Author: Brian Day

A 25 year veteran of the specialty Outdoor Industry. Canoe and kayak enthusiast. Kayak instructor emeritus. Midwest sea kayak O.G. Winter walker. Hunting novice. Gearhead. Broke down but still kicking.

T-Rescue Tune Up

On By Brian DayIn Skills3 Comments
Figure 1. Initial contact with the swamped kayak. Note the paddle clamped under the front edge of the PFD, the torso rotation and the committed lean toward the capsized kayak.

The T-rescue is one of the fastest and most effective methods for helping a paddler recover after a capsize. By focusing on a few specific points, a T-rescue can be executed safely and easily, even on heavily loaded boats.

Continue reading “T-Rescue Tune Up” →

Hiatus

On By Brian DayIn Life1 Comment

I’ve had a great run of weekly posts for the past few months. It’s time to take a break. Cristi and I are settling into new jobs and new places. Pedro is enjoying his retirement in the country. I’ll try to pick things up again once we’re situated.

See you in a few weeks.

Brian

A Simple Clothing System: UPDATE and Podcast Dump

On By Brian DayIn Skills, ToolsLeave a comment

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BWCA 2018. Microburst. This storm generated 60 mph straight line winds. I’m glad we weren’t on the water when it came through.

I’ve been digging into podcasts over the past several months and further exploring the origins of the clothing system that I am outlining in this series of posts. One of the things that I’ve discovered is that there are a few people out there who have very deep knowledge on clothing systems design and performance. Many of these folks are connected with the modern backcountry hunting community. Quite a few have ties to the military and some were influential in developing the systems that started as the Protective Combat Uniform and morphed into the current version of the US Army’s Extended Cold Weather Clothing System.  Continue reading “A Simple Clothing System: UPDATE and Podcast Dump” →

Rock Island Rendezvous

On By Brian DayIn Life, Outdoors2 Comments

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Thordarson’s boathouse and ferry pier, Rock Island State Park, WI. By David Langhorst [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
It’s 11:15 PM on a Friday night when we pull up to the ferry landing at Northport in Door County.  Mark and I begin to unload sea kayaks and gear for a weekend tour from my Honda Civic.  The weather is cool–what you would expect from the first weekend of October–and the wind is moving the tips of trees above our heads.  Continue reading “Rock Island Rendezvous” →