RIP Brodie 1997-2008

Last week we lost somebody in our family that was very much loved and was always there for us. Brodie was my Siberian Husky that I got before I moved back to Oregon from Utah. We covered a lot of ground together and had a lot of fun times. Most recently he became best friends and play buddy with my son, and if "woof" is in the dictionary, he taught him his first word. Everyone that met him fell in love with him and he always wanted to be where all the people were. The second half of his life was plagued by an infection in his throat that kept him on medication and last year spread to his right eye which had to be removed. No matter how sick he was, he never showed it and was always energetic and playful until the last week. He was a better person than a lot of the people in this world, and we will miss him.

Safety in the Forest

Summer camping season is finally here! Next week marks our first major outing this summer (and the first camping trip with my son), so this weekend I began getting all the gear together. The one thing that I always remember (even when I always forget at least one thing) is a small emergency kit. Unless I'm hiking into a campsite I actually take quite a bit of gear for a "just in case" situation.

#1 - Water
Everybody's heard about how long you can live without food but you would die in just a few days without water. Having seen the effects of Giardiasis or Beaver Fever, I would like to emphasize the importance of clean water. Sometimes having access to water, if it's not clean, can make a bad situation worse. Clean water is a must, no matter where you are going or how far you travel.

#2 - Flashlight or Headlamp
Anyone who has the burn scars from trying to use a lighter to find their way at night can attest to this. When there is a new moon, it is unbelievably hard to see anything. They also work great when trying to draw attention to yourself at night.

#3 - Lighter, matches, or some fire starting tool
Even when it's warm enough outside and you don't really need a fire, there is something comforting about having a campfire that can keep you from going crazy. It also offers a way to cook food, boil water, dry clothes, keep you warm and signal for help.

#4 - Food
I have an MRE that I keep in my emergency kit. They don't always taste the best and the crackers are like eating stale bricks but when you are really hungry and need some energy, they are a lifesaver. Also trail mix, dried fruit, granola bars, peanut butter... anything to give you protein and keep you going but also doesn't go bad if it isn't refrigerated.

#5 - Pocket knife or multi tool
When you have to, a pocket knife can be used for just about anything. It's a versatile tool that should never leave your pack. I also recommend using larger than a standard pocket knife, just in case you need to use it as a makeshift hatchet or to acquire protein another way.

#6 - Blanket or emergency shelter
Even if it's not used to keep you warm, it can be used to keep you dry. There's also various other ways it could be used if you had to.

Those are the essentials that everyone should have with them when they go out hiking or camping. They really don't take up much room, they weigh very little and they could save your life. There are a few other items that usually get thrown in like a small first aid kit, a whistle, a mirror and a compass. All of it seems a little cumbersome until you actually need them but it's better to have them and not need them then to not have them and need them. Know the area where you are and if there are any concerns at the time, here in Oregon that would entail forest fires. It just takes a few minutes to check the news before you leave to get a pretty good account of impending natural disasters. Common sense goes a long way and it could save your life. I hope everyone is getting ready to enjoy the camping season this year, maybe I'll see you out there.

Digital Cameras in the Wild.

I'll be the first to admit it, I like new stuff. When I see an ad for a new backpack or some sort of new attachment for my camera, I have to fight the urge to run out and buy it right then. As of right now, I'm resisting the "need" to have a new carbon fiber tripod. Which brings up the question, what exactly do you need? Obviously lugging around my 6 pound aluminum tripod is a far cry from Ansel Adams' 60 pound glass plate camera. Below is a list of gear that you really should have (or something very similar) if you plan on taking your digital camera out into the wild.

Backpack

I think everyone has their preference but I really like Tamrac packs. I've owned three or four now and all of them have really performed well and protected all of my equipment. I've slowly gotten larger and larger packs and now I think I have the perfect size for an entire day out shooting. The Tamarac Expedition 8 provides all the space for my gear and allows a little extra room for food and water.

The best questions to ask yourself when buying a camera pack:

How comfortable is it? If it hurts to walk around with it for a few minutes in a store, just think how horrible you will feel after a full day with it on.

