All Questions
5,857
questions
2
votes
1
answer
50
views
What can be done to persuade dog owners to keep them on a lead?
I have been in different big nature reserves in Europe. An unpleasnt common pattern I saw is that in all of them I saw signs saying that dogs must be kept on a lead, but nobody cares. That doesn't ...
0
votes
2
answers
60
views
What knot or hitch can be used to lift a heavy load and secure it?
I have a punching bag that normally hangs vertically, but I want to lift it up out of the way when not in use. The bottom of the bag has a strap that I can attach a rope to, and I have set an eye-hook ...
13
votes
5
answers
3k
views
What material for long sleeve hiking shirt in hot summer days?
I prefer long sleeve t-shirts, since my skin and too much sun is not good. I wonder what are your experiences using merino wool (or any other material) in hot summer hiking days? I guess 18 - 30 ...
2
votes
1
answer
53
views
Best kayak paint?
Just bought a second-hand carbon fibre kayak and am looking to give it a paint job. What's the right kind of paint (on a budget) for this in your opinions? Thanks in advance!
9
votes
1
answer
135
views
Do long/high beams on a car work to warn moose off the road?
I heard what sounded like an old wives' tale some time ago: If you are driving along a stretch of road with a moose warning, using headlights on long/high beam even during daylight will warn moose off ...
4
votes
1
answer
227
views
Is it possible to sleep at an altitude more than 500m above last night?
On a high altitude climb or hike, there is famous safety rule for acclimatization "you should never sleep at an altitude more than 500m above the last night"
One of my hike require to me ...
1
vote
1
answer
70
views
What's a good low-budget kayak for both river and sea?
I'm looking to get a second-hand kayak, preferably under £250, which I can use for river kayaking and sea kayaking - is there a particular kind I should go for? I've done a bit of river and sea ...
6
votes
1
answer
98
views
Bouldering in Font
I will be heading to Font and am beginning to plan specific areas to head to.
I'm bouldering up to 6b but have heard the grades are stiffer over there (compared to the UK) - if there is a difference, ...
11
votes
1
answer
224
views
For multi-day trips on a road bike - What is the most efficient bike pack set up?
I'm going for a 3-4 day bike trip in the Trossachs (Scotland) at the start of June, and as I have never done a multi day cycle trip before, I am looking for some guidance on the best type of bike bag(...
14
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Wildcats in Scotland
I know there are a limited number of wildcats still roaming free in Scotland but is it ever very realistic to see one? and are there any places that are particularly good to spot them? I also know ...
5
votes
0
answers
110
views
Can anyone help to identify this tree with strange green flower/fruit in North Georgia woods?
What tree is this? I am unable to identify it. It has a green spongy soft velvety flower/fruit at the end of branches. It is located in North Georgia woods in the USA. I don't believe it would be a ...
6
votes
1
answer
199
views
What is it about human skin that spiders don't like to walk on?
I'm about to move a spider and I usually use the cup/glass way, but that would seem pretty horrifying if I were the spider. I'd prefer to use my hands, but they don't seem to like the texture of ...
3
votes
0
answers
53
views
Will house finches abandon a nest that fills with snow?
I had a pair of house finches build a nest in some hedges outside my window. It looked pretty much complete, but ten days ago we had a severe snowstorm that dropped a foot of snow on the yard. Despite ...
6
votes
0
answers
86
views
How can I remove a tick I cannot reach and no one is around to help? [duplicate]
How can you remove a tick on your back if you cannot reach it with your hand and you have no one to assist you?
17
votes
8
answers
3k
views
Sailing an age-of-sail sloop with 2-man crew
For writing a story, I'm trying to figure out if 2 people could crew an age-of-sail (15th/16th-19th century) sloop and sail it effectively. Various sources give various crew numbers for various types ...
2
votes
1
answer
634
views
What is this very small bug with brown and tan spots?
Around my house I've been spotting these very small brown/tan spotted bugs:
It moves quite slow, and doesn't seem to fly, only crawl (though it does look like it has wings). It's very small, not ...
8
votes
2
answers
3k
views
At what temperature does rain become not chilling?
I live at 53 degrees latitude, where the effect of being caught out in the rain and getting wet is always to become uncomfortably cold.
