The Great Outdoors Stack Exchange
The Great Outdoors Stack Exchange

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1500 questions
17
votes
9 answers

Are there any GPS devices with no transmission capability?

I thought about it for both privacy and energy saving. A GPS after all needs only to receive the signal and check the cached map, I also remember that until few years ago car sat/nav could not transmit anything. So, is there currently a device on…
FluidCode
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5 answers

Can I record my route electronically when underground?

Portions of a hike I did recently involved me going through tunnels that had some twists and turns. How would these work with an app like AllTrails or another GPS tracker? As I understand it, assisted GPS is able to keep track of where you're at,…
neubert
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4 answers

When hiking, is it harmful that I wear more layers of clothes and drink more water?

I am a 38-year old that loves hiking as a hobby. I usually do 10-20km hikes with up to 2km altitude change. This year I started tours with a new crew and two people talked to me independently that my walking regime is unusual if not straightforward…
i_prob_should_know_this
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17
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5 answers

Figuring out from a map which direction is downstream for a river?

If you pull up a river on Google maps it's not clear what's downstream from what. Like the Colorado River... Hoover Dam is downstream of the Grand Canyon, which is downstream of Lee's Ferry, which is downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam. I know this…
neubert
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17
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11 answers

Keeping a backpack from being stolen whilst sleeping in a tent

In the past, I have always slept with my backpack wedged uncomfortably beside me due to limited room in a fully manned tent, since I'm concerned about bag theft when miles away from civilization. However, I've heard from people recently who stash…
James Paul Turner
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17
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2 answers

How do I recognize if someone is suffering from hypothermia?

How can I recognize symptoms of hypothermia on myself and other people I camp with?
Jasper
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17
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6 answers

Hiking with a mule or two?

For an older guy (say 65+) who likes to hike alone - are a mule or two a help or a hindrance? Maybe a mule for the pack, and a second mule to ride when I get really old? Historically people preferred to ride a mule - I am not sure it is still…
Maj. Knut 3rd Baron Cockwomble
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6 answers

How can I pack my food so it doesn't smell?

TL;DR: How can I pack my food so that it isn't an odor nuisance in my backpack, in a lightweight manner if animals are no issue. In a month I will be going on a 14-day trekking trip, completely self-sustaining. That of course implies carrying a lot…
GittingGud
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17
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8 answers

Why are we moving in circles with a tandem kayak?

We just bought a tandem kayak, we took it to the water and we can’t make it go straight. My husband is bigger than me so he sits on the back. We rented kayaks before, so we are wondering if it could be the kayak or our lack of experience.
Sandra
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17
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3 answers

How do you wave off a search and rescue helicopter?

We were out on a night hike. A helicopter showed up, by behavior it was search and rescue, looking not too far away from our group. It might have simply been doing training, but if it was a real mission, how would we communicate to it that we are…
Loren Pechtel
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17
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4 answers

Are there any reliable plants to use for navigation?

I've always heard that moss grows on the north side of a tree. Presumably, this is because conditions on the north side, at least in the northern hemisphere, tend to get less sunlight and are damper. However, I've seen moss on just about any side…
wanderweeer
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17
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4 answers

Which animals would kill porcupines?

I found the remains a of a porcupine in the woods, with nothing left but quills and hair. As porcupines are pretty well protected by their quills, what types of animals would be capable of killing them?
Charlie Brumbaugh
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17
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1 answer

Can I use SteriGENE broad spectrum disinfectant on abseil rope?

I work in ecologically sensitive areas in NZ and my ropes routinely get soiled. I have been asked by the Dept of Conservation to clean and disinfect my ropes to minimise the chances of accidentally spreading microorganisms, spores etc. from one…
user34581
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17
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6 answers

Is pouring boiling water into a plastic Nalgene bad for you?

I've heard that pouring boiling water into a Nalgene-style bottle is either completely fine or definitely going to kill you. Which is it? Are there any scientific studies demonstrating exactly what happens when you pour boiling water directly into a…
Felix
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17
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1 answer

What extra gear to take up a multipitch climb?

When climbing single pitch routes, it makes sense to carry as little as possible while actually on the route, as almost every eventuality can be easily dealt with by simply lowering back to the ground and your pack. At the opposite end of the…
erfink
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