Ramblings on outdoor gift ideas
What was the most memorable gift you ever received at Christmas? Or more specifically, and in the context of this column, what’s the best outdoor present that Santa ever squeezed down your chimney? For my part, no contest, the handcrafted snowshoes Dad had made for me in 1970 take first place hands down.
They ignited a passion within me that has endured for decades. I love winter, and I love a day walking on fresh powder. Bright sunshine, green trees, blue sky, and endless deep snow, difficult to articulate, but together they send my spirit soaring to the heavens.
Those racquets were a wonderfully thoughtful gift on my father’s part. For sure he knew me well, and was paying attention. Like some of the greatest gifts, they weren’t pricey. A man of great talent with wood and blade fashioned them for Dad, hailing from Grand Falls I think. He was working in Gander with my father on construction at the time.
Anyway, I was out in the snow Christmas Day before our stuffed turkey dinner. I can remember that morning like yesterday. I had no idea I was getting handmade craftsman snowshoes of the Algonquin variety for Christmas. There were none in the Sears or Eatons catalogues for me to see. I didn’t know I wanted them, but I did. They had multicoloured tassels around their edges.
Maybe snowshoes would be a good idea for someone on your Christmas list. Every hunter should have a pair. You never know the season that you may have to hunt into January for moose. It happened to me last year. I shot my moose while wearing snowshoes. In all my years of hunting that was my very first time for a big game snowshoe kill. I really wish I could tell Dad about it. Rabbits, I have shot and snared me many while wearing the snow racquets. I really wish I could tell Dad about it.
Thinking about great Christmas gifts directs my mind to Ralphie. If you haven’t seen this movie, for heavens sake watch it this festive season. “A Christmas Story” is a 1983 movie about a little boy named Ralphie who desperately wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. His mother isn’t fussy about the idea, for fear of an accident. The Dad ends up surprising all hands, including Mom with an air gun on Christmas morning.
“Ralphie”, as we refer to it, is a favourite at our house, and we all still watch it together.
My granddaughter Rory will be old enough to enjoy it this year. Some years ago I bought my two daughters anniversary edition Red Ryder BB guns for Christmas. They loved it, a total surprise, Ralphie shootin’ irons. Maybe it’s time to teach Rory how to shoot that gun. I think she’d like that.
A new rifle or shotgun might be a great idea for a significant person in your life this season. The problem with buying gun gifts is lack of specific knowledge. Often the person doing the buying knows too little about what the other wants in a firearm.
Goldie has never bought me a gun. She has no idea what I would want or dislike. I have too many guns anyway, but I’m just making a point. Goldie isn’t adding any more shooting irons to my collection. But if you decide to go the gun route, it’s best to ask friends who hunt and shoot with the giftee. They will have a better idea.
No bad weather
You know what I think about spending time outdoors in winter? There’s no bad weather, only bad gear. I’d rather go hiking in the hills at minus 20C, or trek in a snowstorm, both better than a half hour on a bloody treadmill. So to go with those snowshoes or skis, maybe a nice lightweight packable jacket is in order. With the quality of winter wear available today there’s no excuse for weekend couch time, unless your muscles are sore and torn up from a day in the snowy woods.
What you need for winter trekking is layers. You might think that a big old warm parka is best, but not so, been there and done that decades ago. Heavy coats are only appropriate for standing around. I’ve had plenty of sweat soakings and subsequent chills to prove my point. Too much insulation while exerting yourself aerobically and you sweat buckets. Then when you stop for a rest the cold air sticks in you like razor sharp arrows. It’s no fun.
Nowadays I generally use three layers, four at the most. Next to my skin, for a base layer, I wear a long-sleeved merino wool zip neck or crew. Wool breathes well, dries quickly, and insulates even when damp or wet. Over that I wear midweight fleece, like a Patagonia R2 or 3. I follow this up with a lightweight jacket with either goose down or Primaloft synthetic insulation. Mostly I choose a Patagonia Nano Puff. Google these names and you will see what I’m talking about. Companies like Outdoor Research, Mountain Hardware, Marmot, and Black Diamond make similar high-quality products.
The fourth and sometimes optional layer is a water, wind, and weatherproof shell. Typically with a Gore-tex or similar technology lining, this outer layer protects you when the weather gets really dicey. I say optionally only because I’ll leave it home on shorter trips when I’m darn sure the weather will stay dry. Otherwise I keep my shell tucked in a corner of my pack. Take note, this is not a rubber or otherwise non-breathable waterproof coat. It must breathe or you will sweat to death while exerting yourself. It’s just as well to get soaked by the sleet and wet snow.
So here’s the deal. Sometimes when I’m going hard up a hill in the sunshine, even well below zero, I’ll only wear the base layer. The trick is to not sweat and stay dry. But mostly while on the move I’ll use the base and either the fleece or the Nano Puff. The other will ride in my pack with my storm shell. When I stop for a boil up or a look about from a hilltop I’ll put on another layer. Moisture management is paramount in staying comfortable while on the move in winter.
Maybe I’ve helped you out with gift ideas. Feel free to e-mail me for advice or comments. I love to hear from readers. In the weeks leading up to Christmas I’ll be talking more about gift ideas for the outdoors.