However, I would expect this to depend on the ambient ...
6
votes
1
answer
81
views
Do crows ever use calls to gauge distances?
I sometimes hear a crow issue a call (pause) response (pause) call (pause) response before the caller goes down to the ground to forage. Whether they think of it in this way or not, do/can crows use ...
2
votes
1
answer
98
views
Slackline on square pillars
Is it safe to setup a slackline on a square pillar, or are the few pressure points likely to cause damage to the pillar / slackline? I have attached a picture as an example..
5
votes
0
answers
153
views
Why avoid the classic peaks of the balkans trail?
From https://bnadventure.com/self-guided-tour-in-the-peaks-of-the-balkans/:
The trail avoids the classic peaks of the Balkans trail as the situation in the mountains has changed since the trail was ...
9
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Logic of Bivvy Bag for the U.K?
Is it worth having a Bivvy bag in the U.K?
Currently I own a moderately lightweight (2.8 kg) 2-man tent, but I've been considering buying a bivvy for minimalistic camping/hiking in the summer months ...
4
votes
1
answer
99
views
Can a climber who has lost most or all of his/her toes climb at a level roughly commensurate with his original level?
This question is prompted by my recent rereading of Maurice Herzog's Annapurna, his account of the first climb of an eight-thousander in 1950. Herzog lost all his toes to frostbite and substantial ...
9
votes
3
answers
265
views
Portable antenna for better phone reception when hiking remote areas?
This year I want to hike some more remote areas. There is an issue of safety. The areas will be 10 - 50 km away from civilization, lots of bears(0,5 bear/km2),.. The cell phone towers will be up till ...
4
votes
4
answers
243
views
Is this a well-known way to kill ticks that are out of reach on your body?
Spring is here, in northern Virginia, and the ticks are enjoying being out and about, as I discovered after two days of spring clean-up. I removed five of them easily, but two were out of reach, and ...
4
votes
0
answers
97
views
When did it become commonplace to rely on Sherpas' technical skills in climbing?
I am rereading Annapurna by Maurice Herzog, the account of the first successful ascent of an eight-thousander, which took place in 1950.
In Chapter VII, the following dialog takes place:
[Lachenal, ...
0
votes
0
answers
31
views
Down sleeping bag with 200 g fill temperature ratings [duplicate]
The advertised down sleeping bag has fill: 200 g grey duck down 90/10.700 Cuin. Other material is 20D 380T nylon. Total weight is 630 g. Temperature ratings are 9°C, limit 4°C and extreme -9°C.
I don'...
7
votes
4
answers
239
views
Some dilemmas concerning use of UV water treatment vs water filter
The trekking season is starting, need some help with few dillemas with more experienced hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Last year I got seriously ill for 2-7 days after drinking water from mountain ...
4
votes
1
answer
212
views
Would keeping a silver dollar inside a full Camelbak prevent mold/bacteria growth?
When you're out and about in the wilderness for some time (say, a week), it might be difficult to keep your Camelbak clean and free from bacteria/mold. Sure, I can regularly drop water purifying ...
5
votes
1
answer
196
views
Use of high altitude (8000 M) boots at lower altitudes (6500 M)
On Himalayan climbs, good hiking boots (hard or flex soles) will suffice till base camp. Single boots like La Sportiva Nepal Extreme can suffice (in combination with gaiters) till maybe 6000 M peaks ...
6
votes
2
answers
194
views
Overnight cooking in active bear area
I have sometimes heard people suggest cooking long meals overnight while camping. For example, the book "Gastronomie en plein air" written by Odile Dumais, talks about cooking pea soup or ...
4
votes
1
answer
192
views
Traversing a knife edge ridge
Are there any specific skills and/or techniques for traversing a knife edge ridge in the mountains? The route to many summits (e.g. Mt. Matterhorn, Mt. Satopanth, etc.) includes sections of traversing ...
4
votes
3
answers
173
views
What clothing/fabric can mosquitos not bite through?
I've just had my first bites of 2022 (depressingly early!) and am reminded that mosquitoes seem able to bite through most of my regular clothes.
I can't wear giant overcoats and PVC trousers in warm ...
2
votes
1
answer
124
views
Does an Inflatable boat w a 4hp motor need a license in Ontario?
