Even in this electronic age sometimes you need to leave a written message. It helps if you can make it waterproof (these notepads will help) but it is also important that when the time comes to write it that your pen works (and is ultralight, of course!) You could just use a cheap length of …
I can’t believe it is five years ago today we were there. Time for another trip. We have not seen Long Point, the Slaughter Burn, Big River…I was reminded of this by our jet boat pilot (Roffy) posting this on Facebook yesterday. The trip out to Westies is the journey of a lifetime. Do not …
South Coast Track Fiordland NZ: Waitutu to Westies: Read More »
A friend (thank you Bruce) sent me a link to one of these great gadgets which sent me off on a search of the possibilities, since many of us hike/hunt in mountain areas where there is often ample flowing water. Something like this would also be good for providing power to your Wilderness Hut. What …
In places where they are legal people might consider making one of these eg for protection from predators of various sorts, survival situations or to secure food for the pot. They can be stowed safely in two pieces and take up very little space and weight. When separated in its two pieces (eg in separate …
I came across this truly brilliant small DIY tipi design (April 5, 2017 by Nick) over at Quest Outfitters (where they sell a kit for it for US$77.50 – Mar 2021) when I was looking to buy some other DIY supplies. A great place to buy them. I was so impressed by it I asked …
I am so glad there are others who are also not wholly smitten by the ‘leave no trace’ extremism. In any number of unlikely places over the years I have come across ingeniously constructed huts and fishing/hunting camps sprinkled (without eg Government or Parks Vic’s blessing, or knowledge) throughout our wonderful Victorian mountains. 10,000 more …
‘Windy Old Weather’. I guess you have all heard the old sea shanty at one time or another and you know the refrain, ‘When the wind blows, We’ll all go together’. If you are high on some solitary mountain top in the Victorian Alps and a ‘Southerly Buster’ comes rolling in off the Bight, or …
You can now make a hammock which weighs (well) under 150 grams including its suspension system! Given that you can also make a hammock tarp which weighs less than this including tie-outs and pegs, (so a total carry weight of sub 300 grams!) you should seriously consider hammocking as an option, or at least as …
On a recent trip (Forbidden Wilderness) we ran short of water. It is something I am always prepared to deal with, as is the issue of finding water in difficult situations and desalinating it if necessary. I included this tip in that post: ‘Tip: I have learned this about water filters. When your need is greatest …
Thanks to reader Normand for this suggestion: People often ask when I am going to start making versions of my DIY tents for sale, and the answer remains, ‘How long is a piece of string?’ It is hard to get into a completely new enterprise post-70. If there is someone out there who wants to …
