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Grown bull moose have no natural enemies in most places. They will stand their ground for a good food source. A grizzly or Woolf pack will only attack a bull when starving, or if the bull becomes incapacitated. One spring, I found a bull that had fallen through the ice on a narrow, his tracks...

I’ve been more in awe of wolves than afraid. A griz in camp or up close on a trail is another story - No awe, just healthy fear.

I talked with a guy yesterday who had a Burmese mountain dog. He was huge, big bones. A big sweetheart and likely not much good in a fight with a pack of hungry wolves. Just fitting him in a canoe seemed impossible, especially with a load of gear. I don’t think it’s possible. Big dogs...

I wish I knew more about trail bikes. Not sure what to look for. I’ve been searching within a 60 mile radius. Lots of mountain bikes, which don’t seem to have the fat tires. I had a trek hybrid, with front shocks. Stashed it all the time. Gave it away after the accident cause I couldn’t...

These E-Bikes seem popular. Most I’ve seen are ridiculously expensive. Stashing in the woods?

Hybrids have to come from somewhere.

REI is having a big sale starting Friday. Canondale bikes will be 20% off. There is one with 2.25” tires and another hybrid with 40mm tires. My wife owns a canondale road bike, and it’s passable quality for a cheaper bike.

I’ve done that shuttle along the Manistique. Wife and I took bikes and stashed them downstream. It’s a nice little stream. Hope to stop at the campground this summer. Bright colored clothing and a camouflaged bicycle are indicated. Maybe an air horn.

As some here may recall, I had a bicycle mishap in 2023 involving a teen driver and a cell phone. It certainly took years off my backcountry tripping career. Doc said I can’t fall anymore, and if I do fall, I shouldn’t put my arm out to catch myself. Well, now I’m considering a new bicycle...

We picked up the new trailer and I was excited to try some old Yakima canoe cradles on the square crossbars. I had to trim the round rubber flaps out and the resulting square holes were perfect. Carrying a 3rd canoe will come in handy on my trip this month. Wife and I went to the factory in...

Having a cable and cadaver parts in my shoulder, I’m a little worried about a fall in the backcountry. My surgeon said, “Don’t fall, and if you do, don’t extend your arm to catch yourself.” It is an involuntary reaction to extend your hand to catch yourself, so that’s just minutiae. My camp...

Swift reissued a compliant HIN for my canoe. I was surprised at how easy the original plate came off.

This is what I’m contemplating. It’s not going to be lightweight, but this is a comfortable yoke for my busted wing, and I’m building it for a 45# canoe. Maybe I’ll put some flex seal on the wood, fill the countersink. Pardon the mess.

I’ll 2nd the Prism. I had one for a decade. Very good on big water with a load. My wife and I took an Encounter and the Prism through WCPP. The Prism really shined. I think the Encounter is just too much boat for me, catches too much wind.

Yeah, I have a NS solo yoke. It works well for my NW Solo, but I’m careful. I dipped the aluminum clamps to cushion the CF gunnels. It’s short for the canoe I want to build one for, which has a 30” beam. I do however, like the thin wood NS uses. The NS yoke is only about 5/8” thick. I saw...

Tryin, Piragis still sells a yoke with those clamps. I had one long ago but it was very clunky, heavy. I’d love to find those clamps, however.

I had a yoke long ago with those plastic two-piece clamps. I found these and some videos of yokes made with them. The downside is the product is canoe specific since the hole must be drilled precisely. I may give them a shot, perhaps with two sets of holes for two different solo boats. Maybe...

As a colonial explorer era aficionado, I can’t recommend these more highly. For me, it’s about time for a reread of both of these outstanding titles. We’re planning a stop in T Roosevelt NP and I’m currently reading a biography about Roosevelt, who I’m sure I would follow up that hill...

Yes, a couple I had forgotten about. Thanks. I’m loading up the kindle for paddling/camping season. This will help.

Im looking for ideas to convert a homemade portage yoke designed for threaded anchor gunwale inserts to one that will grip standard Northstar carbon fiber gunwales without damage.