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1500 questions
13
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3 answers
Is there any evidence that the small canisters (10 liters) of 95% oxygen actually help with altitude sickness?
In Colorado outdoor stores its not uncommon to see these small canisters of 95% percent oxygen that's sold to help people cope with high altitude.
Is there any evidence that these actually help with altitude sickness? I mean plenty of places still…
Charlie Brumbaugh
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13
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4 answers
Train climbing with additional weight?
What is your opinion: Does it make sense to train rock climbing wearying a weight vest or a small backpack carrying a small amount of weight (let's say 1-3kg or 2-6.5lb) to mimic the actual weight you carry with you outdoors?
Why am I asking this…
Arne
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2 answers
Can a van be used for sleeping in National Park campgrounds in the US?
If I have an odyssey van with some minor changes (bed, cabinets, etc.) can I sleep in that in the same way I'd sleep in an RV at National Park Campgrounds (in the USA)?
I.e., I know that many say "you can't sleep in your car". But I assume that…
Clay Nichols
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13
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3 answers
What should I consider when planning my first multiple-day hiking trip on hills?
I just relocated from north Germany into the south of Germany.
Last weekend I went hiking for the first time and visited the top of a hill close to Heidelberg. It was spontaneous and I was fascinated, and surprised by the time it took me (mostly…
Zaibis
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13
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1 answer
How to keep a trail camera from being stolen?
Trail cameras are setup up on trails to take pictures of wild animals when you aren't around. The problem with that is that other people may find them and may be tempted to steal them.
How can I prevent a trail camera from growing a pair of legs and…
Charlie Brumbaugh
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13
votes
3 answers
Is there a good way to be kept up-to-date with climbing gear recalls?
In the last years, there were a few occasions when companies would put out recalls on their climbing gear due to manufacturing defects. For example, Black Diamond recalled some improperly riveted carabiners and they have a list of all their product…
anderas
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13
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3 answers
Using a thermometer for hypothermia diagnosis in backcountry?
Has anyone had good experience using an ordinary drugstore oral thermometer in the backcountry in winter weather, and getting trustworthy readings? I made the experiment (on a night that was around 30F/0C and windy and I felt subjectively chilly…
mmcc
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13
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1 answer
What should I do if caught in a sand storm?
If I find myself caught in a sand storm, what should I do? Should I sit it out, or try to keep moving somehow? Can this depend on the severity of the sand storm?
berry120
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13
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2 answers
Preferred way to wrap someone with Hypothermia?
So I know How to treat hypothermia. That question and answer, however, do not address the old recommendation I have heard a 100 times of strip them down and get in a sleeping bag with them. Is that preferable, or is it better to just wrap them up…
MaskedPlant
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13
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4 answers
Are used climbing shoes safe?
We have several used gear shops locally, which also sell climbing shoes. I'm looking to start climbing and I am considering buying used shoes to save cost. Is it ever safe to buy used shoes, and if so, what would indicate that a pair is no longer…
Russell Steen
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13
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1 answer
How much weight can a bald eagle carry?
Just recently, a photographer was watching some foxes hunt rabbits. One of the foxes caught a rabbit when a bald eagle swooped down grabbed the rabbit and pulled both rabbit and fox into the air. The fox let go and the eagle took the rabbit..
That…
Charlie Brumbaugh
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13
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5 answers
Can a person picky about water taste use a hydration bladder?
I feel like I would find a hydration bladder extremely useful. Especially so when going on via ferratas or multipitch climbs. But even when doing simple hikes it would allow me to have a sip of water more often.
My problem is, however, that I am…
april rain
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1 answer
Is it possible to differentiate between a dog howl and a wolf howl?
I was camping at around 1500m in the Italian Alps, and around midnight I heard howling that sounded very much like a wolf.
I know there are wolves in the area (a friend of mine was lucky enough to see one), but they are rare. On the other hand, the…
Tullochgorum
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13
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1 answer
Are rolling snow pieces a sign of increased avalanche danger?
In spring conditions it often happens that the upper layer of snow warms up and small pieces of it roll down leaving traces behind them.
Like in this picture I have found in the Internet:
Given that there is a solid base layer of snow below, is…
april rain
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13
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1 answer
How did Viking era hikers carry their gear and provisions?
I'm interested in how Viking era1) hikers carried their gear and provisions while out and about on foot. My focus here would be longer walks in civilian life, e.g. to get from farm A to farm B. I.e. no raiding parties, travel on horse back, etc...
I…
fgysin
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