Invite: 2017 Yukon Bushcraft Camp/Course & Canoe Trip (June 2017)

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Chekmate

Member
Jan 24, 2016
46
2
Canada
Hey! Hibrion,

I’m now very interested! How do you burn dirt? Might be something us Bushcrafters should know in case we run out of wood. Lol:cool:

I would finish with Keep Your Tinder Dry. But if you can burn dirt, I don’t think you have to worry about that.:You_Rock_

Chekmate
 

Robson Valley

Full Member
Nov 24, 2014
9,959
2,664
McBride, BC
The Precambrian Shield is rock and water and Boreal Forest trees.
What you call dirt can burn all year, even under the winter snow.
Wood? We are never going to run out of wood here.
 

Hibrion

Maker
Jan 11, 2012
1,230
7
Ireland
Hey! Hibrion,

I’m now very interested! How do you burn dirt? Might be something us Bushcrafters should know in case we run out of wood. Lol:cool:

I would finish with Keep Your Tinder Dry. But if you can burn dirt, I don’t think you have to worry about that.:You_Rock_

Chekmate

The short of it is I made a 'smoker', just like I would here: green rack for drying the fish, very small fire and a green frame covered with wet moss and dirt to fill the holes and keep the smoke in. Basically it was working grand for a while but everything over there is so dry at that time of year it turned into a small signal fire, even the dirt burned. We put it out super quick, so it was safe, but it was pretty funny at the time.

You definitely won't have trouble starting a fire. Pretty much everywhere has abundant dry tinder and kindling :)
 

Robson Valley

Full Member
Nov 24, 2014
9,959
2,664
McBride, BC
Hibrion: thanks for the story. Ya done good. Lots of people don't do enough to put out the duff fires
and all it takes is a day of wind. Only fair of us to hope that visitors protect the land for their next visit.
You're welcome back, any time.
The dirt burns. Who could have convinced you of that in the months before you came over?
 

Chekmate

Member
Jan 24, 2016
46
2
Canada
Thanks! Hibrion,

For the story. Yes! In the Canadain Boreal Forest in the spring, everything is super dry. In most areas of Canada in the spring there is a fire ban. June is the time here in Canada most forest fires start from lightning. In most area of northern Canada these are virgin forests. The only thing that cleans the old and dead under growth is nature with fires.

Thanks again for the story!

Keep Your Tinder Dry
Checkmate
 

Chekmate

Member
Jan 24, 2016
46
2
Canada
Evening! Everyone,

In a month from now we should be setting up for our first night of the canoe trip. Most of you will already have had a week of camping and bushcraafting by this time. If I could have taken the extra time, I would have liked to join you all. The canoe trip will have to do.

I'm still working on getting my pack down to 50 lbs. I've made it down to 53 lbs but still need to do a little trimming. I'm getting there. :cool:
 

ValeTudoGuy

Nomad
Mar 8, 2017
325
0
Preston, England
I started serious packing last night. I have bought a DD pathfinder and plan to use it with the 3x3 as my shelter. The two things im really sticking on is my backpack [I dont think its big enough so might buy a new one] and my sleeping bags [either too big but warm or small but I dont trust them] I might look for a small packing down quilt.
 

Chekmate

Member
Jan 24, 2016
46
2
Canada
Hi! ValeTudoGuy,

My old pack was too small also. :( So I purchased a New canoe pack, I needed one anyway. My old pack was 15 years old. I ended up picking up a North49 Waterproof Canoe Pack 120 L. This pack is enormous! It cost me roughly 74 pounds. I have everything in this pack and still lots of room. Here are a couple of links to this pack. I don’t know if you can get it in the UK?

http://www.scouttech.com/north49-waterproof-canoe-pack-120l-fully-loaded/
https://www.ebay.com/p/North49-Waterproof-Canoe-Pack-120l-Fully-Loaded/1386045835
 

Chekmate

Member
Jan 24, 2016
46
2
Canada
Hey! Everyone,

I got out for the first time in the New canoe last Saturday. I order a 18' 6" Sea Clipper last fall and just picked it up the first weekend in May.

So my wife and I spent 8 hours on the Manigotan River fishing. The Sea Clipper handled fantastic! Fast, stable and very maneuverable. Very good canoe design.

