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Little Bear floats
We’ve got big plans for Little Bear as the weather warms, starting with a backpack and packraft loop down in Utah a few weeks hence. Lots of know unknowns when it comes to taking a baby on such a trip, so we’ve been training and sorting logistics and gear as conditions permit. Some things, like…
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The universal trophy mentality
Doug Peacock, inspiration for Hayduke and author of the excellent Grizzly Years, has continued to solidify his place as one of the most divisive and intellectually cheap writers on wilderness issues in the 21st century. First it was this article two years ago, conspicuously lacking in detail and conspicuously abundant in name-calling and deliberate mis-characterizations.…
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Why, again (part 1)
Being on the cusp of my half three-score and ten, and thus of a disordered mind, I give myself and you this list, of every float however partial I’ve made on the South Fork of the Flathead: August 2010, Youngs Creek down to Spotted Bear May 2011, over Limestone Pass, down Danaher to Salmon Forks…
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BD Dawn Patrol Touring pants
I used to think heavy softshell pants like Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Touring pants were stupid, a needlessly heavy and expensive version of the lighter and more versatile pants I’ve been using for hiking, climbing, and everything since I was ~20 and the hundred or so dollars taslan pants ran was no longer excessive. By…
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From the land of the living
I’m back, and things went well, in that there were no major mishaps, immemorable numbers of minor ones, I was pushed to stay on schedule, but ended up finishing an hour early. The following are raw, primarily logistical and equipment thoughts while my focus returns. This was my first multiday trip with the current generation…
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Packing for the South Fork, in winter
LB was taking a nap while I did this, and in my preoccupation I forgot or said poorly more things than usual. I’m bringing Swix violet and extra blue kick wax. Rain gear is, as always, Haglofs Ozo anorak and BD Paclite pants, Food is usual assortment of winter stuff; Ramen, Olive Oil, chocolate, chocolate…
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The South Fork in March: a route planning case study
The day after tomorrow I’m headed into the Bob for a trip I’ve wanted to do for years, but was skeptical would ever happen; a pre-melt packraft on the South Fork of the Flathead. I’ve floated every piece of the wilderness South Fork at least three times, and have been on significant stretches in every…
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Nine years of fear
I learned a while ago, and have re-learned many times since, that fear before a trip rarely has much to do with conditions or hazard, and has everything to do with the concern that you’ll soon have to do something difficult. To perform close to the known ends of your abilities. The sooner that fear…
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Osprey Poco AG snap judgment
We got many quality miles out of wraps, more recently bought an Ergobaby Performance which has been quite satisfactory, and I put a lot of effort into trying to mod an old Kelty kid carrier we got as a free handmedown, but a few weeks ago we bowed to the seeming inevitability, and purchased an…
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Who was Carmen Spinelli?
I’ll never know for certain; but a month ago M bought me her/his old longbow as a birthday gift. The argument for a hunter being able to bowhunt competently is obvious. In a world where being able to hunt many of the great western landscapes hinges upon tag drawings, which in extreme cases can take…
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Bedrock & Paradox 
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