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1500 questions
16
votes
4 answers
Technique for swimming with fins?
I recently bought some fins. Short, much stiffer than some fins used by divers, these are more aimed at surfing.
I can feel they make me faster but am struggling with technique. I feel I'm fighting them and it's very tough on my ankles.
Can anyone…
Mr. Boy
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16
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4 answers
When making camp in the mountains, which direction should I face my tent?
Sometimes I hear that, when making camp in the mountains, a tent should be pitched so the door is facing a certain direction, usually downhill. I've repeatedly asked why I should do this, and the answers I've received are always "I don't…
243DRob
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16
votes
1 answer
How do I test my water filter?
How can you verify that a water filter still works? I've had one for several years and I suspect it may not be working. Is there a way to test and make sure that it still filters to the factory specified microns?
My particular filter is a First…
Russell Steen
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16
votes
5 answers
How to stash firewood without it getting wet?
I am planning a party in the wilderness, where there is no firewood. I decided to carry some firewood there, to make it more fun. It's planned for a specific day in the winter (e.g. birthday party), so there are a few months of "preparation", during…
anatolyg
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16
votes
3 answers
How effective are portable electric fences?
I am worried about bears and wolves when camping so I'm looking at portable electric fences.
Are they effective and more importantly just how dangerous are they?
Avogado
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16
votes
3 answers
Optimal timing/routing for a year visiting US national parks?
There are 59 National parks in the US. Of which 49 are in the Continental US (lower 48). There are 52 weeks in a year. I would like to take a year and spend about a week camping and exploring each of the 49 National parks in the lower 48.
I am…
James Jenkins
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16
votes
2 answers
Thinking about a road trip out West
My wife and I are thinking of taking a road trip from northwest Ohio to "out west" - Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, etc. I've never been farther west than Indiana, so it's a whole new territory for me (my wife has when she was younger). We…
Damon Bauer
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16
votes
3 answers
What is a "spit anchor"?
In an English climbing guidebook about a French region, I read the term spit anchor in the general description of the equipment of the (multi-pitch) routes of some crags. I never heard that term before; what is a spit anchor?
anderas
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16
votes
1 answer
How do you stabilize a sextant for use on a boat in rough water?
Using a sextant to get accurate angle measurements is tough on moving vessel. It's even harder when the waters are rough. Is there a technique that is most useful in stabilizing the device and/or the body holding it to keep the sextant focused on…
TomSchober
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16
votes
4 answers
What is the difference between a rifle and a shotgun?
This is one of those things, that seems like it has just always been in my knowledge. A recent comment about rifles on a question about shotguns got me thinking, it really is not all that simple.
They make slugs that you can fire in a shotgun, and…
James Jenkins
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16
votes
1 answer
Frogs in pond attacking one reddish coloured frog?
In my garden pond I saw a bundle of frogs seemingly smothering one reddish coloured frog. Being British and always favouring the underfrog I sprayed the "attackers" with the hose until they all went.
The victim frog was indeed reddish in colour and…
El Ronnoco
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16
votes
2 answers
How to use a Munter hitch to belay and rappel?
There seems to be conflicting information on the web about how to use a Munter hitch for belaying and rappelling while rock climbing. The way I learned decades ago is consistent with Nols Wilderness Mountaineering by Phil Powers:
The Munter hitch…
StrongBad
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16
votes
5 answers
Diving mask colouring
I'm learning to dive and the first purchase is a mask and snorkel. The issue I have is discerning what mask to get colour-wise. There seem to be two main types for the silicon, clear and black. The lens can then have different coloured frames. My…
Dynadin
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16
votes
6 answers
What are the easiest methods to carry a backpack when cycling?
This question might be flanked by The Great Outdoors and Bicycles, yet I'll ask.
When I am off for a mountain-biking thing, I usually have a backpack with me which contains clothing, medical kit, basic toolkit for repair, tarp, sleeping bag, food…
WedaPashi
- 31,857
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16
votes
4 answers
Roof-top tents vs conventional tents?
I have noticed a slow but steady rise in the number of campers using roof-top tents like these and those, among many others.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of these over conventional ground tents? In what circumstances would someone…
Chris Mendez
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