Solo Wanderings on Baranof Island, SE Alaska

Yeah, rwc's got it... this past trip it was a Spyderco Delica 4 (great little folding knife!) for general stuff... I had that in my pocket most the entire trip. I also had a little keychain-sized SA Classic for tiny work like carving nylon patches to small shapes and (especially) trimming finger- and toe-nails with the tiny scissors. Small knives, perhaps, but they do the job for me.

Codger, I'll address your other questions sometime tomorrow, in the meantime I'm off to bed tonight. (It's late and I'm tired, see ya' on the flipside.)

- Mike
 
You seem to be a man after my own heart regarding knife needs on a wilderness trek. While I might carry a variety of larger blades when I just go to the woods to play, I have found that having a small folder or fixed blade almost always works for me. I don't even carry a multitool or SAK, but usually a second, smaller folder stashed in my pack.

I'm very interested in the cone stove. Several members here have made DIY versions. Other than having to pack and carry a sooty stove, I see very little downside.

I might feel differently if I treked in an area where wood was very scarce, but the environments I usually find myself in always have more than enough wood for a roaring bonfire if that is what I wanted.

I like the idea that they don't leave a burnt spot and a lot of charcoal lying about like a traditional campfire, and seem to get a lot of usable heat out of a few handsfull of twigs. I don't get all weepy-eyed over the environmental impact of my tiny gas stove and cylinders, but I do consider the weight when I hump them many miles. I like the simmer control and cleanliness of the gas, but more and more I find myself only using the stove to boil water to drink, or to rehydrate meals.
 
Codger_64 said:
Mike, you mentioned your trip in 2007 to the Russell Fjord, Alaska (16 days, Russell Fjord to Hubbard Glacier, return via the Situk River, thence to Yakutak), and I note that several of your expeditions include a packraft. I am surprised by the light weight and obvious durability of the raft, especially for such a diminuative weight (the raft, not you and your gear)!!:) Is this the same raft you used at Prince Royal Island and the upper Queets Canyon? Or does one major expedition usually spell the need for replacement?

Oh! And another gear question... one near and dear to my heart... do you have wilderness medicine training and use a specific first aid kit, or just use experience, common sense and a kit you built for yourself specific for you own needs?
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Codger, it's the same raft, I've only ever owned one of 'em, and I've used it for each of the past 4 years now. This year was the first time it'd ever gotten a small puncture (which was easily repaired), so yeah, I've been very pleased with its durability. I've blown out several seats in the thing (which are lighter material and easily swappable), but the raft itself has held up great. I will probably replace it sometime, but they're not cheap, so I'll keep this one going for as long as possible.

Wilderness medicine... no, no "official" training, mostly self-taught in that regard. I've done my reading, I have "First Aid" and "CPR" training (had to have those when I used to be a high-school coach), but I've never sprung the $$ for a Wilderness First Resopnder class or similar. I'd love to at some point. My kit is all home-built, and it's suited me thusfar. I keep tweaking it and adding/subtracting to fit my intended needs. As you're well aware, common sense and a level head goes an awfully long way.

Anyway, nice talkin' with you, and again, I'm glad you enjoyed the write-up.

- Mike
 
Codger, thanks for the link - Mike, thanks for sharing your tale and joining us here...that made for a great, fun read!
 
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