Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) — one of my favourite outdoor stores — is selling a sleeping bag on clearance, and it’s a good opportunity to tell you about both the product and the store. They’re selling this bag as a “Second-quality” product, and the reality is anything but. The original designation listed this as…
Happy Trails
I occasionally wonder if I talk too much about the woods. I probably do, but that doesn’t deter me in the least. It warms my heart to see evidence of that sort of passion elsewhere, too, and makes me feel less like a deviant. I’d like to share a recent example of just this type…
New Ray Mears pack on the horizon?
Looks like there’s a new pack in the works [update: The pack is now available for purchase. If you know of anybody who has tried it out, please don’t hesitate to add your thoughts to the comments below]. It may be a bit on the pricy side, but some might not mind paying that much…
Making a classic bow-frame saw
I’m the first to admit that despite my love of the outdoors and the woods, I’m relatively unschooled in the fine art of woodworking compared to some. Natural wood has a life and character unlike any other material, and it’s hard to ignore those who make this craft their pursuit. I love to listen and…
The evolution of the gear closet (part 1)
Gear: Fit is everything. Good gear selection comes from knowing what you want out of it, and a large part of finding that out is by knowing what it’s like to deal with an inferior product, or having to improvise to fill an unanticipated need along the way. I wrestled with myself for quite a…
Are survival kits the “good” silverware that gather dust?
I recently read a brace of posts from fellow outdoor blogs, The Oak and the Mountain, and Wood Trekker talking about survival kits. Now, the reason I came across these posts was because I was actively looking for survival kit ideas. I thought it was high time I re-visited my personal kit. Given that it’s…
Norway PakCanoe trip report by Cliff Jacobson
I’ve been thinking of trading in my folding PakCanoe for a lighter, more maneuverable vessel (I have the 17-footer, but I would be fine with a 16-, or even 15-foot), but not because it has let me down in any way. For any of you who are unsure as to the viability of the PakCanoe…
Packing up your gear for the end of the season
I came across an article on this subject from the Ontario Parks Insider enewsletter. It’s a quick overview of the main tasks to think about when you’re squirreling your gear away for the off-season, or just to give your gear a good clean after some hard use.