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Questions tagged [mountains]

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Questions specifically about mountains and their properties, geology, geography and topology should be tagged with this tag. This tag is not to be confused with mountaineering tag.

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7
votes
2answers
389 views

What are these grayish plants with little white “hair” in Joshua Tree National Park?

While hiking Ryan Mountain (elevation 5457 feet) in Joshua Tree National Park last month, I saw several of these grayish plants near the top of the mountain. I did not see any at lower elevations. ...
5
votes
1answer
163 views

Equipment for driving off road in the Northeast United States

What equipment is necessary for driving on 4x4 trails and rougher forest roads in the Northeast United States? This would include safety equipment, recovery equipment and any other equipment needed. ...
1
vote
2answers
134 views

What materials from nature can you use to build a pair of skis on a mountain?

I'm working on a survival story and want to make it authentic. If you were stranded on a mountain trying to get down as fast as possible, what would you do? EDIT: What if this was after a plane crash ...
19
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7answers
11k views

How can I protect myself in case of a human attack like the murders of the hikers Jespersen and Ueland in Morocco?

I read about the murders of Louisa Vesterager Jespersen and Maren Ueland. What safety mistakes these girls did during their camping trip? What could have been done to avoid this situation? How can I ...
39
votes
2answers
12k views

Impact of throwing away fruit waste on a peak > 3200 m above a glacier

Is it okay to throw away the non-edible part of the apple - the apple core / or in general fruit waste? Does it decompose on the rock (maybe with the help of animals) and temperature, or does it ...
7
votes
2answers
450 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 ...
2
votes
0answers
105 views

What is an efficent and effective way to find a reputable private guide for a backpacking trip?

My first question on TGO was about low altitude trips that have the feel of much higher elevations. I asked that question because of the declining physical capacity of my husband. I received ...
3
votes
2answers
59 views

What is the snow level going to be in the Atlassian mountains(Toubkal) in the end of April?

The question is should we prepare to snow hiking in the end of April going to Toubkal? How can we predict or make educated guess on snow level? Is there any resource we can monitor snow level in the ...
15
votes
2answers
599 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 ...
12
votes
3answers
326 views

What counts as climbing a mountain?

Obviously by anyone's definition, you need to reach the top to successfully climb a mountain, but after hiking to the top of Guadalupe Peak, where the peak is at 8,751 ft, but with a prominence of ...
1
vote
1answer
130 views

How can I tell the difference between a Tentworm caterpillar and a Fall Webworm caterpillar by observing the web?

A question from August 13, 2018 asked what type of caterpillar was living in a cocoon on a tree at the Mass. Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, on Mt. Wachusett, in Princeton, Central Massachusetts, USA. ...
3
votes
1answer
940 views

What is growing in these cocoon-looking structures found on a mountain in Massachusetts, USA?

We found a few things which we think are cocoons on a tree at Mass. Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, on Mt. Wachusett, in Princeton, Central Massachusetts, USA. It was last week, mid-August. The tree ...
6
votes
3answers
447 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 ...
7
votes
4answers
866 views

How warm should a sleeping bag be to sleep in summer in the Alps comfortably?

I am looking to buy an ultralight sleeping bag, that would be warm enough for sleeping in the Alps in summer comfortably. I would be sleeping in a tent on a sleeping mat. I would probably be staying ...
9
votes
1answer
118 views

Is there any measurable effect on acclimatization rate for people living in middle mountains?

Do people living in middle mountains (500-1000 m.asl) have any measurable advantage against lowlanders when it comes to acclimatization? Are there measurable differences in blood cells density? I'...
15
votes
3answers
2k views

How dangerous is it to rummage the ground in the mountains of Nevada desert with venomous creatures out there?

I made plans to do some hiking in the mountains of Nevada this weekend. I'll have someone there nearby and a hospital is an hour drive away. We thought it would be fun to uncover rocks and even dig ...
6
votes
2answers
7k views

At what wind speed is hiking considered unsafe

I have enough experience with mountain hiking, but in the area where I live (the Alps), the wind rarelly gets extremelly strong, so I have no idea about judging when it is actually unsafe to hike ...
5
votes
2answers
532 views

What are the busiest months for hiking in the New Hampshire Presidential Mountains?

I'm planning a 3 day hike (somewhere between early June and early September) in the New Hampshire's White Mountains, specifically the Presidentials. I'd like to avoid the biggest crowds and would ...
4
votes
2answers
397 views

Camping on top of a mountain

I have experience in backpacking but have no climbing experience. I am trying to learn how to camp on top of mountains after class 2 or 3 climbing. My motive is to take sunrise and sunset photos. ...
25
votes
3answers
7k views

Can you get permanent brain damage by spending a day at 10,000ft (~3000m) altitude?

I read some articles that suggested that even moderately high altitudes can lead to some irreversible brain damage. Thus, I was wondering whether that is actually possible and what is its likelihood? ...
2
votes
2answers
116 views

Hiking in France in August - Grenoble

I know that in the mountains around Grenoble there are some huts. I would like to go on a two-day hike and spend a night in such hut. I mean how much snow there is? How low can a temperature drop ...
11
votes
2answers
766 views

Why can I hear such long distances in the mountains?