I bought a 4-person inflatable boat (around $600). I would like to equip that with a 4HP 4-Stroke outboard motor. I'm not sure if I need a licence for that in Ontario, Canada. In addition, I believe ...
1
vote
2
answers
168
views
How can I get rid of these spiders residing in my hallway?
There are two right outside my front door and they've been there since the birth of my daughter who is now 7 months. Now it's getting hotter they're outside all the time at night. I open my front door ...
3
votes
0
answers
126
views
Where do I keep my pull buoy during a long open-water swim?
I am going to start to do long sea swimming to train for swim run races. I have the tools but I would like to know where I keep the pull buoy if I don't want to use it and if I want to use my legs ...
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Help identifying this animal
Anyone can help me identify this animal? It walks like a cat and climbs trees like a monkey. No tail is visible in the video. This video was captured in Arunachal Pradesh, a provincial state in the ...
5
votes
1
answer
188
views
What kind of camper do I have?
I bought some land last December, and it came with a camper. It's in much better shape than I had feared, but I suspect I'll need a few replacement parts.
How can I figure out which model of Prowler ...
2
votes
2
answers
156
views
If you were lost and without water and food in the desert or other wilderness would a horse be an advantage or not?
This is assuming you would not kill the horse for any reason. I am wondering if a horse would firstly, be better at remembering how to get home (like dogs and cats seem to be); secondly, finding water;...
4
votes
4
answers
350
views
Why be passive while attacked by a brown bear?
Recently I walked through Dolomites in Italy, and there was a warning sign that this is bear-encounter area. There were tips on what to do in general. But one of tips was "if bear approaches you ...
2
votes
1
answer
144
views
Why would a bird sing while still dark at the same time each night?
My first thought was that there is some artificial event that is timed that sets them off but I can't think of what that would be where I live. Is it usual for birds to sing at a particular time other ...
1
vote
2
answers
118
views
Do both your legs need to be bent when skiing downhill?
When parallel turning on a downhill (groomed) slope, I noticed that my downhill leg is almost fully extended and doing all of the braking, while my uphill leg is bent with a big distance from the ...
3
votes
1
answer
225
views
Do predators understand human footprints?
I am guessing that because bears have extremely sensitive smell, even if a bear understood footprints, they would not find this nearly as reliable as following their scent. But could it actually be ...
0
votes
1
answer
126
views
Are predators attracted by fire?
While I know that bears and wolves can be scared off by, say, a burning stick, wouldn't they also know that a fire indicates there are humans who either have food or might be eaten themselves?
0
votes
0
answers
98
views
Tiny, round black bug found in bed twice
I found a black bug like this on two separate occassions on my bed, both times about morning to midday. I live in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada though not near any major wooded areas.
The first time I saw ...
2
votes
0
answers
74
views
Reproofing a coat
I am reproofing an Isotex™ coat which somebody had previously laundered and destroyed its waterproof properties. I don't know what grade the fabric is, but it is probably not the lowest as the coat ...
1
vote
1
answer
115
views
What's the best way to train oneself to swim in open waters?
Considering that one is a very novice swimmer, it's challenging to even do sporting activities in the water without a life jacket. I'm looking for ways one can build more resilience and stamina with ...
2
votes
1
answer
179
views
What is this long brown bug
Seemingly out of nowhere a long insect creature appeared (jumped?) on my PC screen and startled me.
Seems to have 6 legs and antennae. Moves slowly, but apparently has a very strong grip. Its size is ...
-1
votes
1
answer
178
views
Do deer have the ability to be predators of large animals?
Although it has been established that many animals formerly thought of as exclusively herbivores actually will eat meat, the examples of deer eating meat have seemed to be small animals like birds or ...
18
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What type of fires/stove can I use in Germany?
I am from Iran and in here, we are allowed to put up a tent and make fire almost everywhere, and it's up to us ourselves to take care of the jungle and leave nothing behind.
I just recently moved to ...
1
vote
0
answers
71
views
Records of average wind speed (monthly/annual) for different European cities
I have been trying to find statistics concerning mean annual wind speeds for a number of European cities. Surprisingly, these averages are hard to find in a single source, such as the obvious go-to ...