The Great Outdoors Stack Exchange
The Great Outdoors Stack Exchange

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1500 questions
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How easy is it to magnetically destroy a compass?

I have quite a lot of items with built-in magnets in my backpack, like a mobile phone, an iPod or headphones. How easy is it to destroy my compass by putting it too close to these items?
zoul
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Is "Short roping" "Death Roping"?

I had a "discussion" with someone on Facebook recently. It came about over a photo shared in a group I'm a member of (I can't share the photo as it's not my property). The photo showed two people in winter conditions on Crib Goch in snowdonia. The…
user2766
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Inside waterproof coating of backpack has become sticky

I have a 50-liter backpack which I used very little and that afterwards was kept stored for more than 10 years. Today I noticed that some parts inside, I think the waterproof coating, has become sticky. This is apparently a common problem (read…
Ouroboros
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Is there anything that can be done to stop my insoles sliding?

About 3/4 weeks ago I bought some Karrimor Traveller Supa Men's Walking Shoes and I've noticed that the insoles are starting to move around inside the the shoe. After a few hours of wearing them, the insoles have slipped back away from the front,…
DaveShaw
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How important is thermal underwear for skiing?

I am going on a Ski trip with two days in the snow. Given that I am unlikely to go skiing again for a long time, I would like to minimise the amount of gear that I purchase. The minimum temperature appears to be about -2 or -3 degrees Celcius. How…
Casebash
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Is a full waterproof coat more important than waterproof trousers for hiking?

I've spent most of my working life outdoors (forestry mostly), but have not done much hiking, which I now intend to do. When working outdoors, my clothing consisted of a wool shirt and waxed cotton waistcoat, anything else would just be ripped to…
Pseudonym
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Where can I find an iodine crystal water purification product?

For years I used a product called Polar Pure for water purification when weekend backpacking. It was an iodine based solution, so not great for a thru-hike, but fine for a week or less. Specifically, it used iodine crystals which slowly dissolve…
Justin C
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Would a tampon be a good addition to a survival kit

Jezebel magazine suggests a tampon for your survival kit. I don't question that, if you just happen to have a tampon, you can use it. But at the end of the article they suggest even guys carry one because it's such a great survival tool. When I…
Russell Steen
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How to confirm/remove ticks in tough spots when alone?

When in tick country, tick checks are critical. Easier with a buddy who can look where the sun doesn't shine, but even alone, diligent inspection (especially with a mirror of some sort) can go a long way. This question is about what to do after…
cr0
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How can I desalinate ocean water enough for cleaning or showering?

I'm planning for a long cruise in my small yacht. The water tank in the yacht has enough clean water to drink, but not quite enough for showers, cleaning the dishes etc.. Desalinating ocean water during the cruise sounds like a great idea. And I…
user13107
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When is it a bad idea to follow a game trail?

If you are walking on trail, and a game trail heads off in an interesting direction is it ever a bad idea to follow it? If so how would you know when it is OK to follow a game trail? This question assumes you have a good maps/GPS/skills and…
James Jenkins
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What is the sport of Horse Boarding?

Recently a user mentioned something called Horse Boarding. At first I thought she was talking about boarding horses, like in a stable, but she was actually referring to an activity that's popular, especially in the UK. What exactly is the sport of…
Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
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How can I backpack further without resupplying?

There are a couple of long hikes that I am thinking of doing, both are 70 to 80 miles (110 to 130 km) long one way. I would like to do a yo-yo (140 to 160 miles, 230 to 260 km) without a resupply. I am not worried about running out of food, since I…
Charlie Brumbaugh
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Dealing with anxiety and confidence issues

I did some hikes in the past but I'm way from calling myself experienced. Now, since I live in an awesome region surrounded by Alps, I decided to take a "one hike a week challenge", hiking mostly alone. The hikes are currently one day hikes. Now,…
Paul92
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What role does information about atmospheric pressure play from an outdoor perspective?

My wrist watch has a barometer, measures atmospheric pressure in mb (millibar). What role does information about atmospheric pressure play from an outdoor perspective? Lets stick to caving, hiking/trekking, mountaineering, kayaking, sailing,…
WedaPashi
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