Questions tagged [hiking]
Hiking is any outdoor walking activity - along trails or across unmarked wild country.
629
questions
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1answer
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How did Viking era hikers carry their gear and provisions?
I'm interested in how Viking era1) hikers carried their gear and provisions while out and about on foot. My focus here would be longer walks in civilian life, e.g. to get from farm A to farm B. I.e. ...
9
votes
4answers
463 views
Are statistics about the frequency of crime actually useful in determining how safe a trail is?
We have a question here about how common assaults/crime happen to people hiking the Appalachian Trail which I have answered with basically all of the statistics I could find.
However it doesn't seem ...
5
votes
2answers
238 views
Is it unhealthy to wear minimal footwear?
A couple of friends and I have taken up hiking here in South Africa and they're pretty geared up with their ankle guards, and extreme hiking shoes and what not. They've got their hiking underwear and ...
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 ...
asked Jan 25 '18 at 18:23
Censored to protect the guilty
1,6422 gold badges11 silver badges17 bronze badges
-2
votes
1answer
100 views
I am researching the E4 path [closed]
Just a quick question, when hiking are there opportunities to work as you go? Just small cash-in-hand jobs or is it advised to save for a while before setting off?
10
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2answers
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Combining a Frontpack with a Backpack while hiking
There is a current trend to carry babies in a pack on your front (Wikipedia does not show it but Google images has lots of hits 'front baby carrier')
If you are hiking with a backpack, is including a ...
8
votes
6answers
1k views
Carrying a bridge camera while hiking with a backpack
I'm looking for recommendations on how I can carry my Canon bridge camera while hiking, so that it doesn't get in the way too much but is easy to get to when I want to take a photo (typically of an ...
8
votes
4answers
265 views
As an outdoor beginner, what features in knife/tool combinations should I look for?
As an outdoor beginner, I was interested in some possible tool combinations for shorter outdoor hiking trips, say, 2-5 days.
From what little experience I have, I reckon that the most common tasks ...
4
votes
1answer
60 views
Can I visit Betatakin in mid-May?
The Navajo National Monument website notes that Betatakin can only be visited on a ranger-guided tour. It states that groups leave daily between May 27 and September 3, and cliff dwellings are closed ...
6
votes
3answers
436 views
Hiking with boots untied?
I recently came across a hiking boot maker with a front page photo showing someone walking off trail in ankle high boots that are untied.
Source
This seems to be a current fashion trend, and if you ...
-6
votes
1answer
183 views
camping equipment testing if no yard [closed]
I am looking into getting camping equipment and doing so long term hiking. Haven't been camping in years. How would test my equipment if I live in the city? I would be hiking solo across the USA, How ...
7
votes
2answers
319 views
Mother is attempting full Appalachian Trail next year - how can I help her now and while she is doing it?
So backstory behind the title! My mother is in her late 40's and has decided that next year, starting in April, she is going to hike the full Appalachian Trail. Now I know next to nothing about the ...
9
votes
2answers
13k views
What first aid can be done for Crab Bite?
I occasionally hike in the Sahyadri ranges in Maharashtra (India).
During the rainy season there are a lot of crabs on the trail.
In case the crab bites, what are the first aid steps that can be taken?...
6
votes
1answer
590 views
What's a good overnight hiking loop in New England, within a 3 hour range of Boston?
We're looking for an overnight loop near the Boston area. I've checked out the Pemi Loop Hike in New Hampshire, but it's strenuous and we think it might be a little too much for the more novice ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
What kind of baby carrier is best for use walking and climbing in the hills?
I'm going to be a Dad for the first time early next year. My wife and I are very active outdoorsy kind of people. I've started looking at a baby carrier so we can take our wee one out on short walks ...
2
votes
1answer
21k views
How can I attach a patch to a nylon backpack?
I recently got my new Osprey Atmos 65, and I really want to attach some patches that I bought online. Will normal iron patches work or can I sew them on instead?
Will it damage the backpack?
6
votes
1answer
162 views
How best to condition oneself to do day hikes at an altitude peaking at 6,000 to 8,000 ft?
