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1500 questions
31
votes
7 answers
How would you help a snapping turtle cross the road?
Regardless of why they would want to cross the road, doing so is dangerous for turtles, especially since a certain percentage of the population will try to run them over.
However, snapping turtles are dangerous enough that I am certainly not going…
Charlie Brumbaugh
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31
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6 answers
"Don’t step on anything you can step over." - What does this mean?
Fred Bear’s 10 Commandments of hunting state as the first principle:
Don't step on anything you can step over
What does he mean with this statement? I don't really get what's the problem with "stepping on something".
OddDeer
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31
votes
5 answers
Tent and sleeping bag: pack inside or strap outside a backpack?
When I bought my pack, we were told to always pack the tent and sleeping bag in the pack. Since then I have seen a lot of articles and hikers doing the outside. What are the benefits on packing the tent and sleeping bag in vs. strapping the tent…
Russell Steen
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31
votes
4 answers
How do I treat hot spots and blisters when I have no moleskin?
A few times I've been out walking or backpacking and have no moleskin with me. Sure enough, my boots start giving me blisters. How can I prevent or treat hotspots and blisters without using moleskin?
Pulsehead
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30
votes
4 answers
First time camping, need advice
Me and my wife have never done camping before and always wanted to do it. This time we are planning to go for a small camping trip but have no idea how to prepare for it. We like to hike and are beginners in that too!
Is there a guide for starters…
SeattleOrBayArea
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30
votes
4 answers
Do iodine water treatment tablets have negative effects?
I've heard that iodine water treatment tablets can have negative side effects.
Is this true?
If so, what are some healthier alternatives?
studiohack
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30
votes
2 answers
What makes certain mountains more dangerous than others?
Why do mountains like K2, Nanga Parbat and Annapurna (36 successful attempts, 47 failed) have higher fatality rates than, say, Everest or Cho Oyu (79 successful attempts, 28 failed)? (source)
Can I use these statistics to determine what aspect of…
soph-e
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30
votes
15 answers
How can I take duct tape with me backpacking?
I'm going on a backpacking trip later this summer and on the list of things to bring is 3 yards of duct tape. I don't want to bring an entire roll of duct tape because it would be heavy and cumbersome, as well as far too much tape. How can I bring…
User1996
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30
votes
6 answers
Are dark or bright clothings preferable in the desert?
Natives from regions which are really hot and have a high sun intensity are wearing sometimes white/bright and sometimes black/dark colors.
I mean there has to be a better strategy in terms of heat budget and radiation protection (which seem to be…
Wills
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30
votes
6 answers
Do you need to purify all mountain water sources
I was just reading this question What is the safest way to purify water?
Now I walk a lot in Snowdonia in North Wales and on occasion I drink from mountain streams. I've even camped next to mountain streams and used the water as my main water…
user2766
30
votes
14 answers
What exactly is so wrong with playing music on trails?
It seems, from browsing around on the internet, that playing music while hiking is heavily frowned upon. Just googling "playing music on trails" leads to a slew of articles deriding the practice, and there is plenty of vitriol directed at…
Aqualone
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30
votes
4 answers
Sleeping in unheated outbuilding for a prolonged period
Rather odd question but after reading the help centre I think it still fits here.
I need to sleep some nights of the week in my garage, but over a period of months; potentially over multiple different seasons. Garage is not connected to the house…
myol
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30
votes
2 answers
Are wheelchairs allowed in US Wilderness Areas?
From the text of the Wilderness Act:
there shall be no temporary road, no use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment or motorboats, no landing of aircraft, no other form of mechanical transport, and no structure or installation within any such…
Mark
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30
votes
5 answers
Keeping warm in an emergency
When roaming the outdoors, it might happen that one finds oneself in a situation that is much, much colder than one planned for.
What can one do in such an emergency, especially when it's so cold that there's real danger to health or even life?
I…
Pekka
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30
votes
5 answers
What to do if you are above timberline and your descent is cut off by a large forest fire?
The situation: you are backpacking and are above timberline. Streams are ubiquitous, you are well equipped so exposure is not a problem, the entire party is uninjured and healthy. But a large, rapidly expanding forest fire sprang up well after…
ab2
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