Questions tagged [hiking]
Hiking is any outdoor walking activity - along trails or across unmarked wild country.
607
questions
0
votes
1answer
47 views
What makes tree structures with 1000 pound tree trunks and leaves what looks like huge human-like tracks in the forest?
These are photos of some of the things I have found in the forests of Idaho....Oregon....California....Utah....and Washington over the past few years and I have no idea who made them or even HOW THEY ...
0
votes
1answer
63 views
tips for wading in knee deep water where water moccasins could roam
Lately I've taken up a new hobby: taking pictures of train trestle bridges. There's one that goes over the San Gabriel river in Texas that I can get within half a mile of but any further than that ...
14
votes
4answers
974 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? ...
17
votes
2answers
3k views
How fast can you typically hike through untracked forest?
Average hiking speed over level ground is often reckoned around twenty miles per day, assuming hikers in good shape who know what they are doing and where they're going. (As a rough approximation, ...
1
vote
2answers
81 views
Information about an Japanese Trail (Keyakidaira to Kurobe dam)
I hope I am not too far off from the sense of this forum. But I am desperately looking for some information about the trail that leads from Keyakidaira to Kurobe Dam. Because of Google Images and ...
11
votes
3answers
526 views
How can I be sure that I'm ready to do the Three Peaks Challenge?
I'm going to be participating in the UK National Three Peaks Challenge at the end of next month. For those who are unaware; the Three Peaks consists of hiking the highest peak in England, Scotland and ...
15
votes
2answers
4k views
What precautions should I take when hiking among herds of elk?
During certain times of the year, some of the hiking trails near where I live wind through herds of elk standing on or near the trails. What precautions should you take when hiking among elk?
8
votes
6answers
1k views
How to prepare on hiking routes?
By watching a Belgian television serie called GR5 on Één I got inspired to start with hiking. But as an inexperienced hiker I don't know what I could expect from it. I've flowing questions:
What's an ...
7
votes
2answers
160 views
Open, fjell-like landscapes in Germany
Current travel possibilities are limited, so I am more or less stuck in Germany at the moment. For recreation, I usually go to areas with landscapes similar to the Highlands in Scotland or ...
5
votes
2answers
169 views
Places for a “socially distant” walk
Where might I look for places on which to go for a medium length (3-5 miles) or longer walk -- and where I'd minimize my chances of encountering other people?
The Covid-19 pandemic is ongoing, and I'...
10
votes
2answers
774 views
Fitness for hiking to Everest base camp
I'm wondering what general fitness would suffice to hike to the base camp of Everest? Does it requires special fitness regime and focus on main body parts like legs and core strength?
13
votes
0answers
363 views
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
79 views
New Hampshire A.T. Section Hike in May? Logistics and Trail Conditions
I am new to this particular StackExchange site, so if this question is off-topic please let me know. The question involves weather conditions along the A.T. through the White Mountains NH in May, as ...
13
votes
2answers
361 views
How do I find a less crowded trail in the southeast United States on the 4th of July?
In addition to "longest walk possible" are there any good guidelines for finding trails/areas in the southeast that are typically less crowded on holidays such as the 4th of July? State parks here in ...
4
votes
2answers
307 views
How can I obtain drinking water in a saline area such as the Northern Great Plains?
If the topographic map is to be believed, there are plenty of streams in Grasslands National Park, but apparently they are saline. Last and Ginn report that there is no other area in the world that ...
3
votes
2answers
89 views
Guidebook for Hiking activities around Geneva
Any recommendations for good hiking books describing trails, camp sites (back- and front-country), etc. along with their topology, difficulty levels for Switzerland, especially around Geneva? ...
11
votes
9answers
4k views
Climbing Mount Teide from sea-level
Is it possible to climb Mount Teide from sea-level in 2 days for a reasonably fit person? Essentially, I was thinking of walking up to the Altavista mountain refuge on the first day (can that be done ...
