Questions tagged [hiking]
Hiking is any outdoor walking activity - along trails or across unmarked wild country.
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What devices would help me track my outdoor activities and fitness? [closed]
I recently moved to CO and I want to buy a device to help me track various activities such as hiking, trail running, snowboarding, etc. Along with the general "outdoor activities", I also want to use ...
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Designing a sustainable and portable high-energy diet
I need some help designing a diet for extended multi-day treks which is sustainable, provides high-energy but still remains somehow portable. For some reason my efforts so far were not very successful....
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Is ankle support a myth?
There seems to be an ongoing holy war with "boots people" vs "shoes people". A comment on this question caught my eye:
...Ankle support is a myth for most folks....
Now I've always worn boots and ...
user2766
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Should I give up on my new hiking boots?
I bought them a few days ago and took them for a long walk and then a short hike to try them out. They were fine with the walk, they felt great, but with the hike, problems problems problems. A seam ...
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Hiking uphill, two choices of trails: how to deal with each one?
There are two trails leading to a beautiful spot in a nearby park. One of them has a steady climb all the way (trail A) while the other has some sharp climbs followed by relative level segments (trail ...
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Why would fatigue cause fever?
I've already experienced this twice.
The first time was a year ago, on a hiking camp: on the first day I recklessly went out with one of the best groups there, and while I didn't lag behind, this was ...
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Is Off Trail Travel Between Lakes in the Humphreys Basin, CA Feasible
I'm looking to explore the a number of High Sierra lakes in California's John Muir Wilderness; specifically in Humphreys Basin. Geology (from photographs) appears severe with rock, scree, and debris, ...
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How can I clear spiderwebs in my path while hiking?
I went hiking this weekend in a national forest on trails that see little use. In parts there were many spiderwebs crossing the trail - sometimes full webs (which I could usually, but not always, ...
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How can I re-fit a hiking pole that came apart?
My Coleman anti-shock hiking pole came apart in two pieces, and I can't get the two pieces back together so they don't slide apart again. Any suggestions how they can be stabilized so it can be used?
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Trekking Poles - Carbon Fiber vs. Aluminum
What are the advantages and disadvantages of carbon fiber vs. aluminium when buying trekking poles? Are carbon fiber really lighter, do they break easier if jammed wrong, etc.?
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What are the advantages of different locks for collapsible trekking poles?
I've generally seen two kinds of locks for adjustable trekking poles. Twist lock and clamp lock (Clamp lock is also called "lever lock" and "quick lock"). What are the comparative advantages and ...
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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. ...
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Butterfly Migration over Lassen Peak
Roughly 10 years ago I hiked up Lassen Peak in Northern California, and there was a huge (hundreds of thousands) butterfly migration going right over the top of the peak around this time of year. It ...
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What is a so called "Weiderost" (cattle guards)?
Last time we visited Austria for holidays we've recognized devices called "Weiderost" (literally translates into pasture grate). It's a coarse meshed grate laying in the street. It can be found where ...
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What should an outdoors traveler know about the biodegradability of plastic?
I was wonder how long it takes plastic to biodegrade and if there is anything a person can or should do to facilitate the process for plastics in the outdoors.
I know that optimally "Carry in, Carry ...
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Tahoma Creek suspension bridge history
One of my more memorable hiking experiences came on the Wonderland Trail in the summer of 1994. The trail is about 93 miles (150 kilometers) long. It's in the Mount Rainier State Park which is located ...
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How do hikers cross fast-flowing rivers without wading staffs?
Outdoor instructions in Lapland often recommend to always use a wading staff for river crossings, and not a trekking pole. Ever since I purchased my Folding Wading Staff in a Swedish outdoor store, I ...
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What to do when a snake blocks a narrow trail?
Some time back I was on a very narrow mountain trail with a cliff rising to my right and a steep gorge dropping to my left. The trail was blocked by by the viper below (with the gorge just out of shot)...
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How to teach situational awareness for the outdoors?
By situational awareness I mean (but certainly don't limit it to):
Looking behind to familiarize yourself with the return journey.
Looking ahead to see what the best route will be.
Knowing the ...
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What to do when a moose blocks the trail?
We were hiking in Colorado a couple of weeks ago (i.e., mid-June). One day, I took Trail A and my husband took Trail B. As he rounded a bend, he saw a moose on the trail about 50 feet away. He ...
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Is an emergency blanket effective as a ground sheet?
On a recent question that was closed as a duplicate (correctly) one of the comments was to use a foil blanket as a ground sheet instead of a tarpaulin in a bid to reduce the overall pack weight. Is ...
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What are the markings on the Grouse Grind?
I did the Grouse Grind in Vancouver, B.C., this past weekend and there were two markings on the trail.
Ones that went in 1/40ths (more or less):
1/40, 3/40, ... 39/40
and larger signs every ...
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What is a realistic weight for a week long hike? [duplicate]
I'm looking to do some hiking and wild camping before the end of the British summer, I'm happy with the contents of my kit and the items I'm taking but I'm not sure how realistic it is to be carrying ...
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What to do in a herd of angry cows? [duplicate]
Sometimes I have to go through a herd of cows on a pasture when hiking in mountains. Cows are generally very peaceful creatures and there is no problem usually.
However, I missed this "Danger! Bulls ...
