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1500 questions
12
votes
1 answer
Bottled Oxygen on Everest
After watching Everest this weekend, and reading the books about the 1996 events, I was wondering just one question. Why would you not carry 3 or 4 bottles of O's to get you up and back? Or why would a Leader such as Hall or Fisher not had enough…
pcieluch
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12
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3 answers
What do you call the bags which help organize items inside a backpack?
I'm a beginner to hiking. Last time, I had trouble easily accessing my stuff. Putting things inside the pack was also taking nearly an hour of my time.
The problem is that I have to empty the backpack at night and bring out everything to access…
JoeDaniel
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12
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2 answers
How should I patch holes in a waterproof/breathable jacket?
I have a waterproof/breathable rain jacket which has a few holes in it (caused by a minor bicycle crash, in case that information is relevant). They are not too big, about 5mm across. How can I patch these holes? It doesn't have to look too…
Big General
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1 answer
When transporting hot liquids, is it better to use one large flask, or two small flasks?
If I want to transport a litre of a hot liquid, what's the best option?
Use a single one litre flask
Use two 500 ml flasks. (Preferable due to the distribution of weight across two people).
Which option will keep the liquid warmer for longer…
Beta Decay
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12
votes
3 answers
One-sided overhand bend
Why is the one-sided overhand bend also called the European death knot (EDK)? Is it safe for climbing and mountaineering purposes?
WedaPashi
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12
votes
2 answers
Why do some fisheries have a lower size limit and others have an upper size limit for keeping fish?
My home river has a minimum size limit of 50 cm for keeping atlantic salmon, while I have seen online that some other places have a maximum size limit above which fish cannot be retained. Why is there such difference between fisheries? Which way is…
Kenji
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12
votes
4 answers
Can rock climbers easily transition to canyoning?
Rock climbing and canyoning/canyoneering are very different. However, it seems like the two disciplines would also have significant overlap in skills and gear-- knots, rappel techniques, harness, rope, belay/rappel device, etc.
Can rock climbers…
Chris Mendez
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12
votes
3 answers
De-stinking my water shoes
I have a pair of water shoes with a thick rubber sole and a neoprene upper. They provide good protection from coral cuts, stonefish etc.
In the past I've used these in the Ontario wilderness (fresh water and mud) for a day or two, then left them…
Kate Gregory
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12
votes
2 answers
What is this fish hook type called?
I am trying to buy this kind of fish hook (picture below), but I have no idea what is called. Does anyone know what to search for?
The main characteristic of this hook is that the hook eye is solid as opposed to a ring.
Roco CTZ
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12
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3 answers
When I do and when I don't need shoes with ankle supports?
There has been a lot of lot of discussion about whether the shoes should have ankle support or not.
I have seen the discussions (not just on The Great Outdoors, but elsewhere too) that ankle muscles do not work much and hence leads to weakening of…
WedaPashi
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12
votes
6 answers
Protein-intake on extended minimal-weight treks
I enjoy doing quite extended treks in the backcountry that rely on us (mostly 2-4 people) being independent from any kind of civilization for up to two weeks.
For me the foremost problem in these kinds of treks is the weight of the food: I've been…
fgysin
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12
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1 answer
What is an equalette anchor?
When setting up belay there are many ways to connect the anchors. One way is called equalette and is supposed to adapt to a certain extent to the direction of pull.
How is such an equalette constructed? If there is not one definite way: What are…
imsodin
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12
votes
1 answer
What is the best way to re-waterproof a nylon tarp?
I have a ProForce All Weather Shelter, which is listed as being "210T rip-stop nylon". On a recent outing, we had four hours of rain overnight and it leaked on me the entire time.
Upon closer inspection, there are areas where the fabric appears to…
Jeff W
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12
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5 answers
Where can we go backpacking out West under 8,500 feet that has much of the feel of much higher altitudes
My husband I have been backpacking in the Sierra and Rockies since 1972. We are bare granite freaks, and have always gone high. Alas, time is catching up with us (we are over 70), and we are now looking for places out West 8,500 feet or under that…
ab2
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12
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1 answer
What are the best methods for hanging food in a tree?
My friends and I are planning our first backpacking trip and the date is less than a month away. We just have a couple of loose ends to finish up on.
We were wondering what the best method to tie your food into a tree is. I would imagine 20ft above…
Ryan Welsh
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