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1500 questions
16
votes
4 answers
How to estimate current speed and direction while swimming at sea?
In an episode in the tv series "I shouldn't be alive", crew members of a yacht racing team got caught in a violent storm and found themselves stranded in the Gulf of Mexico after their boat capsized. Drifting for two three days, they spotted an oil…
Question Overflow
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16
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4 answers
Should I close a cathole (toilet-hole) at night?
I have made camp for one or more nights in a pristine wilderness. It may be desert, tundra, or a forested environment. At a suitable distance from camp, I have dug a nice cathole (toilet-hole) and done my business. Now it's time to sleep. Should…
gerrit
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16
votes
5 answers
How to instruct someone how to take off a climbing harness?
After rappelling near waterfalls, or during the rain,
the harness often becomes wet and hard to remove -- particularly for inexperienced people.
How can I instruct someone in how to remove the harness,
without touching them?
I have heard people, in…
WedaPashi
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16
votes
1 answer
Is there simple guidance on sunburn risk associated with altitude?
When skiing, if the weather is good, I often come back with a better tan than if I have been at the beach. Obviously with altitude, there is less blocking of UV rays by the atmosphere.
But how much is blocked?
Is there any guidance that says, "For…
Rory Alsop
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16
votes
5 answers
How do I prevent rocks or sand from getting in my boots?
So when I hike, usually I get a small pebble or two, or sand in my boots. How can I prevent this? I already wear pretty tight boots, and stopping every so often to take off a boot and get a rock out is annoying.
MaskedPlant
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16
votes
3 answers
Why is (almost) no one climbing hard routes on Half Dome?
I follow the international rock climbing scene, and we constantly hear of repetitions of hard routes on El Capitan.
On Youtube, it is possible to find many videos of strong climbers from all over the world climbing (sometimes free) routes such as…
valerio
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16
votes
1 answer
How harmful is the rising/setting sun?
Often, while hiking, my companions and I treat the very early/late sun as being less harmful (as far as skin cancer and UV radiation are concerned). For example, we might not apply sunscreen immediately after waking, but only after an hour or so, or…
Eyal
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16
votes
6 answers
Is belaying a lead more difficult than a top roped climber
Assessing potential lead climbing partners for competence and safety asserts that a lead climb belay is more complicated and has higher potential for a serious accident over a top rope belay.
Is this the case?
Are top rope belays inherently…
user5330
16
votes
3 answers
Do cars really hit 20 moose per day in Sweden?
I just saw this claim on BBC news, and found it hard to believe. Annually 7,300+ car vs moose accidents in a country that is 173,000 Square Miles, that is like one collision with a moose (and probably close to one dead moose) in every 23 Square…
James Jenkins
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16
votes
1 answer
Can I expect to visit Camp 1 and beyond on an Everest base camp expedition?
I am planning to do a 16 day "standard" Everest base camp trek in Nepal coming September.
Can I expect to visit Camp 1 (or even beyond?) as well or is this completely off limits for casual tourists?
I read that, summit expeditions will stay at base…
user1721135
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16
votes
5 answers
How can rope/cordage be packed to minimize tangles?
I generally pack my cordage in little bundles like
Unfortunately for any significant length (100' for instance) it just turns into a wadded mess when I try and use it.
How can I pack this stuff without that happening?
Russell Steen
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16
votes
2 answers
How do choices in design of a paddle-craft influence its handling characteristics?
If you imagine cutting a canoe or kayak along each axial plane, you get three shapes. If you cut along the waterline and look down from above, you get the plan. Cut thwart-wise at the widest point and view from head-on, that's the cross-section. …
cobaltduck
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16
votes
2 answers
What safety equipment should I carry for sea-touring by kayak?
What equipment should I carry in case of emergency on a coastal kayaking trip? I normally do short trips (1 week or less) around the islands of northwest Scotland. I tend to travel solo (sometimes no friends are available; sometimes I just prefer…
Toby Speight
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16
votes
2 answers
What is the best breathing holes strategy for a quinzee?
Since it's the season coming up for many (and snow seems to be in the game this year in eastern NA at least).
What would be the best/optimal strategy with regards to breathing holes for a quinzee (shelter made of snow)? Elements to consider:
Let us…
Francky_V
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votes
2 answers
How can I build a board to mount climbing holds in my house?
I want to screw a board in my house to mount indoor climbing holds, like an indoor wall. so a piece of board with evenly spaced screw holes in it that accept the standard screw mounts for climbing holds. something like this:
Problem is I don't know…
user2766