When I gave up on carrying a water filter, I gave up on Nalgene wide mouth bottles.
In recent years I’ve simply carried a soft drink bottle. It’s fantastically reliable and fits more easily into my pack pocket than a Nalgene.
Crow recommends …
… a 20 ounce “Vitamin Water” bottle. I wanted a wide mouth bottle because it’s easier to add drink powders to them. …
I have been using the same bottle for years. That’s the thing about “single use” plastic bottles, I don’t care how many years I have carried the same bottle, nor how many times I have dropped it, nor how rough its life has been. I have never, ever had a “single use” plastic bottle fail me.
They are light, dependable, and cheap. “Single use” plastic bottles are what I use for all my water carrying needs.
I travelled and hiked over the past summer with 4 wicking t-shirts:
→ Patagonia
→ Adidas
→ Nike
→ MEC Rapidi-T
The best (and cheapest by far) was the MEC Rapidi-T.
On return to Canada I stocked up, buying 4 more short-sleeved. And 1 long-sleeved. (You never know when this product will be discontinued or the fabric changed.)
$18.00 CAD (US$16.80) – Made in Canada
Search the Mountain Equipment Co-op website (MEC.ca) for Product Number: 5014-990.
If you see me on the trail you’ll be near guaranteed that I’ll be wearing this shirt. MEC Breeze unlined nylon pants. And MEC Seamless Classic Briefs.
I was surprised to see two male orphaned Grizzly Bears on display at the top of Grouse Mountain, very much in the city.
Grinder was found orphaned June 5, 2001 in Invermere, British Columbia. He was wandering alone on a logging road, dehydrated, thin, weak and weighing only 4.5 kg. His mother was never found so how he came to be alone is unknown. …
Coola was found orphaned at the side of the highway on June 29, 2001 near Bella Coola, British Columbia. His mother had been hit and killed by a truck. Of her three cubs, Coola was the only one to survive. …
Hiking or Tramping is covered. But not Abseiling, Caving, Mountaineering or Rock Climbing.
The quote for me for 7wks is about US$200 anywhere in the world, including the USA:
A summary of the benefits are set out below. Please read the policy wording carefully for full details and age limits of any accompanying children.
Emergency Medical & Dental Coverage CAD $1,000,000
Following an injury or illness during your trip your policy covers reasonable and customary costs for Medical, in-hospital, road ambulance and other treatment administered by a registered medical practitioner or paramedic.
Medical Transportation CAD $500,000
If you require transportation to an appropriate medical facility to treat your injury or illness or to return you to your province or territory of residence, your policy will cover the reasonable and necessary transportation costs when pre-approved and arranged by World Access Canada.
Baggage Coverage CAD $2,500
You are covered for accidental theft or damage to your luggage/personal belongings. Coverage is limited to $500 per item. Exclusions apply, including items left unattended in a motor vehicle.
Sporting Equipment Coverage CAD $2,500
This policy provides coverage should your sporting equipment become lost by the Common Carrier, or damaged, or stolen provided you have taken all reasonable measures to protect, save and recover your property at all times. Coverage is secondary to any coverage provided by the Common Carrier.
Trip Cancellation CAD $1,000
Trip Cancellation coverage reimburses you for the non-refundable portion of your pre-paid trip costs if you cancel your transportation/accommodation arrangements prior to your departure as a result of a covered reason.
Trip Interruption CAD $5,000
Trip Interruption coverage reimburses you for covered losses you incur for trips that are interrupted or delayed after your departure date.
Travel Accident Coverage CAD $10,000
This policy provides coverage should you suffer loss of life as the direct result of an injury while travelling as a ticketed passenger on a licensed Common Carrier.
Leave a comment if you have an opinion on this policy and price. Or if you know of better.
Speakers include Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes, Royal Robbins, climber Chris Sharma, speed climber Ueli Steck, and extreme skier / BASE jumper Karina Hollekim.
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I spent a week at the 2007 festivals. My review:
Good, not great.
I’ll likely never return mainly because hiking is very under represented in Banff. It’s all about mountaineering … despite the fact that most of those attending are not mountaineers.
No need to spend money traveling to Banff in November: … too late for hiking, too early for skiing.
Instead, I recommend you try to get a ticket for both of the two “World Tours”.
1) Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
A selection of the winning films tour North America and abroad following the event. To find out when it’s going to play close to where you live, check the calendars linked from the official website.
2) Radical Reels
The Radical Reels Film Tour complements the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, and focuses on dynamic, high-adrenalin films featuring sports such as skiing, climbing, kayaking, BASE jumping, snowboarding and mountain biking. …
Endurance Athletes To Pedal Hi-tech Boat Around Vancouver Island
Oct. 15, 2009 – One week from now, endurance athletes Greg Kolodziejzyk of Calgary and Jordan Hanssen of Seattle, WA will attempt a nautical circumnavigation of Vancouver Island, piloting the custom-designed, pedal-powered boat Within on its first long-distance ocean voyage. Greg and Jordan will launch Within on Friday, Oct. 23 from Comox, BC and will travel clockwise around the Island. If successful, this voyage will be the first-ever circumnavigation of the Island in a pedal-powered boat. …
besthike.com 