| Equipment » Opeongo Tree Tent » 6/21/2021 10:44 am |
Considering the price I'd want it to be lighter than 5.5 lbs. There are many other solo shelters that are much lighter and available for less $$ but could be a good option for those that find sleeping in hammocks too curved and tents too firm.
| Equipment » Sleeping pad » 6/24/2020 2:16 pm |
trippythings wrote:
From what I hear, Thermarest is the way to go. I own a couple Klymit Static V and I'm perfectly happy with them. Much more budget friendly, extremely compact and lightweight, and I personally find it really comfy. It doesn't have the best R value compared to more expensive options, but I've used it as low as -1 degree celcius with a good winter sleeping bag and had no issues. If you're looking for budget, I'd highly recommend it; if you're looking for the best, probably worth sticking with Thermarest.
There is a Static V Insulated version with an R-value of 4.4 while still remaining very light and small but it's not the best for side sleepers. I'm a medium sized dude and it's fine at the beginning of the night but contraction due to cold would have my hip touching the ground by the middle of the night. It wasn't terribly durable either. Lasted me < 3 yrs despite being in a hammock 90% of the time. The seams are fine but micro-abrasions in multiple places now prevent it from holding air. Klymit was willing to replace it if I wanted though so good on them. I declined - upgraded to a Thermarest NeoAir Xlite and there's no looking back.
| Equipment » Sawyer Mini 'upgrade' » 6/09/2020 2:55 pm |
| Trip Planning » Hwy 60 Corridor Water Temps? » 10/01/2018 3:42 pm |
Thanks, guys. The water is warmer than the air!
| Trip Planning » Hwy 60 Corridor Water Temps? » 9/28/2018 12:27 pm |
Hi...can anyone tell me an approximate range of water temps in the corridor at the moment? Will help me to refine my packing list. Thanks!
| Catch-all Discussions » 2018 Ice Out Predictions? » 5/01/2018 8:37 am |
I've heard that 55 degrees number before but in my experience, it's certainly much lower than that. This article suggests 40-50 degrees.
| Catch-all Discussions » 2018 Ice Out Predictions? » 4/30/2018 3:15 pm |
Hmm, QEII it is, then.
| Catch-all Discussions » 2018 Ice Out Predictions? » 3/26/2018 10:12 am |
No significant sun, rain or wind expected over the next two weeks. Below average temps.
I'll say April 28th.
| Trip Planning » Route Suggestions - Summer » 3/26/2018 9:53 am |
I hike Algonquin and love it but I'd suggest that this will be a very different experience vs Greenstone Ridge. Algonquin hikes are not terribly scenic. Trails run through mixed forest, occasionally happening upon a nice stream and/or waterfall. Lake views generally only occur at campsites and all campsites will be situated on a lake.
If you're looking for solitude, peace and trees, Algonquin trails have that. If you prefer the vistas of a ridge hike, I'd suggest Killarney.
Rich gave some good advice, I'll just suggest that on Highland, the western sites on the North side of Provoking (still called Provoking West when you reserve) are much preferable to the grouping of two sites a little south of there.
| Trip Planning » Bug Season » 3/26/2018 9:37 am |
It varies but usually, black flies are biting by mid-May (out earlier but they don't seem to bite the first few days) with mozzies 1-2 weeks after that. You would almost certainly not have a bug-free Victoria Day.
| Trip Reports » Maple Leaf Lake - August 28-30 » 9/18/2017 6:34 pm |
Hi Spicol,
Yes, that definitely sounds like the tent! I'm thinking of putting a call in to the main office based on this new information - what do you think?
(update - I just tried calling but couldn't get through - it's 4:00 now, so I sent an email about this)
Rich
Yes, I think it's great you did that. I didn't think anything about it at the time other than the person might have been on a day hike but after reading your post on my return it added up. Given that the site seemed to have nothing else on it at all, I don't think it was something tragic or anything but I suppose that's a possibility too. Best to have them check it out.
| Trip Reports » Maple Leaf Lake - August 28-30 » 9/18/2017 9:17 am |
There was a tent staked at the far site of the lake with apparently no one around. We never saw or heard anyone else passing through or any activity from that site during the evening, so the whole situation was odd to say the least.
Rich, I was just there this weekend and the same thing happened with the same lack of activity on the most-western site. Was it a light green dome tent to the left of the trail on approach? I didn't get too close but now wondering if it's abandoned.
| Trip Planning » Provoking Lake - East or West sites? » 9/07/2017 10:01 am |
The 8 sites on the North part of Provoking (even though they're called West) are where you'll find the best ones. They're also the shortest distance from the trail head so that might be good news. From left to right, #2 and #3 are quite sloped and not as good, #4 is nice but touches #5 - not the best for privacy if you'd like it. The rest are all great sites.
The 2 sites by themselves on the West side are just ok. Little sun exposure in the PM, tough to find good spots for tents (but better for hammocks). Good luck!
| Equipment » Stove options » 7/28/2017 1:13 pm |
Love my Trangia Alcohol stove. Use it primarily with a Solo Stove system and ethanol fuel.
You bring a Solo Stove plus a Trangia, ethanol and a wind screen? Would that really be lighter than just using a canister stove?
| Equipment » Stove options » 7/28/2017 1:07 pm |
Wind is fairly easy to mitigate with a screen.
Not sure what you mean by "they use pellets". Alcohol stoves use liquid fuel. The big problem with them is the lack of control. You pour what you think you need and light it and once it's gone, it's gone. You can't safely add fuel along the way. You can snuff out the fire to save fuel if you put in too much but that can be unsafe too and you need to bring a suitable tool to do so. Also, while you can get or make simmer rings to control the flame a bit, you generally don't have the option to change the flame size while you're cooking unless you like touching hot metal.
They're useful and light but I wouldn't use it for anything other than boiling water, where it generally takes the same amount of time so you can eyeball the fuel right and you don't need to control the flame size. It's not a frying pan kind of fuel source.
If you want lighter with control, a twig stove might be a better option. The downside there is they're tougher in the rain and you can't use them during a fire ban.
| Equipment » BushBuddy Stove » 7/21/2017 8:56 am |
Will the Bushbuddy be a viable stove during a fire ban?
No, twig stoves aren't permitted during a fire ban.
What they allow during a fire ban is anything where there is a control valve available to immediately extinguish the flame. Alcohol stoves, although not controllable, seem to be allowed.
| Equipment » Personal Care Items, Hang With Food? » 7/21/2017 8:13 am |
Most bears are going to leave you alone and take off if *you* get too close. I had a closer encounter on one of the last portages of the trip that video is from where I came around a corner and a bear was about 30' from me in the middle of the portage trail. I said "hi" and the bear swore at me and took off into the bush the way he was already headed.
That's 99% of encounters, yeah, but the big difference between this encounter and one in camp at 2am with an easy to get to blue barrel is that if a hungry bear has smelled the food, has decided it's going to get to it and wasn't immediately scared off by something 6ft tall on approach, it's not going to be so simple.
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