Testing out an Uberleben Kessel pot

Carrying a small provisions pack is always a good idea if you wander amongst the trees. Being able to eat on the trail and obtain drinkable water is a comfort which should not be overlooked.  

Having the means to boil water and cook food requires three essential items: 

1. A cooking pot - easily cleaned and light weight.

2. A source of heat - fire, camp stove or a hobo stove.

3. A means to light a fire or gas stove. 

Item one (1) on the list can range from a single walled stainless steel thermos to a stainless steel cook pot. 

There are many camp pots on the market and most of them will serve you well out on the trail. 

In this video, I test out an Oberleben Kessel 2.0 pot which I was very fortunate to receive as a gift. 

After testing this cooking utensil out; I can say with certainty, that it is the best cooking pot I have used in a lifetime of being out here.  

My old stainless steel pot will now reside in my tipi (teepee) as a permanent fixture and the new pot will be carried with me wherever my wanders take me. 

Notes:

I put the handle on the wrong way in this video. I should have read the instructions. Oops. 

I am not affiliated with Uberleben or any company that sells their gear. I simply want to share with you  the equipment that can handle the reality of the bush. 

Happy Wandering. 

 

   

Packing for a winter day hike

 

Wandering through the woods on a quiet snow clad day is an experience which is unique. You leave footsteps in your wake which shows you your past, the unbroken snow in front of you is a canvas upon which you will write your future.  

Such a hike leads to many discoveries and deep self examination. Your mind, body and spirit can join as one entity and soak in the beauty of the wilderness around you. 

Winnie the porcupine

Having a small provisions pack helps to extend your day in the woods. Knowing how much to carry is knowledge only gained through experience. 

This video explains the bare bone basics of a provisions pack for a typical day hike in the woods.  

Remember to carry only that which you need, all the rest is just extra weight. The snow will demand more of your energy to enjoy its beauty, the extra stuff you have in your pack will become a burden and it will detract from your experience. 

Happy wandering.   

Harvesting Firewood Sustainably

 A forest does not need humans to manage it. The forest will evolve and change as dictated by nature. 

When people move into the area, the forest comes under immense pressure. Vehicle traffic and firewood cutting are high on the list of culprits. 

Heating a home with firewood takes a lot of effort. if you gather the wood from your own woodlot, managing your forest for sustainability becomes an absolute must. 

In this video, I showcase a multi-stalked Maple tree being culled for firewood.  Rot was developing between the trunks thereby threatening the entire tree. 

These multi-trunked trees are perfect for harvesting. Keep the straightest trunk and cull the rest. The remaining trunk will then have access to the entire root system and it will flourish. 

Felling trees is dangerous and should not be attempted by untrained or inexperienced people. 

Many people are maimed or killed every year because they attempted to put a tree on the ground.  

The method shown in this video is the safest method I know. It relies on a hinge of wood and well placed wedges. There are many videos on social media which will show you how to attain the proper cuts. 

Practice will give you the confidence to succeed. 

Happy homesteading. 

 

Footprints

 When wandering, I'm always on the lookout for trail cameras. They are generally camouflaged and are tricky to find. Some individuals hang them about eight feet off the ground and point them on a forty five degree angle toward the trail. These are almost impossible to spot. 

Why do I look for these devices? It alerts me to the presence of potential hunting activities which in turn scares the wits out me if I am not in blaze orange. 

No, I'm not trespassing. I have found these cameras in Algonquin and surrounding Crown lands.

Private land owners are now resorting to using these cameras to inform them when a trespass occurs. I have talked to several land owners and the general consensus among them is that people are abusing the land. The destruction of living trees for Youtube shelters, tarps and garbage left to pollute once pristine woods and dangerous fire pits are high on the list of complaints. 

An elder, a long time ago, told me to "just leave footprints", it is a memory I carry with me into the woods every time I wander.

I just wanted to pass along this simple wisdom from a man who taught me how to "see" the forest. 

Happy Wandering. 

 

 

 

Ice Advice

 There is nothing like walking on a snow filled lake followed by silence and the mystery of the surrounding forest; however, it can be risky. 

The thickness of the ice varies due to factors such as current and temperature differentials within the water body. 

If you spend time out here, your wandering will bring you to the edge of a dilemma. Should you cross the ice or should you go around? 

Climate change has altered our winters, they have become more moderate. The bitter cold of January is no longer the norm. The thermometer rides a roller coaster every day and that temperature variation directly affects the formation of ice on the ponds and lakes we love. 

This video shows a method I use to cross ice, it's not fool proof but it will give you a fighting chance should you punch through ice that you thought was solid and safe. 

I have fallen through ice; and it was totally my fault.

I stumbled my way home with teeth chattering and hypothermia stalking me.

I called myself a fool more times than I care to admit. 

Once I thawed out, I had gained a whole new respect for the flat white expanse's of frozen water which seem so inviting to walk across. 

Walking Pole - Go Pro Camera Mount

 A stout walking pole is a tool like no other. You can use it for many different tasks when hiking and camping. 

One task I discovered, is the ability to use it as a primitive but functional camera mount. 

By simply installing a 1/4 by 20 bolt on the end of the pole, you have just made a camera mount which can be utilized like no other on the market. 

The best part - it costs less than a dollar to make. 

This camera mount will fit all cameras and is especially suited to the Go Pro style sports cameras. 

Easy to make and awesome to use, it makes a great addition to the humble but fantastic hiking pole. 

Have fun Out Here!

An Amazing View

The view from the lookout on Big Crow Lake in Algonquin Park has to be experienced to be fully appreciated.

If you find yourself paddling across Big Crow Lake in Algonquin Park, take the time to hike the trail up to the lookout. The trail is located behind the Ranger's cabin. 

Once you reach the summit, you will be greeted with a view that will take your breath away. 

I know this because it took mine away. 

Happy Wandering. 

Winter Campfire Tips

 Wandering through the woods is always an adventure. You never know what you may find or what you might see. 

Eventually, you will get chilled and lighting a fire will keep potential hypothermia in the shadows. 

The secret is to know how to light a fire in all conditions. 

This video shows a few tips which will help you bridge the gap between being warm and warming up lunch or being cold and wondering if your toes are going to fall off. 

Always be prepared and you will never have to worry. 

Happy wandering.