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The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
‘The only thing that gets me out of my tent': the camping essentials you need (and what you don't)
Packing for a camping trip isn't easy, especially if you're not an experienced adventurer. Newbie campers often overpack while simultaneously leaving more useful items at home. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. As a lifelong city dweller, my lack of knowhow has been exposed on trips with my camping-savvy family in the US. It turns out that House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski and a medium-sized Bluetooth speaker aren't must-haves on a four-day wilderness hike. Who knew? An extra water bottle would have been a better use of that space, something I learned through a series of hardships. For guidance on this topic, I asked experienced campers – including parents with young kids, festival-goers, outdoor guides and lone wild campers – for their must-pack items. Whether you're taking a £20 tent to a muddy field, glamping in a yurt or going fully off-grid, this list is sure to feature an item you'll be thankful you threw in the bag. For a comprehensive list of essentials, you should always consider the particulars of your upcoming trip. For more help on getting started, I recommend practical checklists from organisations such as the Ordnance Survey and the Camping and Caravanning Club. Northcore Kick Back hammock £34.95 at SurfSurfSurf This hammock is great. If you're camping in, or near, a woodland, you can quickly set it up between a couple of trees to read a book, listen to the birds or take a nap. Dave, north-west London Hennessy Expedition zip hammock £139.95 at Hennessy My hammock is ultra-light compared with a conventional tent; it can be fully zipped open, or closed and covered by the accompanying tarp. It comes with webbing straps to prevent any damage to trees. While my hammock is snug – and not the cheapest option – it's a really novel, comfortable and fun shelter to take on overnight adventures or multi-day expeditions, and an excellent choice when camping in wooded areas. Joe, Cambridgeshire The Filter's top pick for camping: Black Diamond Storm 500R £54.95 at WildBounds£65 at Cotswold Outdoor The Filter's top pick overall: Petzl Swift RL £84.99 at Decathlon A head torch is a non-negotiable. Its usefulness compared with its weight and cost is unmatched. After dark, it's much harder to do basic tasks such as pitching up, prepping a fire or nipping out of the tent in the middle of the night for a loo break. Get one. Adam, East Sussex Everbeam H6 Pro headlamp £16.99 at Amazon There are two main reasons I love this compact little Everbeam torch. First, it's rechargeable via USB, so easy to keep topped up, either at home or on the go using a battery pack. Second, it has an adjustable angle, so no more tilting your head back and forth; just change the angle of the lamp while it's on your head! Also, it comes with a great carry case, protecting it from damage when you just chuck it in your bag. It has two white brightness settings and a red light for when you need a low-light option. Dave, north-west London The Filter's top pick: MSR Hubba Hubba NX £476 at Cotswold Outdoors£476 at Snow and Rock I do like a minimal tent. I'm only using it for sleep after all, so I don't need fancy extras. And I like the feeling of being fully enclosed. A small tent is all a single camper needs, and it provides more shelter than one of those military-style bivi bags, which I'm not a fan of. Michael, Shropshire Coleman Darwin 2 Plus £89.99 at Mountain Warehouse£82.52 at Amazon I love this Coleman tent's extended porch cover. You can leave your pack and shoes outside your tent, so you get less muck inside. This leaves plenty of room indoors for a couple of people, plus a medium-sized dog. The canopy keeps your stuff dry if it rains in the night. Saskia, west London For more, read our guide to the best tents for camping The Filter's favourite chair for two: Kelty Loveseat £130 at Mountain Warehouse£130 at Ellis Brigham My partner and I have enjoyed using this double-camping chair from Kelty for years. It's sturdier and higher quality than the typical camping chairs you may be used to, and it's comfortable enough for one person to curl up on and have a nap. Kelty also makes an Essential single version of this chair, as well as a Deluxe Lounge one, and all are available in the same smart colour schemes. Luke, Watford For more, read our guide to the best camping chairs Anker Soundcore Boom 3i £99.99 at Soundcore£99.99 at Amazon This Bluetooth speaker is more than just waterproof: it floats, it's saltwater resistant, and it can even self-right itself in choppy waters. The Boom 3i packs a hell of a punch too, with powerful bass and a 50W/96dB speaker. The RGB lights add to the fun, bringing a party atmosphere to your pitch, but you can always turn them off if you find them tacky. Remember to always adhere to your campsite's noise rules and regulations: if there's a designated quiet time, respect it – or else incur the wrath of every other family sharing the site. Tom, north-west