Wow, Ive been sooo busy lately I havent had much time to post or comment or read the forum much the past week or so. But Ive been trying to catch up on some of your threads and TRs. Markus I still have your 22 day TR to read and havent even opened the first page yet!! But I do have a sticky note attached to my computer screen to reminding me every time I get a chance to sit down in front of the computer, heh heh. Believe me, Im looking forward to it!

Last time I was here my g/f and I were headed out to my shelter/lean-to that I built, to stay the night. That went ok for the most part. We were rained on pretty heavy and spent the entire time staying dray and cutting wood. She wasnt impressed. Haha. I did not get a moment to snap any photos as my equipment was soaked, cold or frozen up. Sorry about that. But just picture the lean-to and then us standing outsideand my g/f with a frown..haha. Im sure you get the picture.

However, we did mange to get out for a snowshoe walk the other day. The weather was beautiful! I set a few snares behind the lean-to and was successful. And I DID take some photos of this day!

Set snare

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This is a tripped snare. Not sure what happened here but I think a fox got there before me

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Did not snare this one. Found this European Hare under a dead fall. (.22 mag)

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Girlfriend looking happy....cause its not raining and cold! Haha

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Then we came across some fresh wolf tracks

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Close up to give reference to size of track

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Also, Ive since completed the February Winter Survival course I was talking about a few weeks ago. Again, it was very very wet. Similar conditions as when my g/f and I experienced. I did not take any photos of this event either. All I can say is this course is not what I was looking for. Sadly, I didnt learn very much. But, I did not pay anything for this course, and Im glad I didnt. Ill leave it at that.

I had some time to complete another toboggan and I took some photos. Thanks to Sean of Ajax I designed this one a little differently, utilizing some of Seans ideas. Thanks man!

I went to CTC and picked up two Mega toboggans for 9.99 each. They are pretty flimsy, not as tough as the H2O one that I originally purchased to go into the Park with Markus and crew. So I glued and para corded both the Megaboggans together to make it more rigid. 20$ for a good toboggan is still a good deal, I think.

Here are some photos

I stitched a few places on the top and sides for support

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The I drilled some holes for the bungee cord. I decided to not use grey conduit pipe for the sides. I only used bungee cord

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I tied a knot here and there for stability too..

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The I attached the poles using a variety of hardware using some of Seans ideas

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I folded the rope back about 8 inches or so and then I put some electrical tape on the rope to prevent chaffing

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Then connected everything

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The other end I used some other hardware ( I dont know what these things are actually called I just knew what I was looking for)

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The for the harness I found a surplus pistol belt for 3 bucks and used it.

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Attached some para cord for the carabiner

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Then rigged it up

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I decide to try the criss cross method and eliminate the cross bar. This seems to work just as well

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And this is it folded up ready to go!

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Well thats about it.

Now its time to get moving on catching up on some threads and TRs!

Cheers folks
Shawn

p.s. hey i just thought of something. my winter treks sometimes include hunting. if this is offensive for this forum please let me know and will refrain from discussing or posting info about it. i respect your opinions and this forum, so please let me know.

Hey,,,,there U R!

Thanks for getting back to us...thought you decided to not contribute to AA after our winter trip! Lol

Cheers and thanks for the pics and updates...bummer on the rain.

Hunting pics do not bother me dood.
Cheers
Mike

Hey Sean ....

Like Mike I had thought we had scared you off. Sorry to hear about the survival course, but am glad it was free.

Looks like you had a good time dispote the weather at you secrete spot.

As for hunting stories, while I'm no hunter, I very much enjoyed Mike's "beef/venison" stew! Your tales don't bother me, as I trust you are following the regulations and hunting what is in season. To me it's sort of like fishing; I don't really fish, but enjoy the "fish tails".

Jeff P
http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/

Glad to have you back!

Like Jeff and Mike I'm not bothered at all w. hunting stories.



Jeff

--

Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry - abrweb.ca

My Algonquin Park Map - Accurate, Detailed, Free

Oh ya Sean,

I like the sled riggings. The true test will be hauling it thru deep snow like we with did 3-4 weeks ago! I ripped one harness sewed pulling and tugging away. like tripping in the summer, the lighter the load the better it is.....I always bring toooooo much stuff in the winter. Extra gear incase that, extra food incase, extra clothes incase, ect, ect,

I should have a trip log ready for Barry to post of our trip by the weekend.

cheers
Mike

Hi Pathfinder. Your hesitation about hunting tales is prudent. Outdoor experiences and skills that relate to camping activities in Algonquin are the focus of the forum. The odd incidental mention about 'other' activities are OK. But please keep specific hunting accounts and photos for 'hunting' forums.

Your general 'outdoor' postings are fine. Thanks for your understanding.

Barry Bridgeford
http://www.AlgonquinAdventures.com
http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

Hi Shawn,

Great report doood!
I enjoyed your photo-log of the modifications to your sled.
I have been thinking what worked and what didn't with my sled on the trip last month.

I assume like your last personal survival trip outdoors(posting), it was located outside Algonquin Park.
However in this post, you did not mention that it was neither in or not in Algonquin Park, and you should realize some conservationists might get the wrong idea, and give you a hard time(with regards to hunting). Just like the logging threads that pop-up here from time to time, there are some subjects that are sensitive, and some folks can be 'passionate' about such topics! The hunting part didn't bother me either, I thought it would but it didn't. Very cool


I'm not sure if I will be able to trip in March, but I look forward to any more outdoor goodness you can post our way
Awesome Shawn, Thanks fer sharing



Mark Rubino
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler - Blog
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

Hey folks,

Barry, Mike, Jeff, Jeff, Markus...

Thank you for your input with respect to he hunting issue. I will keep those experiences to a dull roar.



Yeah, the majority of my day treks are outside of the Park because I live so close to the dense boreal forest. But I can't wait to do another overnighter in the Park, the sooner the better!

And Markus don't even think that March is out for you. I know you can make this happen brotha. But if you are unable, i totally understand. You can't be here all the time, even though you wish you could.

My new hot tent and stove has not arrived yet, but I'm sure it won't be much longer. As soon as it arrives I'll take some photos.


Talk soon
Shawn