Recent content by Steve in Idaho

Whitewater doesn't scare me. It's the rocks and trees that are hiding in that water (very common around here) that scare me. That was the demise of Walt Blackadar on the nearby south fork of the Payette. If you don't know who that is, you should, and it should give you pause. I have a rule...

Crocks, huh? That one surprised me. I find a lot of those floating in eddies on my local river. Never a matching pair. I never gave them a thought for my use. But - antimicrobial? Maybe I'll take a closer look. My current three favorite luxuries.... 1) Was my Helinox chair, but a couple years...

I still have one of those candle lanterns too. I did use it in my little tent, but only after adding length to the chain. Funny, I don't remember having any trouble with excess wax dripping. I should fire it up and refresh my memory. Like others, I quit carrying it when LED lights got good. I...

@nychan , have you tried asking this at bushcraftusa.com?

Those Summit Pros do interest me though. I like leather boots, but it's been ages since I wore anything quite like those. Might have to give them a try.

This is what I've been wearing most of the time if there will be much walking, for a few years now. https://astraldesigns.com/products/hiyak?variant=45026691088598 They seem to be holding up well. Not waterproof at all, but they dry out quickly. My feet tend to not get cold though, so I don't...

I don't know what to think about that 9% group, but I've been using the InReach Mini for several years now with no complaints. Yeah, ten days without recharging is typical. I keep it on the longest tracking interval and turn it off in camp. As long as you have had it on in a given location, it...

Yeah, and that one's a doozy!

Good point. But part of me says, at the prices I'm seeing - dash it all and get to the next Canoecopia to choose a new boat.

@gumpus - am I understanding you correctly that the Magic is more maneuverable than the Merlin II?

Yeah. After spending only $250 on the Moccasin though, I'm waiting for a price drop. I've never paid more than $1200 on any used canoe...yet.

I feel like I'm being taunted by the Merlin II lately. There have been three or four of them for sale within a day's drive in the last several months. I wish I knew how it would compare with my Solitude or my Moccasin. Would be nice to know if it's worth the drive and would be a significant...

In case Clint doesn't get back to you - the only place I know to get closed cell foam in sizes like that is Sweet Composits. https://www.sweetcomposites.com/Minicel.html @Clint - I love that spare paddle holder!

I really miss my Prospector.

I have a funny story about that, which I thank you for bringing it to mind. Gives me a good chuckle to start the day. When I first moved in to this house, I was having an ongoing problem with the local fad of drive-by mailbox bashing. So I determined to build a bash-proof mailbox. I had this...