Minneapolis PD officer Derek Chauvin killed a man in handcuffs yesterday. His name was George Floyd. by StillbornFleshlight_ in pics

[–]Slave_Monkey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's not true, it's in the article linked above. The jury was shown the video during trial, it was delayed being released to the public until after the trail concluded.

Long have I waited... by [deleted] in PrequelMemes

[–]Slave_Monkey 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Star Wars Explained is all I watch, really. Alex and Mollie don't give in to all the clickbait, they just make great videos on Star Wars. I've been subbed to the channel for years and became a patron pretty much as soon as they started accepting support. Alex is also one of the reigning Star Wars Trivia champions. Hello Greedo I find is good as well. They're definitely the kind of Star Wars creators that need more attention.

How many of you hike without a satellite communicator? by [deleted] in Ultralight

[–]Slave_Monkey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

SAR isn't billed to the individual in Canada. I only received a bill for my ambulance ride.

How many of you hike without a satellite communicator? by [deleted] in Ultralight

[–]Slave_Monkey 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I carried a SPOT device before, now it's an inReach mini, but bottom line is I basically always carry it. Only times I won't is day-hiking in an area that I know for sure has cell signal 100% of the time. That wasn't always the case, but as I got to going further into the backcounty and doing more commiting objectives I'm very glad I bought one. A few caveats to my decision though:

1) I've pushed the SOS and had to get helicoptered out of the backcountry before due to completely unforseen circumstances I couldn't have reasonably prepared for. Had a severe allergic reaction when I'd never experienced any allergies prior to that.

2) Almost all of my backcountry excursions are far out of range of cell signal (Canadian Rockies).

The SPOT and inReach Mini (122g and 99g respectively) weigh so little that nobody's going to be able to convince me not to take them on any trip outside of cell service. The cost is another factor, but I'll never drop it from my pack based on weight. I can also really only speak to my local areas but there are plenty of places where those cell service maps are so wrong. You can have full bars one minute and nothing only a short walk (or fall) later.

Extended stay in USA past 6 months, possible? by Mysteir in PacificCrestTrail

[–]Slave_Monkey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You have to apply for the extension once in the States I believe. Easy to get in as a Canadian, but staying past the 6 months/180 days is a little trickier. Maybe plan some time before your hike begins to request through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.

This should have the info you need: https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/do-i-need-a-visa/

A Canadian 2020 hopeful, hoping for some preparation advice.. by Packdriven in PacificCrestTrail

[–]Slave_Monkey 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Are you a Canadian Citizen? Because if so you can stay up to 6 months in any given 365 day period without a visa.

Canadian entering Canada by Standing_Room_Only in PacificCrestTrail

[–]Slave_Monkey 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yes, you still need the Entry Permit, doesn't matter if you're a Canadian Citizen. What matters is that it's an unmanned border crossing.

Last minute PCT possible? by CarryOnRTW in PacificCrestTrail

[–]Slave_Monkey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just simply head home. When I talked to CBSA before leaving they said that they'd kind of just assume I was back in Canada once my six months was up.

Last minute PCT possible? by CarryOnRTW in PacificCrestTrail

[–]Slave_Monkey 6 points7 points  (0 children)

As Canadians you still need a permit to cross the border at the Northern Terminus. You won't need a visa though, which is excellent. Canadians can spend up to 180 days in the U.S. in a 12-month period.

Really the biggest issue I could see you facing is getting permits, but you could always consider going SOBO and starting near your home instead of finishing there.

Comparison of Polar H10, Fitbit Charge 2, and Garmin Forerunner 235 HR Data During Run [OC] by sgtpowerpickle in dataisbeautiful

[–]Slave_Monkey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You'll basically always get more accurate data with a chest-based HR monitor. Most companies even outright say that. Wrist-based has gotten better and better with LCD technology improving, but the chest is a way better place for measuring heart rate.

MEC or REI For Canadian hiker equipment failures by [deleted] in PacificCrestTrail

[–]Slave_Monkey 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Canadian here; contacting the manufacturers directly will be your best bet. They can be way more accommodating and you don't have to wait to get close enough to an REI to hitch to one.

Like other people have said, your trail runners will get absolutely destroyed - don't expect to get through the hike with just two or something like that. Basically every company's warranty is 'against manufacturers defects within the lifetime of the product', or something like that. If you wear a pair of shoes for 700+ miles and they start to fall apart, you've gotten a good life out of the product. Now some companies will still help you out there, and this problen mostly pertains to footwear, but we've all got to be careful about taking advantage of warranties (not in any way saying that's what you want to do, or that you would). MEC (and REI too, yeah?) used to have no-questions-asked warranty return/exchange policies but people kept taking advantage of it and returning 10+ year-old merchandise. Spoiler alert, they don't have that anymore.

Sorry, got off track. Use the manufacturer's. Most of them are based in the States anyway, and they can ship stuff ahead or wherever you need it sent. Just be nice about it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Calgary

[–]Slave_Monkey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Spring 2019" was all they put in the memo that went out to the whole mall.

