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  1. MichaelMerry

    An Amazing Thing to Witness

    This is beautiful, man. I love to see people enjoying winter time. It will be hot soon enough. Let’s not rush things.
  2. MichaelMerry

    Solitude / Wilderness

    Late to this, but for my money, the Whitney wilderness loop in New York’s Adirondacks can fill many of these requirements IF you gain the chops and gear to go in the shoulder seasons. We’ve twice paddled the loop the last week of September and then first week of October. On both trips, we saw...
  3. MichaelMerry

    Weather: Was it colder when you were a kid?

    Here in the Cleveland area, we definitely had more snow in the past. Temps seem similar. When I first moved to the area 25 years ago, we consistently had a foot of snow on the ground. We’d ski for weeks straight. Now, we’re so excited to have 3-4” stick around a few days to bang our skis...
  4. MichaelMerry

    Weather 1/25: Cold, Cold, Cold, Wind, Wind, Wind, Wind

    I think they’re ice dunes! I’ve seen them up there a few times. So cool! Worth a trip.
  5. MichaelMerry

    Weather 1/25: Cold, Cold, Cold, Wind, Wind, Wind, Wind

    Just wrapped a snowshoe backpack with my wife in the Allegheny national forest. Gorgeous conditions.
  6. MichaelMerry

    Weather 1/25: Cold, Cold, Cold, Wind, Wind, Wind, Wind

    We live with (and love) lake effect here in Cleveland. It is increasingly rare. Earlier this winter, we awoke to a couple inches where we live on the first ridge due south of Lake Erie. 20 minutes northeast of us, there was 4’ on the ground. Just depends which direction the wind is blowing. We...
  7. MichaelMerry

    Weather 1/25: Cold, Cold, Cold, Wind, Wind, Wind, Wind

    Agree wholeheartedly with this.
  8. MichaelMerry

    Looking back on 2024 and what’s ahead for 2025

    Couple of two night river trips in Pennsylvania (clarion and Allegheny) and 10 days in boundary waters. Otherwise, a few day trips on the cuyahoga, kokosing and Tuscarora rivers and numerous sea kayaking days on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Pretty typical year that will largely repeat this year.
  9. MichaelMerry

    Kayak vs Canoe - Your Personal Pros and Cons

    I grew up canoeing and the canoe remains my craft of choice. We live on Lake Erie though and use our sea kayaks heavily to beat the heat of the summer. It’s wonderful to head out onto the Great Lake about 4 or 5 miles on a 90 degree day to hop out and swim and enjoy the peace and quiet. Our...
  10. MichaelMerry

    Single Trip Carry Portage Techniques

    When it’s just my wife and I, we always single carry. We tend to travel far, fast and light when it’s just the two of us. We pack for our paddling trips nearly identically to the way we pack for extended backpacking with the addition of the canoe, paddles, PFD and fishing gear. We both carry...
  11. MichaelMerry

    Things you've lost or misplaced on a canoe trip . . .

    I’ve calculated that I’ve spent about 5 years of my life in the backcountry and really can’t recall losing or leaving anything of significance behind… until last September. If you’re paddling lake insula in the boundary waters, check your campsite for a fairly new steripen with a fresh set of...
  12. MichaelMerry

    Photo of the day

    Saturday, November 9, 2024 on the Allegheny river in Pennsylvania.
  13. MichaelMerry

    Kevin Callan: Death of the Campfire

    Count me as one who hates campfire smoke. I rarely have fires. We backpacked 10 nights in glacier last summer before the fire ban and didn’t have a fire once. Same over 8 nights paddling superior national forest. Not a single fire. However, we just returned from 2 nights on the Allegheny river...
  14. MichaelMerry

    Oswegatchie River, October 10 and 11th 2024

    Agreed about sleeping on lean to floors! I also like to be able to look outside. And the feel of the fresh air.
  15. MichaelMerry

    Oswegatchie River, October 10 and 11th 2024

    When traveling in the wilderness, I always hang food, toiletries and cooking gear or, if required, store in a bear canister. Our packs are always outside the tent. I’ve never had a problem with just leaving all the zippers open. As long as critters can get in and see there’s nothing there for...
  16. MichaelMerry

    Allegheny river trip

    This trip will mirror the trip we did here: https://www.canoetripping.net/threads/november-on-the-allegheny-river-in-pennsylvania.128781/
  17. MichaelMerry

    Allegheny river trip

    Hello. My wife (47), father in law (76) and I (51) are planning a trip on the Allegheny river on a suitable weekend in November. Currently, the most likely weekend is November 8-10, but we reserve the right to change the dates based on weather forecast. Water levels are very rarely an issue on...
  18. MichaelMerry

    Cooking Fish

    We use freeze dried butter, rather than oil. Just add a tiny bit of water.
  19. MichaelMerry

    Night Fears: Worse with Hammocks than Tents?

    I’m not a hammock guy, but not because of any trepidation. I just can’t get comfortable. I tend to toss and turn at night and the hammock changes that not at all. Otherwise, I’m more comfortable and sleep better outside than I ever do at home or, especially, any hotel. For me, I find nothing to...
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