11
votes
4answers
4k views
Trail marking material that will last a few years
I'm currently trying to remark a trail that seems to be forgotten or had very little use in the past few years. The markers that remain (different types of ribbon) are fraying or crumbling depending ...
6
votes
2answers
178 views
Can putting nails in trees cause longterm health problems for the tree?
I asked a question about marking trails and one of the answers suggested nailing markers to the trees. Does this damage the trees? I'm mostly concerned about long-term infection or rot that will ...
12
votes
2answers
316 views
Do animal trails have switchbacks?
When hiking in a rarely frequented area, trails may be very faint to the level of being essentially invisible. In such situations, it has happened more than once that I accidentally followed an ...
20
votes
6answers
11k views
How to empty bowels before a hike?
They say prevention is better than cure, so for beginner hikes, especially dayhikes, how can one try to ensure that their bowels are empty and they won't suddenly need to poo? Are there proven ways? ...
27
votes
2answers
5k views
How to Shoo away a stubborn Stray Dog/Dogs who decides to tag along with you on a hike?
This happened on one of my hikes.
It was a hike with two villages en route. Somehow a dog from the first village decided to stick with us. We were OK with it. Then he was followed by a small Puppy. ...
3
votes
3answers
272 views
How do you overcome a preventative fear of dangerous wildlife
I live in Colorado and love hiking alone, it's quiet and peaceful. I want to be more 'free' to hike in early morning or late evening when it's dark or backpack in remote places, but at this point I ...
7
votes
5answers
1k views
Are square or rectangular tarp shapes more versatile?
I'd like to try tarp camping. 3m x 3m (9ft x 9ft) and 3m x 4m (9ft x 12ft) tarps of differing material are plentiful and many are even affordable. Which tarp shape is more versatile in the number of ...
9
votes
1answer
2k views
How does Frogg Toggs Polypropylene measure up?
I saw a new product for rain protection the other day. Frogg Toggs makes a line of rain gear out of a polypropylene material that I have not previously seen used for rain gear.
Does anyone know how ...
50
votes
12answers
16k views
How do I make people not be afraid of me and my dogs?
I like to hike, and I have two large dogs (German Shepherd, Presa Canario).
After a long hike I look reasonably homeless (long hair, unshaven, muddy). Combined with two large, potentially dangerous ...
35
votes
7answers
49k views
What is the fastest method to 'break in' full leather boots?
After purchasing full leather boots (similar to these boots) I had many blisters for the first few hikes until I broke in my boots.
What are the fastest ways to age the boot so that when my foot won'...
7
votes
1answer
360 views
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 ...
Charlie Brumbaugh
67.6k25 gold badges177 silver badges358 bronze badges
6
votes
2answers
202 views
Accessibility of hiking trails in Nepal during December
I'm planning on Annapurna base camp or Manaslu circuit trek in December (mostly the end of December). I know December is the winter season in Nepal and is expected to be quite cold at that time. Has ...
3
votes
5answers
423 views
Where are some good places for a day-hike within an hour or two of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA?
Some friends and I were thinking of doing a one day hike somewhere in Minnesota. I have looked online for places but nothing I have found really gives me a sense of the place.
My requirements are ...
18
votes
6answers
6k views
How do I get a stuck gas canister (for hiking/camping) out of a stainless steel mug?
I nested my 110g gas canister inside my stainless steel mug for a hike. I used it about halfway through for lunch, and when I was done put it back in the way I had packed it (upside down). Now it is ...
10
votes
4answers
431 views
Long distance hikes with small children
In recent years, my wife and I completed a few long distances hikes together, for instance:
Kungsleden from Nikkaluokta to Abisko, 105 km (Sweden)
Landmannalaugar to Skogar via Laugavegur and ...
37
votes
16answers
7k views
Other than good shoes and a stick, what are some ways to preserve your knees on long hikes?
My knees aren’t in the best shape, one in particular. I had a rather devastating 13 hour up-and-down hike on day two of a three day hike, and the last day my knees were hurting every step. What are ...
6
votes
1answer
196 views
Hiking during winter in Alps
I've been hiking the the Alps for 20years and normally I go skiing every winter. But I see more and more pictures of people hiking in the snow.
