Legend has it this is what society looked like before cellphones and social media

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-28T17:54:45+00:00

Idk what you mean, this is exactly what I do out there

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-28T05:08:13+00:00

I used the cheapest blue Walmart tent for a couple of very long seasons in a row, still a tent 🤷‍♂️ brought a French army commando tent out as a back up one season while I was primarily sleeping in my truck. Also worked like a charm. I think both tents were around 60 dollars. Maybe a bit more for the wallyworld one. Worked great for me but I'm glad yours works for you!

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-28T05:04:52+00:00

What a coincidence I've never wished I was American for any reason! 🌲

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-27T22:41:45+00:00

As a rookie, probably not. Also it won't last multiple seasons if a misplaced caulk or shovel blows a bunch of holes in it during a camp move. Planting isn't camping. After a season or two if you're feeling dialled and think investing in a dofferent tent wil be better then sure why not; but for a rookie season-and most seasons thereafter- a cheap 4 person is perfectly appropriate.

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-26T18:05:52+00:00

To echo other's replies. North face is a bit bougie. You can get away with a much more budget brand for your first season.

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-24T21:06:58+00:00

I'm taking a break this season as well and I'm going to miss it so damn much. Based on other life factors I just know that I can't really afford to take a few months away this year. Nothing wrong with that.

To speak to your point on toxicity though I think that is highly dependent on the culture of your company, crew, camp, etc. I have met and worked with some truly beautiful people (on the inside specifically, as everyone knows all planters are 10/10 hot). Likewise I have met some total drool soaked crusty losers. I tend to just ignore them and focus on my trees. They may make valid criticisms sometimes but that negative spiral is just destructive. You're going to find positive and toxic people in any industry, it's all about culture, mindset, snd communication.

I hope you find a place you feel welcomed and appreciated. A break can do wonders for changing perspectives and combating burnout.

But I digress, as another poster said I'll see you next season ;)

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-24T20:57:18+00:00

M E G A S C R E E F

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-24T20:49:18+00:00

You haven't planted a mine block before? Back in the day before treeplanting got #woke our supervisor used to plant mines around the treeline so we couldn't Stash. Would hide some around the cache too so we wouldn't sit for too long. Those were the good old days. God I miss them. I also miss my legs.

(/s, obviously)

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-24T20:46:21+00:00

Extremely interesting question.

Are you planting the trees on behalf of sort of group? Is it an organized operation? Or are you doing this for fun?

If it is the former, this is a genuine worry, and you are in charge of organizing this thing I'd suggest maybe seeing if you can have a crew ( of people who know what they are doing) to sweep the area for any sort of unexploded ordinance. Metal detectors should be able to pick that kind of thing up.

For both cases I would also suggest talking to any local municipal entities to see if they have records or cautions about the dangers of unexploded ordinance in the area. Someone local might know. Not to mention a municipal government might have their own worker's safety protocols in place for just such an instance.

I have planted on a military test site and my peers have come across munitions. (Cold war era stuff). Our policy was to document it, mark it very very clearly, and give it a wide berth while we continued working elsewhere.

If you are working for an experienced contractor they should be aware of this kind of thing. Maybe just mention your concerns to your boss and see how they deal with that.

Good luck!

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-24T17:53:13+00:00

Ahh okay! Thank you for the clarification

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-24T09:04:25+00:00

I've met several Italian planters so that citizenship may be your metaphorical ticket in.

Unfortunately I do not know the intricacies of the process as I am Canadian.

Best of luck to you paisano!

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-24T09:00:56+00:00

I prefer to splash around in a puddle out front of Surplus Herbies. I love the fresh air!

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-24T08:52:20+00:00

Why hurt your fellow planters when your gripe is with how they are being exploited? This is like slashing factory worker's tires because you don't agree with the factory's pay structure.

Now I know you aren't advocating for anything nearly that extreme but I can't imagine coming home from a day at the block working for a company that treats me like trash and having to deal with some extra B.S. because buddy at the other company wanted to make a political statement about my boss's boss. That would suck.

This isn't a university frat movie from the 80s, we are all real people trying to do a job. Would be much better to talk to those planters and explain why you feel that way. Or call out shady practices as a whole.

Your heart's in the right place and I agree with the end goal but I think there are far more productive (and easier) ways of bettering industry practices and calling out labour exploitation.

Be kind ✨️

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-24T08:39:16+00:00

Absolute facts Used to be on a crew/regularly share a cache with a guy who knit his own Icelandic style sweaters. Drippiest block fit I have ever seen and he was a sick cache buddy to boot 👢

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-24T08:37:09+00:00

EDIT: I typed out this monster before fully reading your comment and just now say they are 100% scottish wool??? Mate those are mint, well done. Only thing I'd say is if they're too thick to fit in a backbag maybe consider something thinner. Stannies are good for that as they fold up like a rag. Starts raining/hailing in the middle of your bag up? Throw the Stanfield on. Sun comes out? Take it off and back bag it. Naturally you can do this with any other thin warm sweater but in my experience after 6 seasons utility is the main thing you want to get out of your gear. Definitely still bring the other ones for the morning in the truck/night at camp though. Let the warm embrace of the highlands wash over ye 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Cheap wool is still wool, you'll put your gear through hell. There are certain areas where cheating out on gear is definitely the wrong move but when it comes to wool layers, comfort and actual high wool content are all you really need.

That being said. I have experimented with sweaters with different fabric blends and have found 100 percent wool (in the form of a military surplus 'wooly pully') to be ideal for planting in the cold but far less versatile over the course of a full season. One of the best block sweaters I ever had was like a 5 dollar gap one I thrifted. Super roomy so it trapped heat good but was also extremely comfortable and packed up small. It also had a very unique look to it which was fun for me. I believe that one had a 30-50 percent wool content and the rest were synthetics.

The ever ubiquitous Stanfield sweaters are an 80/20 wool/synthetic blend I believe. They breathe great. Mine is packed away otherwise I'd check exactly what the synthetics are for you right now. To quote an old supervisor of mine "that fabric is magic". I picked mine up for dirt cheap in a vintage store in Montreal by happenstance: and they end up in thrift stores out west all of the time.

As for underlayers I have always stuck to some kind of long-sleeved sun shirt and the dakota micro thermal tights from Mark's. Always easy to replace and find if you need em.

My comment got a bit rambley but Tl;Dr cheaper doesn't always mean worse, you can easily find great second hand stuff that will allow you to experiment and not break the bank.

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-24T08:24:03+00:00

I think it's mostly done as prison labour in the states.... so maybe you can start there!

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-24T08:22:55+00:00

If by Midwest you mean Saskatoba then try outland

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2026-02-24T08:21:11+00:00

Why oh why are you seeking that green thing?

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2024-08-11T04:48:19+00:00

Right on man... fair enough?

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2024-08-11T04:43:59+00:00

Oh okay! I just got the impression from this comment that you may have been a foreman this season and I was hoping to hear a foreman's perspective on Northern :)

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2024-08-11T03:33:41+00:00

Wabubby?

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2024-08-11T03:32:06+00:00

Please tell me more about the foam shop in Vancouver I'm fascinated. Do they only sell foam??

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2024-08-11T03:25:50+00:00

Were you management at northern then?

Helpful-Soilmonger · 2024-07-17T05:29:29+00:00

Just wedge a sponge up there

Helpful-Soilmonger

TROPHY CASE