Recent content by Mason

Throughout the West there are invasive species check stations, usually near state lines, and I get checked 2-3 times on the highway between home and my daughter's (Montana, Idaho and Washington). Although they do check the canoe(s), if they're dry and haven't been in a known source, I'm good to...

One of my partners makes them out of pita bread. Simple and really tasty.

Just finished the second one yesterday. I'll take a break with Blood River before tackling the third. Good stuff.

Bean bag rounds are effective too!

I got the Jannu, a two person tent. I like it, but haven't had it in horrendous conditions. I bought it for my Barrenlands trips. I bought it instead of the Nammatj thinking it would be quieter in winds with fewer unsupported panels. I've been kept awake several times in Mt Hardwear tents (not...

I have one from 1984. It's still useable, but I have several newer tents to replace it. It went everywhere with me. At the time it was the strongest tent on the market, surpassing even the vaunted VE24 based on tests using a platform built on a truck and traveling at freeway speeds. I still like...

Thanks. Stuck on the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy right now, so it will have to wait!

Based on the first book, I'll pass on the Congo. We'll see if the next book will change my mind.

"I have just re-read Joe Kane's Running the Amazon" I read that some years back, and an excerpt more recently. It seemed to be a story where he was expecting death at any time (and with good reason). I like adventure (even Type 2), but that was a few points beyond. I just finished Facing the...

Not entirely. Although she used the spray once, it appeared she was farther away than ideal. Although the bear reacted, he did so minimally. She could have been more effective in spraying it either by getting closer or a longer spray. Also, when the bear was ripping up stuff in her kayak, she...

Or more bear smarts in this case.

Grizzly bears have a propensity to gnaw on plastics. I've had them take a bite out of stashed poly Old Town canoe, and plastic jugs at remote cabins (in Alaska) are inevitably punctured or demolished by bears.

I've used the steel drums up in Alaska. I don't recommend them for canoe trips. They are heavy and unwieldy, though effective. They'll also beat up your boat unless you have some protection. Multiple smaller units (like a BearVault) are much easier to manage. I've used Garcia canisters on 30 day...

I have it backwards. I just go on longer trips--80-90 pounds of food for 6 weeks necessitate triple carries.

Wow, I'd forgotten about Ainsworth paddles. The guy's sister (with a lovely British accent!) was a good friend of mine back in the 80s in Yosemite.