“The boreal forest stretches out towards the horizon, its farthest reaches swallowed up by icy mists, while hundreds of lakes reflect the sky in vast constellations, glittering like shards of crystal. This is it, I think. All of it. Everything I need, lit by the rising sun. A view no screen could ever replicate. A feeling no city could ever give me. Air that tastes like freedom. A temperature that could kill me, a fragile human extracted from my world of wires.” Dekka Nye
Few months ago, imprisoned in my world of wires, I got a much appreciated message titled
Capercaillie the Revenge.
Time to take a look at the hoard. There's a couple of ways to make the lifestyle affordable. Death and Seasonal. My reloading collection was kickstarted by an estate sale, in the summer, when its on sale, I'd started my snow camo collection.
Baffin Impact Boots You know you've got it right when the people who always lived in the environment say 'Where'd you get those boots? They're fantastic!"
Baffin boots are cleverly modular, if you did need to wade in very cold water you can; dismantle the boot, wade, shake the water out, reassemble the boot, and continue on your way with dry feet.
Sealand Bibs/Overalls The value range of the overpriced Harklia brand. I've got a beef with them over their penny-pinching ruining what would be the most fantastic gaiters. Putting that to one side I'd say Sealand do represent better quality than most. at a price that less offensive than some.
Varusteleka of Finland Our friend Uncle Fedster and Gun Jesus (of Forgotten Weapons) have turned my attention Finn-wards. Varusteleka make gear for people who play for keeps up there in the Boreal forrest. Not cheap, but arguably considerably better value than the lifestyle outdoor brands.
Patagonia Black Hole An overpriced bag with clever straps. With Patagonia you've just got to keep telling yourself you're contributing to all the great stuff the organisation does. Every other rucksack and duffle bag I've ever had has had the straps orientated pull down to tighten, for this one Patagonia have made them Pull-Up. ladies and gentlemen, lovely people, children of all ages, we have arrived at the elusive obvious. Ergonomic be thy name. So far its survived two rounds of Sweden, and two rounds of Italy, the only notable wear has been inflicted by Mrs SBW's dog. Let's see how long it lasts.
Ikea seal top bags Coals to Newcastle, sand to the desert, ice to an Eskimo I know. A big part of the modern hunter-gatherer lifestyle is collecting jars, Tupperware, and the endless search for really viable food storage. Every bag the UK supermarkets sell is complete crap, these are completely excellent. They are the best thing Ikea sells, [even better than Diam bar cake]. I always have one or two in my stalking coat for livers, hearts, and kidneys.
The Wooly Pulley Last year I'd posted on a forum asking about hunting in the cold place. One response resonated with me.
'I'd spent all kinds on money on branded cold weather gear, I was freezing my tits off, so I copied the locals. Bought a massive wool sweater and was fine from that day on.'
Best thing about the wool sweater is they enable you to manage your temperature like nothing else. Combined with a hardshell, if you open the hardshell they let wind whistle through cooling you down in a second, do the shell up again and you rebuild temperature really quickly. So much better than any fleece I've ever had which always seem to trap some condensation. Bloody heavy, but bloody warm. Sometimes the sacrifice of a few hundred grams is worth it. These guys manufacture for the famous brand that Shackleton wore and at 2/3 of the price are a serious bargain. Not often the best is also the cheapest.
Good to have someting to read
more soon
your pal
SBW
