CAMPOLOGY

It was a new challenge for 3 keen campers … climb a winter high peak in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains.  However, with our blinded enthusiasm, we never anticipated what was about to happen. We arrogantly assumed we had planned for everything.

In 1993 Dave, Denis, and I were all strong and experienced campers, had done much and seen even more. So to bag a winter peak was just another thing to do for these self-respecting campologists. 

Although collectively we had ascended dozens of the high peaks in the spring, summer, and fall, a winter ascent was a right of passage for mountaineer wannabes. 

This is about five unusual pieces of camping gear that could improve your next backwoods experience. I am not going to mention very core camping essentials that likely first came to mind like a first aid kit and fire starters for example. This list contains more out-of-the-box items that most campers might not have initially thought of that are usually part of my own camping gear!

2020 is a strange year, heck it’s a nasty year, so why shouldn’t my Pukaskwa National Park Coastal Trail attempt be any different. 

2020 was supposed to be my Appalachian Trail (AT) year,  but COVID 19 shut that down. Still, I have made the best of it. I spent lots of quality time with family, reconnected with local wilderness, cycled and hiked, yet nothing seemed to be able to fill the gaping void left when the Appalachian Trail was denied.

Trekking poles are now an essential part of my backpacking kit and have been since that fateful day 10 years ago when I learned the hard way.

A decade ago I thought trekking poles were for the old and weak. I have since changed my tune big time and could likely now be described as an evangelical advocate!

Introduction

After a long and rewarding day on the trail, it’s so important to get some quality sleep so you can recharge fully for tomorrow’s adventures. Ideally, you want to be warm and smiling as you effortlessly visit cozy snooze-ville. You definitely don’t want to struggle with a sleepless nasty shiver-fest. Keep in mind that everyone's metabolism and body structure is different …and please consider these tips as suggestions, NOT rules!    

When wilderness camping,  you will be sharing the backwoods with countless hungry, curious critters. We are guests in their home, and they find the delicious scents you bring with you at a minimum interesting… and possibly even hard to resist as a meal of opportunity. 

I’m well aware I share the forest with countless creatures and have been dutifully hanging my food bag out of reach of bears and other mid-size animals for years.  When I first started backwoods camping in the early ’80s this was frankly the only option. 

Despite all my good efforts, and even when my hangs were well beyond the prescribed parameters… I have lost 2 bags to Mensa smart athletic bears and countless sacks have been ripped open by bloodhound-ish red squirrels. 

Over the years my pack has slowly shrunk... the incredible shrinking pack!

There are a few reasons for this.

Technology - Over time technology has improved the quality of gear and allowed for a more comfortable camping experience at a greatly reduced weight. Gortex, tent designs, improved fabrics, lighter and stronger alloys, etc. 

I've been hiking for over 40 years, and with the passing of time... my gear has evolved.  

Originally one of the most important factors was price. I was young, with less disposable coin and frankly less committed to the sport. This has changed.

As time moved, so did my knowledge, skills, and commitment.  Likely the biggest changes to my gear list were because of these 3 issues; more available money, improved product technology, and changing camping styles.

Spring hiking in the mountains has lots of surprises. Dangerous surprises. This doesn't include the hungry bears emerging from hibernations, nor the swarms of thirsty black-flies in the hunt for their first taste of blood. Likely the most deadly of mountain dangers are the cold, fast and unpredictable rivers.

Several decades ago while on my first spring backpacking trip in the high peaks of the Adirondack Mountains, I learned this truth the hard way.

I'm not crazy (I know that's what all crazy people say).

I truly know there are 7 days in the week, 12 months in the year, and 24 hours in the day (except for Canadian metric time of course) but when it comes to the 4 seasons, I take some liberties. I have created several sub-seasons to the traditional spring, summer, winter, and fall.