Is it the correct size? There's no use in carrying a pack with a bunch of dead space, or one that will not fit all your gear and leave a little room for essential survival gear.

Can I access my equipment easily? Sometimes you need to take a shot quickly and rummaging around for five minutes is not an option.

Is it built to withstand the environments in which I plan to take it? I always make sure that every pack I own has weatherproof zippers and the stitching is very durable and tight.


Tripods

It's always hard to decide whether to get a tripod that is extremely durable or one that is extremely light. I think that it is alway worth it to carry a little extra weight for gear that will work in any situation and will hold your camera steady no matter what. The ability to wield it as a weapon if needs be also has a certain attraction for me. Lets also not forget that this is the instrument that is holding up all your expensive gear and if it goes over, it's not going to be pretty.



I like the Bogen tripods and ballheads. A lot of their stuff may not be the lightest but you can be sure that your camera isn't going anywhere when you lock it down and their ballheads will work reliably for many many years.

Accessories
I like to make sure that I have a nice, clean, streak free cloth that I take with me everywhere I go. You never know when your lens could get something on it or you just need to wipe it off(humidity, rain, fog...). Extra batteries are an absolute must. Even though the newest generation of rechargeables are very good at holding a charge, you always want to have at least one spare (I would recommend two).
I've left lenses at home to save weight and it seems like every time I do, I regret it. So, when it comes to photography I now pack all the equipment I can, safely.

Point and Shoot

For the extreme minimalist or someone who just wants to leisurely enjoy hiking and not worry about all the gear, this is the gear for you.



Tamrac Velocity Sling Packs are a great way to carry a smaller amount of camera gear. Not only that, but if the elusive Sasquatch makes an appearance your camera gear is just a couple of seconds away. It's a very light and durable alternative to a large pack without sacrificing anything but space.




No, it's not a picture from a horrible remake with Tom Cruise. The Gorillapod is a great alternative to a full size tripod. You might have to be a little creative when using it but they work great (and pretty inexpensive). You'll be impressed at how sturdy they are and how well they can grip pretty much anything you can wrap its tentacles around.

One last thing - Don't forget the trail mix. Nothing makes for a more horrible hike then being hungry the entire time, especially when you have to be patient and wait for a shot to happen. Remember, chance favors the prepared mind.

May Showers Bring June Flowers?

In between rain showers this weekend we managed to make it out to scout for new camping spots in Eastern Oregon. The last two weeks' rain has definitely made the vegetation in the forests explode. If you can handle getting a little wet, it's worth it to get out there and see what the Eastern Oregon spring has to offer.


I would love to tell you where this meadow is located, but I'm not going to. Sometimes it's better to go into the forests without an exact destination and try to find places like the one pictured above. You never know what you'll find but you're guaranteed to see something new.


Most everyone has been shocked by the amount of rainfall recently, including the slightly disoriented pelican in the picture above. He's about 280 miles from the coast so I'm not sure where he was headed.







It's still just a little early for some of the flowers but within the next two weeks most of them should be out in droves. If you haven't planned to take some time to get out and either take some photos or just spend a little time away from civilization, now is a great time.


The rain has also provided the perfect conditions for mushroom hunting, so if you know what you are looking for you can find the makings of a gourmet camp buffet. I can't emphasize how much you need to study what you are picking and eating. Double and triple check everything you are throwing into your homemade mushroom stew otherwise you could end up in the hospital or even worse.
Unfortunately there is also another danger that needs to be discussed that is a direct effect of mushroom growth. Mushroom hunters will be all over, especially if there has been a forest fire within the last few years. I'm not talking about the recreational mushroom hunters, but the mushroom sellers. Due to the amount that certain types can be sold for, mushrooms have spawned many a violent attack. They also crowd into campsites and can take over an entire section of a forest.

If you decide to venture out into Eastern Oregon and need a great place to stay a day or two, you should give the Fish House Inn in Dayville a try.
Fish House Inn
Dayville also has a great Fourth of July Celebration. It makes you feel like you're in a Norman Rockwell painting.

The most important thing to remember is, of course, to get all your outdoor gear at Bivwak.