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1500 questions
20
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11 answers
Considerations for older campers?
I grew up car camping with my parents several times a year, but as they've gotten older (early 60s), they basically stopped camping.
Recently, they've expressed interest in camping again but I'm concerned that all of their gear is between 10 and 15…
Chris Mendez
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What are offwidth cracks and what makes them so hard to climb?
There is a notorious kind of crack called offwidths. Several friends of mine stated, that they were pretty devastated at first when they were not able to do 5.8 offwidths in the valley. Later they learnd, that this was quite common. There has even…
imsodin
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3 answers
Should a hiker be concerned about wolves in the back-country?
In this question, it was asked whether bear-spray was effective against other animals, such as wolves.
I know the old adage that "there has never been record of a healthy wolf attacking an adult" is not entirely true, but it seems the frequency of…
Lost
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4 answers
Bear bags vs Bear canisters: which is better?
Most people I know and myself store food in bear bags. However, I have heard that some parks have banned bear bags and require canisters. I've also heard there is a bear in New York that has figured out how to open some bear canisters! Additionally,…
whatsisname
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5 answers
How do I help people enjoy camping/hiking (like I do!)?
I have finally convinced my brother and our good friend to go hiking with me. I love hiking and being outside as much as possible, but they seem to hate it. How can I make our hiking trip fun and more enjoyable for them?
now_world
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3 answers
Eating ash in Soviet Union
My Polish grandfather in early 1950's was sent by communist regime to a gulag. People were starving there and malnourishment was common, so they came up with idea of burning some kind of trees and eating the ashes.
Do you know what kind of tree can…
user46147
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3 answers
Paramo vs Gore-Tex jackets?
I'm considering replacing my North Face Gore-tex jacket as it's starting to get a bit tatty, some of the zips are breaking, etc.
I've seen quite a few Paramo jackets about. I'm presuming they're quite good as they are the jackets I see a lot of…
user2766
20
votes
5 answers
What are the most effective ways to start a fire in the cold?
I frequently hike and camp in the forests of the Midwest (Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, etc). Considering this climate can get quite cold in the Fall & Winter, what are the best strategies to starting a fire? Assuming I have a lighter, what materials…
Damon Bauer
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2 answers
What are some natural glues found in North American nature?
I'm curious how one could get/make some glue when in the wilderness. How did the Native Americans do it?
wyocalboy
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4 answers
In cold conditions, will you freeze faster wearing wet clothes than not wearing any?
I have heard that in cold conditions, you'd freeze faster wearing wet clothes than not wearing any. I cannot find any proof that this is true. Is it?
penguinick77
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3 answers
What are the real dangers of climbing at high altitude?
I had a campfire discussion not long ago with a man that got pulmonary edema while attempting the summit of Aconcagua, and we got into the discussion of the effects of high elevation. I had always assumed that after you adapted to the thin air, the…
ShemSeger
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20
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7 answers
How to make DIY ice axe protectors?
How to make ice axe protectors yourself?
I have few ideas from using duck tape to 3D printing, but it would be nice to hear about methods proven to work.
The reason I want to add protectors is a lot of travelling using public transport coming winter…
Val
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6 answers
If lost in the wilderness, what is the first thing I should do?
If I get lost in the wilderness, what is the very first thing I should do?
wyocalboy
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5 answers
What foods are unsafe to cook over an open fire?
My friends and I went camping this weekend and I bought a package of Johnsonville brats to cook over the fire. Many a person said that one should 'never bring raw brats to cook over a campfire', their rationale being that raw brats are dangerous to…
Chris Cirefice
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10 answers
How do you flavour your water on camping trips?
Always drinking pure water can be boring and tasteless, especially when you have to filtrate it or use sterilizer/purification tabs which might cause the water to taste really bad.
What are easy (lightweight and not complicated to use) ways to get…
Wills
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