Questions tagged [hiking]
Hiking is any outdoor walking activity - along trails or across unmarked wild country.
628
questions
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Latex-free first aid kit
I plan to go on a hike with someone allergic to latex.
Usually I would pack small plasters and leukotape, but this is not an option in this case.
How can I replace these items with latex-free ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Is the Battery Life of the Garmin InReach Mini enough for a 2 week trip?
I am going hiking for 2-3 weeks with no possibility of charging the battery again. Assuming I only turn the InReach on only once a day to send a "I'm ok"-message and then turn it off again, would the ...
2
votes
3answers
418 views
How much time/distance on average does it take take to break in hiking boots?
If you are buying new hiking boots before a trip there is a break in period before the boots get comfortable and you don't want to go on a long backpacking trip with brand new boots. Time will depend ...
8
votes
2answers
112 views
Tioga Pass (Yosemite) Day Use Opening Timeline
NPS has opened Tioga Pass for through traffic but not for day use recreation. I can't find any historical information about how long after the initial opening it typically opens for day use. Anyone ...
7
votes
2answers
507 views
How do people deal with sweating and 'feeling hot' at high altitude climbs (above 5500m)?
How do people deal with sweating and 'feeling hot' at high altitude climbs (above 5500m)??
Just a background on myself:
I've done hikes/climbs up to 3000m where temps hit at the lowest of around -1 ...
6
votes
1answer
156 views
What overnight backpacking trails are clear of deep snow now (or likely to be in the next two weeks) in northwest Washington?
I am looking for an overnight backpacking trip to do in the next few weeks somewhere in western Washington. But I am worried about deep snow remaining on the trails. Based on last winter's snowpack, ...
15
votes
1answer
1k views
Boots: Does light damage affect waterproofing?
I am looking at a new pair of suede leather walking boots. Price is low due to one boot being in a shop window and so is faded and doesn't match the other boot.
My question is: would the light damage ...
9
votes
5answers
2k views
Using a Snow jacket for non snow conditions?
I'm looking to buy a new jacket for hiking/traveling during winter in Australia for temps between 8c to 15c and possibly in windy and rainy conditions.
I noticed that snow jackets tend to be cheaper ...
6
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8answers
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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 ...
16
votes
3answers
8k views
Will a coyote attack my dog on a leash while I'm on a hiking trail?
Is a coyote or pack of coyotes likely to attack my small dog if she is with me on a trail on a leash? I heard of someone's dog being eaten while the woman was walking her pet on a leash. She was ...
0
votes
2answers
200 views
Google Map Hiking Trail
What do the red and blue solid curves in this Google Map indicate?
This is around Dachstein, Austria.
Link:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Dachstein+Krippenstein+-+Dachstein+Tourismus+AG/Lodge+am+...
0
votes
1answer
69 views
Hallstatt trek: Obertraun to Lodge am Krippenstein
I want to trek from Obertraun to Lodge am Krippenstein, as indicated in this google map:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Dachstein+Krippenstein+-+Dachstein+Tourismus+AG/Lodge+am+Krippenstein,+Winkl+...
4
votes
1answer
210 views
What aquatic animal laid these eggs?
On April 12, 2019, my sister-in-law was hiking on a mountain close to our home in Central Massachusetts, USA.
There was a pond at the end of an established trail. Near the water's edge were jelly-...
asked Apr 16 '19 at 22:58
Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
15.4k6 gold badges41 silver badges121 bronze badges
2
votes
1answer
86 views
Hiking in the Sapa mountains Vietnam
Is altitude a problem in this area - Sapa is at 1500m so any thing over that is going to be heading into intermediate altitude territory. We are trekking with a 13 year old and hope to do 14 Km to a ...
5
votes
2answers
268 views
Garmin Fenix 3 - Temperature spikes result in abnormal elevation changes
Oscillating temperature readings result in inaccurate altitude data. I currently have no solution or explanation. Can anybody help?
In this case the route is completely flat. As soon as the ...
2
votes
0answers
78 views
Is it advisable to use a tourniquet on a dog for a snake bite? [duplicate]
I'm a bit curious about this since the day I read an infographic tip from a veterinarian.
The reason stated by her is that it helps to not enlarge the site of the snake bite. Is this correct?
...
