The tents I make all double as hammock tarps too. I am very taken with my (Chinese) Trailstar and wondered whether it could be repurposed likewise too. I am pleased to report that it can – and that it is (just) big enough for a tarp which both of us can lie underneath in our […]
Victoria is on fire again – as I predicted in this post Mt Darling an Emerging Inferno (though it hasn’t actually got there yet). I suspect the hut will go before I ever get a chance to renovate it but it is still west of the fire and the fire is moving east, so who
This is a delightful white water day trip or a very leisurely overnight – as we did it – seeing in the New Year (2026) together again (our 55th!) Our put-in and take-out points were respectively the Den of Nargun, Wallers Rd and the Final Fling Rapid on Fraser-Alexanders Rd, Glenaladale, Gippsland Vic – a
I have owned the earlier heavier version of this (Chinese copy) Trailstar tent for several years. It weighed close to 800 grams with pegs etc though I have been very happy with it. I decided to give this lighter version a try. It is available from Aliexpress from around A$80 including shipping. Hard to beat.
We have been wanting to get Della back into a pack-raft by herself in case we get the opportunity to Pack Raft the Remote Wonnangatta this summer. She needed a bit of practice paddling by herself again after all these Double Pack Raft trips. I took along the double (paddling it alone) in case she
First: Gear Advice I am often approached by prospective deer hunters for advice, particularly about what they need to acquire before beginning hunting. How little both in weight and dollars do you need to spend (supposing you already actually own nothing – unlikely)? I have put together here some suggestions (with relevant links to previous
Ultralight Ultracheap Deer Hunting & A Ripping Yarn or Two Read More »
This device boosts the electrical output of my solar panels by approximately several times (and weighs approx 28 grams). Its output is only limited by the input circuitry on the USB outlet of the solar panel. The wonders of Tyvek once again! Tyvek reflectivity is just about as good as it gets: 97% eg as
I called the post ‘Slow Walking NZ’s South Coast Track’ as that was what we intended to do with both of us now in our seventies and not really fit enough for the rigours of the track, ie 7+ hour sections etc. I thought I had worked out ways to shorten each section (and I
This is a Chinese version of a two-pole A-frame design which has been around for a few years since at least 2016 – before the X-Mid anyway, I believe. Other examples of it are the Sierra Designs High Route, the Black Diamond Beta Light and the Durston X-Mid to name a few. I have read
This is a great App I have just discovered. It opens Pdf Maps and many other types. If you are tired of Avenza’s version of Pdf Maps only allowing you to open three maps before you hand over cash to them every year – and taking forever to open every map into the bargain (I
