Although monotonous for you, I feel as though this video series will be helpful for others. I’ve noticed a big bump in folks taking interest in these types of camping activities since COVID took over. Very detailed, thorough, and helpful points I haven’t heard mentioned before. Try not to go crazy in lockdown John!
I love that your cat has to put her/his 2 cents in! Lol I learned so much in this video! Well , honestly I love your channel because I honestly learn something new in every video even if I go back and rewatch some on my favorite camping trips and being stuck in the hosp I been rewatching ALOT of your video I am like ohhhhh I did not know that but know I do! Even if you think you videos are short ridiculous nd why would ppl want to see this stuff. Well new ppl like my husband and I appreciate you taking the time to do these! Your room in your house looks very cozy!🐾🐾👍
I really like the dry bag for the scotch idea, so simple I can't believe I didn't think of it myself! I have the same issue with trees out here in Arizona. I just got an Ursack (Kevlar bear bag) for the times I can't find a proper hang or even just a questionable one. Small animals or birds not being able to get into my food bag is also a bonus when using an Ursack. Keep your spirits up best you can right now, the videos are interesting and helpful so thanks for doing them even tho I know you would rather be out in the wild.. take care and be well.
I chuckled at the mention about aluminum pots and dementia. I remember my grandmother learning this and asking that all her pots be replaced. All good except she was 92 at the time...
One thing I've noticed watching these videos and want to start implementing in my set up is the use of various bags. Also I found out about Billy Bellows from you guys, my girlfriend got me one as a Christmas present and I absolutely love it!
thanks Jon, you are so great at explaining why you use your gear. Some oldies we’ve seen time & time again. Good to hear all your comments. Like the cat too.
I just discovered your channel and have spent several hours the last two days enjoying your work. I believe it was in this video that you (John) mentioned the difficulty of using conifers, firs in particular, to hang your food container off the ground and bear safe. I have something to add here. During 30+ years of (usually) solo backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, I learned a simple and highly effective technique for safeguarding my food. After losing almost all of a three day supply suspended 10 feet out from the trunk of a red cedar and 25 feet above the ground on Ililouette Creek in Yosemite in 1976, I ever after used two 35 foot (or more) fir trees12-15 feet apart. Tying off one end of a 100 foot length of paracord (I always carried this much) head high on the first tree, I attached 12 oz. round lead fishing weigh to the other end of the cord, stepped back from the trunk 10 feet and chucked the weight over an upper branch close to the trunk and heard it crash to ground on the far side of the tree. I then took my food bags (two tied together) and, after pulling the paracord over the first tree and down into the intervening space, hung the bags over the cord sitting on the ground and chucked the weight over the second tree in similar fashion. When done with the food bags, I would simply hoist them into the space between the trees, usually at least 12-15 feet off the ground, and tie the weighted end off on the far side of the second tree. I never spent more than 5 minutes accomplishing this and I never had my food interfered with again.
You are killing it! :-) Actually this is useful content as to your gear selection based on your location and experiences. We can always learn something. Channel is doing great. Waiting for your next trip.
Thats why your Kiitty Cat was screaming at you. Kitty must of thought you were going to fillet some fish. Don't you know how to read a Kitties miind? Ha Ha.
Good, sensible kit review. I started out with a big, heavy waxed canvas Duluth pack when I started canoe tripping (in the 70’s), which wasn’t water “proof”, really. I replaced its with a rubberized Duluth pack in about 1990, which had a Baja bag seal and really kept things dry, but was still heavy. I bought a barrel like yours about 20 years ago and never looked back. Truly waterproof unless you dump in heavy water and it hits a rock (I’ve seen it happen, not to me thankfully), and really light. So much better than a Baja bag or Duluth. Bear hangs are hard to make when you’re backpacking above tree line, but I’d you rig a loop around a tree trunk and push it up with your paddle you can use it to hang your barrel 6-8’ off the ground, which gets the scent higher and less likely to attract scavenging bruins. Anyways, lots of good content here.
Great content! Don’t forget that lots of us are stuck at home too, so this is keeping us entertained in the meantime 😊 By the way, love the cat interaction!! We take our Rag-doll cat on canoe trips! Her first time last year, she’ll be with us again this summer... Look forward to your next vid! 😊😊
Loving these deeper dives into the gear Potential future topic: the weight principle you apply to the gear… ever considered ultralight? Firmly “of the bush” ? Inquiring minds want to know!