3
votes
1answer
250 views
EU vs US hiking gear choices [closed]
For some time, I have been following both European and American long distance hikers and a few things stood out to me, gear wise, and I was curious if someone could shed some light on it. For example, ...
2
votes
3answers
212 views
What type of pants would be durable and suitable for outdoors in all kind of climates?
I am about to start a long backpacking trip through South America, and I would like to take as little weight as possible. I have the rest of my stuff more or less sorted out, but I am a bit at a loss ...
6
votes
3answers
256 views
How to choose shoes for long-distance urban walking for durability first then comfort?
I'm an international hitchhiker and I've never been sure what kind of shoes to buy.
I do the vast majority of walking on roads, carrying 15kg or so. Sometimes I'll be off-road in the same shoes. I've ...
15
votes
2answers
790 views
Strategy to ascend steep scree slope
On a hike a while back, I was going up the less favored side of a large hill. Due to recent geological activity, the hill side had sort of cracked/split creating a 5-10 foot wide pathway along the ...
0
votes
2answers
3k views
Timberland classic 6 inch boots for mountain hiking/trekking
The original Timberland classic 6-inch boots were made 40 years ago for the cold, wet and mountainous terrain of New England. They were innovative footwear for their time, but now have become mostly a ...
7
votes
6answers
2k views
Using hiking boots for amateur rock-climbing
What are the practical aspects of using good quality hiking boots (e.g. ones shown below) for climbing?
Arguably, an outdoor enthusiast might be involved in various sorts of activities from hiking ...
6
votes
3answers
495 views
How do you deal with blackberry bushes on the west coast when bushwhacking?
I'm on holiday near Sechelt right now, and have been hiking the trails and powerline right of ways. On several occasions I've come to the end of one trail, and can see the start again on the other ...
2
votes
1answer
352 views
Vancouver Sunrise Hike Advice?
Does anyone have a recommendation for a mountain hike to catch the sunrise and is within driving distance of Vancouver, BC, (< 2 hours)? What are winter conditions like?
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3answers
85 views
Are there any outdoorsy hikes accessible from the T in the Boston area, preferably (but not necessarily) actually in Boston or Cambridge
Because of illness in my family, I cannot travel far from home for awhile, and have to be able to return quickly if necessary. However, I will be in Boston at the end of February visiting MIT and ...
6
votes
4answers
321 views
What is an efficient and effective way to test an emergency day-hike kit?
Questions like these two have made me wonder about my own answer in the first linked question. I have to admit, I haven't 'tested' the kits I put together. I have some wilderness survival training (...
31
votes
12answers
5k views
What gear should I carry along for winter emergencies?
This question is prompted by a real accident, in which a young, healthy and experienced hiker I knew was found dead from hypothermia ridiculously close to civilization.
The assumptions behind it: a ...
-3
votes
1answer
133 views
Lush meadows December time
I am looking for a December time vacation destination in USA. A meadow type terrain. Somehow flat vast lush and green area and if possibly has wild flowers and rivers around that'd be ideal. Does ...
9
votes
5answers
454 views
When using a compass, why not follow a degree mark without rotation?
Instead of taking a bearing the "official" way, why not just see what degree mark corresponds to on the direction I want to go (in real life or on a map), and follow that degree mark? That is, why do ...
46
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,...
13
votes
3answers
313 views
What should I consider when planning my first multiple-day hiking trip on hills?
I just relocated from north Germany into the south of Germany.
Last weekend I went hiking for the first time and visited the top of a hill close to Heidelberg. It was spontaneous and I was fascinated,...
9
votes
6answers
805 views
How should I dress for sweat inducing activities in cold weather?
I never seem to find the perfect way to dress for sweat inducing activities in cold weather. By sweat inducing activities I mean mostly activities in the mountains, especially hiking uphill or ski ...
4
votes
1answer
155 views
What equipment is used to “groom” single track hiking and biking trails?
I've heard of single track hiking/biking trails being "groomed" before to keep them in good condition for users. The use of shovels, rakes, and possibly chainsaws to keep the trails free of debris ...
11
votes
1answer
1k views
What are the chances to catch rodent-transmitted illnesses while hiking?
Small warning: This question comes from a germophobe point of view, so please keep this in mind while giving an answer.
I love hiking, but I'm worried of what kind of germs (read virus, bacteria and ...
