Blog on a Log
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
No One Outlawed Camping in the Middle of Boston Harbour
Reddit user ngamau posted this image, taken in Boston, earlier this week. "This person set up a tent in the middle of Boston Harbor last night," they explained. "So far, no one has made him leave."
And that appears to still be the case. Though the coast guard have been monitoring the situation, they stressed that the man, who goes by the name Michael Smith, has not broken any laws. Smith, who is homeless, owns a canoe and some camping equipment and has been in his canoe or tent on the water in Boston Harbour for the past week.
“As of right now he’s not doing anything illegal,” said Lt. Joe Klinker of the U.S. Coast Guard in an interview with Boston's Chanel 7 News. Smith's activities are classified as 'recreational', and legal as long as he remains in public waters.
Best of luck to Smith, and his unusual lifestyle. Winter camping is challenging at the best of times, and camping out above the frigid December waters of the Boston Harbour is certainly no exception!
More info:
Chanel 7 News: Man with canoe lives on Boston Harbor
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Holiday Gift Guide
The holidays are once again upon us, and chances are you're looking to surprise a few of the folks on your 'nice' list with some great adventure gear. We've got you covered...and there's no need to break the bank to do it! Check out some great holiday gift ideas starting at just $5.99!
(text version and product links below the image)
Under $15
Can-Coctions Can-panion
The Can-Panion clips on the side of a canoe, kayak, or camp chair to keep their beverage handy wherever they go. No more reaching for a water bottle rolling around in the bottom of the boat, or kicking over your can of bubbly around the campfire!
The PlatyPreserve
Take your vino on trail with a lightweight, collapsible container that eliminates bottle breakage issues. It's also great around the house - whether you drink one glass or four, no oxygenation means whatever wine is left will stay fresh and tasty in the PlatyPreserve to enjoy at your leisure!
Waterproof Map Case
On the trail or on the water, keep their maps clear and dry with a waterproof case. The only thing worse than having no map is bringing a map and having it end up illegible. Help them stay on course!
Rite in the Rain Notebook
A durable notebook with waterproof pages so they can take notes, plan meals, or jot down journal entries in any kind of weather. Great for keeping field notes and trail journals.
Under $25
Stemless Wine Glass
Keep their beverage in the glass with this unique, hard-to-tip wine glass. Perfect for those who like to enjoy their wine on unstable, rough terrain or rickety camp tables.
Tikkina 2 Holiday Gift Pack
Just for Christmas - Buy the Tikkina 2 headlamp at its regular $19.95 price and get the rechargeable Petzl Core battery (a $39 value) for free! A compact and lightweight headlamp, perfect for everyday lighting needs and use around the campsite.
Wintertrax Ice Treds
Attaches easily to any style of shoe so runners, dress shoes or boots won't slip during winter weather. Perfect for winter runners, dog walkers, or those who just need to navigate the treacherous ice of their workplace parking lot.
Leatherman Micra
The Micra is one of the most compact multitools available, with ten useful tools including scissors, a knife, and screwdrivers. Made of stainless steel so there is nothing to rust, it can easily be attached to a set of keys so the tool they need is always in reach.
Under $50
Rock Out Portable Speaker
Perfect for the campsite, boat or cabin! This portable, rechargeable speaker connects to any headphone jack, including iPod, iPhone and other MP3 player and laptops, and lasts up to 20 hours on a single charge with a wooden sound box and bass booster technology for a full range of high quality sound.
Lasso Security Cable
Don't let their adventures be cut short by an opportunistic thief - a security cable provides peace of mind by locking a canoe or kayak to the car roof while out on the road. Easy to use large double loops with 4 digit combination.
Under $100
Slackline Set
Set your giftee up to explore a fun and challenging new sport. Our slackline sets contain everything needed to set up at the park, a campsite or right at home. Our staff line gets used by folks from 5 up to 65 - a great challenge for adventure junkies of any age.
Steripen Water Purifier
Steripen is the go-to brand for UV water purification, tested by everyone from Appalachian Trail thru-hikers to Everest climbers. The UV light removes 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses and 99.9% of protozoa in 48 seconds for clean drinking water on trail or while traveleing.