You’re the first person I’ve heard say that about using the kid for cleaning fish, serving food, etc. I’ve been saying for years this is a terrible idea. Thanks for putting that out there.
Great stuff. After watching a lot of your trips and now some of your equipment videos, I think I have answered my own question. Like everyone who uses a stick stove, my stove and cookware are covered with soot. Cleaning the soot is a PITA and having everything in my pack covered with soot plain sucks. The soot is my ONLY gripe about the stick stove. For a while I wondered how you deal with the soot, but in time I came to realize that anyone who can deal with the hordes of black flies, days of heavy rain, long portages through dense growth, soggy pants, socks and boots, freezing drizzle, deep snow, and all that you endure to be out there where the beauty lives is simply not deterred by a little soot. For better or worse, when I look in the mirror, I see a guy who has to find a solution to soot on a wood stove. Thank you.
Just a thought, I use a 12 oz throw bag to set my food barrel/bag (arborists use these to set their climbing ropes). They are very small and sleek but enough weight to go through thick branches. You can buy them at most arborist supplies stores for $25-30 CAD
old scout leader's trick to prevent the outside of the pot from turning black , is to coat it with soap , soot just washes right off ... Scouter Chuck 1st North Bay
Good informative video. One tip I give to people who cant hang their barrel is to bring a tie down strap (not ratcheting due to bulk) and strap it to a tree. I have seen scratches on my barrel but it was never run off with by a bear or a gang of raccoons :D
Great info job. Really enjoying these vids. Just picked up a barrel and harness looking forward to using it for sure. Hopefully we can all get out and do some camping starting on may 24 long weekend. Cheers
I've never had any problems with bears before , I think they are more a problem around organized camp sites rather than in remote location where they dont have the experience of dealing with humans . I like that little series on gear , it's kind of a "hors d'oeuvre " before the real trips . Thanks Jon
I’ve heard the same thing about aluminum pots, not sure the science backing the claim but it freaked me out so I switched to titanium or stainless steel. Also I have the same Sea to Summit skillet and love it!
Enjoying these very much!! thank you for going into detail about your choices. And I 1000 % agree about the cutting board barrel tops. Me no get it - but to each his own.
Yep, aluminum and Teflon fastest way to get lost in the woods! Where we going?!😂 Switched to steel decades ago and cast iron at the remote cabin. Informative video again.👍
Jon, my new favorite pots are made by a company called Tatonka (German?). They are 18/8 stainless and come in 1.6, 2.5 and 4.0 liter. I purchased them from a German company called Exxpozed. I think they are worth checking out next time you need a new pot.
I seen a guy use two trees and hang the barrel with one rope on each end while I was in the bwca last week being a tree guy by trade I thought that was a cool application of span rigging
John, lve been in the bush all over Ontario and lve hunted black bears and shot probably 60 bears 🐻, in the thousands of hours lve spent in the bush, lve never saw a bear in a blackspruce,or balsam, the occasional red pine yes, white pine very rare, they don't like tree gum in there fur, just my experience in 60 years in the bush, btw l notice trees, i was a utility arborist by trade .l probably worked out of the T BAY area 6 years and umteen years north of that. I enjoy your videos thanks 😊
Thanks once again, Jon. I am always learning from you, despite being an old (stuck in his ways) canoe tripper. LOL moment right at the start about folks who use their barrel lid as a fish cleaning station. Is there a better way to attract bears? We use barrels too but we line them with thick plastic bags for odor control (overkill? probably). From backpacking we have plenty of bear cannisters and use them as insurance against food lose. I even line these with plastic bags. They go in a Granite Gear food bag, with a hard foam base underneath them. So far, no food loses with this system.
I love all the content, including gear loadouts, but.... I can litterly feel your cabin fever lol, can you guys still get out on day trips up there, maybey a quick fish and shore lunch 😃🐟😀🌲🔥🌲
I bring a cast iron frying pan on canoe trips and everyone makes fun of me for hauling it around, but I like that its indestructible and easy to clean.
I learned the hard way about booze and cooking oil leaking, and both on the same trip. Luckily the cooking oil was contained in a dry bag, but it was with all my food so that was a mess. Moving forward both will be put in a dry bag together.
Im from the UK and moved to Toronto at the end of 2019, I really want to do my first canoe trip this spring and your channel has been an inspiration as well as being hugely informative. These videos are invaluable. Keep up the good work!