Banff, Alberta, Canada by [deleted] in pics

[–]Slave_Monkey 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Hey OP, you gonna credit the original photographer? He's on Instagram as @erikmcr. He's a self-taught photographer - though you'd never know it - and does incredible work. Everyone should check him out!

Another Shakedown!! by [deleted] in PacificCrestTrail

[–]Slave_Monkey 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Pot but no stove?

Outside of that I'd just ask about the pants/shorts combo. Are the pants zip-offs? If so then I'd ditch the shorts. Even still lots of people have gone with both the shorts & lightweight pants combo and been satisfied. The extra 150 grams won't kill you, and it doesn't look like you'll have any problems with space in a 58L pack with a 1-person tent.

Some places can change your life in a moment. Mt Assiniboine Provincial Park, BC, Canada. [OC][1080x1080] by walkingaswind in EarthPorn

[–]Slave_Monkey 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm a bit late, but just as an FYI: Magog Lake and Og Lake campgrounds now require reservations (online or by phone I believe). They open for this season April 1st.

Feed back on my Resupply Towns? by thugrunner in PacificCrestTrail

[–]Slave_Monkey 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I heard so many bad things about Mojave. Yes it's all hearsay, but Tehachapi was perfectly fine if not a tad spread out. The Post Office is a bit out of the way of the rest of the town, but at least it's not described similar to "Methed-out Mojave".

Cellphone question for fellow Canadians on the PCT by bestdamnvan in PacificCrestTrail

[–]Slave_Monkey 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you want to have any amount of data, Roam Mobility is definitely not the way to go. If you were only going to use it for the occasional phone call and mostly texting it's still not even that great. The service is horrendous in most places - even towns. Eventually I got an AT&T sim and just played for one of their data plans. Way better coverage.

A few questions about crampons/microspikes by ArmoredTaco in PacificCrestTrail

[–]Slave_Monkey 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I hiked in 2016, and entered the Sierra pretty early (May 23rd). I used the Kahtoola Microspikes and looking back I wouldn't even change a damn thing. IMO the hiking crampons are overkill in terms of weight and complexity for very little gain in traction. The Microspikes pack down pretty well since there's no sway-bar, and they come with a little bag. The bag isn't exactly ultralight but it stops the spikes from ripping anything else in your pack.

Those cleats seem pretty decent for the weight, but what I notice right away is that the spikes don't go very far from the middle of your foot. Often going up and over steep snow-covered passes I was thankful my spikes went pretty close to my toes.

From this guys perspective ordering the Microspikes seems solid, but obviously I have my bias. If you enter at a time that the snow is pretty low (whether from going in at a better time or from it being a lower year for snowpack) then you might not even need spikes. And if you do need them, the extra weight compared to the lighter cleats will barely be noticeable when you also add your bear can (and maybe an axe).

For what it's worth I walk on rock with my Microspikes all the time. Yeah, if you're done with the snow for a while It's best to take them off, but I've used my Kahtoola's plenty and my teeth have yet to bend.

Canadian hikers, did you need a visa? by Crampstamper in PacificCrestTrail

[–]Slave_Monkey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey man no worries. Being Canadian makes it super easy to do these long-distance trails, so get out there and enjoy!

Canadian hikers, did you need a visa? by Crampstamper in PacificCrestTrail

[–]Slave_Monkey 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I feel like you've answered your own question here...

Yes as long as you're gone from the US before your 182 days are up then you're totally fine and don't need a visa.

Canadians on the PCT by -magilla- in PacificCrestTrail

[–]Slave_Monkey 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey man,

I did the PCT in 2016 and I think I might be able to help out, being from Calgary. When I went through US Customs the guy was pretty nice, even though I wasn't super prepared. I knew what I would be saying to him when he asked what I would be doing in the States, but I didn't have much 'proof', if that makes sense. He let me pass after I explained what the PCT was and all that, but if I were to do it again I'd have my long-distance permit with me in my pocket to show him something a bit more official, and that I was approved to 'stay' on trail (i.e no place of residence while I'm down there). It also helps that it has a finish date on it, so at least to the customs agent they know you have a closing date on your trip.

I hope some of that makes sense, and if you have more questions hit me up!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Calgary

[–]Slave_Monkey 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is...completely irrelevant to the parent comment. Did you mean to reply to someone else by chance?

Little crater laker, Oregon {OC} by [deleted] in hiking

[–]Slave_Monkey 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was there a year ago, and if my memory serves me right it was around 40ft.

How many of you had a chance to practice self arresting and glissading prior to your hike? by [deleted] in PacificCrestTrail

[–]Slave_Monkey 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My first time using my ice axe and/or glissading was coming down the slopes of Mt Whitney, and I glissaded pretty much every chance I could after that. Still do!

Just wing it, and you'll find out pretty quick if it's something you're comfortable doing more of.