I have hiked in years past up to 12,000 ft but normally topped out around 8,000 ft when doing day hikes.
Problem is that I'm in my 60's, haven't hiked in 3 years and live at an altitude that tops out ...
15
votes
4answers
2k views
Is a full waterproof coat more important than waterproof trousers for hiking?
I've spent most of my working life outdoors (forestry mostly), but have not done much hiking, which I now intend to do. When working outdoors, my clothing consisted of a wool shirt and waxed cotton ...
-3
votes
1answer
189 views
Want to climb highest mountains of most European country's, how and where to start? [closed]
As I am always looking for my next challenge I have decided that I want to reach the highest points in some of the European countries.
I am a pretty fit person and I went on some 3-4 day trips in the ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
How to improve the grip on my boots?
I've got a pair of Keen hiking boots that, at their best when brand new, never had a particularly good grip, and now, a few years later, have simply lost any grip to speak of. They are so slippery on ...
11
votes
3answers
602 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 ...
7
votes
2answers
204 views
What are the best possible ways of indicating a 'closed' trail?
I live in a region where you have trails that are open any time of the year, some of the other trails are usable throughout the year except rainy (monsoon) season.
There are also rare cases of the ...
11
votes
1answer
646 views
What is this tree with a spiral shaped trunk in Massachusetts?
On a recent hike at the Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton, Massachusetts, my husband came across this tree.
The trunk is twisted in a spiral/curly fashion. It was in a forest of many other ...
asked Aug 15 '17 at 16:53
Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
15.4k6 gold badges41 silver badges121 bronze badges
10
votes
3answers
367 views
How are the routes of hiking trails determined?
While hiking and backpacking, I often ponder how the trail came to be located where it is. Some trails, especially longer ones, seem like they could take several different routes to get to their ...
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1answer
2k views
Warning shot in bear encounter? [closed]
I'm wondering if anyone else has had any experiences with guns and/or bear spray in combination, instead of just carrying one over the other? How have bears reacted to warning shots?
We backpack in ...
12
votes
3answers
2k views
Does putting an item in a microwave oven kill ticks (and other bugs)?
After a hike, we often find many ticks on us (and remove them of course). But the assumption is that some might still be in the clothing, on the shoes, etc. I don't want to throw the worn stuff in the ...
5
votes
1answer
170 views
What to do if you have been stung multiple times by yellow-jackets hours or days from the trailhead?
The Situation: Your party is hours or days from the trailhead, when one of the party stumbles on a yellowjacket nest and is stung multiple times by the tiny fighter aircraft.
The person had been ...
6
votes
3answers
661 views
Vibram FiveFingers or Non-Hiking Boots as a Beginner in Hiking?
I'm very new to/inexperienced at hiking, and I got invited to an impromptu, 7-mile hike tomorrow at Alamere Falls (places online say it's "intermediate difficulty"). I've only gone on what I think are ...
6
votes
1answer
348 views
Which dangerous wild animals are most likely to be encountered in Western Ghats, India
I hike in Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India.
Most of the times the hike involves walking/climbing in day time and resting/sleeping, often in caves/unmanned temples/shaks of some kind at night. ...
15
votes
1answer
3k views
Can I expect to visit Camp 1 and beyond on an Everest base camp expedition?
I am planning to do a 16 day "standard" Everest base camp trek in Nepal coming September.
Can I expect to visit Camp 1 (or even beyond?) as well or is this completely off limits for casual tourists?
...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
What is the difference between hiking boots and “hunting boots”?
Many (online) shops classify boots between hiking and hunting; for example, see hunting boots. The hunting boots look more like the kind of boots I like, than the hiking boots do. What are the ...
2
votes
0answers
84 views
What are the best places to go for a hike near Mexico City? [closed]
What are the best places in Mexico City to go for a hike. Ideally they should be safe, with amazing views, can go with my car with two or three other people, they are not so crowded, last for ...
7
votes
0answers
122 views
Can I camp in the protected areas Þjórsárver and Guðlaugstungur og Álfgeirstungur?
