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2003 Traditional
Winter Camping Symposium
Solon Springs, Wisconsin
October 24-25, 2003
A really kick butt symposium
with lectures and interaction with arctic expedition
professionals like Paul Schurke, Garrett Conover and Steve
Piragis, we learned how to best outfit our own snowshoe,
ski or dog expeditions into the extremes during the upper
latitude winters of Minnesota, Canada and beyond. I have
become a convert in natural fiber clothing after talking
to the experts. I bought four really nice items from the
vendors who displayed there (see bottom of this page). |
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| Ben
tests out my new EOS digital camera on Tami, who
finds the built-in flash to be quite powerful. Damn
good humor. |
Mark
Hansen led a seminar at his tent called "Stoves
For Your Tent." He highlighted topics of how to
maintain consistent heat, what types of firewood to
use, and some tips for cooking. |
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| Mark
explains that using a wood-burning stove in your
tent in the wilderness requires some precautions. |
Mark
says to always wire the stove upon camp setup to
prevent the stove from tipping over in your tent (egads!)
or collapsing and starting a complete fire (double
egads!) |
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 |
| The
Symposium drew all sorts of outdoorsmen and
outdoorswomen. The one common trait that everyone
shared was a hard core desire to camp in the winter
without beating the crap out of yourself or becoming
dead from a lack of knowledge. |
Ben
was being really good at not noticing my intrusive
documentary-style photography of this particular
session. |
 |
 |
| Ben
was still trying hard to be oblivious to my camera,
but Tami was intrigued by the dog that was licking
himself next to the stove that the instructor was
discussing. |
Mark
discusses the powers of God as Jesse Ventura resumes
his role in Predator and looks for the alien in the
trees. Tami (just to the left of Ventura) knows the
alien is there, but knows that it has no power over
her, and wonders about Mark Hansen's shoes. |
| I
bought the following items... |
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Arctic
Style Anoraks
In extreme cold, details matter.
Which is why our anoraks are closely modeled on
traditional designs that evolved through hard
experience in some of the coldest places on earth.
The fabric is windproof yet breathable, to release
trapped moisture. The fit is loose, to maintain an
envelope of insulating air, but adjustable, allowing
you to adapt quickly to changing conditions.
Mid-thigh length and full cut makes for easy
layering and freedom of movement. Full-cut storm
hood features a gusseted, adjustable neckline to
regulate ventilation. Waist and cuffs adjust for
maximum comfort. We use tie-tapes and toggle buttons
for all closures and adjustments because of their
simplicity and fail-safe reliability in extreme
cold. Handcrafted of 8.25 oz. shelter duck,
preshrunk and untreated. All seams are
double-stitched for strength and durability.
Designed to allow you to withstand extreme
conditions when paired with our Wool Blanket Shirt,
this windproof, natural fiber garment can also be
worn alone on blustery days.
Color: Natural
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Pricing: XS - XL $185.00 / XXL $190.00
Ordering
Information
Anoraks are made to order. Please include your
height and weight to ensure a correct fit, and allow
6–8 weeks for delivery. |
Ullfrotté
With
Ullfrotté Original, your feet will always be dry
Comfortable feet are important for your general well
being. But it is hard to find a sock that really
works under both wet and dry conditions. Try
Ullfrotté Original – the ideal material for
socks. Wool and synthetic fibers have been blended
to take advantage of the favorable characteristics
of both materials. The wool absorbs and wicks
moisture from the sock, keeping the skin dry and
comfortable and reducing the risk of athlete’s
foot. The synthetic fiber increases the durability
of the sock.
Research shows that our feet are most comfortable at
a temperature of between 82 °F and 93 °F. The
inherent properties of wool allow Ullfrotté
Original to maintain a comfortable foot temperature,
warm in winter and cool in summer. Ordering
Information
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Gransfors
Bruks Axes
Small Splitting Axe
Can
be managed with one hand. Forged and ground to a
concave, quite thin blade at the bit. This design
helps the axe to go fast into the wood - and then
split efficiently when the thicker part hits and
pushes apart the wood. The poll of this axe, like
the poll on most axes, is not designed for pounding
on a wedge. The head weighs 2 lb. The face is 2
1/2”. The 20” hickory handle has circular
grooves at the grip and steel collar near the head.
It comes with a grain-leather sheath. |
Ordering
Information
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The
Winter Wilderness Companion:
Traditional and Native American Skills for the
Undiscovered Season
Garrett Conover and Alexandra Conover
(Ragged Mountain Press, A Division of the
McGraw-Hill Companies, © 2001)
It this remarkably compact how-to volume, the
authors celebrate the often overlooked splendor of
winter and invite readers to embrace the
season—not just endure it—by making use of
traditional skills and equipment and drawing on
traditional philosophies. With detailed instructions
for making clothing, tents, toboggans, and
snowshoes, among others, this is the complete guide
to enjoying the winter wilderness.
“The Conovers propose a spiritual kinship with
winter, this most extreme, yet mystical, season. . .
. This is in all respects a well-written,
entertaining, and enthralling work.”..—Bushwacker
Price: $19.95
Ordering Information |
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