This is the first time I haven’t been sore after my first time on the water. This winter a started an exercise program for canoeing. Dumbbell Standing Row, Standing Lat Pull Downs, Weighted Standing Torso Twist. These exercises, I used light weight to failure, three sets. I also tried a Shoulder Endurance exercise. This is using a weighted pole and going through the paddling motion from a chair for an extended time period. I’ve gotten up to 15 minutes per side. These exercises have really helped my early season paddling! On Saturday morning I paddled continuously for 1.5 hours as my wife and I trolled up river with no fatigue. We did stop a couple of time to land and release fish though.

Give it a try. It’s really helped me out.
 

Bushcraft Yukon

Tenderfoot
Nov 8, 2015
59
0
Canada
Hi Chekmate ,

congrats on your new boat! I have only seen a Sea Clipper once. Beautiful boat! Should be a great touring canoe for you!

Last weekend I also went canoeing for the first time this year (many of the lakes are still covered with ice). It was great getting out on the water first time after the winter! I am so looking forward to the trip!

Sunday I spent some hours prepping our new camp location on the property: Cutting some trees, hauling out brush, building a fire pit, ...I guess I will be busy until you folks arrive...:)

See you soon!
Fabian
 

Chekmate

Member
Jan 24, 2016
46
2
Canada
Hi! Fabian,

I've own many canoes through the years. This is the first brand new canoe I've owned. This is a very nice touring canoe. I had a removable seat made to sit in front of the yoke for my two kids. We've gonna give it a good workout this coming weekend. The four of us will be out Saturday, Sunday and Monday fishing. As long as the weather cooperates. :)

Looking forward to gettin up to your neck of the woods and onto the water. I'm counting down the days.

The Sea Clipper is a very nice canoe. Following are the specs.

SPECIFICATION

Dimensions

· Length: 18′ 6″
· Beam: 36″ | 32″ (@ 4″Waterline)
· Bow Height: 23″
· Stern Height: 21″
· Center Height: 15″
·
Weight:
· Fiberglass/Foam Core: 68 lbs
· Kevlar®: 60 lbs
· Ultralight: 56 lbs

My Sea Clipper is the Fiberglass/Foam Core: at 68 lbs. But with the length, you don't even notice the weight. I loaded and unloaded the canoe on my truck with ease. Also, carried it 100 meters up and down hill to launch. No Problems.
 

Arya

Settler
May 15, 2013
796
59
39
Norway
This is the first time I haven’t been sore after my first time on the water. This winter a started an exercise program for canoeing. Dumbbell Standing Row, Standing Lat Pull Downs, Weighted Standing Torso Twist. These exercises, I used light weight to failure, three sets. I also tried a Shoulder Endurance exercise. This is using a weighted pole and going through the paddling motion from a chair for an extended time period. I’ve gotten up to 15 minutes per side. These exercises have really helped my early season paddling! On Saturday morning I paddled continuously for 1.5 hours as my wife and I trolled up river with no fatigue. We did stop a couple of time to land and release fish though.

Give it a try. It’s really helped me out.

Do you push to failure every time, or does the program have variations?
 

ValeTudoGuy

Nomad
Mar 8, 2017
325
0
Preston, England
Im very excited to get some more canoe experience. My plan is to buy one for family trips. We had a lovely trip down the Dordogne on tandum sit ons a couple years back, so I will likely get a 2+1 sit on soon with a mind to upgrade to a nice touring sit in at some point.
 

Chekmate

Member
Jan 24, 2016
46
2
Canada
Do you push to failure every time, or does the program have variations?

Hi! Arya,

I use the weight I can do 20 to 30 reps for failure. When I can do 30 reps I increase the weight. With these excercises I started with 15lbs three times a week. For the Standing Row, I'm up to 40 lbs per hand and can do 22 reps. Weighted Torso Twist I'm up to 25 lbs & 28 reps.

I'm working for stamina not strength and it seems to be working. Make sure you start with low weight and work your way up.
 

Chekmate

Member
Jan 24, 2016
46
2
Canada
Im very excited to get some more canoe experience. My plan is to buy one for family trips. We had a lovely trip down the Dordogne on tandum sit ons a couple years back, so I will likely get a 2+1 sit on soon with a mind to upgrade to a nice touring sit in at some point.

Hi! ValeTudoGuy,

It's great to get out with the canoe. I can be on the water within a half hour drive. Don't have any white water close by. All my canoeing has been touring. Can't wait until tomorrow. Back on the water with the whole family this time.
 

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