I am investigating the feasibility of a hike looping around Hofsjökull. The route takes me through the Þjórsárver and Guðlaugstungur og Álfgeirstungur protected areas. The regulations for Þjórsarver ...
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 ...
7
votes
6answers
721 views
Is hiking alone always faster?
Suppose you need to cover a fairly long distance (e.g. 30 km) in a moderately difficult hiking terrain (no climbing), in 1 day. You can either go alone or with someone, or with a group.
I think (from ...
4
votes
3answers
380 views
Are cheap Packable Backpacks reliable enough for a long day strenuous hike?
I will be going to a series of 6 to 10 hours day hikes in Hokkaido, Japan. Some of these hikes are strenuous in effort, and involves different terrains. The weather should include some rain, but for ...
6
votes
2answers
215 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 ...
4
votes
0answers
85 views
Are there any mountaineering/hiking activities in or near Albufeira, Portugal?
I'm heading over to Albufeira and I was just wondering if there are any hiking or mountaineering activities, or outdoor landmarks worth seeing in the area (or close by).
I don't want to be stuck on ...
4
votes
2answers
826 views
How to make my own liquid camp soap?
We use Coghlan's Camp Soap when camping, it is available in handy containers at most stores that have any amount of outdoor supplies.
But we can only find it in the 4oz bottle, we would like to be ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
How can I make sure there are no more ticks around?
I'm back from outdoors and while lying down in bed I noticed a tiny tiny insect walking around on my clothes. While trying to take a picture of it to see if it is a tick, it just disappeared and I ...
7
votes
1answer
147 views
Is there another less crowded route up to Schloss Neuschwanstein?
We visited Neuschwanstein lately and since we were with kids, picked the common tourist path up to the castle. The hike is extremely stressful (for me at least) because you wander on a tarred way with ...
12
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3answers
30k views
What are the differences between alpaca wool and merino wool?
I'm curious what the differences are between alpaca wool and merino wool. Say for hiking in hot weather and cold weather, using socks and base layers.
I'm especially interested in the durability of ...
1
vote
2answers
135 views
How to stay dry in the nether regions? [duplicate]
I'm outdoors quite a bit. But the one thing that takes me out of action is sweat buildup and rubbing in my nether regions. It can literally take me out of action for a few days. I think it comes down ...
29
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5answers
10k views
Modern equivalent of a flare gun?
This summer I will be taking a rather inherently dangerous multi-day hike by myself. I was considering buying a flare gun since I will be out of cellular range unless there is something more modern ...
2
votes
1answer
253 views
How rapidly (or slowly) is work progressing on “consumer” exoskeletons for baby boomers to extend their hiking and backpacking years?
Several years ago, the Washington Post had an article titled This remarkable new exoskeleton slips on like a boot and makes your walking more efficient.
Engineers at Carnegie Mellon University ...
15
votes
2answers
3k views
When is it a bad idea to follow a game trail?
If you are walking on trail, and a game trail heads off in an interesting direction is it ever a bad idea to follow it? If so how would you know when it is OK to follow a game trail?
This question ...
5
votes
4answers
316 views
How would navigation be different while hiking at night?
If one were to hike during the night and sleep during the day, what differences in navigation would one have to take into account?
In my experience you are more on instruments (such as a compass or ...
13
votes
4answers
1k views
How to determine the needed volume size when purchasing a backpack?
In addition to sizes for different sizes of people, backpacks also have a volume size, usually given in liters or cubic inches, as a measure of how much stuff the backpack can hold.
How can I ...
2
votes
0answers
209 views
What are some things to do with teenagers in Quepos, Costa Rica? [closed]
I'm heading to Quepos, Costa Rica with 4 teenagers.
We'd like to do some things like whitewater rafting, hiking, viewing waterfalls, and seeing nature and wildlife.
9
votes
2answers
930 views
What is the top-down (reverse) shoe lacing good for?
I have sees this lacing a few times now and was wondering why people are doing it. Is there any difference to the ordinary lacing and if so, what is that difference?
