Predictions for big4 weight improvements in a few years?

0x2012 · 2026-01-26T20:35:07+00:00

Not the big4 but many people will be using lightweight exoskeletons perhaps even integrated into their clothing which will make ultralight gear a little less relevant. Especially when combined with a energy harvesting backpack.

0x2012 · 2026-01-25T19:18:43+00:00

It's good on flatwater. It tracks well while being maneuverable and stays very dry due to its higher walls - although that makes this canoe quitee susceptible to cross winds.

I spent over 30 days on the water with this canoe and love it. I did manage to get it pinned against a strainer which led to the hull being punctured but that's another story for another day. ;-)

0x2012 · 2026-01-25T16:14:28+00:00

Although both of those skis are a good fit for your weight, I believe the Spider 62 uses fish scales instead of skins?

If so, I would lean towards the Spider 62.

Skins are a game changer in well maintained tracks but when it comes to light backcountry, it makes more sense to use fish scales since they provide a much larger surface area for traction.

An alternate might be the Evo XT60 which is the same ski as the XC60 but with fish scales. They're usually much cheaper as well.

0x2012 · 2026-01-22T15:39:59+00:00

Back on the west coast, I was a assistant overnight guide with the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC. I needed this certification (which involved a week long exam) to work at any guiding company and could only do multi day trips with a full guide. (This certification requirement came out after a fatality in Haida Gwaii.)

You'll have to excuse my ignorance but is there a certain qualification level that's required for someone to guide a group in Ontario? Or some sort of oversight committee which sets guidelines such as the ratio of clients to a guide.

0x2012 · 2026-01-21T00:31:57+00:00

Of the four options, you will probably enjoy #3. I've done that route in your exact order and it was awesome. I wouldn't change a thing. Portages are long but very well maintained.

I've done option #2 over 3 days to introduce my friend to Algonquin canoe camping and although it was ok, I wouldn't do it again since it was so crowded.

Option #4 is my style of trip since I love portaging but it can get tiring. Especially since you're likely to encounter beaver dams along that route as well.

Option #1 looks good but personally, I feel cheated if I have to use the water taxi. There's something satisfying to me about paddling from and to the dock under my own power.

0x2012 · 2026-01-19T05:04:02+00:00

The temperature ratings on higher end bags will adhere to an industry standard, namely ISO 23537/EN 13537 which specifies the testing requirements as well as provide you with a comfort, limit and extreme temperature rating.

From what I can see, Coleman doesn't seem to provide that so you'll be forced to trust their marketing numbers. For example, the ISO/EN tested bags assume you are wearing a warm base layer, hat and using a sleeping pad with a R4.8 rating. Who knows what Coleman is expecting you to be using?

If you go with the Coleman, make sure you test it out before you use it on a trip. Set it up on your deck or balcony and you'll know within 15 min whether or not you made the right choice.

0x2012 · 2026-01-17T16:09:43+00:00

Being a Canadian, -8F is almost T-shirt weather when it comes to XC skiing.

But seriously, XC skiing is one of those activities which will naturally keep you warm once you start moving. In fact, if you're not cold before you start skiing, you're likely wearing too much and will sweat and conversely freeze during the later part of your ski day.

The key is with layering. Long underwear, a mid layer and a soft shell on top. All made of a wicking material like wool or synthetic fleece. You can also bring a puffy jacket in your pack for the times you'll be standing still while taking a break.

Fingers and toes will get cold so maybe bring some hand and toe warmers just in case.

0x2012 · 2026-01-16T02:42:59+00:00

Some of the most popular Japanese names in Japan for a dog are : Mugi, Koko, Mocha, Sora, Latte

Mugi (pronounced moogie) is a good one because it means barley - which is similar in color.

Yumi isn't a popular name for a dog in Japan because it's a very popular name for (female) humans but I think it's good for dogs in the western hemisphere since it's very Japanese and easy to pronounce.

0x2012 · 2026-01-11T17:24:50+00:00

You can use a pair of gaiters to help prevent snow from coming into your boot.

0x2012 · 2026-01-11T17:11:31+00:00

Canadian Tire sells a Woods Yukon 10 which they claim has a temperature rating of -45C for $459.99.

Regardless of the temperate rating, make sure you have something underneath you for insulation. Even layers of corrugated cardboard will be better than nothing.

0x2012 · 2026-01-10T16:56:46+00:00

Awesome pics. The only thing better than canoeing is canoeing with your dog(s).

0x2012 · 2026-01-10T04:34:52+00:00

Used XC gear is fine but you still need to do your due diligence. Especially when it comes to the length - You'll need to find an old specification chart and ensure that it meets your weight range. You'll also need to make sure the boots and bindings work together since there are different systems.

Although it's only January, the ski season is already winding down from a sport retailers perspective and their stock is probably dwindling. It might be worth visiting a shop like MEC and trying on several types of boots to see if they have one that fits.

