Category: Cultural critique
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Dear Governor Bullock
I received a letter from the National Wildlife Federation recently, encouraging me to write a letter to our Governor, Steve Bullock. He can be reached at PO Box 200801 Helena, MT 59620. If you’re interested in wild bison, you might wish to send him a letter. Montana is nearing the final stages of developing a…
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Review the review: OGL on Headlamps
I may have given them some shit recently, but a few weeks ago Outdoor Gear Lab atoned for any past sins and then some, with an outstanding headlamp review. I can’t think of anything they left unexamined. Breadth (37 lamps) and depth (beam patterns, real world run times) are present. Basic theory (why have a…
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Landscape Trauma
A few days ago I read a nauseating article over at Irunfar. Nauseating in that too many of the commenters are divorced from the way in which our livelihood is intertwined with the land, in ways which should usually cause a considerable amount of dis-ease. The question of whether animal protein is a necessary…
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2013 in review: 14 landscapes
The year in chronological review; one photo for each month, with two for June and October as I just couldn’t pick. Which is a fitting, as the sheer volume of excellence in 2013 is overwhelming when looked back over. As far as trips go, I’m struggling with plans for 2014. Options are not in short…
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The Yellowstone Grizzly: Free at last?
A not-GYE Grizz. This past week the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) met in Missoula, and recommended that the Grizzly be delisted from the endangered species act in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. It is at once a small step and a big deal. This latest report (linked to here) primarily concerned the effects of continued…
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An open letter to 2014 CDT Thru-Hikers
With the quietest time of the year upon us, many capital H hikers are contemplating their 2014 plans, and rightfully so. If recent trends are any indication, a record number of such people will attempt to hike the CDT next year. If that is you, allow me to share some intemperate thoughts. The north side…
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Why Duck Dynasty is good for America
It’s hard to like Duck Dynasty right now. I try to ignore American commercialism as much as is humanly possible, but we’re halfway into the six weeks when that is just not possible. I was in Cabelas yesterday, and the only thing missing in their branding empire was ammo (which seems like a serious oversight). …
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That’s not a review
The internet makes experts of all, that much is certain. What is less so is how to know which items are worth the time they take to read. Just going for a walk has become “gear testing.” This should be condemned for two reasons. First, it’s bullshit. Second, it supports the talking before doing acquisitionalism…
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The Cold and the Darkness
It is cold outside. Barring this morning, it’s barely been above zero for four days. The sun rises at 8 and sets at 430, but twilight lingers until 10 and starts at 3. Saturday morning I woke up and the webcam over in St. Mary read -78F. Probably a technical error, but nonetheless impressive. I…
Bedrock & Paradox 
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