You are not logged in. Would you like to login or register?

Equipment » Food Barrel vs. Bag Hang » 4/30/2020 6:44 pm

tenderfoot
Replies: 20

Go to post

We now use a garcia as well. We hike in the Adirondacks were they are required - not that brand but that type. That we know of we have had two bear visitors while in Massasauga, both with hung bags. They did not get anything but made for an interesting night. I also can't throw a rope with a stone/stick attached to it without it bouncing off a pine and hitting me between the eyes.

Ursacks intrigue me but can't have it white (spring snows high up) and I'd worry about a snatch and grab job. If they could make one a bit bigger could be a nice bear proof bivvy

Trip Planning » Ontario Parks Closed until June » 4/30/2020 11:56 am

tenderfoot
Replies: 61

Go to post

hmm. I do not fully understand why the park and crown land are closed but can accept it without fully understanding. I think this is all a work in progress, both down here in northern NY and up with you guys.
We hike at local parks now. If you are coming down the trail we step off and give you 2m. I don't wear a mask while outdoors in an open area but some do. I may start wearing it more to have others feel at ease.

Why park could be / should be closed (In my humble opinion)
- People like me, from far away, would be drawn to the park and its area (thwarted by that pesky border closure). Some would be conscientious, some would be mingling with the locals as they pick up last minute supplies.
- Wow - never thought about having the Covid-bug show up mid trip. Beaver fever on steroids.
- "Camping", for my non-camping friends means the same as RV'ing. Packing people into the corridor campgrounds can be dispersed, every other site, but the washrooms would be tough. So either you catch it or people are digging cat holes two steps into the tree line.
- In NY we have people flocking from metro areas to rural areas. Cottage country and such. Bringing the bug with them in cases. I could seriously see park hopping across Ontario for a couple of months if my job situation permitted it. Parks could see an influx of longer termed guests in front country or back country.

Why park could be / should be open (In my humble opinion):
- if I can play golf I should be able to hike or back country camp.
- if I am being told it is safe to go back to work I would expect more recreational to be open.

Interesting quirk down here. Fitness centers were on the list. Papers showed that some lobbyists from that industry had been stopping by to pay their respects to our President. So there is a fitness lobby. I am sure there is a golf lobby. Porbably a boating / fishing lobby. We need Kevin Callahan to head to Ottawa.

Backcountry » Fat bike camping? » 12/06/2018 3:19 pm

tenderfoot
Replies: 7

Go to post

Shayne,

Probably will rework this. May try fat biking as a day trip. Logistics of transporting enough gear on a bike or trying to configure a rental bike with panniers or pulk are daunting. So may not happen. 

Backcountry » Fat bike camping? » 12/03/2018 12:57 pm

tenderfoot
Replies: 7

Go to post

Oops - just noticed that although the trail is 16km long it looks like the starting point at the trails centerpoint. So Mew to Rock Lake would be about 11km. Hmmm.

Backcountry » Fat bike camping? » 12/03/2018 12:43 pm

tenderfoot
Replies: 7

Go to post

Gord,

Algonquin Outfitter's video looked like to much fun. I was thinking of hiking/snowshoeing the Highland trail in a week or two but the Old Railway Bike Trail looks like a contender too. Initial challenges I see are biking with a pack, even if I can slim it down to my 50L, and I'd have to camp off trail - no summer sites. So I'm either pushing the bike through the snow or locking it to a tree trail side...

My son snow boards and has this term "yard sale" - it is when you wipe out and scatter your stuff all over the slope. I sort of have that vision when thinking about biking with a pack. I see you have trailers but I am guessing they are summer.

Cant hurt to ask though!



 

Trip Planning » Planning a winter hot tent trip » 11/29/2018 8:19 am

tenderfoot
Replies: 21

Go to post

"Maybe we should start spreading some "fake news" and tell the masses how terrible winter camping is"

Good news: Some of the lakes have started to freeze over.

Bad news: A combination of global warming and a boot coming untied did not work out so well for my hiking buddy:

Trip Planning » Planning a winter hot tent trip » 11/28/2018 10:32 pm

tenderfoot
Replies: 21

Go to post

Gord,

A lot of the responses echo my thoughts but I will touch on them quickly to build consensus.

I would lean towards Snowtrekker tents. Two reasons - they seam to be what a lot of folks aspire to but can't afford. Secondly although I have not had my hands on them they seem sturdier (internal frame) than a spike tent (single pole with guy ropes). Really have to give points for anything that can foolproof the gear. An internal metal frame is familiar to warm weather tenters. Yes, costly but offer renters the option to buy at a slight discount. If you turn them around enough maybe Snowtreker will discount for you. Sort of like a rental car fleet. If you could sell a used snowtrekker for 70% what you paid for it after one year of use you really are only looking to cover that 30% before costs are covered. But that sentence started with “if.”

Another option would be a seekoutside 6 man tpi. Tough tent, less costly than Snowtrekker, manufactured specifically for hot tenting, lower weight and can be enjoyed 4 seasons (families would love tipi with internal nest in summer.) Same try/buy discount offered. Also - not as finicky as canvas for your “reprocessing” but people would have to be educated on condensation. Kifaru Sawtooth is another well known shelter.

Some people rent their RV's to recoup cost. I'd consider buying a tent and having an outfitter rent it on some sort of consignment but now you may have people grousing in both ears - tent owner and renter.

Size? I think 2 is the answer but a comfortable two. And have an extra so a party of 4 could rent two. Personally, even with a pulk I am not interested in more than 50lbs of canvas.

