Search found 522 matches

by DonNewcomb
Sat Apr 25, 2020 6:00 pm
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Thoughts with travel due to COVID 19
Replies: 4
Views: 2124

Re: Thoughts with travel due to COVID 19

The only reason I see to restrict a fairly solitary pursuit like backpacking is to reduce any possible strain on the search and rescue services. An ambulance could haul 5 COVID-19 patients to hospital in the time it takes to find and transport one hiker who fell and dislocated his shoulder. Also, in...
by DonNewcomb
Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:06 am
Forum: Food & Cooking
Topic: Best stove for new backpacker
Replies: 19
Views: 11491

Re: Best stove for new backpacker

I didn't see anyone mention the Zen Stoves site. http://zenstoves.net There are many factors that go into selecting a stove. One is regulatory. Did anyone ask how you're getting to the island? If by seaplane, you'll probably be restricted in your stove selection to the common isobutane type. In air ...
by DonNewcomb
Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:54 am
Forum: Food & Cooking
Topic: What Food Is Best?
Replies: 28
Views: 18301

Re: What Food Is Best?

I started dehydrating all of my meals and never looked back. .... My camping buddy/brother is a fiend about ultralight equipment. His one-man tent cost more than my whole rig. However, when it comes to food, he's pretty much the opposite. He hates commercial freeze-dried meals and if I bring any of...
by DonNewcomb
Sun Jun 24, 2018 7:59 am
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: First time back country camper. What to bring to Isle Royale?
Replies: 13
Views: 10729

Re: First time back country camper. What to bring to Isle Royale?

zims wrote: Sun May 27, 2018 10:32 pm Ditch the MRE's ....
The "RE" part of MRE is "Ready to Eat", which means that they contain enough water to be eaten and digested. Packing more water than you need for the day is unnecessary weight.
by DonNewcomb
Fri Apr 13, 2018 6:28 am
Forum: Food & Cooking
Topic: Vegan Backpacking Food
Replies: 18
Views: 16824

Re: Vegan Backpacking Food

...... I came across this web page https://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/ and ordered their "meat" sampler. Great meat substitute: ham, beef, chicken, taco meat. Loved them and they taste really good. Real meat is actually a bit of a PITA on the trail. The preparation of dried ground beef is ...
by DonNewcomb
Wed Apr 04, 2018 7:04 am
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Light and Cheap, under $20
Replies: 14
Views: 9376

Re: Light and Cheap, under $20

Midwest Ed wrote: Tue Apr 03, 2018 7:24 pm 35 mm film canisters are great for storing and protecting all sorts of very small or fragile things or even small quantities of liquid.....
Film? :? You know. I actually have a few of those in a drawer somewhere. I think one of them is even painted Kodak yellow and red.
by DonNewcomb
Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:53 am
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: Light and Cheap, under $20
Replies: 14
Views: 9376

Re: Light and Cheap, under $20

My brother used to get empty sterile saline bottles from the hospital. Best light-weight water bottles ever made.
by DonNewcomb
Mon Apr 02, 2018 5:40 am
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: First time IR trip in May. Does my gear list have any glaring holes?
Replies: 30
Views: 16580

Re: First time IR trip in May. Does my gear list have any glaring holes?

One thing I would not drop from the list is the emergency blanket or something similar, like a big trash bag, disposable poncho, etc. We were walking in a rain that lasted three solid days when we ran into a guy who left all his rain gear at home (because he'd never needed it before). We had nothing...
by DonNewcomb
Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:49 am
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: First time IR trip in May. Does my gear list have any glaring holes?
Replies: 30
Views: 16580

Re: First time IR trip in May. Does my gear list have any glaring holes?

It's just a little one, but I'm probably not bringing it because I won't have any use for it outside of taking out splinters, which can be done with a knife. OK. "Multi-tool" covers a lot of territory. I carry a Micra which weighs less than 2 oz and has many uses. I never carry the ~10 oz...
by DonNewcomb
Fri Mar 30, 2018 3:04 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: First time IR trip in May. Does my gear list have any glaring holes?
Replies: 30
Views: 16580

Re: First time IR trip in May. Does my gear list have any glaring holes?

How much does that multitool weigh? Are we talking about a micra @ < 2 oz or a Gerber @ almost 10 oz?
by DonNewcomb
Tue Mar 13, 2018 5:49 am
Forum: Food & Cooking
Topic: Vegan Backpacking Food
Replies: 18
Views: 16824

Re: Vegan Backpacking Food

Most backpackers I know are willing to go vegetarian or even vegan, as long as the herbivore agrees to be the cook and understands that if the rest are hungry, he/she gets put on the menu. :) I suggest a trip to an Asian grocery as much of their food is dried and does not involve dairy products.
by DonNewcomb
Mon Mar 12, 2018 6:16 pm
Forum: General Questions and Miscellaneous
Topic: Best cell signal at West end of island?
Replies: 12
Views: 12734

Re: Best cell signal at West end of island?

T-Mobile's northernmost claimed LTE tower in that area is just inland of Hovland. At Grand Portage they show only 2G service, maybe roaming. Did I read somewhere that the tribal phone company was installing their own cellular system? No, maybe it was T-Mobile. http://www.cookcountynews-herald.com/ne...
by DonNewcomb
Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:50 pm
Forum: Food & Cooking
Topic: Fuel for the long haul
Replies: 2
Views: 5163

Re: Fuel for the long haul

The peanut butter powder mentioned in the article is peanut butter reduced to carbs and protein. The fat is removed. Part of the reason one carries peanut butter is for the fat. If you leave it out, you need to find it someplace else.
by DonNewcomb
Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:44 pm
Forum: Gear & Supplies
Topic: What are you spending your REI dividend on? 2018 Edition
Replies: 23
Views: 13915

Re: What are you spending your REI dividend on? 2018 Edition

Just received my dividend card today. What can I get for $8.49?