Snow Day Shin Cup - In honor of AIG ;)

scruffuk

scruffuk

Joined
Jan 14, 2010
Messages
2,679
Its been a while since I posted anything of note here.
Truth be told I've been too busy. I work for a fireworks/explosives company, and, being in Blighty, November and December is a bit busy.

I'm finally back on normal hours....not that mattered today mind. We got hit by some pretty bad snow, the first real snow here all winter.
Everything kinda grinds to a standstill....and it was declared a 'Snow Day' by work. Site was closed.

Hussar! ;)

After a quick trip to town and back, I grabbed my German Army Mountain pack and set off into Spring Wood.

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I thought it looked like someone had taken a white sheet of paper and painted the trees dark trunks in.

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I had a spot in mind....a small rocky area with a nice 'shelf' which is always dry and would make a good spot for some al fresco lunch.

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I took my Bush Pot tamped it full of snow....

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...popped it on my Swiss M71 Gel stove and placed my new Chinese made windshield around it (it was less than £5 posted? How do they do it??)

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Oh crap, that's not much water is it?!

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Glad I brought a bottle along...I wasn't gonna be waiting around all day.

Took a few gear snaps, including the completely unnecessary amount of sharps I brought along....none of which saw any use what-so-ever....I just wanted some nice compositions :D

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I was gifted this Rough Rider 'Rifleman' Canoe pattern folder at the weekend.
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The fit and finish of these knives is incredible for the money. Sadly better by far than anything Sheffield can produce these days.

Ryan Weeks Necker (I like to think of it as a Neck-Muk)
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Its a superb little knife.

Of course I had to bring a big chopper along....and I was in a Nordic kind of mood.
My Knivsmed Strømeng 'Old Fashioned' it was.
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No real need for it....but if I genuinely required something for gathering and processing wood (still waiting on my Emberlit), then this is easily up to the task.

If you can get hold of it Scho-Ka-Kola is incredible!
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Finally hot enough for a brew....and a nice dollop of Finnish honey....
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....its so good....I have been eating it by itself!

Then came something to warm my belly.
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AIG, in all his videos featuring this great and easily prepared meal, has failed to mention one key safety warning:

ITS LIKE EATING LAVA!!!

Phew! I nearly had to scoff a few handfuls of snow.
Shin Cups are not for the fainthearted!

And, finally a picture of my cheery-self. I am actually notoriously camera shy, but I thought it was high time to put a name to a face.
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Thanks to Average Iowa Guy and all those other members who continually treat us with their great threads, pics and videos.

Stay warm and well folks.

Here's to another snow day tomorrow ;)!! (well, I can hope)
 
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Thanks for posting. Looks like a good day out, there's no such thing as a "completely unnecessary amount of sharps". The Old Fashioned looks very useful.
 
Hello Scruff, good to see you around and thank you for the pics of the old spring wood! It's really cool seeing all of the trees there covered in snow. Was talking to another friend from the UK and he was hoping it was declared a snow day because the only vehicle he had that would get him to work safely would also cost him a hefty fine for driving it anywhere near London. That Ryan Weeks necker looks like a good one for handling with cold hands. I really like that leuku of yours too. Gotta watch AIG man, I've known a lot of folks from various places...even a few folks from Iowa...and from the times I've talked to AIG I really don't see him as average at all, regardless of where he was from.
 
Thanks folks.

Misty - Its good to be able to finally get out again! I've got the first week of Feb off work, and, seeing as the missus has to go to Cambodia with work for 2 weeks, it looks like I'll have some more time on my hands, maybe for a night or two out.

Spring Wood has become a popular route with horse riders. Its meant that in all the wet weather some of the paths have become incredibly muddy, with the 4"-6" of snow on top it meant I was trudging, knee deep, at some points. I loved it!! But was glad I'd brougth my trusty Rose hiking staff along.

So far, the snow has not really threatened to shut us down again. There's an occasional flurry every now and then....but its sadly not sticking around :(

The Ryan Weeks necker is a great lil' thing. It really is the best necker I've used because the handle fills the palm so well. I have one of Ryan's High Unita knives and its the same feeling. I reckon we have the same kinda hands and thoughts on ergonomics.

I love my Sami-kniv...it taps in to my inner Viking :)
The design is relatively 'local' when you think of how close we are to their country of origin. And given the Vikings 'visited' my home county for a short stay back in 866, I like to think a similar knife to this may have been carried in the woods of Yorkshire at some point in the past....al beit by a 'Dane' not a 'Norwegian'.

Its certainly a much proven design in the Nordic Borreal and Arctic regions. With the above necker around my neck, I can see the advantage of carrying a large Sami-Kniv or Leuku, over an axe, in most situations. I am not felling trees, splitting large rounds of fire wood or even building shelters when I venture out....in the 'wilderness'.
 
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Wow! Awesome adventure! I love all the cool blades. Nice makeshift shelter there. Shin Cups are where it is at. They have less meat than a Thigh Cup, but more spices.

