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1500 questions
22
votes
4 answers
Buying a Backpacking Knife
I am a first-time knife buyer.
What should I look for in an all-purpose, lightweight backpacking knife?
I aim to use it for cutting trail plants and fish. My top priority is a knife that doesn't need sharpening even if it's not used by the most…
themirror
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9 answers
How should I treat poison ivy?
If I'm struck by poison ivy, what should I do? Is there a way to suppress the itch?
Jasper
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22
votes
6 answers
Should one buy a higher shoe size while buying hiking shoes?
I've heard this multiple times from different people that while buying a hiking shoe, always go for one size larger than what fits you perfectly. The most recent one being a local store where I went to check out some shoes. The logic seems to be as…
Ricketyship
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22
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2 answers
Why do some birds fly in a V-formation?
When birds gather into groups, they fly in a variety of different formations and patterns.
Some birds fly in a formation that looks like the letter "V". Several species of geese, pelicans, and ibis are just a few of the more commonly known. This is…
Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
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22
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2 answers
How to clean and refurbish a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife?
I have an old Swiss Army Knife on which I can only open one blade; the rest are locked in place. How should I clean this, and is there anything else I should do to refurbish it, like oiling, after I clean it?
This knife has been part of my daily…
compton
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22
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8 answers
How should I plan a backpacking trip with people who have never backpacked before?
I want to go backpacking with a couple friends, but I'm the only one of us with any experience, and I mostly day hike. I've only done a couple of backpacking trips. They've never backpacked, and only hiked occasionally.
Lii
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22
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3 answers
Can oiling keep tools from rusting?
Even stainless-steel can rust, and I've seen axes and saws that were visibly rusted. I've been told that wrapping the metal parts of the tools in oiled paper will prevent this.
Can oil really be used to prevent rust creation? And is there a…
Henrik Hansen
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22
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4 answers
How can I find north from the stars without recognizable constellations?
If I am trying to find out which way is north at night, and I can see stars, but not the North Star or the Southern cross or other recognizable constellations, because the terrain is limiting my view, how can I do so?
Charlie Brumbaugh
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1 answer
Do bees at the hummingbird feeders keep the birds away?
Although not greater in number, our hummingbirds this summer seem to be larger than in the past. I think it may be because my husband started making our own nectar, so it's fresher, and might taste better.
Some of the feeders are attracting a large…
Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
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22
votes
8 answers
What can I do about those obnoxious biting flies?
In addition to Mosquitos, many of us northwoods campers have been made victim to the vast swarms of biting flies.
Despite slathering myself with DEET, they don't seem deterred, and they especially love to bite my feet and ankles. Is there anything I…
whatsisname
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2 answers
What's the difference between a fjord and a fjard?
Last year we visited some friends at their summer home in Lamoine, Maine, in Northeast United States. They took us to a place called Somes Sound, on Mount Desert Island. It's either in or near Acadia National Park, I can't remember which. In the…
Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
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22
votes
6 answers
Where can I find help identifying an owl by its call?
I am in a semi-rural area of Aldergrove, BC Canada--close to the US border. From our house we can hear the call of what we think is an owl, but would like to know what particular species. We were out walking in the evening (after dark) and had my…
Glen
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22
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5 answers
Selecting backpacking cooking pot – teflon, aluminum, steel, titanium, or cast iron?
What are the relative advantages / dangers of different cooking wear? I'm a one-pot gourmet that has been using the same stainless steel pot for 15 years, but am considering an upgrade.
Some things I have heard but not substantiated: teflon flakes…
Lost
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22
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6 answers
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a paracord knife handle?
Whenever I browse knife shops or online stores I see many fixed-blade knives whose handles are essentially just a piece of paracord wrapped around the tang. From my anecdotal experience this also seems to be a fairly popular choice - I'd guess that…
fgysin
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22
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3 answers
What steps should I take if someone starts sinking?
What are the steps that should be taken if someone you're hiking with starts to sink uncontrollably into say a marsh? What are some good techniques and points that should be used to get them out safely and quickly? I'm not talking about times when…
berry120
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