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1500 questions
24
votes
2 answers
Best/safest wood to carve a spoon from?
Say I want to carve a spoon from wood that I find, are there any trees I shouldn't use due to their toxicity? Are any that are particularly easy to carve or hardy?
AncientSwordRage
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24
votes
2 answers
Is it safe to use denatured alcohol as an antiseptic?
A lot of hikers carry denatured alcohol for cooking. Is there any risk to using it as an antiseptic for cuts and lacerations?
Russell Steen
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24
votes
7 answers
How to minimize sea sickness?
I love sailing, and my wife loves the ocean, but she gets sea-sick often.
Any advice on how to avoid sea-sickness in people prone to it?
I'm looking for advice in terms of foods that are less of an issue to digest, where to sit in the boat, boat…
Didi Kohen
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24
votes
6 answers
Cold water swimming - go in quickly? or slowly?
Assume you want to do some cold water swimming, i.e. anything under 14 Centigrade (57F) water, for more than say 10 minutes (so, expressly, not a Polar Bear "dip and scoot").
What's the safest approach?
Wade/jump in quickly and get it over…
Italian Philosopher
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24
votes
1 answer
What is the purpose of this D-shaped ring at the base of the tongue on my hiking boots?
My hiking boots have a D-shaped ring at the base of the tongue. What is the purpose of this?
I don't think the purpose is to allow you to hang the boot on a hook or something, because there is a bigger strap on the back of the boot that would allow…
pacoverflow
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24
votes
3 answers
Is there a rule of thumb on which locations will have lots of mosquitos vs. which will have none?
As an example, if you hike in The Enchantments area in Washington you will be swarmed with mosquitoes, to the point where mosquito head nets are an absolute must. On the other hand, if you hike in the Mt. Rainier national park, mosquitoes are pretty…
JonathanReez
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24
votes
6 answers
How can I signal for help in the wilderness?
What are some different ways I can signal for help in the wilderness?
I'm looking for methods that apply in all seasons, particularly in the mountains, with forests or meadows & plateaus.
studiohack
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24
votes
5 answers
Which stove fuel has best weight to bulk to heat ratio?
Pack stoves come in a variety of flavors, consuming white gas, denatured alcohol, propane, wood, gels, unleaded, kerosene... etc.
Given the assumption that I will be carrying all the fuel I need (no wood collecting), and that all stoves weigh the…
Lost
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24
votes
13 answers
What are the advantages and disadvantages of water bottles versus bladders?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of water bottles versus bladders? Is there any reason to prefer one over the other, in terms of health, safety, cost, convenience, or maintenance?
user2169
24
votes
5 answers
Is color blindness a significant obstacle to bird watching?
I have recently developed an interest in bird watching as a hobby. This would be more than just watching the feeders in my yard; I’d like to record my sightings and try to spot as many of the birds in my region (and during travel) as I can,…
ruffdove
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24
votes
4 answers
What should I do when I'm lost?
What should I do when I get disoriented or lost? How can I find help or make myself easier to find?
This is a general question to do when lost in the wilderness, whether it is a meadow or mountain.
studiohack
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24
votes
3 answers
As an experienced backpacker in the Eastern US, what should I know before hiking in the Western US?
I have done a good deal of hiking and backpacking in the Eastern US (mostly in New England), but I recently moved to California. What are the major differences in terms of preparation or equipment that I should be packing? I am talking more about…
pkaeding
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24
votes
5 answers
Caught in the rain without rainwear or raingear
If you are caught out in the rain without any rainwear, raingear and nowhere to hide out, how can you minimalize the damage?
I've seen things like:
holding a bag over the head
wearing a plastic bag on the head
keeping the head down
Obviously…
Mou某
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24
votes
3 answers
Ideal and Minimal Rope Diameter for Lead Climbing
I'm thinking of a single rope that it's safe to take long lead falls, but also light to carry around. I weight 75 kg and I might climb with heavier partners (80-90 kg)
Miguel Madero
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24
votes
4 answers
How to inspect climbing bolts?
I am most interested in setting up a top rope anchor on 2 bolts side by side. I feel like in this case you almost have to be more careful using bolts for a top rope than sport climbing because in sport climbing you are clipping a bunch of bolts all…
DJBunk
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