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Outdoors · Facts & stats

Outdoor facts & stats

7 fact-checked facts about the outdoors, each with the reason behind it. 5 more are in today's round and join this page after it closes.

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The basics

In outdoor clothing layers, which layer is worn closest to the skin?

AnswerBase layer

The base layer sits next to the skin and moves moisture away, under insulating and shell layers.

In which general direction does the Sun rise?

AnswerEast

Earth spins toward the east, so the Sun appears to rise in the east and set in the west.

Going deeper

Which star stays nearly fixed in the northern night sky and marks the direction of north?

AnswerPolaris

Polaris, the North Star, sits almost directly above Earth's North Pole, so it barely moves.

What is the main idea of the 'Leave No Trace' principles?

AnswerMinimizing human impact on nature

Leave No Trace asks visitors to pack out trash, stay on trails and leave nature as they found it.

How many degrees are there between two neighboring main compass directions, like north and east?

Answer90

A full circle is 360 degrees, split into four 90-degree quarters by N, E, S and W.

Expert level

What is a 'switchback' on a hiking trail?

AnswerA trail that zigzags up a steep slope

Switchbacks zigzag across a slope so the climb is gentler and erosion is reduced.

In navigation, what is magnetic declination?

AnswerThe angle between magnetic north and true north

Declination is the difference between where a compass points and true geographic north; it varies by location.

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