This Is Canoeing

This is a trailer for a new video coming out from Cackle TV Productions. The trailer does a very good job of piquing my interest in the videos.

From the production company's web site:

“THIS IS CANOEING” is a 2-disc celebration of canoeing, showcasing top single-blade paddlers in their pursuit of remote wilderness journeys or challenging white water. Multi-award winning film maker, Justine Curgenven captures the essence of canoeing in 12 short films. From open canoe slalom races to 1,000 mile birchbark expeditions, Justine provides insights into the diversity of the sport and the influential people who tell it’s story. Immerse yourself in this globe-trotting 3 hours of adventure to world class canoeing destinations in Canada, the United States, Scotland & Wales.

FEATURING;

KEVIN CALLAN – BECKY MASON – PAUL MASON – MARK SCRIVER- ANDREW WESTWOOD - KAREN KNIGHT – BOB FOOTE – RAY GOODWIN - WENDY GRATER - CHRIS COOPER – DAVE ROSSETTER – ELI HELBERT - JOHN ‘KAZ’ KAZIMIERCZYK – HAILEY THOMPSON – CAROLYN PETERSON

You can pre-order your copy of the videos at the Cackle TV web site. There is also more information about the videos, including information on the featured paddlers and the waters they are paddling.

Forecast For A Winter Trek

I'm heading with a group for an overnight snowshoe and camping trip to Prince Albert National Park this weekend. The forecast is for pretty mild weather, but we're still a few days out so there's room for change. Let's have a look at what the two main forecasters are predicting for the area for the weekend. I'll revisit this next week, after we come back.

I've taken screenshots from the website of both forecasters (just after 5 pm), cropped and rearranged them a bit, and posted them here.

First, the forecast provided at www.weathernetwork.com:

And now, the same from Environment Canada at www.weatheroffice.gc.ca:

So that's the forecast, lets see what reality brings....

Keep My Fingers Away From That Blade

Many of us that work with table saws and wood have heard of the SawStop over recent years. It's a table saw that can sense when it's no longer cutting just wood, but is cutting flesh, and stops it self rather dramatically to protect your hands. Most of us have seen the videos that show what happens when a wiener is used as a substitute for a human finger to demo the SawStop. However, this was a new take on the demo video for me. Watch the video, it's worth a few minutes to see.

Winter Camping Gear List

This is an attempt to publish my winter camping gear list which I use Google Docs to keep in a spreadsheet format. You can view the real version here, where it should appear as a normal spreadsheet and will be kept up to date. I'm getting ready to head out on a couple of trips this winter so I've been getting my list in order.

Note that one could write a book chapter on some of the items on this list such as sleds, boots, tents, etc.

Individual Item Group Item Comments Cooking Stove X 1 per 4 people Matches & lighters X Everyone should have a few fire starting methods on hand, all the time Fuel X Fire starter X X Cooking grate/bars X Gloves X Leather gloves for handling pots, and working the fire. Pots X Pot lifter X Spatula X Dish soap X Warm in a pot of the warmed dishwater to use. For dishes - you may just scrape pots with snow to clean them. Pot scrubber X Dish towel X Food pails X Cutting board X can use lid of the food pail Tinfoil X Thermos X 1 per two people, can be used for hot drinks on the trail, have something hot and ready for the morning, etc. Cutlery X Plate/Bowl X

Insulated mug Camp Gear Tent X Included as individual item since each person needs to make sure they have shelter Ground sheet X Axe X 1 per 4 people, sharpened. Also useful for getting water through ice. Folding saw X 1 or 2 per 4 people Tarps X Rope X Snow shovel X 1 per 1 or 2 people Sleeping Bag System X Cold-weather bag suitable for the coldest weather. Could be a -12C bag plus an overbag, vapour barrier liner, fleece liner, etc. Sleeping pad X it's a good idea to double these up or use a shorter foam pad under a thermarest Big duffels/packs X Duct tape X Lantern X Good item for a group - it gets dark early so most cooking and many camp activities sill be done int the dark Flashlight or headlamp X If using a metal light - wrap end in duct tape if you are like me and occasionally use your mouth as 3rd hand to hold it. I usually bring a headlamp and a maglight with spare batteries for each. Maps X 1 full maps set per - or two people. Compass X Know how to use it. GPS X Does not replace compass and real maps. Plastic bags X

First aid kit X Kit sized for the group, multiple kits is better. Multitool &/or knife X I bring one of each. Toiletries X Don't bother with deoderant and toothpaste - it doesn't work well frozen. Toilet Paper X Sunscreen X Emergency blanket X Transportation: Snowshoes X Bring shoes appropriate for the conditions. If weight is not a major concern, I'll bring a smaller pair for camp/bush use Skis X I might also bring both skis & snowshoes, but usually just snowshoes now. Ski Poles X Even if snowshoeing, poles can be helpful. Sled/Pulk X Ideally with poles and some sort of harness system to help with hilly terrain. Personal Optional Gear Camera/tripod X Binoculars X Chair X Dependant on space/weight limitations, but some sort of device to sit on is good. Small foamie X For sitting on, kneeling on, standing on when changing footwear, etc. Notepad & Pencil X Alcohol X Dependant on space & weight. Remember alcohol decreases cold tolerance.

Medications/pain killers X Clothing Stuff: Boot System Winter boots with removable liners or whatever is going to work for you. Need something for trekking & also camp work, and evening use. Camp booties Heavy socks 1 or 2 pair Midweight socks 2 pair Liner socks Polypro or whatever Vapour Barrier Liners aka plastic bread bags to keep your feet from sweating up your boots, unless your boots breath or you can dry them out at night Jacket/Parka System Breathable shell & insulating layers, might be a separate parka for sitting around the fire and in the morning, or it might just be more layers. Anorak shells with a fur-ruffed hood are very popular. Sweaters I like wool. Multiple layers is good with a thin sweater and a thicker sweater Pants I like a good camping pant with lots of pockets Wool/fleece pants Insulating layer Shell pants Long undies (top & bottom) 2 pair of bottoms, a dry pair to put on in the evening and a pair for when sweating Underwear Scarf Scarf is the equivalent of Arthur Dent's towel. Neck Tube Toque I bring a thick wool toque and a thinner toque. Mitts & gloves I bring a few options

Polypro liner gloves Wool liner gloves Overmitts/Shell mitts Balaclava Ski goggles/sunglasses It's bright out there and you will damage your eyes without GOOD protection.