I canoed in brown bear country for years and never hung my food, out of ignorance. Never saw a bear until building a cabin and anchoring the food contamination in one spot. They were black bears and once they get a feed they are your friend for life or their death as it turned out.
We have watched hours of your content. My wife is ill and finds your videos very comforting. My question is your take apart rectangular metal fire pit. I have spent hours searching for that and can't find one. Is this a commercial product, and if so, where can one be purchased?
Great video Jon! If I put my propane gas canister and stove inside the barrel , do you see any concerns? I will of course put them in a dry sack first.
Hi, John. These purely instructional/info videos are such a huge help for backcountry novices, like me. Thanks so very much! I recall seeing in at least one of your videos a small, collapsible fire grill or grate. What brand is it?
1:53 - Titanium is NOT better for cooking. You want stainless steel. Aluminum leaks toxins, btw. Stainless steel is best because it cooks evenly, and with less spot-burning. Titanium for everything else, no question. EDIT: 4:30 - Uses a long utensil due to high heat on the fire bottom, that's because you're using titanium cookware (see above).
Thanks for the videos, sorry you're stuck at home. Question any worries with your food barrel being left alone, doing a double portage over a long distance, say a mile or so?
Used to use camp suds but I usually don't even bring them now...typically just rinse then boil the pot again (with cutlery inside). My plate is plastic so I can't do the same there so I just pour the boiling water over it
Jontario! do you take food items with you that may require staying cold? some videos I have seen you use cheese and other items you would think need to stay cold. what's your strategy for that?
Hey John, I've had shredded cheese unrefrigerated for a week or more many times and it has only molded once or twice. Same for bread. But most of my food is shelf stable or dehydrated and I bring little to no meat. My only strategy is trying to eat those things earlier in a trip :)
I don't hang here in northern Ontario because hanging limbs are very hard (almost impossible) to find in the boreal forest and even the two-tree method is very difficult to pull off here. Thankfully bears are also very wild up here and rarely habituated to human presence so they generally wouldn't associate a human camping with a food source (a human camping is more likely to scare them off). There are no guarantees though and minimizing scents that would attract a bear in the first place is important. But in a busier park and/or where suitable horizonal branches exist where there are more hardwoods, it's definitely important to hang
I pack so much lighter... I would like to know, with all that gear (on a solo trip), what length of portage makes you wish you packed lighter? I'm setup for 1km single carries. One pack, 85l. 40lbs canoe.
Yeah we're not gram counters at all. For a long trip, there's no way I can single carry as a soloist with a expedition-worthy canoe, a barrel, and a pack, not to mention I significant amount of filming and fishing gear. Just not possible so I commit to the double carry
I generally don't/can't here in northern ON because bears are wild and rarely habituated and hanging limbs are very hard to find in the boreal forest. But in a busier park or where hanging limbs are present I would :)
I saw several telescoping ones, but your commentary on telescoping items rings true with me and I have lost count of the number of old school telescoping antennas that have bent, pulled apart, or locked up over the years. The flexible design is definitely a huge improvement. I don't suppose Erin's Dad would sell me the components so I could assemble one myself?
Hahah yeah there is that...Xander has one and hasn't had an issue but I hear ya. I'm afraid he stopped making them because he cleaned out his supplies and didn't want to order more so he's all out
No biggie here. You like the sea to summit skillet. I was going to buy one from your site. But you have GSI skillet on your buy site. No sea to summit. Maybe i missed something. Thank you for video.
Thanks for checking! I made this a few years ago and have since moved to the GSI. A bit heavier but taller sides and a more durable joint at the handle
Hey Jon. Great Video. Now can we do a deep dive into your cat situation. I feel like the little attention seeker in this video would be kind of a star.
Although monotonous for you, I feel as though this video series will be helpful for others. I’ve noticed a big bump in folks taking interest in these types of camping activities since COVID took over. Very detailed, thorough, and helpful points I haven’t heard mentioned before.
Try not to go crazy in lockdown John!
Lets get Jon's subscribers up to 100,000. Good content Jon!
💚💚
Let's go for 200,000 now!
I love that your cat has to put her/his 2 cents in! Lol I learned so much in this video! Well , honestly I love your channel because I honestly learn something new in every video even if I go back and rewatch some on my favorite camping trips and being stuck in the hosp I been rewatching ALOT of your video I am like ohhhhh I did not know that but know I do! Even if you think you videos are short ridiculous nd why would ppl want to see this stuff. Well new ppl like my husband and I appreciate you taking the time to do these! Your room in your house looks very cozy!🐾🐾👍
I really like the dry bag for the scotch idea, so simple I can't believe I didn't think of it myself! I have the same issue with trees out here in Arizona. I just got an Ursack (Kevlar bear bag) for the times I can't find a proper hang or even just a questionable one. Small animals or birds not being able to get into my food bag is also a bonus when using an Ursack. Keep your spirits up best you can right now, the videos are interesting and helpful so thanks for doing them even tho I know you would rather be out in the wild.. take care and be well.
Definitely love the Ursack. I use a dry bag inside mine. Hopefully this helps contain food odours.
BTW we enjoy ALL Lost Lakes vids. No crappy filler at all. Lay it all out have at it. We will watch.
I chuckled at the mention about aluminum pots and dementia. I remember my grandmother learning this and asking that all her pots be replaced. All good except she was 92 at the time...
One thing I've noticed watching these videos and want to start implementing in my set up is the use of various bags. Also I found out about Billy Bellows from you guys, my girlfriend got me one as a Christmas present and I absolutely love it!
thanks Jon, you are so great at explaining why you use your gear. Some oldies we’ve seen time & time again. Good to hear all your comments. Like the cat too.
I just discovered your channel and have spent several hours the last two days enjoying your work. I believe it was in this video that you (John) mentioned the difficulty of using conifers, firs in particular, to hang your food container off the ground and bear safe. I have something to add here. During 30+ years of (usually) solo backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, I learned a simple and highly effective technique for safeguarding my food. After losing almost all of a three day supply suspended 10 feet out from the trunk of a red cedar and 25 feet above the ground on Ililouette Creek in Yosemite in 1976, I ever after used two 35 foot (or more) fir trees12-15 feet apart. Tying off one end of a 100 foot length of paracord (I always carried this much) head high on the first tree, I attached 12 oz. round lead fishing weigh to the other end of the cord, stepped back from the trunk 10 feet and chucked the weight over an upper branch close to the trunk and heard it crash to ground on the far side of the tree. I then took my food bags (two tied together) and, after pulling the paracord over the first tree and down into the intervening space, hung the bags over the cord sitting on the ground and chucked the weight over the second tree in similar fashion. When done with the food bags, I would simply hoist them into the space between the trees, usually at least 12-15 feet off the ground, and tie the weighted end off on the far side of the second tree. I never spent more than 5 minutes accomplishing this and I never had my food interfered with again.
You are killing it! :-) Actually this is useful content as to your gear selection based on your location and experiences. We can always learn something. Channel is doing great. Waiting for your next trip.
Love the kitty.
Your cat is becoming a star, demanding a speaking role.
Good discussion Jon!
Another one, keep em coming sir & I'll keep watching!
Thats why your Kiitty Cat was screaming at you. Kitty must of thought you were going to fillet some fish. Don't you know how to read a Kitties miind? Ha Ha.
Hahah I offered her a little once and she poo-pooed it!
Good, sensible kit review. I started out with a big, heavy waxed canvas Duluth pack when I started canoe tripping (in the 70’s), which wasn’t water “proof”, really. I replaced its with a rubberized Duluth pack in about 1990, which had a Baja bag seal and really kept things dry, but was still heavy. I bought a barrel like yours about 20 years ago and never looked back. Truly waterproof unless you dump in heavy water and it hits a rock (I’ve seen it happen, not to me thankfully), and really light. So much better than a Baja bag or Duluth. Bear hangs are hard to make when you’re backpacking above tree line, but I’d you rig a loop around a tree trunk and push it up with your paddle you can use it to hang your barrel 6-8’ off the ground, which gets the scent higher and less likely to attract scavenging bruins. Anyways, lots of good content here.
Great content! Don’t forget that lots of us are stuck at home too, so this is keeping us entertained in the meantime 😊 By the way, love the cat interaction!! We take our Rag-doll cat on canoe trips! Her first time last year, she’ll be with us again this summer... Look forward to your next vid! 😊😊
Loving these deeper dives into the gear
Potential future topic: the weight principle you apply to the gear… ever considered ultralight? Firmly “of the bush” ? Inquiring minds want to know!
love this. great ideas and tips.
it is very different camping at national parks than crown land.
food supply, shelter can make a huge difference.
You’re the first person I’ve heard say that about using the kid for cleaning fish, serving food, etc. I’ve been saying for years this is a terrible idea. Thanks for putting that out there.
Great stuff. After watching a lot of your trips and now some of your equipment videos, I think I have answered my own question. Like everyone who uses a stick stove, my stove and cookware are covered with soot. Cleaning the soot is a PITA and having everything in my pack covered with soot plain sucks. The soot is my ONLY gripe about the stick stove. For a while I wondered how you deal with the soot, but in time I came to realize that anyone who can deal with the hordes of black flies, days of heavy rain, long portages through dense growth, soggy pants, socks and boots, freezing drizzle, deep snow, and all that you endure to be out there where the beauty lives is simply not deterred by a little soot. For better or worse, when I look in the mirror, I see a guy who has to find a solution to soot on a wood stove. Thank you.
Hahah that's true, I don't feel too fussed about but I've sometimes just used a plastic bag 😅
Just a thought, I use a 12 oz throw bag to set my food barrel/bag (arborists use these to set their climbing ropes). They are very small and sleek but enough weight to go through thick branches. You can buy them at most arborist supplies stores for $25-30 CAD
Great information. This will take my solo tripping to the next level. Thanks Jon
Great idea to protect the scotch.
I was taught to put a pin in the barrel ring to make it harder for a bear to pop it open.
Once again, great tips! I have the same water filter. It’s great.
Thanks Chris! Love that filter
old scout leader's trick to prevent the outside of the pot from turning black , is to coat it with soap , soot just washes right off ... Scouter Chuck 1st North Bay
Good informative video. One tip I give to people who cant hang their barrel is to bring a tie down strap (not ratcheting due to bulk) and strap it to a tree. I have seen scratches on my barrel but it was never run off with by a bear or a gang of raccoons :D
Great info job. Really enjoying these vids. Just picked up a barrel and harness looking forward to using it for sure. Hopefully we can all get out and do some camping starting on may 24 long weekend. Cheers
I've never had any problems with bears before , I think they are more a problem around organized camp sites rather than in remote location where they dont have the experience of dealing with humans . I like that little series on gear , it's kind of a "hors d'oeuvre " before the real trips . Thanks Jon
I’ve heard the same thing about aluminum pots, not sure the science backing the claim but it freaked me out so I switched to titanium or stainless steel. Also I have the same Sea to Summit skillet and love it!
Enjoying these very much!! thank you for going into detail about your choices. And I 1000 % agree about the cutting board barrel tops. Me no get it - but to each his own.
"And this is the most important bag of all. This is scotch" lmao. I agree.
Interesting video with lots of info and options. Not boring at all and looking forward to the upcoming ones!
Thanks NR!
Nice bit of kit.
A separate channel for your cat might be an extra revenue stream.
😝
We attach a wrench to the carbeener < sp 😂 to throw, just enough weight. Great vid 👍
I am so ready to go canoeing and fishing. You’ve motivated me to start getting my gear out...but I started with rods and reels.
Thanks for these videos....I like your thought process...and Very Practical
Thanks man 🙂🙂
Totally agree about NOT using barrel lid for cleaning fish, VERY BAD!
Yep, aluminum and Teflon fastest way to get lost in the woods! Where we going?!😂 Switched to steel decades ago and cast iron at the remote cabin. Informative video again.👍
Jon, my new favorite pots are made by a company called Tatonka (German?). They are 18/8 stainless and come in 1.6, 2.5 and 4.0 liter. I purchased them from a German company called Exxpozed. I think they are worth checking out next time you need a new pot.
Oooooh i love the huge carabiner!!! I need one.
I seen a guy use two trees and hang the barrel with one rope on each end while I was in the bwca last week being a tree guy by trade I thought that was a cool application of span rigging
Ha! I just watched the video where you spilled the scotts and poured it back, like.. the other day. few days ago. :)
John, lve been in the bush all over Ontario and lve hunted black bears and shot probably 60 bears 🐻, in the thousands of hours lve spent in the bush, lve never saw a bear in a blackspruce,or balsam, the occasional red pine yes, white pine very rare, they don't like tree gum in there fur, just my experience in 60 years in the bush, btw l notice trees, i was a utility arborist by trade .l probably worked out of the T BAY area 6 years and umteen years north of that. I enjoy your videos thanks 😊
Very interesting. Thank you!
Thanks once again, Jon. I am always learning from you, despite being an old (stuck in his ways) canoe tripper. LOL moment right at the start about folks who use their barrel lid as a fish cleaning station. Is there a better way to attract bears? We use barrels too but we line them with thick plastic bags for odor control (overkill? probably). From backpacking we have plenty of bear cannisters and use them as insurance against food lose. I even line these with plastic bags. They go in a Granite Gear food bag, with a hard foam base underneath them. So far, no food loses with this system.
Hahah thanks William! Sounds pretty solid!
I love all the content, including gear loadouts, but.... I can litterly feel your cabin fever lol, can you guys still get out on day trips up there, maybey a quick fish and shore lunch 😃🐟😀🌲🔥🌲
Thanks for Sharing more of your load out Jon, I am sure many will find this useful! May the 4th be with you and Erin! 🙏
Thanks Buddy, very important points and great tips here, much appriciated!
Thanks again Mike!
I bring a cast iron frying pan on canoe trips and everyone makes fun of me for hauling it around, but I like that its indestructible and easy to clean.
Your cat has some serious attitude...
I learned the hard way about booze and cooking oil leaking, and both on the same trip. Luckily the cooking oil was contained in a dry bag, but it was with all my food so that was a mess. Moving forward both will be put in a dry bag together.
Good video Jon, if only i had waited 24 hrs hehe, you certainly answered my question on a food bag lol
Im from the UK and moved to Toronto at the end of 2019, I really want to do my first canoe trip this spring and your channel has been an inspiration as well as being hugely informative. These videos are invaluable. Keep up the good work!
Greatly appreciate that Theo!! Good luck on your first trip!
I just hope we are able to go camping this yr.
I canoed in brown bear country for years and never hung my food, out of ignorance. Never saw a bear until building a cabin and anchoring the food contamination in one spot. They were black bears and once they get a feed they are your friend for life or their death as it turned out.
Great video. What about using a bear vault?
Thanks! As in the portable ones? The ones I've seen just don't have a big enough capacity
Hey Jon! You have an URL for the Barrel strap /harness you use- Thanks!
Omggg your cat is adorable! 😍
Any updates to this list after a couple years? Thanks for the tips!
We have watched hours of your content. My wife is ill and finds your videos very comforting. My question is your take apart rectangular metal fire pit. I have spent hours searching for that and can't find one. Is this a commercial product, and if so, where can one be purchased?
Thank you both for joining me :) I bought it from a small shop in Manitoba (Yukon Mini titanium model):
www.canoepaddler.net/shop
Great video Jon! If I put my propane gas canister and stove inside the barrel , do you see any concerns? I will of course put them in a dry sack first.
Thanks Ahmet! I'm no expert with stoves as I rarely bring one but the only concern I would have (fuel leak) you covered :)
Hi, John. These purely instructional/info videos are such a huge help for backcountry novices, like me. Thanks so very much! I recall seeing in at least one of your videos a small, collapsible fire grill or grate. What brand is it?
Very glad to hear that Henry, thank you! I think you're talking about the one from Bitty Big Q?
www.amazon.ca/dp/B07VBT99R4?ref=myi_title_dp
@@LostLakes I think that’s it! Thanks!
Doritos and Naan calzones and I havent even watched the video yet:)
I like to keep my mesh bags in a mesh bag so I can easily see they are mesh bags. Top tip...
1:53 - Titanium is NOT better for cooking. You want stainless steel. Aluminum leaks toxins, btw.
Stainless steel is best because it cooks evenly, and with less spot-burning. Titanium for everything else, no question.
EDIT: 4:30 - Uses a long utensil due to high heat on the fire bottom, that's because you're using titanium cookware (see above).
Great series so far. Are you able to do some testing and your thoughts on the URsack bear bags?
Thanks. BC
Thanks Andrew! I've never used one but Kevin Outdoors has some excellent vids on it
I store my olive oil in a Nalgene and have never had a leak either.
Another great video.
So so helpful! Thank you
Thanks for the videos, sorry you're stuck at home. Question any worries with your food barrel being left alone, doing a double portage over a long distance, say a mile or so?
I hope The presenter answers your question.
I feel like ziplocks are garbage anyway since they're not watertight. I am excited to transition from bag to barrel!
Hey John, how do you deal with cleaning your kitchen gear on site after meals? Campsuds? Cat hole for dumping water? Thx!
Used to use camp suds but I usually don't even bring them now...typically just rinse then boil the pot again (with cutlery inside). My plate is plastic so I can't do the same there so I just pour the boiling water over it
Great video as always,
Hi! Thanks for your great videos! Have you ever used an ursack?
Thanks Eric! Never have, but Kevin Outdoors has some great vids on them with a bear trying to get into one
Jontario! do you take food items with you that may require staying cold? some videos I have seen you use cheese and other items you would think need to stay cold. what's your strategy for that?
Hey John, I've had shredded cheese unrefrigerated for a week or more many times and it has only molded once or twice. Same for bread. But most of my food is shelf stable or dehydrated and I bring little to no meat. My only strategy is trying to eat those things earlier in a trip :)
Great insight 🤙 thanks for sharing.
Hi John! Just wondering if you guys hang your barrel? Or do you just keep it far from camp?
I don't hang here in northern Ontario because hanging limbs are very hard (almost impossible) to find in the boreal forest and even the two-tree method is very difficult to pull off here. Thankfully bears are also very wild up here and rarely habituated to human presence so they generally wouldn't associate a human camping with a food source (a human camping is more likely to scare them off). There are no guarantees though and minimizing scents that would attract a bear in the first place is important. But in a busier park and/or where suitable horizonal branches exist where there are more hardwoods, it's definitely important to hang
I pack so much lighter... I would like to know, with all that gear (on a solo trip), what length of portage makes you wish you packed lighter? I'm setup for 1km single carries. One pack, 85l. 40lbs canoe.
Yeah we're not gram counters at all. For a long trip, there's no way I can single carry as a soloist with a expedition-worthy canoe, a barrel, and a pack, not to mention I significant amount of filming and fishing gear. Just not possible so I commit to the double carry
LOL@"most important bag"
Ever thought of using a frisbee as a plate
the thumbnail makes me think the answer is "SECRETS"
If you are going to hang your food would you hang the barrel or just the bag with food in it?
When I bring the barrel, I don't bring a bag as a liner to contain everything (though that might be useful), so I'd be hanging the whole barrel
nice wool skin
did you get that from g-stove?
I think Erin's mom brought it home from Iceland years ago
I switched to barrels after racoons chewed through my bag.
Do you hang the barrel for bears or do you just leave it on the ground?
I generally don't/can't here in northern ON because bears are wild and rarely habituated and hanging limbs are very hard to find in the boreal forest.
But in a busier park or where hanging limbs are present I would :)
It looks like the Billy Bellows domain is out of service. Do you sell that flexible bellows through a different site?
Hey Vince, thanks for checking but Erin's dad has taken an indefinite break from making them. Sorry for the wild goose chase, just removed the link
Snoozed and lost. Any ideas on a substitute? Thanks Jon.
Canadian Outdoor Equipment carries great stuff and this one looks really good:
www.canadianoutdoorequipment.com/eog-v3-pocket-bellows.html
I saw several telescoping ones, but your commentary on telescoping items rings true with me and I have lost count of the number of old school telescoping antennas that have bent, pulled apart, or locked up over the years. The flexible design is definitely a huge improvement. I don't suppose Erin's Dad would sell me the components so I could assemble one myself?
Hahah yeah there is that...Xander has one and hasn't had an issue but I hear ya. I'm afraid he stopped making them because he cleaned out his supplies and didn't want to order more so he's all out
Your cat has a lot to say about the food barrel compared to the Mec backpack!
No biggie here. You like the sea to summit skillet. I was going to buy one from your site. But you have GSI skillet on your buy site. No sea to summit. Maybe i missed something. Thank you for video.
Thanks for checking! I made this a few years ago and have since moved to the GSI. A bit heavier but taller sides and a more durable joint at the handle
Thanks for reply. Ordered GSI pan from your site. Thank you
@@HikeGPL much appreciated!!
when are you doing the Nahanni????
Hahah someday hopefully, but years away I imagine
i own a transportation company and live in london and am going true northern ontario if you need your canoe picker up let me know
Thanks!
Did you make the map on the wall?
I wish....it was generously sent to us by Hayden from Oklahoma :)
Hey Jon. Great Video. Now can we do a deep dive into your cat situation. I feel like the little attention seeker in this video would be kind of a star.
Why not take an unscented lotion?
I can't remember what I showed here but I usually do, that makes sense
I want a chewbacca chair
More cat please
Do you think a water filter is a live changer ?
Oh yeah, way better than tablets or boiling IMO
Beer bag :)
where did you get the barrel ?
Erin's mom lol
@@LostLakes do you know if they're available commercially anywhere ?