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1500 questions
27
votes
2 answers
Do electronics interfere with avalanche beacons?
I have been told that electronics can possibly interfere with avalanche beacons (cell phones, radios, etc., but even flashlights). Is there any truth to this? A source would be helpful, ideally from a beacon manufacturer themselves.
If this is…
Felix
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27
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5 answers
What are the benefits of learning to climb outdoors rather than indoors?
I would say I'm a fairly experienced hiker, and would love to begin climbing some more challenging mountains, i.e. mountains that require actual climbing, rather than just hiking. I have next to no climbing experience at the moment; apart from the…
Cthulhu
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27
votes
5 answers
How far from a road do I need to be to not hear the traffic?
We are always camping in areas we have not been to before. We usually use Google maps (satellite) to try and guess about the appropriateness of a camp before going there.
From experience we know that a couple hundred feet (~100 meters) of forest…
James Jenkins
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27
votes
5 answers
Modern equivalent of a flare gun?
This summer I will be taking a rather inherently dangerous multi-day hike by myself. I was considering buying a flare gun since I will be out of cellular range unless there is something more modern and equally reliable. Any suggestions?
mreff555
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27
votes
13 answers
Are there any tips for preventing a vehicle from being broken into while parked at a trailhead?
It is fairly common practice to drive to a trailhead, park your vehicle and then go backpacking for a while. It would be a real bummer to come back from a trip and find that your vehicle has been broken into.
Are there any tips to reduce the…
Charlie Brumbaugh
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27
votes
14 answers
Are there any situations while backpacking that would require a watch?
One of my favorite things about backpacking is the absence of time constraints, you eat when hungry, sleep when tired and sort of track how much time is left until dark.
Would there be any situations while backpacking where it would be detrimental…
Charlie Brumbaugh
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27
votes
12 answers
How to temporarily mark a trail?
If one needed to hike out and then come back to a certain spot, how could one temporarily mark their trail so that it is easy to follow back to that exact spot when the route back is not obvious?
This can be especially important in areas with dense…
Charlie Brumbaugh
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27
votes
6 answers
What animal could strip all the bark off the lower 7 feet of this tree?
I was out in the woods the other day and I came across a tree. It had all of the bark around the bottom removed, and a good layer of wood removed as well. I estimated the damage was a good 7-8 feet from roots to where the bark had not been…
Jance
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27
votes
5 answers
What is the difference between external and internal-frame packs?
I am starting backpacking and there are both internal and external-frame packs. What is the difference, and is one recommended over the other?
Reverend Gonzo
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27
votes
1 answer
What are the advantages and disadvantages between gas, liquid and solid fuel?
It seems you can get fuel for stoves in either gas form (butane, propane, etc.) liquid (methylated spirit) or solid fuel tablets.
What are the particular advantages and disadvantages with each format, and when might you use one over the other?
berry120
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27
votes
4 answers
Why are people so worried about Giardia?
Everyone I have ever been camping with seems to have an unwritten rule never to drink from streams no matter how clear they might seem, for fear of Giardia. I have also heard people telling about having to go to the doctor for a pill and "living" on…
That One Actor
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27
votes
3 answers
How much distance is there between True North and Magnetic North Poles?
This question is not as simple as it seems, and a few minutes of googling did not drop the answer in my lap.
A comment at I never adjust for true north. Is this bad practice? suggesting that:
True north and magnetic north are basically the same…
James Jenkins
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27
votes
3 answers
What do I need to look for in good, quality hiking boots?
My wife and I are going to buy some hiking boots as we've been using regular tennis shoes anytime we go on a hike.
What are the things I need to keep in mind when looking for a good set of quality hiking boots (materials, type etc)?
We generally go…
Justin Self
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27
votes
7 answers
Meeting an unknown snake on the trail; what is the best thing to do?
The newsletter from the Virginia Wildlife Rescue League reported the following incident.
A man, his partner and her 4 year old daughter were walking in Farquier County (a rural county), when they saw a snake, about three feet long, thin and striped,…
ab2
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26
votes
1 answer
What sort of rock climbing grade can a goat do?
It is quite well known that goats are into free solo rock climbing. Is there any evidence (even if anecdotal) of the highest grades they are able to climb?
ArjunShankar
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