I have a theory about spicy food outdoors. I like it because it makes me feel a lot fuller. It makes me eat slower. I think that by eating slower you give your body more time to realize that you've eaten enough. There are all sorts of hormones released when food hits the stomach/duodenum. Some of these hormones tell the brain that you're satiated, but it takes time. Additionally, the lingering spiciness, in my opinion, makes it feel like you are continuing to eat for some time. I am completely satisfied by one Shin Cup, but if there is one small hamburger, I always feel hungry, even though the hamburger has more calories. Hhmmm.... this gives me an idea for a video ... maybe this is worth exploring a bit.
 
Thanks amigo.

Sure the Shin Cup has less meat than the Thigh Cup ;) but the pieces of veg and the slices of mushroom (shitake?) are really generous.

I found I ate the noodles without slurping more broth first though, like I normally would with ramen. That was my undoing! ;)

Did you know they do a 'Big' version btw? It's twice the size!!

I understand that mind set entirely. We all need to slow down with our eating, be in less of a rush. Certainly eating outdoors should be enjoyed, which was part of why I wanted to get out. It's been a long time since I prepared any food outdoors, albeit a Shin Cup this time.

Also, I understand at least a little of the science behind it too. It would be interesting to see one of your video-takes on the subject. I'll look forward to seeing it.
 
Great stuff as always buddy.

All my friends and family keep posting on Facebook about how much snow they have been having in Blighty !
 
scruffuk said:
Thanks amigo.

Sure the Shin Cup has less meat than the Thigh Cup ;) but the pieces of veg and the slices of mushroom (shitake?) are really generous.

I found I ate the noodles without slurping more broth first though, like I normally would with ramen. That was my undoing! ;)

Did you know they do a 'Big' version btw? It's twice the size!!

I understand that mind set entirely. We all need to slow down with our eating, be in less of a rush. Certainly eating outdoors should be enjoyed, which was part of why I wanted to get out. It's been a long time since I prepared any food outdoors, albeit a Shin Cup this time.

Also, I understand at least a little of the science behind it too. It would be interesting to see one of your video-takes on the subject. I'll look forward to seeing it.
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I like your hat too. The Shin Cup is very satisfying. I appreciate the quality of the dehydrated vegies and mushrooms in there. Plus they nailed the flavor. I did not know about the big version of it.

On the subject of the science, I'm going to have to review it. I remember enough of it to know that it is worth researching.
 
scruffuk said:
Shin Cups are not for the fainthearted!
And, finally a picture of my cheery-self. I am actually notoriously camera shy, but I thought it was high time to put a name to a face.
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Is it true that prior to eating that Spicy Soup you weren't a redhead?

:p

J
 
Good thread. Shin Ramyun and Neoguri style were how I cut my teeth on good noodles back in college. My go-to Korean market was Dixie Oriental Market on Dixie Hwy, Shively, KY. They since moved out to Bardstown Road in Buechel under new owners if anyone near there wants more to choose from than Wally World's selection. A couple of cases of noodles and a half gallon jar of ga duki radish kimchee and life was good but the air not so much. I later got into Wai-Wai, Ma Ma, and Kung Foo brands of noodles which are Thai bargain brands. I don't remember the name but there is a brand of rice noodles ramen that is quite good but a couple of notches up on the budget.

Yeah spicey food is the best but now at age 47 it is a no-go after 6pm. Things change from the taste buds or neck down as you get older. Breakfast and lunch can still be muy caliente'.
 
Good post. Thanks for taking us along. I have a very similar pack. It's the Alpine one I think. I like the canoe I have a Buck
Canoe that I keep in my fishing life jacket.
 
good stuff, man! i'm jealous of all that snow and nice pics of those knives too...i've never tried putting honey in my coffee before, i'll give it a go :)
 
Thanks again gents. Sadly it's back to being wet and windy again. There was very little in the way of snow after that weekend around here :(

averageiowaguy said:
I like your hat too.
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Cheers. I picked a few like it up in Morocco a few years back. They were hand made and sold by Berber women in the main square. They were so cheap I refused to haggle because they were such a well made and dappy piece of head gear. Given they keep their noggins warm with them on the Atlas Mountains, it's easily up to the task here.

jeroboam said:
Is it true that prior to eating that Spicy Soup you weren't a redhead?

:p

J
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How did you guess! I was Nordic blonde before hand. I guess this explains why AIG shaves his head ;)

JV3 said:
good stuff, man! i'm jealous of all that snow and nice pics of those knives too...i've never tried putting honey in my coffee before, i'll give it a go :)
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Thank JV3.

Black coffee with honey is the only way may dad ever has it. One heaped teaspoon of instant :-/ and half a teaspoon of honey.

However, I need to remember a spork does not a good teaspoon make!
 
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Can I suggest an idea for your water needs? Packing a pot with snow doesn't make much water, as you found out, and takes a while to melt it all.

Try this instead; put in a handful of snow over a low heat and let it melt, then add another handful but turn up the heat so it begins to boil. Then keep adding snow by the handful. It will melt MUCH faster than if you try a whole pot at once. In just a 15 minutes or so you'll have a full pot of boiling water.


Stitchawl
 
I just found this thread Scruff! sorry to bring it back from the dead but wanted to thank you for sharing the photos of the necker!
 
Even though it's a bit late, it looks like you had a great time. Love me some noodles, and when they are fixed outdoors, they are even better.

And willseeyalater, I grew up in Buechel, and parents still live there.
 
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