The Great Outdoors Stack Exchange
The Great Outdoors Stack Exchange

Most Popular

more tags
1500 questions
40
votes
12 answers

What is the point of hiking boots, versus any comfortable walking shoes?

I've always used any old shoes for hiking. Are there any real benefits to using specially made boots?
J. Musser
  • 1,932
  • 3
  • 17
  • 36
40
votes
9 answers

What hand and finger exercises help with climbing?

It's been a while since I went rock climbing but I'd like to get back into it. What are some hand exercises that will help with climbing?
Kevin
  • 5,338
  • 4
  • 33
  • 50
40
votes
4 answers

Ways to desalinate water when "lost at sea"?

In recent news reports that all seem to be saying the same things: Jakarta Post Indonesian teenager survives 49 days adrift in Guam waters NPR: 19-Year-Old Survives 49 Days At Sea After Floating Hut Drifts To Guam The Guardian Indonesian teenager…
uhoh
  • 981
  • 1
  • 6
  • 16
40
votes
4 answers

Things to keep away from climbing ropes

There are some no brainers like don't throw your climbing rope next to car batteries in the back of your car. The effect of bug sprays containing Deet seem to be controversial. I have also heard a degreaser or citrus degreaser in particular can…
DJBunk
  • 1,081
  • 1
  • 9
  • 12
40
votes
4 answers

Compass compatibility: Can I use my US compass in Australia?

Background I bought my compass in the US last year. Next week I'm going to travel to Australia. Question Is my US-compass compatible with Australia? or do I need a special compass? Do I need an adapter?
Christian Deckert
  • 483
  • 5
  • 9
39
votes
12 answers

What is this knee pain when going downhill?

I can hike uphill practically all day. However as very soon after I start a descent, pain builds on the outside of my knee. What is causing this and can I do anything to prevent/mitigate it (other than Ibuprofen)? Edit: I talked to my doc and the…
Russell Steen
  • 32,121
  • 23
  • 131
  • 274
39
votes
9 answers

Sleeping in twos in one hammock

My girlfriend and I both like sleeping in hammocks in the outdoors. We now sleep in two separate hammocks. However, I've seen many hammocks that are designed, or at least make it possible to sleep with two people in it. Most notably these two: ENO…
Ben
  • 890
  • 1
  • 7
  • 14
39
votes
6 answers

If I'm caught in lightning above tree-line, what should I do?

We all know the general lightning guidelines, but what if I am above tree-line and caught in a freak lightning storm. Is it better to: Run like mad to toward the trees Lie flat, and find religion Find any imperfection in my surroundings…
Lost
  • 18,991
  • 9
  • 67
  • 126
39
votes
9 answers

The outdoors, solitude and dealing with loneliness

I have been out camping a few times, once with a group, the other times with my girlfriend. Although I enjoyed those times very much, I often wondered what would it feel like to enjoy the complete solitude of nature on my own. But every time i think…
Kaushik
  • 1,157
  • 1
  • 9
  • 16
38
votes
10 answers

How much should your backpack weigh?

For a multi-day backpacking trip, what is the ideal weight of a backpack? And what is that max weight that no sane human should go over?
PBeezy
  • 483
  • 1
  • 4
  • 6
38
votes
4 answers

How can I be absolutely sure my fire is safely extinguished?

One great problem with fire in the wild is that it may not be completely out. What is the recommended procedure to prevent accidental forest fire?
Stefano Borini
  • 2,827
  • 2
  • 22
  • 24
38
votes
9 answers

How far would you need to fall for it to be fatal?

A little grim this but I was discussing free soloing with a non-climber in work and I said "Well once you get over a certain height you're not going to survive a fall anyway so anything over this doesn't really make much of a difference." ...…
user2766
38
votes
7 answers

How to overcome the fear of falling in lead climbing

I used to really enjoy climbing (almost all indoors). I was bouldering around V2-3 and leading at 5+. The mismatch was all down to fear of falling - I would repeatedly bail or fall from routes that I felt were well within my ability because of it.…
aucuparia
  • 2,320
  • 16
  • 24
38
votes
7 answers

Any tips to reduce chance that I have to get up and pee in the night (not counting dehydration, of course)

Well, here's the situation. You're on an outdoor trip in winter. It's cold outside and after a long day all you want to do is crawl into your warm sleeping bag and not get out of it until the next morning. Unfortunately, shortly after reaching the…
Lagerbaer
  • 2,500
  • 1
  • 21
  • 23
38
votes
4 answers

How do I wash Gore-Tex clothing?

I have a bunch of dirty hard-shell pants and jackets. Are these safe to put in the washer and dryer? If not, how should I clean them?
Reverend Gonzo
  • 8,218
  • 11
  • 49
  • 77
1 2 3
…
99 100