Is it possible to go hiking in February in the alps? If ...
67
votes
11answers
15k views
When hiking, why is the right of way given to people going up?
When you're in a path and you encounter another group going the other way, it is said that whoever is going down should stand aside to let those going up pass through. Why?
110
votes
17answers
52k views
What is the most efficient food to take a for a 12-15 day hiking trip?
Last summer I spent 15 days hiking with my boyfriend, in Sarek National Park, where there are no places to restock with more food.
The food issue was a major part of the pre-planning, as weight was ...
8
votes
6answers
378 views
Clothing for cold weather hiking
I will go for two day hiking on a mountain (intermediate level). The weather will be chilling (3 °C to 5 °C, no snowing,but it may rain). I would like to know what kind of clothing would be better?
...
6
votes
8answers
570 views
How stiff of a sole should I look for in hiking boots?
There is a spectrum of sole stiffness in boots, from full shank on mountaineering boots to the easily bendable ones on really cheap boots. The way to test is to push in on the shoe lengthwise and see ...
45
votes
12answers
11k views
Given limited space and weight what should I carry to get a fire going with damp wood?
Assuming firewood can be found, but it's likely to be damp, how can I best be prepared for getting a fire going? This is for a light hiking situation, so I'm not going to carry a sack full of kindling,...
5
votes
1answer
355 views
Can orange safety vest be used when hiking during hunting season?
I'm going to be doing some winter hiking in parks where there are going to be a lot of hunters. Probably only during bow hunting season for deer in NJ. I'll be getting some blaze hats but for the vest ...
32
votes
4answers
3k views
Handling feminine hygiene on multiple-month treks?
How can I handle multiple months of menstrual cycles on a long trek like the Appalachian Trail? I am asking about how to handle the mess. Here are my personal considerations:
Using hormonal birth ...
17
votes
6answers
5k views
Hiking with a mule or two?
For an older guy (say 65+) who likes to hike alone - are a mule or two a help or a hindrance? Maybe a mule for the pack, and a second mule to ride when I get really old?
Historically people preferred ...
6
votes
1answer
199 views
Hiking with goats?
I asked around (including on this site: Hiking with a mule or two?) about hiking with a mule or a horse.
Some people on other sites actually suggested hiking with pack goats. (for weights on the ...
1
vote
1answer
97 views
Looking for a 20 to 40mi out and back or loop trail in Maryland
My daughter and I were going to hike the AT through Maryland. She goes to school there and really wanted to do a muli-day hike. We recently gave up on the idea b/c the logistics of the end to end ...
23
votes
5answers
571 views
What are some good games to play with children on hikes?
Sometimes children find long hikes boring and tiring, but if you can turn it around to play some games along the way they can find things a lot more interesting.
What are some good games to play in ...
17
votes
1answer
15k views
What does “out and back” mean in terms of understanding the length of a trail?
If I am going on a 10 mile hike and the book says the hike is 10 miles out and back, how many miles will it be total?
4
votes
3answers
170 views
Backpacking in southern NY or PA
All-
I'm looking for a good 25-30 mile backpacking trail in southern NY or PA. I've looked into Allegany State Park and National Forest, but couldn't find a loop that would keep us out of campgrounds....
5
votes
1answer
142 views
Overnight hiking in Italian Alps in late autumn?
I am planning to spend about a week in Italian/Swiss border Alps in late October. The base plan is to hire a 4WD and drive along the border slowly, stopping a lot for less-than-a-day hikes (staying ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
How to carry a traditional bow while hiking?
We're planning a 4 day hike in a few months. I would like to take my bow with me to do a little roving.
How can I attach my bow to my backpack (back)?
We are talking about an unstrung one-piece ...
10
votes
6answers
2k views
Boots or trail runners with reference to blisters?
I know that I can significantly improve my hiking efficiency by reducing the weight of my footwear. However, I have historically had trouble with blisters while hiking. I also often do long distance ...
