Camping

A Further Use for Drinking Straws:

Emergency fire starter storage: http://www.instructables.com/id/Fire-Tube-Drinking-Straw-Hack/ This is a top idea. It is also easy to do. All you need is some drinking straws, a pair of needle nosed pliers and a lighter.   See also: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/single-use-antibiotic-packs/ See also: http://www.instructables.com/id/11-unusual-uses-for-straws/

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Fun with Sticky Tape: Mylar Poncho:

49 grams and five minutes that may Save your Life: Follow the instructions here: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hole-less-ponchoshelter/  As you can see you can sit down against a tree in front of a fire wearing it and be perfectly dry – with a little help from your small dog, Spot!   See also: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/more-fun-with-sticky-tape-ultralight-mylar-vest/ Actually you can buy

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Tyvek Bivi, Poncho, Tent Floor:

7’ x 5’ of ‘Tyvek Homewrap’ (and some waterproof zippers)  is all you need to make this multi-use piece. Most people who use a tarp use a Tyvek groundsheet/footprint anyway. If it can double as a bivi, before bed you will have a spacious comfy floor, and when you turn in you can be confident

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Toaks Bail Handle Pot

These folks have re-introduced billies with bail handles (along with side handles): http://toaksoutdoor.com/potwithbailhandle.aspx It adds a little bit of weight but means that you can cook by suspending it over a fire. You have to buy the frypan lids separately unfortunately, eg: http://toaksoutdoor.com/accessories.aspx This goes with this: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/humping-your-bluey/

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Hole-less Poncho/Shelter/Hammock Tarp:

Here is  my poncho/shelter which I promised some time ago. When we first made this (back in 2000 – for my first ‘moose hunting’ trip to Supper Cove, Fiordland) there was no such thing as a waterproof zip. As you can see we used 2 oz ripstop and Velcro. Della made three of them in

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Soda Can Stove:

If you are not using an alcohol stove you should be. There are serious weight savings to be made with them particularly on short trips – and of course they are much more environmentally sensitive! Easy to Follow Instruction here: http://www.ehow.com/how_12340111_turn-soda-cans-portable-camp-stove.html See also: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/super-cat-metho-stove/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/soda-can-stove/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/diy-side-burner-metho-stove/ Lots more stoves here: http://zenstoves.net/  

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Mckenzie’s Country Chicken Soup with Lemon & Black Pepper Tuna

i This meal (which we had for tea tonight) is quite delicious. I added only HALF the water on the directions, making roughly one litre of soup – I have an 1100ml pot – a good quantity for two. You need to simmer for approx 15 minutes, after which I added two sachets of Safcol

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Roman Swiss Army Knife:

Category: tool/implement. Name: compound utensil. Date: 201 — 300 AD. Period: Middle Roman. Description: eating implement, folding, with three-pronged fork, spatula, pick, spike and knife. Production Place (legacy): Mediterranean, production, region. Material(s): iron; knife, silver. Dimension(s): height, 88, mm, max width, 155, mm, max http://webapps.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/explorer/index.php?oid=70534

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Upper Yarra Track Historic Photos:

Courtesy of Thomas Osberg, here are some wonderful photos of the track in bygone days. http://www.finnsheep.com/THE%20UPPER%20YARRA%20WALKING%20TRACK.htm They begin at approx McVeigh’s Hotel (now under the Upper Yarra Reservoir), and finish at Walhalla. The captions are my surmise (and might not be correct). The changes in hiking costume and gear from that day to this are

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