I have taught the ways of the wilderness for well over thirty years and have authored a novel which dives deep into the shadows that follow you as you traverse wilderness trails. It is my hope to reach as many people as possible to tell everyone that the wilderness is not a place to be wary of. It is the only place where a person can dig deep into their soul and find that which is hidden to them by modern day society.
~ R.G. Wright - Hawks Shadow

Sunday, June 28, 2020

A Tent is a Tent - Right?


Long ago, I remember camping with the Scouts in massive canvas tents that housed at least eight people. How the scouters managed to get those  tents to site is beyond my memory, but I do know that setting them up was a task which took the concerted effort of the entire troop. Once erected, we stuffed all of our gear into them and claimed dirt space. I always picked the back of the tent for my bedroll. The reason for me choosing that area was simply because raids by other troops were the norm. When the interlopers came through the door,  I simply rolled out from under the sidewall and was free of the mayhem ensuing inside the canvas walls. This enabled my buddies and I to take on the would be raiders face to face.  

Animals would venture under the sidewalls and make incursions into our shelter, making off with all kinds of gear which they stowed away in the surrounding forest. 

I truly do wish those days never ended. But time moves past our canoes and slips away in the boats wake.  

Modern tents are perfect for camping, provided that you choose the tent which suits your needs. Mesh doors and walls preclude the tiniest of insects from entering the shelter. Advanced ventilation keeps the occupants dry and comfortable. A tripping tent is lightweight and compacts into a very small space saving precious room for other camping necessities within your pack. 
  

Choosing a tent can be a confusing task. It is my hope that this video helps you navigate the confusion and pick a tent that will suit your needs for many years to come. 







Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Portaging can suck, but it gets you to where you are going.

To some, a canoe trip without portaging is simply not a trip at all. Tripping by its very nature requires the tripper to move many kilometres into the interior of any given nature reserve or wilderness area. This requires the tripper to carry everything they have across land, on designated or non-designated trails known as portage routes. 



Portage trails usually follow the shortest route to the next lake. The problem is - not all portage trails are equal; some trails will test the endurance of seasoned veterans. 



It is important to plan your trip according to your capabilities. If you are new to canoe tripping, stay on well traveled portage trails. These routes will be well maintained and if you find yourself in trouble, a fellow tripper will come along in a short time to help you sort your trouble out. 



Portaging is a workout. It will force you to use muscles you may not have known even existed. Heat, bugs, rain and a myriad of other environmental factors could cause your mind to slip a gear and force you into a state of self reprisal. You may even wonder what the heck you were thinking when you sat down at your desk and planned the route you now find yourself on. 




Yep, a picture is worth a thousand words. This photo was taken on day six of a planned ten day trip. Total trip length was 140 km. The yellow signs informing us of another portage ahead became beacons of foreboding. Unless you have crossed the same portage prior - you have no idea what lies within the twisting confines of the forest trail which you are about to traverse. Once crossed, the mystery of that trail is now exposed and you have learned much. 



The trials of the trail are soon left behind as you set up camp and settle into the wilderness. The soft subtle sounds of the forest serenade you as the fire sends tendrils of smoke into the air and fills your camp with its intoxicating smell.



The primitive person in you escapes from the confines of civilization and your mind relaxes to the point where it is free to roam where it chooses. The only way to get here from there - is across the portage trail. 



Happy camping!


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