24
votes
3
answers
548
views
A little bit of acclimatisation or no acclimatisation at all?
This summer I'm planning to mount my first 4000 m mountain in Switzerland. So far I only got around 3300 meters while hiking and had no problems. However 4000 meter an above is definitively a ...
23
votes
7
answers
45k
views
How do I know what size ice axe I should get?
I'm going to start mountaineering. Is there a recommended size per height/weight for ice axes for general mountaineering?
23
votes
4
answers
2k
views
What pattern for casual planes should a castaway create on a desert island?
This answer has inspired me to a question: say you are a castaway on a desert island. There might be a plane flying casualy but you can miss it. So you want to create some pattern (e.g. put some ...
23
votes
2
answers
12k
views
Best/safest wood to carve a spoon from?
Say I want to carve a spoon from wood that I find, are there any trees I shouldn't use due to their toxicity? Are any that are particularly easy to carve or hardy?
23
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Can horses ford deeper/faster rivers than humans?
Is it safe to follow a equestrian trail and assume I can ford where the horse-trail does? Or should I expect equestrians to ford rivers too deep or swift to ford on foot? I'm thinking of the ...