34
votes
Can you get permanent brain damage by spending a day at 10,000ft (~3000m) altitude?
TLDR: Yes, it can happen at that altitude, but the odds are extremely low.
Long answer
High-altitude cerebral edema has happened at lower than 10,000 ft.
The condition is seldom seen below 3,000 ...
- 69.2k
32
votes
Can horses ford deeper/faster rivers than humans?
Actually, it is often the opposite--many fords which are fine for humans are unsafe for a horse and rider, because the ground is too rocky, or the area is too narrow or steep, or the ford relies on ...
- 1,297
27
votes
Accepted
Can I expect to visit Camp 1 and beyond on an Everest base camp expedition?
No one is allowed to just show up at base camp and expect to be able to advance to any of the other camps.
First of all, there is a lot of paperwork that must be completed before you're even granted ...
- 53.5k
25
votes
Accepted
Men using a women's trekking backpack
The short answer is, "it depends". Packs sold to women may have only superficial changes compared to the men's version (i.e. the color is different), but there are usually a few common differences:
...
- 8,428
23
votes
Accepted
What kind of portable light is going to be effective at illuminating my path?
I would recommend any LED headlamp, it's a huge difference to old school flashlights (much brighter and batteries last much longer). Headlamp because you want to have your hands free if you got to ...
- 366
19
votes
Can horses ford deeper/faster rivers than humans?
Horses are bigger and stronger and than humans and because of the square cube law, they have more mass to surface area which makes them better suited to fording deeper/faster rivers.
As to whether or ...
- 69.2k
16
votes
Accepted
Legal situation for camping in the German Elbsandsteingebirge
Yes, there are special places where you are allowed to sleep outside if you are climbing there.
And by "outside" I mean without a tent, because these locations are (more or less) ...
16
votes
Accepted
What could possibly go wrong in Sarek?
I have hiked the entirety of the Kungsleden, did an 11 day Sarek crossing and have also been on parts of the Nordkalottleden and the Padjelantaleden - so you could say I am fairly experienced with ...
- 12.7k
14
votes
Accepted
Should I use one or two trekking poles?
They weight of the extra pole is counteracted by the energy saved using it. Poles do more than offer stability, they also save you legs precious energy on the climb, and on the descent. At 16,000ft ...
- 53.5k
14
votes
Accepted
Hiking with kids - what are the right distances?
15 km (9.3 miles) is really long for the average 5 year old, especially when it's 65% longer and at higher altitude than what she's used to. This sounds like a bad idea to me.
You say you can carry ...
- 21.4k
12
votes
Descending a dry grass slope with serious inclination and exposure
In southern Germany there are a lot of steep hills which don't have too much rock but mainly grass. Therefore people are "grass climbing" mountains, there is even a grass climbing grade for it.
You ...
- 12.2k
12
votes
Accepted
How did/do scouts venture into the wild?
Modern Day Adventurers
Answers to What are essential items in an emergency kit? identify patterns/guidelines about what equipment and skills to have in backcountry. This is relevant as it covers the ...
- 3,939
12
votes
What is the best type of shoe to wear for crossing deep rivers?
I guess the answer really is
It depends
As a general purpose solution I normally bring sturdy trekking/hiking sandals on my trips. Something like the models from Teva for example (many pictures on ...
- 12.7k
12
votes
Should I use one or two trekking poles?
If you get a pair, you can choose whether to actually use one or both for a particular day. I recommend that you buy a pair well before your expedition, and use them enough to you learn your ...
- 4,662
11
votes
Accepted
Descending a dry grass slope with serious inclination and exposure
Ice axe
The answer to this question is quite surprising: use an ice axe. The self arrest works nearly just like in a icy situation.
I taught myself this technique, behind Bill's Barn under Tryfan ...
- 23.5k
11
votes
Is there a (long-distance-) trail without any available maps?
Of course, there are many long-distance hiking trails without any available maps.
As far as I'm aware, none of the European long-distance trails have dedicated end-to-end maps, unless you count ...
- 27.1k
11
votes
What equipment is needed for glacier hiking?
about excess rope, rope length and how to split rope please see:
https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/a/7025/2653
As you see on the picture, the two ends of the rope is devided evenly between the ...
- 12.2k
11
votes
Accepted
Getting lost and circling a trail in a loop?
I believe this is called walking in circles :)
What happens is that is that without a compass or GPS, you tend to head to one side instead of going straight. Eventually you will complete the circle ...
- 69.2k
11
votes
Accepted
Why are zip-in (fleece + hardshell) jackets so rare?
I used to work at Eastern Mountain Sports (a New-England, USA, based chain of outdoor goods). Granted, I haven't worked there in over 15 years, but I know what you are talking about. It was very ...
- 991
10
votes
Accepted
Differences between the right and the left trekking sock
Well, basically the difference is just that their design is mirrored. However, I have the feeling that your real question behind the actual one is "Why do they have to be mirrored?"
Compared to "...
- 7,532
10
votes
On a coast to coast walk across Scotland, which areas would require the most self-sufficiency?
There are a large range nice routes you could do. Generally, I would say the further North you go the wilder/more remote it will be. Although if you go really far North, the options for Munros does ...
- 7,089
10
votes
What is the best type of shoe to wear for crossing deep rivers?
I've owned pairs of both Keen and Ecco sandals, and have been quite happy with both. They each have solid leather construction with comfortable padding on the inside, and they tend to hold up well.
...
- 1,793
10
votes
What is the best type of shoe to wear for crossing deep rivers?
Any kayaking shop will have a selection of both shoes and boots designed for this. While you can get them with thin soles, I recommend thicker soles if you're mainly wearing them on rocky river beds ...
- 26.1k
10
votes
How can I be sure that I'm ready to do the Three Peaks Challenge?
I have a few colleagues who have done this, and one team who did it with a colleague in a wheelchair. They are all reasonably fit, but the day job is desk-based, so if you have managed Kili easily, ...
- 24.9k
10
votes
Accepted
Are there tents with better space-to-weight ratio than tunnel tents?
What are your options?
As someone who makes their own shelters I've given a great deal of thought to the pros and cons of different architectures. But like most things involving gear choice, the real ...
- 11.7k
10
votes
Effective breathing techniques for high inclination, tougher hikes
Paul Petzold, the founder of NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School)
was a big proponent of rhythmic breathing. The idea is that it helps one conserve energy and better utilize the air at higher ...
- 69.2k
10
votes
Logic of Bivvy Bag for the U.K?
The variability of the UK weather means that light options can be realistic. Last year I had a week in Scotland sleeping under a tarp in a lightweight sleeping bag, with no rain.
Some people use a ...
- 26.1k
9
votes
Accepted
How should we protect ourselves from a lightning strike?
First of all: try to think and plan ahead. Don't get caught on a mountain top during a thunder storm... Keep an eye on the weather and change your route accordingly.
Location:
Make sure you're not ...
- 12.7k
9
votes
Accepted
Best method of carrying fruits over a period of 3 days while on a trek
I love bananas and can eat a half-dozen to a dozen a day while at home. While out on the trail I try to have one or two a day. I also enjoy taking with me peaches, grapes, prunes (very good for you on-...
- 589
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible