Those who’ve read my books/attended my seminars, know that I am rather opinionated when it comes to bears. I’ve seen hundreds of bears—black, grizzlies., and polar bears—on my canoe trips in northern Canada and Alaska. Many encounters have been very close. The photo below was taken at a campsite along the Fond du Lac River, Saskatchewan. That big brown boy was just 10 yards away, and not afraid of me at all. Gtizzly in camp, 10 yards from me. I unthreateningly talked

by Cliff Jacobson Eureka! Tundraline tent—an unsuccessful evolution of the Cannondale Aroostook. Snake River, Yukon, Canada What lasts depends upon consumer demand and price. Get these wrong and you have a loser, even if the product is great. Here are some terrific camping products that didn’t survive the test of time: 1. The Cannondale Aroostook tent was designed by the Cannondale bicycle company around 1980. When I reviewed tents for Backpacker Magazine, I was so i

by Cliff Jacobson Canoeing big lakes can be challenging to navigate, and when the wind is up, dangerous. You're canoeing a big lake and come to a large bay. It's a mile, or about 20 minutes, if you head straight across, or 10 miles if you follow the shore. There are some breaking waves out on the lake, but they look manageable. Should you chance it and paddle the breezy bay, or take the slow safe route near shore? The answer is easy if you're ahead of schedu

Thick Kevlar skid-plates provide excellent protection, but... Rocky rivers take a toll on the stems (ends below the waterline) of Royalex and Kevlar canoes, so many paddlers epoxy on protective Kevlar "skid plates" before the first sign of damage-—a questionable practice. Here's why: 1. Kevlar skid pads add three or more pounds to a canoe—that’s weight you’ll have to portage! Of some importance is that the extra weight is added to the extreme ends of the canoe, which af

by Cliff Jacobson Kevlar Mad River Explorer, Steel River, Ontario. Yes, we rescued this canoe! The rails popped back into shape and the hull was seaworthy. Three days work at home, and it was "good to go." Kevlar is tougher than most people think. And American White Ash rails often "bend and hold" where metal ones may "hinge and fold." The gunnels bent about 30-degrees but held. Quite a bit of of the outer Kevlar layer was broken. But the rescued canoe had no leaks.

This photo was taken seconds before a lightning strike sent showers of burning branches and embers on to Alan's canoe! by Cliff Jacobson Canoeing texts tend to dismiss storms with the simple admonition that you should “paddle close to shore when the wind is up” and “get off the water at the first sign of lightning.” It’s not so simple. Lightning, for example, often works in mysterious ways that defy textbook advice. Here’s an example from my own experience on the Gull Ri

by Cliff Jacobson In 1971, I outfitted and guided three wealthy Chicago men—the least affluent of which earned a quarter million a year—on a five-day canoe trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Minnesota. I was told to provide the finest food, equipment and hospitality—whatever it took to ensure a good time. In return, I'd be well compensated for my services. For months I worked on assembling the menu. Supper the first night would consist of Minnesota wild

by Cliff Jacobson Cliff: U.S. Army National Match Rifle Team, 1964 PROLOGUE In 1964, I was a 24-year-old soldier stationed in Bayreuth, West Germany, near the Czech border. I had two months left on my two-year active-duty commitment before I could return to the States. I was what they called a “short timer.” It was July 3 so two friends and I decided to celebrate our upcoming Independence Day and my “short timer” status, at a local Gasthouse (family-friendly tavern). At t

by Cliff Jacobson Manitou Falls, Saskatchewan. A decidedly spiritual place: Native Americans believed that the Fond du Lac River here disappeared into a hole in the ground. Here, the river does a sharp 90-degree left-hand turn followed by a sharp 90-degree right-hand turn. The approach by canoe is intimidating. It’s customary for authors to dedicate their books to a person they love or respect. I’ve followed suit in all of my titles, except one—“Camping’s Top Secrets.” I