Snow Walker

Currently running on cable. Saw some posts referring to it in the lending library. It held my interest, some interesting aspects of survival in very harsh terrain. But one thing kept bothering me... Except for the one scene, where were the damn mosquitoes?

I've seen full grown bull moose go charging into a lake to escape these persistent vampires. I've noticed that almost every PSK fails to provide for some relief from these terrors. Other than smudge pots, a smoky fire, (both fairly stationary) what provisions does one make in a psk for some form of relief? Anybody who has ever been in the North woods in the Spring should have an inkling as to what I'm talking about.

In Maine the black flies have been known to carry a moose off.

Yeah, but it's my understanding that Maine only has two seasons, Winter and Mud.

Yes, we get mozzies bad enough to rape Emu's.

I dont have anything in my small kits, but I always throw in a roll on stick of Aerogard into my packs/car etc.

I dont know if you get Aerorgard over there.

I got this in the passaround in the lending library.

Really an excellent movie. I loved Anabella Piagatuk's tool kit, and her practical approach to life on the tundra.

Traditional tools seem to have great form and function, and on a recent trip to SE Alaska I looked for a handmade ulu. I encouhtered a set of ulus made by Maynard Linder and ended up with 2 for my kitchen. Today my4th ulu arrived...a large sewing ulu, made by Maynard Linder in Homer Alaska.



This one has about a 4.5 inch cutting edge and a very nice piece of Steller's SeaCow bone for a handle. Maynard has used vintage hand saw steel and a convex edge.

I have a moccasin repair project in progress...I should see if I can find the Snow Walker to watch once more to inspire me.

If you need it, I have the pass-around copy. You can PM me your address and I'll drop it in the mail for you. If not I will just return it to William Lorimer who's address is on the CD case.

"Anybody who has ever been in the North woods in the spring should have an inkling as to what I'm talking about."

Misanthrope,

Good point on the skeeters. Living in the Puget Sound region, when it rains, the blood suckers hide. No worries here.

Not true above the great white north. Many years ago after doing some work in Anchorage AK, I had some free time to do a bit of hiking. I headed off into the Chugach National Forest for a walkabout (sans repellant). The size and tenacity of the mosquitoes there are legendary. It was in a full downpour and the bugs were still doing a fine business. I was fully clothed with the exception of my hands and face (head and neck covered with drawstring hood). I must have looked quite the fool with the nonstop waving, smashing, and slapping of my my face (I’m not even going to mention the funny dancing I was doing to keep the grizzly bells on my feet ringing). In the lower 48 I have never had a mosquito get through the thick skin on my palms. These babies were setting up drilling rigs on my palms. Within an hour may face and hands were so swollen from bites that I cried “Uncle”. Little bastards showed no mercy. I was forced to terminate my walkabout and high tail it back to my rental car. Just unreal.

Screw the bears! If I ever return I'll be loaded for bugs.

The only thing I have been in that was similar was a hike up to the Twin Sisters lakes near Mt. Rainier. This is a place of epic beauty and treacherous mosquitoes. The whole family was slathered in Cutters to no avail. After a brief look at the lakes (picture Chevy Chase at the Grand Canyon in “Vacation”) we practically ran back down the trail. Later I talked to some local hunters that have a favorite mosquito repellant. They rub themselves and their horses down in motor oil. Think I’ll pass.

Maybe others have some anti-mosquito warfare techniques they can share?

TR

I grew up on the Canadian prairies, I know about mosquitoes. Every survival kit I have, car, airplane, hiking, etc. all have mosquitoe repellant in them. Being stuck in the bush without would be living hell. Some early settlers on the prairies were driven literally insane by the little beasties. I prefer a brand called Muskoil, it has as much DEET as is legally allowed and it works great...Deep Woods Off is pretty good too.

I bought a cheap mosquito face net ($3.00 from Campmor)before my first bowhunt this year but did not need it. Unless it's high summer skeeter swarms are pretty rare here. Do you think a face net is worth carrying or should I rely on repellant? I guess the net could always double as a gill net. Do you guys up there in mosquito heaven even bother with nets and the like?

Regards, Vince

One of the reasons for my original post, other than the movie, is that a group of us go on a fly-in fishing trip to Northwestern Ontario every spring (about 100 miles north of Red Lake). In May and June, the Mosquitoes get so thick that they the form an opaque cloud. A mosquito head net is an absolute necessity at dusk. 100% Deet on all exposed skin, perm sprayed on clothes (they will bite right through anything but the thickest clothing), and a head net. Unless you're willing to spread DEET in your hair and on your scalp, a head net is a must.

Having spent some time in the high country I know what you mean--I always carry a bottle of 100% DEET. I don't like using it and will use some of the more natural repellants when possible but sometimes I will use anything to maintain sanity.

Randy,

That is an absolutely beautiful implement; please let us know how it works on your project. I have been tempted to obtain an ulu, but have not been impressed with the ones I have seen to date. However, this one made by Mr. Linder really perks my interest. Is there a way to contact him?

Thanks
Pete

Canoe trips into Ontario and Quebec showed me a few things about the insect critters.
Yes, my survival kit contains a good repellant and a spare headnet.
One item I always take is a Shoo-Bug jacket. I bought a couple years ago. It's a very open weave net with a hood. You pour a 2 oz bottle of high concentration DEET on the jacket in a plastic bag and let it set for a couple of hours. It's amazingly effective. It was, as I recall, made by Johnson & Johnson.
I haven't seen them in years; probably taken off the market because of some presumed health problem for kids.

Pete,

Most of the ulus I ran across in Alaska and elsewhere (ebay) are tourist items. Linder makes ulus for people who use them. I have 3 of his now and each one is great. You can only get ahold of Maynard by mail, but his brochure is well worth requesting as it has handdrawing of each of his patterns along with the prices (which are very reasonable). The large sewing ulu in antler would only be $38, seacow is an additional option. The 8" Fish River in the image below is on $84 again in antler.

He is a nice guy to work with and his work has soul. The more I use an ulu the more I appreciate their design. The super thin steel just glides through vegetables, meats, cheese...the Fish River pattern is my favorite..but he offers may other native designs.

Contact him:

Maynard Linder
PO Box 2119
Homer AK 99603

907 235 9406

I picked up a small sewing ulu in Alaska made my Mike Moore. I started my moccasin repair project with that as my only cutting tool. This ulu is about half size of the Linder ulu show above. I cut out the leather, and did all repair to this point with this ulu. The rest of the project I will use the Linder large sewing ulu.

First my starting point...


Then with the major patching about done.....







And where I left off....still the other one to go.



The little ulu was perfect for cutting out the leather and the sewing . I think Maynard Linders ulus are a bit more "authentic" and traditional compared to Mike Moores, but both are vastly superior to many of the ulus I have seen both in Alaska and elsewhere.

That's good to know. I'll keep packing the net then. And I'll consider a small container of Deet as well.

Regards, Vince

Thank you Sir.

Pete