The other week me and my wife climbed into a Cwm/Corrie/Cirque in the lake district on the side of St Sunday Crag in the UK. I could distinctly hear someone talking. I could basically hear every word. ...
11
votes
2answers
294 views

Can overexertion cause AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)?

Recently I did a trek in the Himalayan region and one of the group members was affected by what we believed was AMS at around 4600m. We had to evacuate the person from there and get to around 4100m ...
11
votes
5answers
255 views

How to begin trail / fell running?

I'm looking to challenge myself more than just running and wanted to know if there were any specifics in how to begin trail / fell running (In this case running up hills / mountains). Is there ...
55
votes
7answers
10k views

Is it dangerous to rope together on an ascent of hard packed ice?

This image has recently come under considerable criticism on social media for dangerous mountaineering practices. The location is unknown as the qualified mountain guide observer wanted to maintain ...
17
votes
6answers
10k views

What is the difference between a Pass and a Col?

Are there any specifics about how to differentiate a Pass and a Col in terms of mountaineering? For non-mountaineering and non-geographical interests it's all the same.
18
votes
2answers
22k views

Terms for different parts of a mountain

Is there a graphic representation of the terms used in mountaineering literature which narrates different aspects/parts of a mountain? While reading any expedition report, climbing detail we come ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views

Would it be warmer to sleep at the bottom or on the side of a valley?

Given that temperature decreases with altitude, and yet inversions happen where cold air is below warmer air, as a general rule of thumb, where would the warmest place to sleep be? Here is one place ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views

Are there fish in lakes with a lots of glacial flour?

Often times in high alpine lakes you will see lakes like this, where the color comes from the rock/glacial flour suspended in the water. The lakes and sometimes even streams are very pretty, but if ...
9
votes
2answers
382 views

Mountain guide leading towards a thunderstorm - does his explanation make sense?

I just got back from a guided walking trip to high mountains. There was one day when we encountered a thunderstorm - and the guide advised we are OK to proceed with the day's walking, instead of ...
5
votes
2answers
301 views

Training to Circumambulate Around Mount Kailash

I wish to circumambulate around Mount Kailash on foot. This is roughly 33 miles of mountaineous terrain. Many people do this for spiritual reasons, i.e circumambulate once to wash away your sins, ...
3
votes
3answers
138 views

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 ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views

Is it feasible to use Zakopane as a base to climb the Tatra mountains?

I'm planning a trip climbing in the Tatras this summer. I was planning on basing myself at Zakopane (seem's the be a good availability of accommodation, etc.). I mentioned this on a climbing forum I ...
17
votes
4answers
3k views

What easy 6,500m peaks would serve as easy qualifiers for Everest?

So there's been talk of this for a while, but it seems like the Nepalese government is finally committing and closing Everest to inexperienced climbers. So from now on, as a safety measure, if you ...
9
votes
6answers
808 views

How can I survive multiple days in cold environment?

What can I do to survive multiple (2-4) days in a cold environment (like in mountains in winter)? As resources I've normal Skitouring gear with me for a single day, no sleeping bag or bivy bag. What ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views

Where in the US can I find green mountains to hike like in Scotland, such as Dalveen Pass?

I really enjoyed hiking in green, grass covered mountains in Scotland, especially Dalveen Pass. Are there any mountains like that to hike in the US, especially in parks? The Dalveen Pass
11
votes
4answers
4k views

Do mountains regularly (for a mountain) change height?

a little related to this question: How many "Munro" revisions has there been? Leads me to wonder do mountains change height? or is this because the equipment is more precise these days? I ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views

How many “Munro” revisions have there been?

In 1891 Hugh Munro published his list of mountains in Scotland over 3000 feet, since then the list has been revised a number of times and the current total stands at 282. How many revisions have been ...
7
votes
5answers
8k views

4x4 vs AWD off road

Could my compact SUV/AWD handle a regular off road track that's suitable for 4x4? Is it a dumb/risky idea? I understand it would depend on the type and condition of the SUV, the track and the weather....
6
votes
1answer
216 views

Which notable/challenging mountains can be ascended with few technical skills? [duplicate]

By technical skills I am specifically referring to advanced ropework and rock climbing skills. I understand that Aconcagua is achievable with good fitness, equipment, self-awareness, medical skills ...
5
votes
1answer
191 views

Fatigue on high altitudes

Time and again I read how climbers feel incredible fatigue on altitudes 7000+ m. Most of us have probably flown in airplanes on altitudes greater than that in pressurized passenger airplanes and didn'...
3
votes
1answer
882 views

Trekking maps of Svanetia available abroad?

Are there any trekking maps of Svanetia available abroad? I'd like to purchase the maps before arriving to Georgia. The preferred map scale is at least 1:50.000, however 1:100.000 would also fit in ...
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
110 views

Is it possible to do the whole turn of the Mont Blanc (TMB) by bike?

I was planning on making the famous TMB, "Tour du Mont Blanc" by bike ? Is it possible ? Is it authorized ? What are your recommandations ?