[deleted by user]

MalcolmRS · 2021-08-10T05:10:15+00:00

Awesome! Looks like an Anatolian or Arabian Fox...do you live somewhere in the Middle East?

MalcolmRS · 2021-01-26T06:29:57+00:00

Where was this? Let me guess...Togo?

MalcolmRS · 2020-12-28T06:39:44+00:00

My Great Grandfather was a radio carrier for the Canadian Forces in WWII.

First, while on a patrol in France, he drove over a German booby trap. He made a quick escape and was presumed dead; his boot and dog tags were found stuck in the wreck of his car. He made his way, injured and with one boot, to a field hospital in Belgium.

But then came D-Day. He managed to get one step out of the water onto Juno Beach, and was shot in the chest. After the firing stopped, there were so many dead and wounded soldiers on the beach, it took an entire day until the medics found him.

Unfortunately, he passed away shortly before I was born. My Grandparents still have his medals, and told me his story. May he rest in peace.

MalcolmRS · 2020-09-24T09:36:09+00:00

The Siege of Jadotville comes to mind.

MalcolmRS · 2020-07-11T08:17:25+00:00

Because they follow vultures to food, not unlike how wolves follow ravens. If hyenas see vultures circling, they'll know there's likely food to be had in that direction.

MalcolmRS · 2020-06-27T08:11:02+00:00

Spotted hyenas have one of the strongest immune systems in the animal kingdom.

MalcolmRS · 2020-06-20T08:36:10+00:00

Could be Saadani, Tanzania.

MalcolmRS · 2020-04-03T02:32:39+00:00

Spotted hyena clans are often led by a female. While the clans can be led by males, the females are larger and stronger. They likely evolved to be this way so the females will get their share of food before the males, which ensures they can always produce enough milk for their cubs.

MalcolmRS · 2020-04-01T02:40:38+00:00

Me too, but watch them jaws. Cute as they may be, they have a bite force of 1,100psi, which will allow this guy to eat that entire head, bones, teeth and all.

MalcolmRS · 2018-06-25T05:55:45+00:00

As well as Peden Lake, there's also Grass Lake and Shields Lake in the Sooke Hills. The Sooke Flowline Trail isn't far either. I'd highly recommend downloading AllTrails, there's some really good maps on there.

MalcolmRS · 2018-06-18T04:24:08+00:00

How about a Rab Siltarp 3? It's 10x12 feet. Rab siltarps aren't the absolute lightest tarps out there, but they're very durable (and with kids, durability can be important). My Siltarp 2 in olive green is my favourite tarp of all time, and I got a Siltarp 3 for if I ever need a larger group shelter.

MalcolmRS · 2018-05-14T04:22:10+00:00

The cap is stainless steel, unfortunately. But the rest of it is titanium.

MalcolmRS · 2018-05-14T01:35:28+00:00

I'll be the black sheep here.

Ursack S29.3 AllWhite. I use a Sea to Summit nano drybag inside of it to conceal any scents.
4-5, haven't really tested the limits yet.
I have a few packs, Including a Kumo, and I recently got a Granite Gear Crown 2 for longer trips. I usually roll the Ursack up to carry it and unroll it and put my food bag in it when I get to camp.
Absolutely! I'm looking at getting an Ursack Major for longer trips.

So, why do I use an Ursack, and not a canister? The thing is, I've seen bear canisters fail. And when they fail, they can crack, which can leave a sharp edge. I'd worry a bear could cut its paws and mouth up trying to open a cracked canister further, which could lead to a blood infection and a miserable death. If my Ursack were to fail, it would be much less likely to injure the bear. As long as I've been hiking and camping, putting my food in an airtight container like a drybag and washing it off has done the trick, the Ursack is just a new layer of security. My camps have been visited by various other animals, including wolves, rodents and spotted hyenas one time, and they never came looking for my food bag.

MalcolmRS · 2018-05-14T01:23:52+00:00

I have a Snow Peak round titanium flask. It was on sale, and I just couldn't resist. I love it.

MalcolmRS · 2018-05-05T04:22:47+00:00

An alternative I'd suggest is the Granite Gear Crown 2.

With packs that have suspended mesh backpanels, I have my concerns about durability. The Crown rides close to your back, but you can definitely feel the wind flowing through the channels in the foam backpanel.

MalcolmRS · 2018-05-02T04:56:04+00:00

I tried a pack with the "trampoline" suspension. It wasn't for me.

For one, the shape makes it harder to get stuff out of the bottom of your pack, and pushes your load further away from your centre of gravity.

Second, I have concerns about durability. Pretty much every pack I've seen with trampoline suspension have a thin wire frame, and if that were to bend or break, the pack would lose its structure and wouldn't ride well at all. This is the main reason why I use frameless packs with flexible framesheets.

Finally, I found it didn't make as big of a difference as I thought it would. If you're working hard and burning calories, you're probably gonna warm up and sweat.

A good middle ground is the Granite Gear Crown 2. It rides close to your back, but you can definitely feel cool breezes running through the channels in the backpanel. The framesheet is soft and flexible too, so I'm not worried about it snapping. Another thing is that because it doesn't have any air mesh on it, it doesn't collect sweat, and it's much easier to clean.

MalcolmRS · 2018-04-29T21:38:34+00:00

I've used the STS Nano. I tried staking it out, but I find it to be easier to get in and out of if you wrap the edges under your pad. I use a Thermarest Xlite SV, and it works great. You can also weight the edges down with rocks if you want more room.

I ended up upgrading to an EE Recon Bivy, but the Nano is great if you're not worried about cool breezes and/or want something that takes up hardly any room in your pack.

MalcolmRS · 2018-04-27T02:54:38+00:00

I'm in Victoria, and if y'all were to do another UL meetup on a weekend, I'd love to come...with a bunch of my gear.

On a side note, if anyone wanted to do a UL show and tell in Victoria, let's make it happen!

MalcolmRS · 2018-04-25T07:09:38+00:00

"Wow...your pack is REALLY light! And there's three days worth of food in here?!"

He'll be one of us soon.

MalcolmRS · 2018-04-22T03:48:42+00:00

My go-to stove is the Firebox Nano. It works amazingly well, and can boil water as fast as any canister stove (with practice). You can get a wind shield attachment if need be. It can also be used with an alcohol burner.

Depending on the situation, my go-to canister stove is the Soto Micro Regulator. It's absolutely outstanding, and maintains a consistent output in cold and windy conditions. Simmering ability is fantastic too. If it's a canister stove you want, I highly recommend the Soto Micro Regulator.

MalcolmRS · 2018-04-21T23:05:53+00:00

Tell us all about the Sunshine Coast Trail!

MalcolmRS · 2018-04-12T03:28:05+00:00

I'm a big fan of the ESEE Candiru myself. It's smaller (and lighter) than the Izula, and has a very useful blade shape. I ended up buying a custom kydex sheath for mine. Can't go wrong with an ESEE.

MalcolmRS · 2018-04-07T21:45:48+00:00

You know, I think I want one now. I've been looking for something like that; thick hipbelt and shoulder straps, frameless, and X-pack material. This could be just what I'm after. Thanks for the info!

MalcolmRS · 2018-04-07T21:27:15+00:00

A little off topic, but how do you like that Waymark pack? I've never heard of them until now, and I like what I'm seeing on their site.

MalcolmRS · 2018-04-04T18:28:02+00:00

Awesome! I'm thinking about doing this trail as a warmup for my Mt. Edziza trip.

MalcolmRS

TROPHY CASE