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  1. Modified Ottertail

    Wildfire Smoke

    A) Trees actively remove and store carbon from the atmosphere. Wood products are simply changing the form of the already stored carbon. B) The lifespan of trees exceeds the lifespan of wood products. C) The production of wood products requires energy. Where does that energy come from...
  2. Modified Ottertail

    Barbless hooks

    I'm only a hack at fishing, and got back into it when my son started fishing. Since we release most of the fish we catch, I de-barb all of our hooks. And I either buy single-hook lures or replace the trebles with singles.
  3. Modified Ottertail

    Cree River Summer 2023

    @Erica, what an amazing trip! Thank you for sharing your adventure with us, it's full of wisdom and lessons that we can learn from. I like your rule of three sets of warm clothes. My strategy for hiking, backcountry skiing, and paddling trips has been to have a set that you wear while active...
  4. Modified Ottertail

    La Vérendrye: Canada’s Largest Canoe Camping Reserve

    Two weeks ago, I reserved a trip for later this summer. It will be my first visit, so I never interacted with the old administration. I had an easy time making the reservation, and the Sépaq person was helpful.
  5. Modified Ottertail

    Leaving for the still "frozen" North, Riviere Megiscane

    It looks like they bailed. Yes?
  6. Modified Ottertail

    Results of the more stringent 2024 bear-proofing food storage rules in the BWCA

    Thanks, @Mason, this is good to know! My brother and I have four Counter Assault Bear Kegs and a Bear Vault between us, so we'll stick with them and the multiple units method.
  7. Modified Ottertail

    Results of the more stringent 2024 bear-proofing food storage rules in the BWCA

    @Steve in Idaho, I agree with @Gamma1214. I've got the Counter Assault Bear Keg and the Bare Boxer (for 1-2 night solo trips hiking & paddling) and I plan to continue to use them. IIRC, the Garcia Backpacker's Cache—once the most popular and commonly used in rental programs—is only available...
  8. Modified Ottertail

    La Vérendrye with Kid(s)—Recommendations?

    Robin, your report is the one that pops up in searches, so thanks! In your opinion, is the route appropriate for an eleven-year old who has done a couple of trips before—ones that included multiple portages?
  9. Modified Ottertail

    La Vérendrye with Kid(s)—Recommendations?

    Background: My brother and I grew up paddling and got back into tripping in 2019, doing the Allagash (from Churchill Dam), St. Croix (Me./N.B.), Bog River-Oz Traverse (Adk.), Moose River Bow (Me.), Lake Kushaqua-Seven Carries (Adk.), Raquette River (Long Lake-Tupper Lake, Adk.). Both my brother...
  10. Modified Ottertail

    In praise of cheap binoculars.

    In addition to the high-quality optics, the warranty is one of the other great things about Vortex's products. You shouldn't be afraid to drop them, scratch them, et cetera. https://vortexoptics.com/vip-warranty: VIP stands for a Very Important Promise to you, our customer. We will repair or...
  11. Modified Ottertail

    Rectangular Bear Can

    Open up the packages and pour the contents into the canister? Then just scoop it out by the cupful at mealtime? ;-) In smaller cans, e.g. the Bare Boxer, I sometimes from the perimeter to the center. For bigger cans, like the Counter Assault Bear Keg, I stack more and try. But it's all just...
  12. Modified Ottertail

    Question about Maine backcountry camping

    We used Norm at Pelletier's for both a shuttle on the Allagash and to stay the night before we put in. I would absolutely recommend and use him again. FWIW, private guides, such as Norm and his staff, do the shuttles around Chase Rapids, not the rangers.
  13. Modified Ottertail

    Question about Maine backcountry camping

    NB: The White Mountain National Forest is almost entirely in New Hampshire.
  14. Modified Ottertail

    Hatchet or Saw?

    I've carried a full ax, a hatchet, a 4 lb Estwing maul (Fireside Friend), an 18" Corona pruning saw, and a 10" Corona folding pruning saw. We occasionally use a fire to cook with the Dutch oven, but usually any fire is for ambiance. The 10" Corona has been more than good enough to easily provide...
  15. Modified Ottertail

    Results of the more stringent 2024 bear-proofing food storage rules in the BWCA

    If you go the Ursack route, the "Allmitey" line protects against all animals. The non-Allmitey bags are susceptible to the chewing of rodents and other small mammals.
  16. Modified Ottertail

    Oswegatchie River, October 10 and 11th 2024

    Time to put a bear can in one of your packs. Even though we can often get away with not properly storing our food, as good stewards of the water and woods, we should be using animal-proof containers especially at established campsites. Furthermore, the benefit of a good night's sleep, assured...
  17. Modified Ottertail

    Outdoor confidence

    Maybe the title of the thread should be "Outdoor Incompetence." 😁
  18. Modified Ottertail

    Best Places to Live in the US for Canoeing?

    Except that you live on the wrong side of the river. ;-)
  19. Modified Ottertail

    Advice on Far North/Arctic Canoe trip

    You can legally fly with stoves and empty liquid fuel bottles. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/camp-stoves https://www.msrgear.com/blog/flying-with-a-camping-stove/ You can also bring one book of safety (non-strike-anywhere) matches in your carry-on luggage...
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