Blog on a Log 
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Manitobans may be enjoying the early summer, but their choices just got a lot more limited since Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship announced backcountry travel restrictions and fire bans in eastern Manitoba yesterday.
Unseasonably warm and dry temperatures have lead to high-risk fire conditions in the eastern areas of the province. Backcountry travel is now allowed by permit only. All existing burning permits have been canceled, and no new permits will be issued. Campfires are allowed between 8 pm and 8 am in approved fire pits only.
The ban affects areas in eastern Manitoba including
"...the areas from the Manitoba-U.S. border in the south to the Bloodvein/Gammon River including Bissett and Hollow Water in the north, and east of La Broquerie, Richer and the Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation, and along the eastern edge of Lake Winnipeg to the Ontario boundary. This includes Whiteshell, Nopiming, Moose Lake, Wanipigow, Wallace Lake, Manigotagan River and south Atikaki provincial parks and the Northwest Angle and Sandilands provincial forests."
and is in effect until further notice. For more information, consult the Parks news release.
At a glance:
- Backcountry travel is now restricted to permit-holders only in most of eastern Manitoba
- Campfires are allowed only between 8pm and 8am in approved firepits
- The restricted area encompasses the eastern edge of Manitoba from the US border in the south to the Bloodvein river in the north.
- Effected areas include the Whiteshell, Nopiming, Moose Lake Wanipigow, Wallace Lake, Manigotagan River and south Atikaki provincial parks and the Northwest Angle and Sandilands provincial forests.
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Monday, May 14, 2012
We love it when customers show us how they're making the most of our gear! Recently we outfitted Adam MacDonald for his trip to attempt to climb to the top of North America by summiting Mt McKinley, also known as Denali.
Yesterday Adam arrived in Kahiltna, with plans to head up to base camp by today as long as the weather held. Thankfully for us, he's taken his SPOT unit with him, and the chance to follow the progress has been providing me with some great vicarious fun this afternoon.
We hope to see photos of Adam at the summit before long, but until then you can check out his SPOT progress and watch for updates on the MacDonald family blog: http://adammacdonald.weebly.com/blog.html
Best of luck, Adam!
Photo via blmiers2 on Flickr
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Friday, May 4, 2012
We've had a good run. For the past three seasons if you wanted to visit a Manitoba provincial park it cost you exactly.... no money. Zip. Nadda. You could drive through Duck Mountain, motorbike Manigotagan, and bus Bird's Hill with nary a care.
Well, the honeymoon's over. Park fees are back, and if you're caught gallivanting about without that tell-tale tag on your rear-view mirror you could face a hefty fine. There's no need to panic, however - we've got you covered! If you're wondering where to buy a Manitoba Park Pass in Winnipeg annual park permits are now available for purchase at both Winnipeg Wilderness Supply locations, 623 Ferry Road and 42 Speers Road. The $30 pass is transferable between vehicles and gives you entry into any provincial park from May 1, 2012 to April 31, 2013.
So don't wait! Manitoba parks permits are now available at all Winnipeg Wilderness Supply locations. Get the gear you need to get out this year, plus the passes to take you to your playground of choice!
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Monday, April 30, 2012
Every month, Wilderness Supply features one of our customers who's had a wild adventure, and passes on some free gear to help them through their next undertaking. With such an early spring, for May we asked you how long you've been paddling this year. Michelle from Calabogie, Ontario was our earliest entry, with March 24th!
My earliest paddle took place on Saturday March 24th this year. As my boyfriend, friends and I were fourwheeling, we stopped at a small lake to take a break and have some snacks. It was cold and raining but I spotted a friend's canoe sitting along the shore. I knew they would think I was crazy for wanting to go out on the water in the cold and rain but I could not fight the urge. I flipped over the canoe, set it in the water, hopped in and heard my most favourite sound in the whole wide world: a paddle hitting the water. That first dip felt so good that I continued to canoe around the lake only to return as wet as the water. It was well worth the chill that sunk into my body--that sound of the paddle hitting the water stayed with me all day.
I went home that day, took out my three kayaks and cleaned them out. I hit the water the next day and have been paddling many times since.
You only live once, but if you live it right, once is enough.
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Monday, April 23, 2012
“Rick, do you know how big 20 inches is?!”
It’s not every day our shipper sounds so surprised (or quite so scandalous). But far from relating her weekend exploits, Zoe was just checking over the most recent order from GSI.
Nestled in the bottom of the box were four GSI 20” skillets.
Even packed down—even without handles attached—these pans are big. As in "needs two hands," "feed the masses," "takes up the whole drying rack" big.
Makes an effective umbrella big.
Fend off a horde of ninjas big.
Doubles as a toboggan big.
Heck—you could fry up a baby in one of these things!
I mean… theoretically, of course.*
But you could also fry up the entire day’s catch of fish, pancakes for a whole brownie troupe, or enough bacon to placate half a dozen teenage boys. The rugged non-stick stainless steel is at home both on the stove top or plopped overtop of the fire. And cleanup’s gonna be simple - with a pan like this, pretty much everything is a one-pot meal, no matter what your group size.
Ninja-fighter, baby-fryer, and shore lunch pan all in one? A steal of a deal for less than $50!
*Wilderness Supply does not endorse cannibalism, baby-based or otherwise.
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