Finally, after a two-year absence due to a nagging knee injury, I once again participated in the Audubon Society’s Birdathon this past weekend. For the third time, I ventured into the wild and trailless heart of the Pepperbox Wilderness in the northwestern Adirondacks. Unfortunately, I was not alone, as a nasty and tenacious head cold
Seam Sealing Away
One thing I learned over the years from backpacking is that when it comes to gear, keeping it clean means it will last longer. Just be sure to follow the instructions. Unfortunately, I learned about following the directions the hard way. Because of my carelessness, I recently found myself hurriedly seam sealing my Sea-to-Summit backpack
Welcome to the Family ResQLink. So Long, MicroFix.
Typically, when a superior piece of equipment makes its debut, I pounce on the opportunity like a cat on a catnip-stuffed mouse. Especially, when the new gear is significantly smaller and weighs less than what I am currently using. This was not the case last year, as my injury kept me out of the backcountry,
Taking the New York State Guides License Exam
For many years, off and on (unfortunately more times on than not), software engineering has been my primary occupation, my employers including a small start-up company, a couple Fortune 500 companies and a federal government agency. While enduring these years, I continued to plan and plot some way to escape the drudgery of staring at
Frostbite Overnight 2013: Hoxie Gorge and some chickens
Change is in the air this spring. At least as far as the Frostbite Overnight is concerned.
The Frostbite Overnight (FBON) is an annual backpacking trip taken the three days before Easter. Typically, the trip’s destination is somewhere in the Catskill State Park, in southeastern New York State. This tradition dates back to 1986, when my friend Dave and several co-workers journeyed down to the Catskills for a night of partying in a motel room, followed up by a single night of camping. As the years passed by, there has been a great turnover in the roster of participants, while the emphasis switched from partying to backpacking. In recent years, the arduousness of the Friday hike has lessened, perhaps marking the increasing average age of the participators.
Welcome to the New Bushwhacking Fool
Welcome to the brand-spanking new Bushwhacking Fool! You will immediately notice the many changes to the blog. It should be a little more pleasing to the eye now and it plays better with most mobile devices, for those who need their dose of bushwhacking on the go. Other than the appearance, there are few changes,
Trip Plan: Birdathon 2013 – Hopefully Back to the Pepperbox Wilderness
Almost a year ago, a knee injury forced me off the hiking trails, yet alone allowing any bushwhacking off-trail through forest, swamp and meadow. Fortunately, my knee appears to be healing adequately, and once again, I am thinking about future trips into the backcountry, one in March, another in May, and a final one probably
Gear Review: Western Mountaineering HighLite Sleeping Bag – Not Just A Lightweight
An effective sleeping system is crucial to any backcountry adventure. After a full day of hiking/bushwhacking, getting a good night’s rest is essential. The sleeping bag is the most important part of any sleeping system, as it provides insulation from the cooler evening temperatures, allowing for a peaceful night’s sleep. A good backcountry sleeping bag
Gear Review: PurifiCup Portable Natural Water Purifier
Water is a precious commodity, essential for life; although its importance is often overlooked until it is in short supply. Finding drinkable water while on the trail always remains a challenge, whether hiking in a remote area far from civilization or ambling along through the countryside, never far from a paved road. Since the safety
FBON 2012: Leaving Pelnor Hollow and Revisiting Trout Pond
The final day of FBON 2012 starts early at Pelnor Hollow lean-to in the Cherry Ridge/Campbell Mountain Wild Forest of the Catskill State Park, but thankfully it is a much warmer one than the day before. Unfortunately, the night was no more restful than the first night here, as the Breathe Right strips, generously provided
FBON 2012: Hiking to Split Rock Lookout
The second and only full day of the Frostbite Overnight (FBON) is where the bulk of the adventuring occurs. Typically, in the past, we rise early and summit a mountain, or at least make a worthy attempt, but anything that takes some physical effort is game, just to get our blood circulating. Last year, we
FBON 2012: Exploring Pelnor Hollow
As the snow melts and the cold temperatures recede, the early plants begin to emerge from the once frozen ground and the Easter bunny begins collecting his eggs, these signs can mean only one thing, the Frostbite Overnight (FBON) is fast approaching, of course! In 2012, this annual backpacking event is in its 27th year,
Frostbite Overnight 2012 Teaser
On April 5-7, 2012, I participated in the 27th annual Frostbite Overnight (FBON). This year, in addition to Dave and me, Tom, a past co-worker, joined in on the festivities for the first time in several years. If memory serves me correctly, this particular combination of participants had never been in attendance during a Frostbite
Isle Royale Bird Report
The fifteen-day long hike from one end of Isle Royale to the other yielded a total of sixty-eight different avian species, none of which were new additions to my life list. That is, if I kept a life list. The number of species would have been greater if I did not allow my fall warbler
Isle Royale Aside: A Two-week Long Backcountry Menu
People often ask me, “What do you eat when you are out backpacking?” It is embarrassing to admit I never really know what to tell them; other than a vague recitation of staples, such as instant rice, couscous, pasta, etc. When I was hiking along the Minong Ridge Trail on Isle Royale it dawned on
Black Friday/Cyber Monday Outdoor & Backpacking Gear Shopping Deal Guide 2012
The holiday season is once again upon us. I do not know about you, but I am already growing weary of it. Why is it more difficult to get into the spirit of the season? This is no time to dwell on my lack of a holiday spirit though, instead here is some of the
Isle Royale: The Long Drive Home
With my two-week trip hiking from one end to the other of Isle Royale National Park complete, the journey home took center stage. My plan for the two day, one thousand mile sojourn is to repeat the route taken to get Copper Harbor back in August, with the slight exception of avoiding all the construction
Isle Royale Aside: Briefly Revisiting the McCormick Wilderness
When I originally planned my Isle Royale trip, I included a side trip to McCormick Wilderness for a few days, never really deciding whether it would be before or after the main two-week event. Storage of food for the second trip, while on the first one became a logistical nightmare, so I quickly abandoned the
Isle Royale Aside: Bearly Losing a Race
Typically, I am not the racing type. At least not the kind involving motorized vehicles. Although I participated in foot races when I was younger, it has been many years since the last one. And in none of those races were any of my competitors a black bear. This all changed when I drove home
Isle Royale Trip: Navigating the Rough Waters of Lake Superior – Again
And so it ends. Boarding the Isle Royale Queen IV ferry fills me with melancholy, as my Isle Royale adventure ends. All that remains is another rough ride back to Copper Harbor, followed by a two-day car trip back to Syracuse. According to the forecast, and all the concern conveyed by the ferry’s crew and
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Take 25% off $125 or 30% off $200 with code AVMAY3. Valid through June 5, 2013.
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