The compact, lightweight AdventurerOpti is a great choice for those heading out on trail, while the rechargeable Freedom makes a great gift or travelers heading to countries with unreliable water supplies.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
15% OFF All Snowsoes, Skis and Ski Packages December 10-16
From Monday, December 10 to Sunday, December 16 get 15% OFF ALL skis, snowshoes and ski packages at Wilderness Supply. How does that song go? "Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland...." Yeah. It's much easier with snowshoes on. Get out there!
Dates: December 10-16, 2012
Location: All three
Wilderness Supply stores
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
15% OFF All 2012 Model Boats December 3-9
From Monday, December 3rd to Sunday, December 9th get 15% OFF ALL 2012 model canoes and kayaks at Wilderness Supply. Get your last shot at this season's pricing and an extra special present for the holidays (if you can fit it under the tree!)
Dates: December 3-9, 2012
Location: All three
Wilderness Supply stores
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Nine Gift Ideas for Outdoorsy Gals
She can scale a mountain, portage a canoe, and start a campfire with a single match. This Christmas, give a little love to the outdoorsy women in your life. Whether you're gifting to your mother, sister, girlfriend, or friend, these gifts are sure to keep them out and enjoying the great outdoors all year long.
Wintertrax Shoe Ice Treds
When snow falls and walkways get treacherous, keep mom walking steady all winter long. Shoe Ice Treds stretch to fit almost any size and style shoe, lending extra traction to runners, boots, or even your girlfriend's favourite oh-so-impracticable heels! A great gift idea for winter runners, dog walkers, or those who want some extra security in icy parking lots without having to carry an extra set of shoes.
The North Face Women's NSE Tent Mule II
Your girlfriend's tootsies will stay toasty warm this year with a pair of cozy down-filled slippers. A staff favourite, these comfy faux fur lined booties can be seen around the store on staff members who refuse to take their pair off! The water resistant fabric and durable nylon mesh base means she won't have to - they go from lazing around the house to venturing out for the mail with ease.
The North Face Cable Knit Mitt
Keep her hands warm and stylish with the Cable Knit Mitt from The North Face. The thick cable knit wool is lined with cozy soft fleece for two layers of warmth ideal for those with perpetually cold hands.
Black Diamond Primrose SA Harness Package
A complete startup set for the new or beginner female climber! The Primrose Harness Package includes a Black Diamond harness, ATC belay device, locking carabiner, chalk bag and chalk -- everything she needs to get started climbing indoors or out at one great price. Great for those just taking up the sport or veterans who need a gear overhaul.
Patagonia Merino Cardigan
Classic styling reworked with performance-level fabrics. This soft, touch-it-to-believe-it cardigan is a staple piece for any woman's closet... but made with luxurious, fine-gauge merino wool that's natural, breathable, and completely itch-free! Give her a gift she'll wear for years to come with comfortable, high-performance fabric that feels great against the skin... it's the best of both worlds!
Leki Cressida Speedlock Trekking Poles
Weighing in at just 17.28 oz with a compact, ergonomic grip designed specifically for women's smaller hands, the Leki Cressida is an excellent choice for hikers on your list. Whether navigating a slippery creekbed or tackling a tricky incline, trekking poles provide safety and stability on rough terrain. Just be ready for her to spend all Christmas afternoon planning next year's excursions!
Thermarest NeoAir XTherm
As anyone who's fought over a thermostat knows, women tend to be much cooler than men. Keep her warm in the great outdoors with a NeoAir XTherm mattress. The reflective material throws back heat at the body, giving this mattress and impressive 4-season R-value of 5.7. Bonus? The NeoAir weighs less than a pound, packs smaller than a water bottle, and expands to an impressive 2.5 inch thickness to provide some serious comfort after a hard day of playing outdoors. Perfect for those who find their bodies less and less agreeable to sleeping on the ground....or youngins who realize they can be twice as comfortable while carrying half the weight!
Deuter Futura 30 SL
A proper fitting backpack is one of the most important pieces of equipment an outdoor enthusiast can own. Women, with their shorter torsos and curved shape, have been wearing ill-fitting unisex packs for years. Give her the gift of comfort with a women-specific pack like the Futura 30, equipped with shorter, narrower SL shoulder straps and a conical shaped waist belt to deliver the perfect fit for female users.
The North Face Arctic Parka
A parka that's both warm and stylish is a gem of a gift. The waterproof, breathable Arctic Parka features warm 550-fill down and a slim, flattering silhouette so she can go from tobogganing with the kids to dinner at your favourite restaurant and stay warm and dry the whole way. A gift that will definitely keep giving all winter long!