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, May 30, 2021

A Hammock Tent Review - Part two.


 A hammock tent changes the way you think about setting up camp. It is not as facilitating as a tent as it is constrictive; however, it is an amazing tent for use on wilderness adventures.

I have never used a hammock in all my years of paddling and camping. A review based on one night is hardly definitive but my experience can fill in the blanks. 

This video explores the negatives and positives about camping in a hammock. 

In my opinion, after forty years of camping, would I choose to carry the hammock on my next adventure?

We'll see. 

Happy camping. 






A Hammock for camping? Let's check it out. Part one.


 I decided to purchase a hammock tent primarily for use on my property. There are very few areas where I would choose to pitch a tent due to the understory plants which would be destroyed in the process. 


The beauty about a hammock is the fact that there is no footprint. As long as you have two trees which are spaced apart enough to strap the hammock to, you're good to go. 

It uses a very simple strap method for securing it to the trees. You can set this tent up in less then five minutes. The trees are not harmed in the process due to the web straps Eureka! has chosen for it's tent hammock.

In this video, I test out a hammock tent called the Chrysalis by Eureka!. 



Come and join me to see how this unit measures up to the realities of camping. 







Wednesday, May 26, 2021

What's under your canoe?


 I plunge my camera under the water of a beaver pond in late May to see what is hidden from the seat of my canoe. 

It's a fascinating world under the surface. Teaming with life, a beaver pond is integral to the health of any forest. 

Happy wandering. 


Monday, May 17, 2021

Thoughts about camp food and other things.


 When packing for a hiking or canoe tripping adventure, you have to keep the weight of your gear to a minimum. The heaviest of items will be your food. 

I ponder this and other camping thoughts as I test out a new food discovered in a supermarket isle. 

Happy Wandering!


Friday, May 14, 2021

Up Close and Personal with a Moose


The canoe slices through the water as silent as a shadow,  it's occupants stare intently at the distant shoreline where a moose browses on succulent water plants. 

Their paddles move in unison; slow powerful strokes propel the water craft toward the unsuspecting undulate. 

Moving to a distance of less than 100 meters, the bow canoeist stows his paddle and raises his weapon; a fully loaded Panasonic action camera. Slowly he raises the camera and presses the record button. 

The canoe drifts to within 20 meters of the cow moose as she continues her search for nutrient rich aquatic plants. 

Breathing becomes hard as excitement courses through the man's body; the Panasonic trembles in his hand as he trains the lens on the largest of Ontario's wild undulates. 

The canoe drifts into the shoreline, silent and unobtrusive, it now floats within 10 meters of the large mammal.

The two humans are now within the cows energy zone and she senses them. Looking over her shoulder, she sees a strange log which has drifted into her world. 

The humans freeze; they are well aware that if the moose decides a threat is imminent, she could seek to defend herself. The canoe and it's occupants would have no chance of evasion. 

The moose stares for a few moments at the two humans who drifted into her life; flaring her nostrils slightly, she breaths in the pheromones' released by the people within the canoe. 

Deciding there is no threat, she dips her mouth into the water and ingests one more delicious helping of water lily before silently disappearing into the surrounding forest. 

An opportunity to share the same air as a wild animal is rare and should be savored. Lowering your energy level allows you to blend into the wilderness.

Fear and Ego will destroy any chance you have of feeling the power of the wilderness. Learning to control those two emotions is vital to your success at becoming an integral part of your surroundings.

When you are fearful, the wild ones will not sense it as fear, they will sense it as aggression. The instinct to fight or flee will be triggered and any chance you have of interacting with them will be mitigated. 

Please be aware that you must know your subject. A moose is powerful and can move as fast as a race horse when it is threatened. It is imperative that you approach any wild one with respect and without expectation. 

Living life out here is full of surprises and imbues you with a sense of belonging which can't be found elsewhere. 

Happy wandering.







    
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