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1500 questions
13
votes
1 answer
Why are backpack waist straps so long?
I was hiking with some friends and we concluded that most/all our bags have ridiculously long waist straps that leave lots of extra strap that is annoying or must be tidied away. Additionally, some of us have to have the strap as tight as it will go…
nivag
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2 answers
Which month would be, on probability, the best month to trek on the Isle of Skye, Scotland?
I am an experienced hiker/hillwalker and plan to tackle the Trotternish Ridge on Skye , possibly a few other coastal walks, whilst also taking a reconnaissance look at The Cuillin. My plan is to spent 4-5 days on the island with wild camping for 3…
Venture2099
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13
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5 answers
If my depth varies +- 2m when breathing in and out, what's going wrong?
This week, when diving mostly with people more experienced than myself, I noticed something about my buoyancy compared to theirs. I'm wondering how to fix it.
Before setting off, we all selected what seemed an appropriate amount of weights. Everyone…
Gagravarr
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13
votes
3 answers
Are there any sunglasses with prescription insert that does not alter depth sense?
I own a pair of Adidas Elevation Climacool eyeglasses which served me quite well for about ten years and whose sun lenses now need replacement.
Those glasses allow to use a visual defect correction insert. Please notice it in the bottom left of this…
Dakatine
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13
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2 answers
How to make a signal fire that can be seen miles away
If I were lost in the North American woods, how could I make a signal fire that would attract attention many miles away ?
wyocalboy
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13
votes
3 answers
Avoiding building a belay anchor too low down
Sometimes when I'm trad climbing it seems really tough to avoid an awkward belay, and a common type of awkwardness is when the belay device ends up too low. Below is a drawing of a situation I was in recently.
The tree was small, and I didn't want…
user2169
13
votes
1 answer
What are the navigation considerations on the Monongahela and Youghiogheny Rivers between Ohiopyle State Park (PA) and Pittsburgh PA?
I want to travel by canoe from Ohiopyle State Park to Pittsburgh Pa on the Monongahela and Youghiogheny Rivers
What are the navigation considerations? Also I will have a bike and trailer for the canoe, will be interested in bike trails paralleling…
James Jenkins
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13
votes
2 answers
How can I avoid an encounter with a tiger?
I'm backpacking through a national park in India, which also happens to be a tiger reserve. I understand that chances of even spotting a Bengal tiger are slim, but still, what precautionary measures can I take to avoid an encounter with the largest…
Vikrant Chaudhary
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13
votes
2 answers
What this instrument is used for?
Just like everyday, I was at the climbing wall this morning, when I reached, there was a group (I have not seen anyone of them there, ever, it being a local place, I know almost everyone who comes there in my time slot) who had finished their…
WedaPashi
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13
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7 answers
Can I light a kerosene lamp with flint & steel or a magnifying glass?
I am planning a canoe trip, and will be bringing a kerosene lamp for light. As a backup fire lighting option I am planning on bringing flint & steel and possible a magnifying glass.
Can either of these be used to light the wick on a kerosene lamp?
James Jenkins
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13
votes
2 answers
Arm compression sleeves for climbing
A lot of runners use calf and leg compression sleeves, as these are supposed to improve blood flow. It would seem a logical extension to use compression sleeves on your forearms during climbing, especially on pumpy routes. Are there anecdotal or…
shimizu
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13
votes
2 answers
How to wash a foam helmet?
I have a Foam Helmet, made for climbing. Its kinda old and looks like it needs a wash.
The Helmet is old, and so is the foam. Roughly a bit more than 3 years now.
With other foam-made things that are a bit old, I have a personal experience that when…
WedaPashi
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13
votes
4 answers
When should you use gear to climb a tree?
After a long night of geocaching with some friends, one of them had a car full of climbing gear which he said he used for tree climbing - if the cache is up a tree.
A couple of times now myself or my other half (Dynadin) have climbed 3-6ft up a tree…
Aravona
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13
votes
2 answers
Statistics on types and survivability of anchor failures?
The most recent (2013) edition of Climbing Anchors, by Long and Gaines, makes some interesting statements in the preface about catastrophic failures of anchors. Long first says that: when belay anchors fail, it's usually in cases where the gear was…
user2169
13
votes
4 answers
How to take care of climbing hands?
Being a climber one aim is to toughen up your hands (related: How to toughen up hands?). Building up callused skin is important but how do you keep it? Having dry hands especially from the climbing itself I suffer from skinning.
What's the best…
Wills
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