1
vote
1answer
122 views
What are directional, height, and distance guidelines for marking trails?
Generally, I'm more used to methods described here for the US.
Our task this past weekend was to use dots to remark a trail, but the method of placement was opposite to what I'm used to: the dots ...
5
votes
3answers
695 views
How necessary it is to have an SUV with AWD for trailheads in Collegiate Peaks, Upper Ark River Valley?
My wife and I just moved to Buena Vista, CO and want to know how necessary it is to have an SUV with AWD to get to trailheads. We’d prefer a sedan or hatchback for better fuel efficiency, but don’t ...
3
votes
1answer
240 views
What is the estimated cost for through hiking the Pacific Crest Trail?
We have a question about the cost of through-hiking the AT and another about the cost of through hiking the CDT but not one about the PCT which is the other big trail in the United States.
What is ...
16
votes
3answers
4k views
What are some good foods for recovering from calorie debt?
Calorie debt is when you are using more calories than you are eating and making up the difference from stored reserves of body fat.
Sometimes people will do this to save on the amount of weight ...
4
votes
2answers
998 views
What is a reasonable budget to solo-hike the Continental Divide Trail?
I am considering a thru-hike next summer of the Continental Divide Trail.
What is a reasonable budget for covering the time from starting to finishing the hike?
This question has an answer for the ...
7
votes
4answers
2k views
What are some challenges to starting a small business that runs backpacking trips?
I have more than a decade of experience in outdoor recreation, environmental education, and backpacking. I am now thinking about starting a small business offering backpacking guide service to people ...
67
votes
9answers
17k views
Etiquette of playing musical instruments on popular hikes
I enjoy hiking, but I'm not very well-versed with the general expectations other people have about noise, especially serious hikers. I generally do trails that take between 3-6 hours, usually up hills/...
3
votes
0answers
163 views
Which altitude profile and height is optimal for Everesting by hiking?
Everesting is an activity where the goal is altitude gain of 8848 m or more by repeatedly going up and down a selected route.
This is most often attempted by biking; however, hiking/running is ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Hiking and camping with medium size dog and keeping safe from mountain lions
For some reason I have had multiple encounters with mountain lions.
In my 20's while camping in a somewhat remote campground near the continental divide in CO I woke to a large mountain lion laying ...
7
votes
7answers
3k views
What could I keep in rucksack hip pocket?
My rucksack has a small pocket on the hip belt, but I can’t think of anything useful to keep in it while day hiking. What types of things is such a pocket intended for? If there is no common purpose ...
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0answers
80 views
Hiking trails that meet specific criteria in Zion National Park (Utah, USA)
I'm looking for hiking trails in Zion National Park in Utah, USA.
Here are the criteria:
5-8 miles
Moderate skill level (prefer not too easy, but not too strenuous)
Prefer no more than 2000 feet of ...
12
votes
3answers
9k views
How is elevation gain and change measured for hiking trails?
If a trail is listed as 1500m of elevation change, what exactly does that mean?
For example, if the trail goes up 500m, then down 200m, then up 100m, then down 300m, then up 400m, is that considered ...
15
votes
3answers
3k views
Is there a difference between a hiking trail and a backpacking trail, including if it's the same piece of land?
I saw an article about the Long Trail, a 272-mile trail through the Green Mountain range in Vermont, USA.
It's famous for being the oldest hiking trail in the United States, having been built between ...
asked Sep 9 '18 at 17:17
Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
15.4k6 gold badges41 silver badges121 bronze badges
3
votes
1answer
112 views
3 days hut to hut hike Chamonix area mid september
We are a couple (34,38) looking for a three days hike in Chamonix area.
We are interested in a hut-to-hut hike, thought about Vanoise national park or Mont Blanc area, looking for something of medium ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views
Is there a standard hiking trail difficulty rating system in the United States?
At a local park I've seen hiking/mountain biking trails marked with a green circle, blue square, or black diamond representing easy, intermediate, and hard trails. I've only ever seen this while ...
9
votes
3answers
653 views
Is it dangerous to go to Mountains when snow is melting?
This year beginning of May 2018 we with my friend visited Valle Grande in Italian Alps. Begging from 1500 meters there was snow, on the high of 1900m there was pretty deep snow and it was actively ...
