This is Kevin, part of my extended family. He’s a teacher and a historian with a fascination for 17th century Canadian history. One of his hobbies is reenacting this period and place as authentically as possible. He's also the world's leading expert on French trade guns - yes, both esoteric hobbies, but blowing things up with black powder rifles is fun.
At some point during the Christmas holidays after far too many glasses of wine we had a heated debate - me upholding the merits of current survival/outdoors technology - Kevin taking the counterpoint.
We agreed then and there to settle this like gentlemen and head out into the wintery woods. The next day we both woke hoping neither would remember. The handshake was binding.
This is my set up. I would consider this pretty much the state of the art. A Warbonnet SuperFly tarp, BlackBird hammock, and HammockGear Burrow and Phoenix quilts. All very lightweight and comfy when suspended high above the roots, rocks and squirmy things.
For eats: Freeze dried food, a jet propelled stove to boil water in nano-seconds (Jet Boil). All this represents the cusp of lightweight outdoors materials engineering and technology.
This is Kevin's camp. Those pots and lantern are period. The glass vessels are all hand-blown. The red tarp above the "bed" is oiled canvas. His bedding: all wool, bearskin and pine boughs. The only nod to the 20th century is a first aid kit (not pictured).
Yes - he will sleep under that red tarp. It will fall to minus 10 degrees celsius this night and gust to 40 knots. To keep the coyotes or any curious wolves at bay a matchlock muzzle loading rifle is loaded and at hand.
Two distinctly different approaches.
Authentic French Canadian Pea Soup, a 300 year-old recipe. Salt pork, yellow peas, ham hocks, a hint of maple syrup and brandy.
Ancient mulled wine recipe. His clothing is all period correct. This is what Canadians wore in these conditions 300 years ago. Wool, animal skin, fur and bone.
Our view. Quiet except for the odd owl hoot or coyote howl. Firing off a midnight black powder load through a 17th Century musket served as a warning to the coyotes in the area.
Night sets in.
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