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1500 questions
21
votes
6 answers
Repair broken plastic buckle in the middle of hiking or alternative way to fix it
A month ago while hiking my 60 liter bag packs main Shoulder strap got broken at the very first hour of 4 day high altitude trek in a dense forest. I have tied a knot in that area and because of that tight fixed knot I was having very heavy pain in…
Suresh Karia
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21
votes
7 answers
Is there any practical use for a grappling hook?
A friend was asking about grappling hooks the other day, apparently they'd seen a mountaineering program where the guy carried a grappling hook. We couldn't quite figure out why, I've never seen anyone use one (outside of a comic book).
Are they…
user2766
20
votes
2 answers
How to react to an aggressive boar
As far as I know, boars are pretty aggressive when they have piglets. In the appropriate season, one might happen to hike into the path of an overprotective mother and get attacked.
How do I react to an aggressive boar? Are there any warnings or do…
OddDeer
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20
votes
11 answers
Considerations for older campers?
I grew up car camping with my parents several times a year, but as they've gotten older (early 60s), they basically stopped camping.
Recently, they've expressed interest in camping again but I'm concerned that all of their gear is between 10 and 15…
Chris Mendez
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20
votes
1 answer
What are offwidth cracks and what makes them so hard to climb?
There is a notorious kind of crack called offwidths. Several friends of mine stated, that they were pretty devastated at first when they were not able to do 5.8 offwidths in the valley. Later they learnd, that this was quite common. There has even…
imsodin
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20
votes
3 answers
Should a hiker be concerned about wolves in the back-country?
In this question, it was asked whether bear-spray was effective against other animals, such as wolves.
I know the old adage that "there has never been record of a healthy wolf attacking an adult" is not entirely true, but it seems the frequency of…
Lost
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20
votes
4 answers
Bear bags vs Bear canisters: which is better?
Most people I know and myself store food in bear bags. However, I have heard that some parks have banned bear bags and require canisters. I've also heard there is a bear in New York that has figured out how to open some bear canisters! Additionally,…
whatsisname
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20
votes
5 answers
How do I help people enjoy camping/hiking (like I do!)?
I have finally convinced my brother and our good friend to go hiking with me. I love hiking and being outside as much as possible, but they seem to hate it. How can I make our hiking trip fun and more enjoyable for them?
now_world
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20
votes
3 answers
Eating ash in Soviet Union
My Polish grandfather in early 1950's was sent by communist regime to a gulag. People were starving there and malnourishment was common, so they came up with idea of burning some kind of trees and eating the ashes.
Do you know what kind of tree can…
user46147
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20
votes
3 answers
Paramo vs Gore-Tex jackets?
I'm considering replacing my North Face Gore-tex jacket as it's starting to get a bit tatty, some of the zips are breaking, etc.
I've seen quite a few Paramo jackets about. I'm presuming they're quite good as they are the jackets I see a lot of…
user2766
20
votes
5 answers
What are the most effective ways to start a fire in the cold?
I frequently hike and camp in the forests of the Midwest (Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, etc). Considering this climate can get quite cold in the Fall & Winter, what are the best strategies to starting a fire? Assuming I have a lighter, what materials…
Damon Bauer
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20
votes
2 answers
What are some natural glues found in North American nature?
I'm curious how one could get/make some glue when in the wilderness. How did the Native Americans do it?
wyocalboy
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20
votes
4 answers
In cold conditions, will you freeze faster wearing wet clothes than not wearing any?
I have heard that in cold conditions, you'd freeze faster wearing wet clothes than not wearing any. I cannot find any proof that this is true. Is it?
penguinick77
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20
votes
3 answers
What are the real dangers of climbing at high altitude?
I had a campfire discussion not long ago with a man that got pulmonary edema while attempting the summit of Aconcagua, and we got into the discussion of the effects of high elevation. I had always assumed that after you adapted to the thin air, the…
ShemSeger
- 53,669
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20
votes
7 answers
How to make DIY ice axe protectors?
How to make ice axe protectors yourself?
I have few ideas from using duck tape to 3D printing, but it would be nice to hear about methods proven to work.
The reason I want to add protectors is a lot of travelling using public transport coming winter…
Val
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