Way-Making with Map and Compass
CO - Boulder, Berkey Water Filter, Map Reading, Wainwright Guides
Berkey Water Filter
I spent the morning gutting and removing my original water system. The old military-grade five gallon plastic jerry cans fit nicely under the sink, but were a pain to handle after filling. I loved the Berkey Travel Water Filter System Pamela had and bought the Travel model because it fit nicely on the counter. I replaced the two 5-gal jerry cans with four 3-gal stackable Sagen Life AquaBrick Water Storage Containers under the sink. They are easier to handle and give me better storage options. I use an inline filter on the hose when I fill the container and then the Berkey system has dual element charcoal filters and additional dual element fluoride and arsenic filters. This is the best rated passive gravity-feed water filter system I could find. When you realize that no municipality in North America passes the 1960’s pure water standard, finding a way to filter it further becomes important. If you are currently buying bottled water, your savings will pay for the Berkey.
Way-making with Map and Compass
When I was a young camp ranger I taught Wilderness Survival and Orienteering. I have always loved topographical maps. filled with such detail. Since I have always had a distrust in the reliability of technology, I prefer paper maps and charts. They still work when the batteries are dead.
Using CalTopo.com I can now print any part of a topographical map I need for a hike, and it will have the latest updates and any scale I desire.
Wainwright Pictorial Guides
My favourite trail guides are the Wainwright guides for the Lake District in England. Hand written and illustrated with pen and ink. They are works of art, filled with hard-earned local knowledge.
My last time in London I bought the entire boxed set of all the original hardcover books before revised into the “Walkers Edition.” Reading them is like walking the fells with Wainwright.
Each trail map is draw in three perspectives that seamlessly flow from an overhead arial perspective at the start, to a forty-five degree view during the ascent, and finally a face-on horizontal guide to the summit. I have never seen this done anywhere before or since. I hope to spend several seasons hiking the “Wainwrights” as they are called.
Neptune Mountaineering
Great hiking and climbing store in Boulder, CO. The long table displays a collection of climbing gear from the past. The staff is experienced and happy to share their local knowledge. I have relocated from Estes Park to Golden Colorado. After a month of fly fishing and hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park, I will spend this month doing the same here in the Front Range.
What I Am Reading…
Starrett, Kelly (2024) Built to Move - The 10 Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully
Morgan, Richard (2003) Altered Carbon - Loved the TV series and decided to read the book.
Burns, Bob (2015) Wilderness Navigation - The best book I have read on way-making with map and compass, from the editors of the classic Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills
Caudill, Craig (2019) Essentiual Wilderness Navigation - a newer book with colour photographs, good but still prefer the classic above for simplicity.
Thank you for following along on my journey. If you know of anyone who may like to travel with us please share with the button below. Be well. Big hug. Gassho, Lloyd
Next post (every Sunday)
I have not climbed much except for a time in Spain northeast of Malaga. However, I am enjoying a virtual climbing experience through your postings. Thanks.