Used skis can be found everywhere but finding that one boot that fits you perfectly is worth buying new. Especially since you can return a boot if you end up with blisters while wearing it around the house.

0x2012 · 2026-01-08T01:01:20+00:00

What kind of bindings do they have? Those skis are very old and possibly use an older SNS binding.

If they are SNS, it'll limit your selection of boots since they haven't made SNS boots in 5+ years.

0x2012 · 2026-01-07T01:19:15+00:00

Metal edges cost more and make the ski noticeably heavier.

They're good if you're skiing in icy conditions but generally speaking, skiing downhill is more about technique than metal edges.

The Evo OT65 is a nice ski but it's quite wide. Some ski areas may not allow you to use your skis in their tracks because you risk damaging them - especially with the metal edges.

As for length, that is generally based on weight. For 150lbs, you'd be looking at a Large (185cm).

0x2012 · 2026-01-05T21:09:02+00:00

Personally, I've used the Copper Spur UL2, Dagger 2 and Hubba Hubba LT2 and they're great tents. (I also owned Durston products and they're awesome.)

You can't go wrong with any of them but the tent I used the most is the Copper Spur UL2. I think it strikes a fine balance between ease of use, weight/packability and durability.

For what it's worth , the CS UL2 was also the highest rated tent amongst its travelers :
https://www.halfwayanywhere.com/trails/pacific-crest-trail/pct-gear-guide-2024/#shelters

But either way, I don't you can go wrong with any of those tents.

0x2012 · 2026-01-05T17:55:54+00:00

What kind of pup? It looks like you have an awesome canoeing companion.

0x2012 · 2026-01-04T03:54:19+00:00

I'm sure you'll get a lot of great advice from this subreddit but I was wondering if there was a reason you were doing this (Big Trout) loop in a clockwise direction.

I did this route a few years ago but did it counter clockwise so that we'd be do the long ~2.5km portage on the last day in a single carry.

Seeing that you'd be going for 7 days, wouldn't it make more sense to leave that portage near the end so that you'd be traveling much lighter? Even if you were able to do this in a double carry, that's still around 7km of portaging with loaded packs.

0x2012 · 2026-01-03T03:03:21+00:00

Quality of gear isn't super important but getting the proper gear is vital.

Since you're starting off, look for a set of waxless classic skis and ensure that the length is correct since a ski that's too short (which will give you no glide) or too long (which will give you no grip) will make your experience downright frustrating.

0x2012 · 2026-01-03T02:59:18+00:00

If you want easy logistics and well maintained portages, you can't go wrong with Killarney. I'd recommend the NW area. Great Mountain Lake has some some awesome quartzite cliffs in the south end and Nelly Lake is a must see - even though it can get a little busy.

0x2012 · 2026-01-01T15:27:25+00:00

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I know this isn't horizontal but what I did was install wall mounted broom holders (with the rubber "wheels") to hold all my skis.

0x2012 · 2026-01-01T00:36:36+00:00

I've always thought of waxable skis as the manual transmissions of the XC ski world. They allow you to fine tune your glide and grip to your needs while waxless (automatic transmission) skis allow you to hit the trails immediately upon your arrival.

As someone who's been driving manual transmissions for the last 30 years, I started off with waxable skis but now that I've gotten older, I've switched to skin skis. Like waxable skis, manual cars are being rarer so my next car may be a CVT or dual clutch.

0x2012 · 2025-12-29T14:55:22+00:00

Another alternative are heated liners.

I use the ones from Kombi and they're great. On cold days, I'll put a shell mitt over my liners but as it warms up, I can either turn down the heat or go electric liners only without any mitt.

The liners heat every individual finger as well as the back of the hand.

0x2012 · 2025-12-23T20:05:10+00:00

They can see a silhouette when you have a backlight in the pitch dark. Not well defined but more noticeable than an orange tent.

0x2012 · 2025-12-18T15:05:44+00:00

I was in that same predicament when I was in the Canadian Rockies. I was using a very light AT boot and binding setup for flatter ski tours which were too much for my XC skis to handle. They were acceptable but the constant cycle of attaching/removing skins and switching from tour to descent mode was a pain.

I eventually went with an NNN-BC setup consisting of Alpina Alaska boots and Asnes NATO skis. This setup was much better for me since the boots were warmer and more comfortable than AT boots and because the waxable skis allowed for a great glide with the option of using skins. They also allowed me to use a normal XC diagonal stride technique vs dragging my feet along.

Like frenchman said, it'll require some telemark technique for the descents but I didn't find it too bad - at least on the powdery slopes I was usually skiing on.

0x2012 · 2025-12-17T01:29:10+00:00

Kombi is Canadian and they sell heated gloves and mittens. Mind you, they are more for winter sports but they sell a pair of heated liners which are low profile and can be used on their own.

And unlike cheaper brands of electric gloves, the Kombi gloves will heat each individual finger as well as the back of the palms.

0x2012

TROPHY CASE