London The Filter's top pick: Coleman Pro £129.99 at Amazon Coleman 15l Performance cool box £35 at Argos My mates all said it was a waste of space to bring a massive cooler on a two-night camping trip. But who was laughing at the end of the day … when I was the only one with drinkable beer? Coolers aren't even expensive, and when you factor in the savings from not having to drive out of camp to the nearest petrol station to pick up a few cold cans, it's more than worth the initial spend. William, South Yorkshire For more, read our guide to the best cool boxes The Filter's top pick: MSR Switch £115 at LD Mountain Centre£114.75 at Amazon Jetboil MightyMo £75 at Blacks Jetboil MicroMo £134.95 at WildBounds A Jetboil is essential for us whenever we go camping. It doesn't matter if it's a family outing or a week-long wilderness trek – the Jetboil is the first thing we pack. It's lightweight and can bring water to the boil faster than any other camping stove we've tried. I'm always grateful to have it when I'm prepping dehydrated meals at the end of a long day's hike. Don't forget to bring a spare fuel canister. Tommy, Wisconsin, US For more, read our guide to the best camping stoves Blue Mountain Starlight 150L lantern £12 at Cotswold Outdoor £12 at Snow and Rock It's a small thing, but the few pounds I spent on this little lantern were more than worth it. So useful after dark when you need to look for something in your tent, or get up during the night. It also adds a cosy vibe to your haven in the wilderness. Saskia, west London Nilaqua no-rinse body wash, 500ml £6.99 at Victoria Health£6.99 at Boots Clean Life no-rinse foaming body wash, 237ml £4.66 at iHerb£9.99 at Amazon The best recommendation I ever got for camping was to get a no-rinse foam wash. It's mainly used by carers, and it cleans you up without water, so it's worth its weight in gold when you can't shower. It was a life-saver for my pits at El Dorado festival last year. Mel, south London Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Snugpak The Sleeping Bag WGTE £42.69 at Amazon For UK camping, from spring right through to early autumn, you don't need anything too hardcore. The Sleeping Bag by Snugpak is exceptionally snug and comfortable in a wide range of temperatures. Officially, it is rated suitable in climates from -7C. At less than £50, it's a great buy. Luke, Watford Exped Schnozzel pump bag £26.96 at Alpine Trek The Exped pump bag is my must-have if you want to pack light, since it makes getting ready for bed way easier. First off, it lets you inflate your sleeping mat quickly – and without moisture getting into the mat. Then, it doubles as a waterproof sack to keep your phone (and spare underwear) dry. Molly, Minnesota, US Kelty Cosmic Si Mummy sleeping pad £56 at Decathlon£69 at Mountain Warehouse Maybe you don't want to bother with inflating your sleeping mat at all, in which case I can recommend the Cosmic Si Mummy. To get this mat ready, all you need to do is lay it out flat, unscrew the valve and … actually, that's it. Come back later, tighten up the valve and go to sleep. In my experience, it takes about 30 to 40 minutes to fully inflate, but if you're in a rush, you can still inflate it manually. It's comfy to lie on and easy to pack down too. Tom, north-west London For more, read our guide to the best camping mattresses and sleeping mats The Filter's top pick: Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-port 20k £79.99 at Argos£79.99 at Amazon Juice Eco Max+ 24,000mAh portable power bank £34.99 at Argos I got this power bank before a long weekend of climbing and camping in Suffolk. It kept three phones charged up enough for the three-day trip, which is all you can ask for. There are more expensive ones that will charge your phone faster, but I wanted one that specifically charged up to three devices at once and had a large capacity. This one does the job perfectly. Tom, north-west London For more, read our guide to the best power banks Halfords Advanced 2l jump starter power bank £60.99 at Halfords Halfords 6-in-1 jump starter power pack £99.99 at Halfords You may never actually need it, but trust me – I'm speaking from experience – you don't want to be stuck in the middle of an empty campsite in the New Forest with a dead car battery, in the rain and sleet. One of those things that's better to have and not need than the other way around. Tom, north-west London Sea to Summit collapsible X-pot 4l £79.99 at Sub Zero Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight collapsible 2.2l pouring pot £62.95 at Outdoor Action£90 at Cotswold Outdoor Sea to Summit makes practical cooking pots with silicone sides that pack down flat for easy transport. The lid can be used like a sieve to pour out excess liquid when cooking pasta, plus these pots double up well as basins to do your washing-up in. Luke, Watford Lifeventure all-purpose biodegradable soap From £4.99 at Lifeventure£4.99 at Amazon An all-purpose soap is good for cleaning your body, doing the washing-up or anything that needs a quick de-griming. Once, I didn't wash at a festival, and my friends refused to stay in the same tent as me (although now that I think about it, that was kind of a bonus). Alba, Norfolk The Filter's top pick for women: Lowa Renegade Evo GTX £219.95 at Cotswold Outdoor The Filter's top pick for men: La Sportiva TX5 From £210.99 at Amazon Danner Women's Trail 2650 Campo £110 at Naked Ape Danner Men's Trail 2650 Mid GTX £200 at Ellis Brigham I have a pair of Danner boots that I always wear when I go hiking or camping. My whole family loves Danner. They're the most reliable shoes for hiking as far as I'm concerned, with a snug fit that makes you feel more balanced as you make your way through the forests and hills. They also come in lots of colours. Gwyneth, south-west London For more, read our guide to the best hiking boots for men and women GSI Mini espresso set 1 cup £41.20 at Rock + Run You can't start a day without a decent cup of coffee in your system. Little coffee makers such as these are awesome for camping because they're easy to clean and pack away when you're done. The promise of a proper espresso from one of these is the only thing that gets me out of my tent in the morning. Matteo, north London Flip 7 £9.95 at Zatu Games£13.99 at Waterstones If you go camping with your family, you should buy the game Flip 7. It's our new favourite filler game. It's easy to play, you can teach it in a couple of minutes, but you can play it for hours! It's just fine for three players, but it can go up to 12 or more. It's also cheap. You don't even need to look into it, just buy it. Trust me, you're going to love it. It's the greatest card game of all time. It says it right on the box. Clayton, Wisconsin, US Those little bug zappers that you can hang in your tent or place on a table. When bugs are thick enough to be an issue, it can't get all of them. You'll inevitably end up with some mosquito bites anyway. Stick to using good old-fashioned bug spray, and don't leave your tent unzipped if there are lots of critters about! Saskia, west London The 'overnight' bug spray that you fully saturate your clothes in, only for the effects to wear off in less than a day. The bad smell sticks around for longer! Bill, South Dakota, US Oversized, multi-room tents are just a waste of space and money. Why do you need to walk around fully upright in your tent? You won't be spending that long in there anyway. Matteo, north London
ABC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
What to watch in July, from 1880s homestead reality series Back to the Frontier to Washington Black
What happens when you take a bunch of technology-dependent teenagers and force them to swap their 21st-century lives for an 1880s homestead? This is the premise of new reality series Back to the Frontier, which sees three families stripped of their creature comforts and hauled off to spend a summer in the wilderness. Each hopes that trying something this big will change the way they not only relate to each other, but to the world around them. Also new this month, we have a whirlwind adaptation of Canadian author Esi Edugyan's Booker-nominated novel Washington Black, as well as a reality show that looks at what it takes to write a number one song. But that's not all — there's also a fresh nature documentary led by the ABC's resident nature journalist, Ann Jones, and a powerful queer Pasifika story set in Western Sydney. Reality series Back to the Frontier opens as the extremely particular Hanna-Riggs, the incredibly emotional Halls, and the frankly very capable Loper families are dropped at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains of western North America with little more than the clothes on their backs and three scarcely habitable cabins to call home. They have one objective: to prove they can work the land. Just like the real-life 1880s homesteaders, they will be judged on their ability to build a secure, comfortable home, farm the land and fill their pantries with enough meat, vegetables, baked goods and dairy to survive an entire winter. Don't go into this show expecting things to get that tough: the fact this series focuses on families should be enough to tell you HBO was never going to let these people struggle like the contestants on hit survival competition Alone. But, unlike the competitors on Alone, these people have little to no skills. And while they presumably went into this fully aware they wouldn't have makeup or any technology whatsoever, let alone electricity or running water, they can't handle it. There is a lot of crying — and not just from the kids. This is a show that wants you to lean into peak voyeurism. But it also provides a surprising amount of information about the original homesteaders, with experts including historians and modern homesteaders dropping in along the way. The result is a series that's quietly heartfelt, and which features some wholesome conversations around confidence and the importance of community. Not everyone is into it, though — some conservative Christians in the US are furious a gay couple was cast. Make of that what you will. For fans of: Colonial House, Alone When 11-year-old George Washington "Wash" Black (Eddie Karanja) escapes the 19th century Barbados sugar cane plantation