"My Father had a profound influence on me, he was a lunatic."Spike Milligan
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Is First Aid Different In The Backcountry?
First aid is first aid is first aid – right? At first glance, providing first aid in the backcountry appears to be much like it is anywhere else. But if you look a little closer and you’ll find it is quite different. When you have finished this ...
Mike Kelsey: Steward of the Trail
With hair slightly unkempt, earnest eyes and a potentially roguish grin, Mike Kelsey has an air of unmistakable grit about him. An avid cyclist for close to 18 years and a lifetime outdoor enthusiast, he is no stranger to the danger of mountain bike ...
The Many Uses Of The Functional Wetland.
Article intro: In a recent City council meeting that was held in a small city in northern Wisconsin, a developer was trying to present a plan. This development plan included approximately 16.4 acres of wetland. In a recent City council meeting that was ...
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Winter is a spectacular time of the year. From dog sledding to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing to snowmobiling, or just camping out in the woods, it’s a time when you can experience the hushed, serene world of white. However before planning any trip or sporting activity in the winter you must be prepared to face the dangers of this glacial weather. Winter activities can be dangerous and this is further compounded by the weather that they are performed in. If you aren’t prepared for the hazards with the right kind of winter gear, you could be at risk from frostbite and hypothermia, the most common threats to your health from winter activities.
So, it becomes imperative for an outdoor winter adventurer to know the finer points of winter gear. For instance, winter shoes. Backpackers, fishers, or campers exposed to ice, snow, and water can enjoy their sport without fear of frozen toes if kitted properly with the right foot gear for the winter. The foot gear you choose will naturally depend on the activity that you are involved in as well as the temperature that you expect to be in. It also depends on the kind of environment that you will be facing, e.g. will it be wet, snowy or icy? For instance, different types of shoes are recommended for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
For the former you will need a boot that provides support to the ankle. You may also need a ski over boot to give to the added insulation over the ski boot. For snowshoeing or hiking in the snow, regular backpacking boots are just not good enough. They are simply unable to provide the requisite dead air apace. There are several options for boots. Among them are:
Insulated Boots - Commonly called ‘Mickey Mouse’ or ‘M&M’s boots, these were originally designed for use in the Korean War. They are designed to provide an impenetrable shield against water and extreme cold. A wool-lined interior and several layers of rubber serve as insulation. Their most
distinguishable features are their giant size and pure white color. The boots are able to prevent frostbite even at -20 or -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 to -34 Celsius); a thin layer of air trapped between two layers of rubber acts as a powerful insulator. They’re now available in black, with pressure valves, special moisture-wicking liners, and ratings down to an amazing –60 degrees Fahrenheit (-51 Celsius). You can purchase them thorough Army Surplus Stores, which is preferred over the modern copies.
Mountaineering Boots – Plastic shell mountaineering boots have a woolen or a foam insulated inner boot. These are very warm and can be easily used with ski bindings, crampons and showshoes.
Mukluks - Mukluks are a type of footwear originally made by the Athabaskans and Eskimos to keep their feet warm and dry in the winter. These are one piece moccasins which come up to the knee and are lined with felt and wool. How ever, since they are not waterproof they are best used in dry, cold winter settings. They can easily be used with snowshoe bindings and on cross country skis with special bindings, as well as with hinged crampons.
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 Childress: Allen fined 25K, but not suspended - Lincoln Journal Star
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen will not be suspended for a spate of late hits. Coach Brad Childress said he was told by the NFL that Allen will be fined $25,000, but not punished further. Allen was summoned to the ...
American Forests a Finalist for Redwood Creek Greater Outdoors Project - American Forests
WASHINGTON, DC— American Forests is up for the chance to win enough grant money to plant 50,000 trees to restore damaged areas in fire-ravaged California. From June 15th through July 31st, members of the public can help the project by voting for ...
Outdoors Briefs - Missoulian
The Lolo Watershed Group will hold its annual meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Lolo Community Center. Presenters will include Damon Pellicori of the Montana Water Trust, who will give an overview of the first season of monitoring the flow of ...
Great Outdoors Colorado director departing - Denver Business Journal
John Swartout, the executive director at Great Outdoors Colorado since January 2004, is joining the Colorado Oil & Gas Association as a senior vice president for policy and government affairs. “I think it’s such a vital industry for Colorado and ...
Bitten by a tick - Health 24
You're camping in the bush. You find a tick lodged between your big and second toe. What do you do now? Still, it's important to remove the tick as soon as possible. Ideally use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. If you don ...
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