Making Tracks For Your Hiking GPS

A GPS can be a good safety measure to have on a hike. I use it to set way points as I progress on my hike so that I can back tack if I am lost. To follow the trail I usually rely on paper maps, as GPX files for trails are not always available. When they are available it is very convenient to have them loaded in your GPS as a track to follow.

To find tracks for your hike first try searching Google for GPX files of the trail you want. For instance I searched "Bruce Trail GPX" and this was the first result, a full GPX track of the Bruce Trail. A GPX file like this is ready to be imported to your GPS unit as is.

What if you cant find a good GPX file of your trail? well you will have to make your own. This be can be very time consuming, fortunately there is an excellent online application for this task called GAIA GPS. GAIA GPS will automatically connect way points using its available database of trails. 

This is much much faster and easier than the alternative, which is to manually mark out the track point by point. The only down side to GAIA GPS is that it will only create routes, when what we want is tracks. Tracks make much more sense for hiking, they will show up as a line on a map to be followed, where as routes show up as you travel along them. Easy fix though, there are many programs that can convert routs into tracks. 

To do this go to the details page for your route in GAIA and download the route as a GPX file. Next import that GPX file in to your mapping software, I use Garmin BaseCamp. In BaseCamp right click on your route file and select "create track from selected route". Once you have created the track GPX file you are ready to import it to your GPS unit.

Happy trails!

ALICE Pack: faults and fixes

As a child my brother and I used to love going to the army surplus store, which in those days was truly an army surplus store carrying many ex-military items. I have always coveted those olive drabs, brown and camouflage patterns. I have always appreciated the rugged construction and utilitarian nature of the articles. I admittedly also think army gear is just dripping with finesse.  

Instead of doing what everyone else does and buying an Osprey, I opted to buy that most infamous of all military packs the ALICE. The ALICE pack or, All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment was a modular system adopted by the U.S. military in 1973. The ALICE system includes a myriad of load bearing equipment, but this article will be critiquing and offering suggestions for the medium field pack and frame only. The pack itself is extremely rugged and when used without the frame is an excellent ruck sack. Although it does have a few short comings.

Firstly, the two main closing straps are permanently attached to the bag and must be loosed fully and pushed aside to gain access to the main bucket. This is easily remedied by inserting two quick release clasps to the original buckle. I highly suggest not removing the original buckles, for if the new ones should break you can still use the old ones as intended.

Second failing of the ALICE field pack is its frame. The ALICE system was designed to be best suited for an average build of man around 5’9” tall. I am my self 6’1” and thus the ALICE frame is far too small for me, and so the frame is more trouble than its worth. I wonder if it would even be of use to a man which it fits, as the frame holds all the weight of the pack at far too great a distance from the body. This distance seems to, through the powers of leverage, pull you backwards in a most disagreeable way. I also found that the ALICE frame offered no satisfactory place to attach bed rolls, sleep pads, or sleeping bags.

A third complaint although minor, is the lack of a sternum strap. This can be easily remedied, in my case I borrowed one off of another pack that I owned. You can see I used green electrical tape to secure any loose webbing.

I was thus contrived to better the ALICE pack myself by attaching it to a Kelty style frame which lifts the pack higher and puts the weight closer to the body, whilst being longer would also suit my height and provide space for sleep gear.

Fortunately, the ALICE field packs modular design makes fitting it to any type of frame easy. The bottom of the pack has two lengths of webbing and a buckle for attachment. In order to attach the top of the pack to a different frame I suggest inserting a small stick in the pocket where the original frame once attached, and then lashing this stick to your new frame. 

The frame that I used was purchased on Kijiji for five dollars, not only was it larger than the ALICE frame but it was 212g lighter. You could also make your own pack frame.

ALICE frame on left 957g
Secondhand Kelty frame on right 745g

So, to any of you out there who were thinking about buying an ALICE pack, or perhaps currently own one that you’re not quite happy with I hope that this information is helpful. As I said, the ALICE field pack is a rugged and smart looking ruck sack. I love that it can be easily attached to a good frame (just not the ALICE frame).

The ALICE pack manual as a PDF.

Remember,

Nature is our salvation

Your World Grows

"Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time." Steven Wright 

I am thrilled, excited, exalted! Each new vista opens up before my eyes. Each new view is earned by sweat and footfall. I am here! I am where I ought to be. I am here to see all of God's brushwork. Each canvas brings me joy that can be found nowhere else. True beauty marks true virtue.

Time slows to a pace I know. I am accustomed to this pace, despite having never truly lived in this world I know it is where I belong. Here I am not being whipped through corrals toward the abattoir. I may come and go as I please. I may rest or work by my own reasoning.
Here I am master of my own time.

Our society and technology have steadily outpaced our natural state of being. Society has long since left us behind. Generation after generation has built a world with no room for the spirit. We force our selves to lead lives with no semblance of humanity. Indeed the line between society and technology is growing more indistinct, I fear for the souls of children and children's children. Will we see our folly before we smash our proverbial heads in? or are we doomed to follow our course through?

This is now my home now. My little house among the blueberries and sphagnum. My dominion runs as far as the eye can see, bring me but one man to dispute my kingdom. I wait and wait, I hear no challenge. (Unless a bear comes for some of those blueberries, then I might concede.)

Let my eyes soak in the beauty. Let my ears hear sweet bird song. Hang me in this breeze too dry. But what shall we have to eat? What shall nourish our mortality?

Blueberries, in your pancakes, in your tea, on their own. Blueberries!

Sour fruity ripe Sumac. Soak the Sumac fruits in water to make a delicious and refreshing lemonade like beverage. Or suck on the fruit to quench thirst well hiking.

Didn't bring any fishing gear?

That's no problem an impromptu spear with a barbed point and a lot of patience will put fish on your plate.

Alas, our trip ends. How I wish I could stay forever.

But it is never truly goodbye, rather only until next time.

Same bat-time,

same bat-channel.

Bulk Barn, a backcountry outfitter?

Mountain House is a tasty and easy meal. However, the severe gastrointestinal distress that follows always seems to put a damper on my trail time. I'm not an astronaut, and so I should not eat astronaut food.

As it so often turns out the best approach is to keep things simple. George Washington Sears wrote in his 1884 book WoodCraft "The best trail food is plain food".

I've compiled a list of foods I enjoy in the backcountry, and where to buy it. This is the first installment in a series on good trail foods that can be boughten at normal stores, for reasonable prices.

Bulk Barn for many people is home of the candy run, bakers pantry, or a great place to achieve zero plastic waste lifestyle. For me, Bulk Barn is a backcountry outfitter, a one-stop shop for many of my dry trail staples.

I understand that if you are outside of Canada you can't visit this store. However, it is my understanding that all bulk food stores carry similar products. I hope that you will still find this helpful.

 I think the obvious choice is trail mix. Affordable, tasty, and packed with calories and protein. What a classic choice.

Kasha is toasted buckwheat, it cooks faster than plain buckwheat and has a wonderful nutty flavor. It's a low glycemic index food so it won't spike your blood sugar and cause you to crash.

Plantain chips. Just tasty mang.

Nothing beats warm fresh biscuits.

Pancakes are a must.

Why not enjoy those pancakes with some no mess maple syrup. Either add it directly to the batter or rehydrate it with a touch of water. 

I call it mango jerky. Just as good as beef, only its actually good for you.

Mung beans are the only legume other than lentils that will cook without pre-soaking.

Milk. For your tea, coffee, cereal, mac&cheese... It's worth having.
Hydrate it in cold water, not hot water.

Hot chocolate, pure joy in a cup.

Juice mix. keep those electrolytes up, or cover the taste of scuzzy water.

Cut out the middle man. Buy this delicious orange crack-powder in bulk.
Tip from a pro, use ghee instead of butter, it doesn't spoil.

Gots to have that macaroni.

Great way to ensure you're getting enough protein in your diet.

If you have not tried wild rice you have not truly lived. 

Boullion, season your cooking bro.

Obviously, it works as gravy, but it also thickens and seasons soups and stews.

Don't judge me, its good for you and easy to cook.

Peanut butter. What can't you eat this with?

Disclaimer:
Trail food is not meant to be a super healthy diet food. We want food that packs the most calories per weight. Dried foods are always preferred, we don't want to carry the water if we don't have to.

How to use wool blankets with a hammock.

In the heat of summer, nothing is more refreshing than a cool breeze whipping under you back as you lay sweating in your hammock. Soon August brings the north winds, nights get colder and colder. You, like myself, probably want to keep sleeping out under the stars. Well, you can all you need is two blankets, some string, and a little know-how. Read this short how-to and you will soon be a professional shoulder season hammock camper.

To do this you will need:

• Two wool blankets at least queen size.
• Two 2ft lengths of cordage.
• A hammock system, bug net optional.

How to set it up:

Use the two lengths of cord to make blanket ties.
Do this by tying a loop on one end, and a Canadian jam knot on the other
.

Hang your hammock.

Attach the blanket ties to the hammock line by making a prusik knot.
 Be sure to leave the jam knot free to accept the blankets.

Lay your blankets in the hammock so they don't get dirty or wet.

Attach the blankets with your blanket ties. Attach the two diagonally opposed corners on each end.

Next, all you need to do is get in and wrap your self up like a burrito.

You can have your face out if the weather is fair.

Or if it's chilly make a cacoon.

For added warmth, attach a tie to the outer blanket and loosely wrap it around your body.

Don't tie this up, just a few wraps will do. Otherwise getting out might be a pain.

For extra warmth on your feet, zip a coat or sweater over the foot end. Tuck the hood and sleeves in to stop drafts.

Pitch a square tarp over a ridgeline to stop the wind, and keep dew or rain off.

Remember, Nature is our salvation. Get out there and find some peace.