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Marked trail off the Beartooth Highway to a peak
I'm looking for a marked trail off the Beartooth highway that leads to a peak with a nice overview about the region. I googled for the last couple of hours, but couldn't find a lot of information. Is ...
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What is Fast Packing?
I've heard it referred to as a cross between running and hiking, but what does that end up looking like? What type of milage/hour are people doing, there chafing issues, and is this the type of ...
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Hints for hiking the west highland way
I am a 'newbie' in hiking, and I will be doing this trail in July. Following more or less this plan:
-> Milngavie to Carbeth (8km)
-> Carbeth - Drymen (11.2km)
-> Drymen to Rowardennan (23km)
-> ...
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Are there any possible telltale signs along a water's edge that it would be a good spot for gold panning?
A friend and myself would like to do some gold panning this summer for the first time. We both live in southern British Columbia and have the intention of going into some known gold producing areas.
...
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Baby-friendly trek near Innsbruck
My family is going to Innsbruck in August, and we want to do a 3-4 day mountain hut trek. This will be our first trek with our son, who will be 16 months old. I can see many, many huts and trails in ...
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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 ...
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Legal deep-woods campsites or forests that allow off-trail hiking and ad hoc camping in Maryland?
When I was in Boy Scouts every month we went camping places that seemed to be deep in the woods with no one else around within hiking distance.
When I go to reserve a campsite as an adult they're all ...
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Is it too soon to go family hiking with an infant? Packing tips?
It is almost summer here and me and my wife would like to get back to hiking after recently having a kid in September. He is almost 9 months old now and we would like to take him with us.
I have a ...
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Maximum slope angle for boots? [closed]
Obviously, there is no limit when you talk about climbing or using alpine equipment, but what about maintaining a constant speed while walking, without crampons, and staying on feet, no scrambling?
...
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Carrying soda instead of water due to nutritional energy?
Let's say we have a liter of coke and liter of water. Both of them weight nearly the same. However, the coke contains a lot of calories whereas the water contains none.
Despite other health-related ...
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Is it offensive to "just hike" on a pilgrim's path?
I am considering taking a pilgrim's path - Olaf's Trail - in Norway (about 3 weeks). However, I don't want to do it for any religious reasons. I just saw this trail in pictures and thought: "What a ...
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What's the best way to store/carry olive oil for hiking?
Bottles of olive oil often have special caps that help prevent drips/etc. when pouring the oil, but an entire bottle of olive oil is far to heavy to carry for a hike. What's the best method for ...
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On a coast to coast walk across Scotland, which areas would require the most self-sufficiency?
As a keen hiker with some time off I am considering a self-supported walk across Scotland.
Which route/locations would encompass the most self-sufficiency (wild camping/hammock locations) whilst ...
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Good two-day tour for the "Trekkinghütten" in the saxon switzerland
Since May 2015, the German Elbsandsteingebirge (Elbe Sandstone Mountains) has so called "Trekkinghütten" (trekking cabins). However, due to the fact that they're pretty new, there aren't really any ...
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Whippet as trekking pole?
I was wondering if whippet could be used as a trekking pole? Question arises from hiking on steep hills (no snow, dry grass), where any additional grip would be really helpful. I've read that most ...
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Lapland UKK hike in late-May
My dad and I are planning to hike the Lapland UKK from Aittajarvi to Kiilopää
in late-May (22-30).We are planning to drive from Helsinki to Saariselkä, about 12 hours drive.
Is it possible to drive ...
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How to treat a severe allergic reaction while hiking?
Suppose you are out hiking, many hours from the trail head and someone has a severe allergic reaction (ie, anaphylactic shock or Anaphylaxis). In this case, what is the best course of treatment to ...
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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 ...
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What is the name of the water-boiling chemical bag?
There was an invention that allowed you to boil water by putting a bag of chemicals in a bowl with some water and/or food. I don't remember its name and I would like to use it while hiking. (other ...
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Is Gaia GPS inaccurate for distances?
In a previous question, I had asked for help in finding a GPS app with certain features. That led me to find Gaia GPS and it has been great, no complaints.
However, I had a situation recently. I ...
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What should I do about large trash left by others on USFS land?
When you find large trash items left by others in less accessible places, what should be done?
The exact scenario:
We were hiking a ten mile trail on US Forestry Service land with river crossings and ...
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Are cushioned socks necessary for hiking boots?
Textbook advice for hiking footwear seems to be: wear cushioned socks!!! And make sure your boots fit!!!
For me, it seems that wearing a cushioned sock ensures that a boot simply will not fit ...
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Tips for first-time hikers
I'm going to be hiking for the first time, and it's going to be in a woody mountain in the backcountry, and I'd like to have some to-dos, not-to-dos, must-carries, and what precautions I should take ...
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How to retrieve a bear bag when hung with Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) method
This site has a good explanation for how to hang a bag PCT style. This may seem obvious but, once the bag is suspended with this method, how do you get it down?
Short description of the PCT method
...
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How should I regulate hydration on long hikes in hot temprature?
I hike in western ghats of Maharashtra India, where temperature in the afternoon varies from 35 degree Celsius to 40 degree Celsius with high humidity (more than 50%).
On my last hike I perspired a ...
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Why is it tiring to "keep down" with a slower person on a walk or hike?
It is understandable why it is tiring to walk faster than one's normal pace in order to keep up with someone younger and/or fitter than oneself. Simple physics: one is exerting more energy per unit ...
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