For stove think fool proof. So preassembled I think. Some of the ti stoves can bite you when you are setting up. A titanium stove pipe can be wicked sharp. Kni Co is well established / respected. Maybe same ‘refresh’ program where I can buy the stove from you. Heck, maybe even have unrented tent/stove on hand to be sold

Trip Planning » Planning a winter hot tent trip » 11/25/2018 12:11 pm

tenderfoot
Replies: 21

Go to post

I'm an experienced winter camper, but also looking into Hot Tenting. Following the advice above, gathered from here, snowtrekker, and other places this is my planning: I winter hammock camp. Happy with that. But want the hot tent as a warming tent to take meals in, visit in, dry off gear, etc. So I am looking at some of the lower weight hot tent's. Tipi style. Kifaru and SeekOutside have some great ones available. Cheaper than a snowtrekker but still expensive. Luxe Hiking Gear is new to me and they have some lower priced options. Swinging the opposite way now - I looked at lower weight some-assembly-required stoves but the assembly intimidates me somewhat. Yes, everything is slower when winter camping - including my brain. I feel I lose a few IQ points and can stare at a knot for a moment or two before the slush between my ears makes sense of it. So I find the pre-assembled stoves attractive. Which means I am probably bringing a sled. Which means I am definitely bringing in purchased wood. They say the wood warms you 3x - finding it, processing it and burning it but there is something to be said for having some ready to go. The only thing that does seem to move fast with winter camping is sunset.

If outfitters are reading this - yes, I'd like to rent a hot tent too.

 

Equipment » Tarp Material » 11/21/2018 8:50 am

tenderfoot
Replies: 7

Go to post

My Warbonnet Superfly has stood up really well in some tough weather. And what impressed me most was that it did rip a bit! One dark night I pitched to close to a sapling and with strong winds the sapling rubbed through some of the stitching but it did not tear through once it go started. Sort of 'stop-rip' without being 'rip-stop'. And every time I take it out I am amazed at how lite it seems.

Now that Simply Light barn you show is very interesting. Has hammock hot tent potential written all over it.

Equipment » Personal Care Items, Hang With Food? » 11/21/2018 8:41 am

tenderfoot
Replies: 26

Go to post

I use a bear proof canister. One of these days I should video my attempts to properly hang a bear bag. Always fun. The canister I just put away from camp. The 'bear-muda triangle' - cook waaay over there, sleep waaay over there and cache the food waaay over there. I include toiletries. I do not include clothing but avoid savory food while camping (need to change that some day).

The canisters are a pain before the trip - always seem to small, rather heavy. But I like them on the trip - an impromptu stool, super easy to secure the vittles. In the NY Adirondack High Peaks you are required to use a canister rather than a bag. 

I am sure I have had bear in the site after hours, shopping for food. My only two positive encounters were both in Massasauga. First one no mischief. Only evidence was a big steamy pile of incontrovertible proof close to tent in the morning. Second time I kept the bug spray out after hours. Bug spray rides in same baggy as sun tan lotion. Sun tan lotion smells like a pina colada. So my mistake. Late that night I saw him grab and run. He came back a bit later to make sure he did not miss anything. And on exploration in the morning I caught a fleeting glimpse of him as I recovered bottle.

Daughter did not mind the bear hair and spit - just slathered what was left on. A father's love knows no bounds. 

Equipment » Gaia GPS Website » 11/21/2018 8:24 am

tenderfoot
Replies: 1

Go to post

I have used Gaiagps in the Adirondacks in NY. Very satisfied with it.

Trip Planning » This weekend. » 1/18/2018 8:25 am

tenderfoot
Replies: 3

Go to post

Shayne, Drats! It does not look like I will be able to get away. Enjoy the good weather.

Trip Planning » This weekend. » 1/16/2018 3:49 pm

tenderfoot
Replies: 3

Go to post

I was attracted by the forecast too and am just starting to put together a plan... Thinking of snowshoes, hammocks and High land Trail...

Equipment » Hot tenting - pool in tent » 2/03/2017 4:03 pm

tenderfoot
Replies: 11

Go to post

My understanding is that a propane heating still requires venting to be safe. And it is not dry heat like a wood stove. Condensation issues ...

Trip Planning » Snow? » 12/21/2016 2:14 pm

tenderfoot
Replies: 2

Go to post

Ahh, this seems to have what I was looking for. Snow depth on the ground:
http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/general_park_info/algonquin-park-weather.php#snow

Trip Reports » Highland Backpacking Trail - 2 nights on Provoking Lake » 12/13/2016 3:15 pm

tenderfoot
Replies: 25

Go to post

Blobsquatch, yes hammocking can be expensive. But a quality hammock can be had for $40 US. I use one from Dutchware. For the under insulation I use one from Arrowhead Equipment - about $100 US. When you add in the other necessities (bug screen and suspension) I am still under $200. And the comfort is amazing.

I also switched from a propane stove to alcohol initially for the simplicity. It has its limits but I enjoy the size and quietness of operation too.  I was in same boat as you - on canoe trip a misused propane stove vented all of the propane. 

Kudos on pushing through. I was thinking about Provoking this coming weekend but may resign myself to a base camp in Mew Lake. But your tail has me rethinking that.

Trip Planning » Snow? » 12/13/2016 2:07 pm

tenderfoot
Replies: 2

Go to post

Thinking of heading up this weekend. Not averse to snow or snow shoeing in general but was thinking of trying the Provoking loop of the Highlands Trail and would prefer to do it in boots rather than snow shoes. I have this site for weather (http://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/on-1_metric_e.html?unit=imperial) but am curious if there is a better source for weather and snow-on-the-ground information.

Thank you

PS any other tips would be great may end up setting up camp in Mew Lake.

Board footera

LNT Canada is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships.