ABBA, Wool and Mindless Ramblings !!!

pitdog

pitdog

Joined
Apr 13, 2007
Messages
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I had to think long and hard as if I dare show this pic, but what the hell not many people look on the internet eh !!!
You see I used to be as obsessed with outdoor clothing as I am now about knives and stuff, I had to have to have the very latest HI-Tech materials and scorned upon Cotton and Wool, however I have now come full circle and like the idea of traditional fabrics so decided to give them a go !

Anyway before I get to that, this was where I hiked....
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Maisy was really giddy today and was charging around like a pup, maybe it was seeing me in my Sweater !!!
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Anyway we found a nice spot to stop on top of a little hill.....
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There was Deer Scat everywhere on the hill but sadly I saw no Deer...
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Not the greatest view in the world but still far better than being at work....
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What I like about my area is how new growth quickly sprouts up from dead, I think this is a young DumpsterMutt tree....
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Ok here is me in my Wool Number looking like the 5th member of ABBA, it is actually made in Norway and I was really impressed with it's warmth, I would say it is the equivalent to a 300 weight fleece. Even when I stopped for a break I was still plenty warm enough where as when I wear a fleece I often have to put a windshirt on over the top untill I get moving again !
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I won't be throwing all my fleece's away but I will be looking for some more wool.....preferably in plain green, brown or black this time !!!:D:thumbup:
 
First, If Dumpster Mutts grow on trees, I'm packin' my bags and headin' out your way.
Second, look on the bright side. No one would ever accuse you of being a mall ninja or ubertactical in that sweater :p.

Great pics (once again) :thumbup:.

Chris
 
Pitdog, what part of the island are you on, if you don't mind my asking? I am thinking of checking out the tofino area this summer. Actually I want to see the whole island.
I was in Victoria once for 2 nights, it was amazing.
 
How tough is it compared to fleece? I was crossing a barbed wire fence with fleece pants on and the barbed wire caught my crotch and I lost my balance and fell. The fleece held me up and didn't rip or tear. I hate to think of what might have happened if it had tore. :eek:

Sold me on fleece from there on out.
 
I have done the full cirlce thing too in last several years, after getting one of those Norwegen sweaters. The one I picked up has a breathable waterproof liner in it. It's perfect for snowsnowing, but I doubt I'll be winning any fasion contests ;) This year I picked up a Filson double mac cruiser, looks fairly formal, but is rugged as all heck.

-Brad
 
Pitdog- Nice pics. Thanks. A mountain climbing friend of mine introduced me to the wonders of wool several years ago. He liked the flexibility and warmth of the sweaters and would wear two of them in cold weather, having bought one in a size up to fit over the other. I still have mine. They are oiled wool and kind of smell but wear like iron. They were made by a New Zealand company, Norsewear. They came in only 2 colors back then. Oh, for those who weren't around to remember ABBA...

GB

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pitdog,

As a minor aside, I had to chuckle a bit when I read you saying that there was deer scat everywhere, but you saw no deer. I hope you are aware that this is because you are hiking with a dog. Taking your dog on a hike will make most of the wildlife flee as fast as they can, as soon as they sense your dog in the area. I would say it's a safe guess that you cut down on wildlife viewing opportunities by at least 95% when you take your dog on a hike.

I am not trying to tell you not to hike with your dog, by the way. I'm just explaining the simple cause and effect relationship to you.
 
Evolute said:
pitdog,

As a minor aside, I had to chuckle a bit when I read you saying that there was deer scat everywhere, but you saw no deer. I hope you are aware that this is because you are hiking with a dog. Taking your dog on a hike will make most of the wildlife flee as fast as they can, as soon as they sense your dog in the area. I would say it's a safe guess that you cut down on wildlife viewing opportunities by at least 95% when you take your dog on a hike.

I am not trying to tell you not to hike with your dog, by the way. I'm just explaining the simple cause and effect relationship to you.
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I know what you mean but sometimes I get lucky, my dog was with me here and they left shortly after I took the pic but still it shows it can be done !
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pitdog said:
Bloody Hell I hope my this isn't me and the wife in years to come !!!:eek:
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Pitdog. Please do not put a matching sweater on the pooch.
If that Springer was to pee on its owners heads while they slept, I'd know why :p.
 
Liam Ryan said:
Pitdog, what part of the island are you on, if you don't mind my asking? I am thinking of checking out the tofino area this summer. Actually I want to see the whole island.
I was in Victoria once for 2 nights, it was amazing.
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I'm near Victoria, Iv'e heard Tofino is really nice and plan on visiting myself this year !!!
 
Good wool sweaters are some of the toughest things you can wear. The best wool for outdoor stuff still has a lot of the natural lanolin in it, helping to waterproof it. Before fleece was popular (and cheap), I wore fisherman-knit sweaters a lot. I still like my old ragg wool stuff.

Where fleece excels is in drying once it gets wet. You can wring it out and your body heat will help dry it the rest of the way. Once you get a wool garment soaked, you might as well have an anchor.

With my thrift store addiction, it has passed my mind many times that there are perfectly good wool sweaters to be had for a song.
 
pitdog said:
I'm near Victoria, Iv'e heard Tofino is really nice and plan on visiting myself this year !!!
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Grice Bay is on the inside of Ucluelet and Tofino and is a wonderful place. We kayaked through there there are small islands with eagles on every snag. The Telegraph Cove area is another favorite of mine. Some day I want to do the West Coast Trail.
 
DaleW said:
Grice Bay is on the inside of Ucluelet and Tofino and is a wonderful place. We kayaked through there there are small islands with eagles on every snag. The Telegraph Cove area is another favorite of mine. Some day I want to do the West Coast Trail.
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Me too, let me know if you ever decide when and maybe I'll tag along !!!:thumbup:
 
pitdog said:
Me too, let me know if you ever decide when and maybe I'll tag along !!!:thumbup:
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Take a trip out to Port San Juan and stop at Botany Bay along the way. It's not far from Victoria and makes for a great day trip.

Botany Bay has every kind of plant native to the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Make sure you take rain gear as the salal is head high and keeps the dew late into the morning.

Here's a Web site that will make all the inlanders jealous: http://www.livingwilderness.com/crossref/vancouver-island.html
 
I just bought some wool socks...really heavy ones...they are great and keep me warm even when wet. I have worked outside in sub-zero temps(wind chill) for about 9 hours and was fine.
 
gunknifenut said:
I just bought some wool socks...really heavy ones...they are great and keep me warm even when wet. I have worked outside in sub-zero temps(wind chill) for about 9 hours and was fine.
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I always wear wool socks for hiking, usually merino. You can't see in the pic but I'm wearing some Fox River wool gloves and I'm also impressed with them esp as they were really cheap at MEC !!!:thumbup:
 
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