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1500 questions
16
votes
2 answers
Sailing with an infant
My wife and I are thinking about sailing with our ~ 6 month old baby boy.
We understand this is not something to take lightly, and we're planning either a canal/river sail or a sail in a very calm sea (considering my seasickness question).
I wonder…
Didi Kohen
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16
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2 answers
Do kevlar sacks work against bears?
We ran into a hiker on the AT last year using a kevlar back to keep out bears and rodents. He said the product was an Ursack and seemed very happy with it. However he'd never had a bear try to get into it.
Will a kevlar sack actually prevent a…
Russell Steen
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16
votes
4 answers
What type of mosquito repellent is most effective?
There are many different kinds of insect repellents and bug sprays on the market: sprays and lotions, chemical and natural, huge percentages of DEET and lower percentages, etc.
What type of bug repellent is most effective against mosquitoes? What…
jrdioko
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16
votes
4 answers
Camping in (US) national forests
Is it legal to camp in unmarked areas in United States national forests? I'm specifically thinking of Utah/Idaho if state makes any difference.
Ben Walker
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16
votes
3 answers
How can I prevent snow-balls building up in my dog's paws?
Our dog loves winter sports - but after a few miles on the trails in soft snow, he often develops snowballs between his paw pads - usually one big one right in the middle.
Are there ways to minimize / prevent this from happening? I have heard really…
Lost
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16
votes
6 answers
What are some alternative ways of fishing - i.e. catching fish?
If I'm out in the wilderness and want to catch fish to survive, what are some ways I can do this without a conventional fishing pole/line?
studiohack
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16
votes
5 answers
How do I catch fish with fish hooks but no bait?
As most survival kits come with fish hooks, I am wondering how do I catch fish without any bait?
wyocalboy
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16
votes
1 answer
How can I make a snow shoe in the wilderness from commonly available materials and simple tools?
As in the title really. In the hypothetical situation that I'm caught in the wilderness in winter and there's a heavy snow storm resulting in an unexpected level of snow, snow shoes could well come in handy. Is there a way to make / improvise them…
berry120
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16
votes
3 answers
How much heat can a candle lantern provide while winter camping?
In answering this question I tossed out that a candle lantern can provide as much as 10 degrees (F) of temperature difference while winter camping. I've heard this tossed about before, but is it true? I assume there are differences between…
Lost
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16
votes
2 answers
How to decrease the risk of being injured by a Moose?
Based on Wikipedia:
Moose injure more people than any other wild mammal and, worldwide,
only hippopotamuses injure more.
In this case, what should I do to decrease the risk of being injured ?
I guess the first thing to do would to make sure that…
Amine
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16
votes
2 answers
What things should I look for when buying a compass?
Compasses seem to come in all shapes, sizes and (especially) prices! What sets a good compass apart from a bad one and what are some good characteristics to look for when making a purchase?
berry120
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16
votes
1 answer
Techniques for building a raft from wood
What are some good techniques to use (materials, knots, etc.) for building a raft by gathering wood in the local area? I'm talking about something to sail on still or slow moving bodies of water, not something which has to survive rapids and…
berry120
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16
votes
2 answers
What makes nylon an effective material for hiking pants?
I often see 100% nylon pants a lot in stores. What properties does it have that make it effective when hiking? Is it effective in all seasons or just under certain conditions?
Ryan Jarvis
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16
votes
3 answers
What is a good tool for minor trail maintenance while hiking?
I hike a few trails in the lower Appalachians which are very infrequently traveled. Maintenance when it happens, is performed by hikers. I much prefer to just clear smaller blowdowns as I come to them than to make an entire separate trip.
What is…
Russell Steen
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16
votes
2 answers
Storing Headlamps: With or without batteries?
When we store our headlamps, currently we store them with the batteries. Should they instead be stored separate from the batteries?
Russell Steen
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