A reader drew my attention to this interesting piece of parallel evolution. The X-Boil is a roll-up windscreen very similar to my roll-up titanium stove which I posted about here a year earlier than the X-Boil. I made later modifications to it in pots here and here, though until last week when Craig alerted me …
(Della) “We often see satin bower birds in the garden at fruit-ripening time, but yesterday gave us a special treat: I discovered a hesitant fledgling bower bird that had been separated from his frantic mother by a flock of noisy cockatoos wheeling overhead. Mum was flying about and calling from a nearby tree, and you …
My new Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra came without shoulder pockets (or pouches) as I could so easily make my own, as I have done this morning (forgetting to photograph the process too sorry!) If you have recently purchased a sewing machine as I have (often) suggested, you can make a pair too. I hope this …
This fourteen year old ewe has lambed unexpectedly for the second time this year. I hardly expected her to live (She had been quite ill after her first lambing back in August), let alone do this. She has been a spectacular ewe with four working teats who has often raised quads (when she was younger). …
I have been a fan of Joe Valesko’s Zpacks for nearly twenty years – back when he was just a lad sewing all the packs himself. We have kept in touch. I have tried many of his products as they became available and generally promoted them. I doubt there has been any single person who …
Della: “So while everyone else is enjoying Christmas Eve, I have been enjoying a novel experiment. In preparation for our family Christmas celebration on Boxing Day I figured that people might not notice the rampant weed growth in my garden if I strategically pulled out the very biggest of the weeds. After only the first …
This year’s cohort of our amazing Finnsheep are about ready to go to their ‘forever homes’. We were just shearing their dams and sires yesterday and crutching all the lambs, some of whom are waiting their turn here: They have grown approx 1” of wool per month as you can see. They are (roughly 4 …
Thermarest Nxt Series pads: If you are in the market for a new pad and can manage to wait until next year it might be worthwhile. Thermarest’s new series of pads are going to be quieter and lighter than the current models as well as 1/2″ thicker (at 3″) , which will be nice. I …
Before heading right off into the backcountry it’s best to test your gear and your skills somewhere much closer to home where you can walk away from your mistakes a little more easily. Sometimes these mistakes can be pretty bad, so it will pay to Be Prepared. My new Deerhunter’s Tent undergoing testing right now …
I know lots of you have seen this photo before as I have used it as a signature image for some time. Unsurprisingly a number have asked, ‘There must be a story behind that stag, Steve. Tell us about it’. Well, here goes…You can no doubt tell by how much I have aged that it …
