Tag Archives: Outdoors

Fair weather campers

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My friends Ed and Adam are both fair weather campers. This weekend’s camping trip (which I was not a part of because of house renovations) has been canceled due to 100% chance of rain on Saturday morning.

My point of saying this isn’t to rattle the cage too much, it’s more to talk about the unknown (or known) and how challenges are sometimes the thing we remember and appreciate most in life. I won’t lie: The idea of a dreary Saturday searching for wood while I get poured on isn’t the most attractive idea ever. Yet, with the right outlook, it might end up being one of the most rewarding things you could end up doing. Out of all the adventures I’ve taken, it’s the ones with some kind of adversity that I remember best. It really makes you appreciate when everything is “just right.” It brings a little sense and modesty to an individual.

Some of my trips have been relaxing and smooth. Others, not so much. That’s just the gamble you take. But regardless of what is given, I hope I can continue to appreciate and take the opportunities that are given.

All that to say, once I’m done my home renovations and I plan a trip, you two aren’t getting off so lightly. Have fun this weekend, come help me with my house if you get bored, and definitely make sure to invite me along next trip.

Becker Necker BK11

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Becker Necker BK11I received a new goodie in the mail today. Believe it or not, it was my first ever Ebay purchase! This is a Becker Necker BK11, made by a company no longer in business called Camillus Knives.

I decided a little while ago I wanted to have a small collection of knives. “Small” so that I can easily choose a knife when I go on a trip instead of going through 30 knives and remembering why I like each. Because the idea is to have a collection of cool knives, this actually took some research. One of the most interesting knives to me was the Becker Necker BK11.

This knife is very light and can be lashed to quite a few things with or without its sheath. I think the neck lanyard is a pretty neat idea but I’m not sure it would actually work well under clothing in a life-or-death situation simply because it’s hard to access. Even once you grab it from under your shirt, you have to consider that you have an open blade inside your clothing so you better be willing to shred something if you’re pulling it out quick. You probably wouldn’t shred your skin but I wouldn’t be surprised if you caught the bottom of your shirt. I’m sure there are some tips and theories out there on how to quickly access a neck knife without butchering yourself. I’m not all that worried though.

Becker is well known for their survival knives. Unfortunately, except for the BK11 all of them are rather large so I’m not interested in anything else by them right now. I think this was the perfect purchase for me in their line and hopefully I’ll be able to test it out camping next weekend. Now I’m moving on to my next knife which will probably be a folding knife. Emerson and Benchmade are two brands I’d like to own.

Christopher M.

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Last weekend Chris flew in from Ottawa to spend some time here in Baltimore. I took him hiking at Old Rag and introduced him to the world of Maryland blue crabs. It was quite a bit of fun, mainly due to the nice change of pace for me to have a friend that wants to do something outdoors. All of my friends are slackers, and you know it.

Ultimately, what I have to show from his being here is a couple of beat up ankles, due to my trail-hiking shoes which just didn’t want to cooperate with me. They are bloody and scabbed, and not very pretty. On top of that, I can’t get my climbing shoes (or any other shoes) comfortably on, so I’m stuck not being able to do much in the way of physical activity. What a drab!