Recent content by TheOtherHank

When I've used an aluminum dutch oven, it felt like it could develop hot spot right over where the individual coals were. But it wasn't an issue if you were careful. The rapid cool-down of the pot after removing it from the heat is a big difference. - Hank

Hi - If you'll excuse input from someone whose Aluminum Dutch Oven experience comes from using one on whitewater trips... We used one (the kind with three legs on the bottom and a rim around the edge of the lid) for several years to bake cakes, lasagna, quesadilla pie, etc. It worked great...

What I did was to grab the plank a foot or so on either side of the splice and slowly flipped it over while making sure all the flexing occurred between my hands and the ends of the board and none between my hands. So the splice stayed straight (engineering speak: "Strain Relief"). This...

Back in my guiding days I was on a overnight trip. By the time setting up camp, making dinner, cleaning up after dinner, etc was done it was dark. This being a trip in Northern California in July, there was no chance it was going to rain so I threw my tarp down on a flat spot, unrolled my...

Thought I'd dip my toe back in. Yes, it was in a whitewater situation. And it was on rivers where hundreds or thousands of people rafted every summer, in a climate where pretty much all the rain happens in the winter. Peeing on the ground would result in breathing an amoniac fog for entire trip...

The solution to pollution is dilution. Besides, the fish are all peeing in there already. Back in my river running days we wouldn't pull over for pee stops. If you had to go, you had to jump in the water and relax. In camp we told them to either pee in the river or as close to the water as...

Hey Hairy - If they TV channel puts the segment online, please post a link to it. I know I'd like to see it. Thanks, - Hank

I second the Eureka Timberline endorsement. I used those for years when I was a (looks both ways, leans in, whispers) whitewater guide. In Southwestern Oregon (not the driest place to camp out) I could stay comfortably dry in my Timberline while it was pouring buckets outside. It is not a 4...

I just went and re-read your original post. A question that doesn't seem like it's been answered yet is about how a pirogue handles relative to other kinds of boats. Now I've never paddled a pirogue, but I have paddled some quite flat bottomed canoes, and I've read quite a bit on this site, so...

I'm in the middle of building a Merrimac from JEM. It's another 6 panel canoe (i.e., not flat-bottomed) that seems like it will be big enough for me, the wife and the two small boys. You could take a look at that as well. - Hank

A small freshwater fish that is fun to catch with light tackle. Kind of like a bluegill. http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/fishing/fish_id_gallery/black_crappie

Way back when I was a bitchen whitewater dude, our mantra was 'rig to flip' if you can't turn your boat upside down, give it a shake and not lose anything, then you're asking to lose your stuff. - Hank PS - What's the difference between a fairy tale and whitewater guide story? A fairy...

Jehova! Jehova! Jehova!

I'll gnaw your legs off!

Monty Python and the Holy Grail Oh Jack