Forty-three countries down, Hera Van Willick – Pedal rides her bicycle across continents, fully self-supported. This is her journey and what she has learned along the way.
Watching this short movie makes you jump right on your bike and head somewhere.
Thanks Fabian for sharing it with me!
Me and Maria (Alexander von Bronewski Manufaktur & Feinschmuck ) went for our annual Indian Summer Bivouac up the hill for less than 24 hours – offline. A great time to exercise, being outdoors, collecting the thoughts, getting inspired, watching shootingstars, drinking some good redwine, roasting some sausages, watching a fire burn, watching deer, eating blueberries, making good coffee, trying to name the surrounding mountains and exploring new paths – priceless!
First of all thanks to Albert Dörp from Absolut Canoe for organizing me this amazing Backpack – but i should start with some facts.
Ok, Frost River with a history of about 250 years (“kind of”) of constructing packs does it quite likely as they did in the gold rush days. The backpack is constructed of heavy duty waxed 18oz canvas, leather from the sb foot tannery (this should ring the bell the famous Red Wing´s are made from leather from the same tannery) and rocksolid brass hardware.
My first thought when I received this backpack was “heavy” but not in a negative way. I rather carry 1 kg more of backpack with me than a piece of crap which gives me trouble be-cause its badly and lightweight constructed. (I lost a not properly attached waist belt buckle on a Lafuma backpack before I started a 10 days trip in Norway and a Vaude shoulderstrap buckle broke in the middle of Patagonia – one was about 60L and the other a 80L backpack – so no toys). I started to look for a bad construction or weak spots but could not find one, seams, material and hardware is bombproof. A Land Rover Defender has quite the same characteristics – loved for its proofed design and construction.
It took me probably about half a year to finally field-test the bag. It was packed with 20kg+ of camping equipment, food and drinks (Pernod and Redwine) and cloth. At the first 500m I had to move a hard piece of equipment because the backpack has no backplate construction. I rather packed the pack lazy 21th century not as I learned in the army. A bit later I had to adjust the shoulderstraps a bit and the rest of the 6 hour hike up to 2400m above sea level (1500m up the hill) went smoothly. The only little problem I had on the first day was the waist belt was too big for me since I only hiked with a Polo shirt, so i might punch another hole in the leather strap.
What I really liked about the backpack is it huge capacity to overload it. It is rated with about 45 Liter but due to the long straps I guess even about 60 Liters seem possible I would say. So it will be a perfect backpack for a quick overnight trip with lots of stuff packed in on a night on a bonfire or even a bigger hiking trip for up to 2 weeks. Albert mention a headstrap “Sherpa Style” for bigger trips – since the D-Rings are there to attach a device like this I will give it a try next time I carry a lot of weight in there.
What else can I tell you about the backpack, the images speak for themselves. Have a look of the nicely leather lined and very comfortable leather shoulder straps attached with 9 rivets!
Honestly I´m sure this backpack will outlast me and I do not see any reason to get rid of it. I will post my experience with this new friend over the years. Thanks again to Albert Dörp for making this great brand hassle free available to us. He works together with Frost River since 2006 and is the Distributer for them in Germany and most of Europe since 2008.
A direct link to the backpack he offers in his webshop @ Absolut Canoe is here:
We probably caught one of the last weekends for our bivouac in the alps. Probably a week to late, the yellow leaves already dropped down. After about close to 3 hours we reached the summit and our campground. On the way up there I spotted a badly wounded tree which blood/resin I took as a fire starter. Two years ago I collected some wood and leaned it to a tree, it was still there so the fire was started really quick. We barbecued some Frankfurter/Kraken and had a good bottle of red wine.
The night was very mild for end of october but quite windy. Tillmann had his sheep skin and thick felt army blanket which were sufficient for the night. Sunrise was great and a task on this trip was to review the abilities of the Trangia alcohol stove with non conform add ons.
First task was to get good coffee, with the Bialetti espresso maker he worked just great.
Second task was to heat up the De Buyer fried egg pan which worked perfect as well.
Unintentionally the Trangia frying pan served as a water cup for Tillmann and the 2 pots for collecting blueberries.
It was a great trip, perfect weather and very comfortable. The Trangia stove added very much to its comfort. The Trangia cooking system is a absolute fool proof compact way to dine outdoors. Alcohol is widely available to run it and has the huge plus that its smell is way better when spilling some of the content than petroleum, diesel or gasoline. Gas cartridges I somehow dislike since they are always a big hassle to get, produce a lot of litter and can not used up all the way. (and are pricy)
If you wonder why this images look somehow familiar to you check a post about this spot two years ago. (it was more than 2 weeks earlier, thats why the leafs look much nicer)
be-cause blog – handmade dog id collarsThe idea to craft a dog collar for Tillmann with my mobile number on it was born be-cause he kept loosing the “id bombs” or making writings on the inside disappear caused by his rugged lifestyle. And the reason for an ID was also necessary by the fact that the call of nature and smells made him disappear from time to time. Once the “Jagdtrieb” / “hunting instincts” get hold of him it´s unlikely that he realize a command.
So within a very short period I was asked by friends to handmade at least half a dozen dog collars, with names on them and sometimes for the more active dogs with a phone number to call. Just make sure the dog collar does not outperform your own belt by quality and style.
Hiking to the Sarotlahütte – AustriaLast weekend we went to the Sarotlahütte in Austria, a perfekt spot for stay for a night and to do further hikes in this area. Snow came early this year and the hut was closed, as most huts at high altitude do. We enjoyed the warm sun the stunning panorama and of corse our “Brotzeit” / picknick up there.
HerbstspaziergangNo time for hiking recently, but a short walk in the countryside in the woods is always possible and worth it. Some nice colored leaves, the always so green moss, a corncob left behind, the panorama of the alps or the flight/landing of the bees.
Yesterday I decided to try some Otter Wax to treat my brand new Rising Sun Outdoor Vest in Raw Brown Duck Canvas. It took me about half an hour and 1/3 of this XL bar of Otter Wax. I strongly recommend to watch the Otter Wax Video on Vimeo for some hints. Working the wax into the fabric with your fingers is the way to do it right. There is the option to treat the fresh waxed fabric with a blow dryer for a deeper saturation and a more even distribution. The wax gets more fluid then, but I liked the contrast of some hard to reach areas (see the image 2) and also the not too perfect applied look.
At the beginning of the treatment the wax is a bit sticky but this has changed already within the last 10 hours. As mentioned in the Video by Otter Wax it is settling in for up to 3 days. I hope the development and difference between the two vests is clear. To describe the waxed one, I would say it looks a bit like some “well broken in greasy suede leather vest”. I´m sure this vest will develop a nice character within the next month – stay updated here.
Thanks to Amtraq Distribution and Otter Wax Distribution Europe for the samples.
Trangia Cooking Set 25-3 UL spiritus/alcohol outdoor stoveToday I received a test sample of the Trangia Cooking Set 25-3 UL by Scandic. This is just a short unboxing post. This outdoor cooking set will be tested within the next weeks on my outdoor trips. I´m just sick about broken O-rings and leaking high tech and high powered multifuel burners. Without any doubt the Trangia is the “Landrover Defender” of the outdoor stoves. Im really optimistic it will proof my expectations.
be-cause - style, travel, collecting and food blog 