Questions tagged [hiking]
Hiking is any outdoor walking activity - along trails or across unmarked wild country.
656
questions
6
votes
3
answers
771
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 ...
- 11.8k
2
votes
1
answer
422
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?
- 131
1
vote
3
answers
87
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 ...
- 22.2k
6
votes
4
answers
353
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 (...
- 971
31
votes
12
answers
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 ...
- 1,512
-3
votes
1
answer
142
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 ...
- 375
9
votes
5
answers
627
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 ...
- 91
46
votes
12
answers
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,...
- 22.5k
13
votes
3
answers
349
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,...
- 233
9
votes
6
answers
1k
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 ...
- 3,474
4
votes
1
answer
220
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 ...
- 2,750
11
votes
1
answer
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 ...
- 111
1
vote
1
answer
172
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 ...
- 2,303
5
votes
3
answers
1k
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 ...
- 59
3
votes
1
answer
246
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 ...
- 68.8k
16
votes
3
answers
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 ...
- 68.8k
4
votes
2
answers
1k
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 ...
- 983
7
votes
4
answers
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 ...
- 983
70
votes
9
answers
18k
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/...
- 811
3
votes
0
answers
171
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 ...
- 4,106
5
votes
3
answers
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 ...
- 59
7
votes
7
answers
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 ...
- 239
1
vote
0
answers
84
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 ...
13
votes
3
answers
11k
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
3
answers
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 ...
3
votes
1
answer
123
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 ...
- 31
4
votes
1
answer
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 ...
- 2,750
9
votes
3
answers
776
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 ...
- 257
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What constitutes mountain exposure when hiking or scrambling?
In this question, I focus on the fall exposure component. While I understand the perception of danger will vary from person to person, I'm having trouble characterizing mountain exposure. I can see ...
- 4,966
3
votes
1
answer
247
views
Are there any credible estimates of how much of the US National Park System does not have cell phone reception? If so, what do they conclude?
We have found that almost any place that is interesting to hike, and especially backpack, does not have cell phone reception, or at best lousy cell phone reception.
To which I say hallelujah! I do ...
- 22.2k
18
votes
1
answer
23k
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?
- 181
4
votes
1
answer
368
views
Will the Trailhead Registry burn in a forest fire?
I posted an answer for a recent question about a forest fire that started after your hike began, that said:
Presumably you registered at the trailhead, and you have a friend who knows where you are....
- 30k
9
votes
1
answer
495
views
Hiking/Scrambling Etiquette? (UK Specific)
I'm an American who moved to the UK 2.5 years ago but didn't start doing a lot of outdoor activities until early this year (here, specifically, as the job that moved me over was very demanding at ...
- 273
4
votes
2
answers
281
views
How do you access the back of a large paper map?
I have several paper Ordnance Survey maps, but I don’t know how to easily access the back of the sheet without ripping or damaging my map while trying to unfold a very large area of paper. Are there ...
- 239
5
votes
1
answer
819
views
How can I distinguish between rock pile types cairn, duck, and natural?
I've seen cairns while hiking in mountains and they are usually easy to distinguish from natural rock piles. However, I am a bit confused by what makes a duck and what distinguishes it from a cairn ...
- 2,750
9
votes
1
answer
623
views
Is it generally safe to hike a pass in a thunderstorm?
Friend and I had this discussion, and came to no conclusion:
Hiking in the mountains. Crossing a range through a pass. Peaks on either side are a good thousand feet higher. Are you at serious risk ...
- 11.8k
6
votes
3
answers
829
views
What are the simplest 5000 m mountains to hike?
My friends and I are 4 years experienced hikers, and next year we want to go for a 5000 m (16,400 ft) mountain. What are the best options regarding the complexity of the trail and how beautiful the ...
- 161
3
votes
5
answers
797
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 ...
- 743
9
votes
2
answers
264
views
What is the impact/risks of high altitude walking on individuals suffering from High Blood Pressure?
Setting aside the benefits of cardiocavascular exercise in general, what are the risks to hikers/climbers with high blood pressure at various altitudes?
Is there an upper ceilling/threshold that ...
- 2,869
7
votes
2
answers
185
views
Philmont closed - any good places to go instead?
I was planning on a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch this August but it closed the back country for the rest of the summer.
My troop already has group tickets on a flight to Colorado with Delta. I was ...
- 743
10
votes
4
answers
776
views
Does body need to re-acclimatize after a few days out of altitude?
We will be in Peru visiting Machu Pichu (altitude 7,972 ft or 2,430 m). Then we'll go down to the jungle (essentially sea level) for 4 days and then to Cuzco (altitude 11,152 feet or 3,399 meters). ...
- 101
14
votes
3
answers
500
views
Is it safe to drink rain water from a stream after a long drought?
I was hiking in Switzerland yesterday and came across a small river which holds very little water on most days (or even none) and grows a lot after rainfall. The day before yesterday it rained for the ...
- 242
3
votes
0
answers
217
views
How to find good hiking maps for the Laugavegur trail in Iceland? [duplicate]
I will be hiking the Laugavegur trail alone and have been looking for good hiking maps (1:50 000) online. My google searches yield no good results. Where do you even begin to look?
- 131
10
votes
2
answers
267
views
How to recover from muscle pain during the midst of a multi-day hiking?
When I go on for a multi-day hiking ( say, 7 or 8 days), my leg muscle will get painful in the middle of the hiking ( say, at the 4th day). Usually the muscle pain will take 5 days to heal, but I ...
- 211
6
votes
1
answer
217
views
What's the difference between defined Forest areas and laws with respect to hiking/camping through them in India?
While Planning a hike in Western Ghats, India by studying Satellite Images, I came through various identifications for a forest area like National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.
On studying further I ...
- 1,059
26
votes
11
answers
12k
views
How to fight bugs when hiking?
What's the best way to repel flies and bugs when hiking in summer? Where I hike is not really humid (southern California) but it's hot on summer days and a lot of insects and flies gather around me ...
- 375
5
votes
0
answers
180
views
Warm-weather UL breathable packable waterproof jacket [closed]
I guess I might be asking for too much but I'm trying to find a very breathable, light, packable waterproof jacket. I'd like to be able to hike in ~75F rain while remaining relatively comfortable for ...
- 159
11
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How to keep socks from wicking rain off pants into boots
My wife and I have been very fortunate in our long distance hikes - we've never been rained on except for our last day on the way out. So, while we have rain jackets that we pack, we've never packed ...
- 213
17
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Are there any reliable plants to use for navigation?
I've always heard that moss grows on the north side of a tree. Presumably, this is because conditions on the north side, at least in the northern hemisphere, tend to get less sunlight and are damper. ...
- 2,750
3
votes
4
answers
902
views
How many miles should one expect to get out of a good pair of hiking boots?
They say that on average 400-500 miles is a good bet for running shoes, but for myself it's only about 300-350 miles before the aches of worn out shoes start to occur. It seems that shoes are one of ...
- 2,750