where he was born at the beginning of this series, it feels like an against-all-odds miracle, never to be repeated. But then he hitches a ride away from the Caribbean in a bizarre flying machine with his white saviour/scientific mentor Titch (Tom Ellis) and takes up with a band of pirates. The adult version of Wash (played by Ernest Kingsley Jr) goes on to find not only freedom, but love, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Executive produced by Sterling K Brown (who also stars in the series as Wash's friend, Medwin) Washington Black isn't your typical narrative about the horrors of slavery. Told from the perspective of a sensitive and brilliant young boy, this eight-part series is a story about daring to dream, despite the circumstances. You'll frequently have to suspend your disbelief to enjoy this odyssey; adapting a fantastical story like this for the screen is immensely difficult. But this series has just as much to say on white guilt, romance across class lines, and the notion of freedom as the book that inspired it. For fans of: Kindred, Belle Netflix's latest unscripted series is for everyone who's ever looked at the songwriting credits of a hit song like Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso and wondered how it took so many people to come up with the lyrics "Say you can't sleep, baby, I know / That's that me espresso". Hitmakers offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create a number one song. The show follows 12 hit writers and producers from the US as they compete against each other for the privilege of writing new tracks for John Legend, Shaboozey and Lisa of Blackpink/The White Lotus season three. Over six episodes, the creatives behind the likes of BTS' Butter, Ariana Grande's Thank U, Next and Beyoncé's Cuff It attend three different songwriting camps, where they have just six hours to come up with a hit. Hitmakers isn't sure whether it wants to be a documentary or a reality show. It has the tension and pacing of a reality show and goes out of its way to confect drama, and yet it treats the craft of songwriting as a docuseries would. The famous musicians almost feel like an afterthought, dropping in at odd moments. Who knows if there will be a Hitmakers season two? The idea that this may never be repeated somehow makes the first season more compelling. For fans of: Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE, Formula 1: Drive to Survive When Moni (Chris Alosio) returns to Western Sydney for his baby sister's wedding after 10 years in London, he doesn't expect to see his dead mother Tina (Tina Leaitua) there. She has no idea she's dead and he has no idea how she's returned — or why he's the only one who can see her. Then Moni is reminded of the Samoan proverb, "Teu le Va", which roughly translates to, "tend to your sacred spaces". To achieve this, one must live a life of truth. Moni reluctantly comes to the realisation his mother's apparition has to do with their avoidance of two very different things. If she has any hope of passing on, they must both accept their truths. For Moni, this means embracing his sexuality and learning how to be part of his Samoan community as his full self. For Tina, it's about admitting her failures as a parent. This genre-bending, queer, Pasifika-led series packs a lot into its six 10-minute episodes — from explorations of the varying lived experiences of queer Samoan-Australians, to the importance of remembering the cultural lessons of one's parents. Moni could have used a hell of a lot more funding (it's part of the SBS Digital Originals initiative, which supports new Australian stories), but the messages at the heart of this layered and intimate series will stay with you, regardless. For fans of: White Fever, Swift Street Nature journalist Ann Jones joins scientists trying to gain a deeper understanding of some of the world's most reclusive — and dangerous — animals in this moreish six-part docuseries. Starting with bull sharks on the Great Barrier Reef, each episode offers an intimate look at one animal. The deadly sea snakes of the Pilbara in WA are next, followed by the orangutans of Borneo, three different species of turtle in the Dampier Archipelago region of WA, and the dugongs of Queensland's Moreton Bay region. Last up: the elusive pangolins, again of Borneo. As the ABC's beloved "nature nerd", Ann brings a contagious blend of enthusiasm and curiosity to this immersive series. In less than 30 minutes, she'll have you reconsidering your understanding of each of these creatures. Bull sharks, for example, are more than just opportunistic killers. And did you know there's a breed of sea snake that hatches its eggs internally? For fans of: The Kimberley, Australia's Wild Odyssey
CNN
4 days ago
- CNN
California mom and son used handwritten notes to lead rescuers to their location in a remote forest
Stranded deep in the woods, miles from the nearest road, Tami Laird and her 9-year-old son Stirling faced a terrifying reality: no cell service, no help in sight and a car completely stuck on a rough road. The Sacramento duo had set off for what was supposed to be a straightforward trip to Boy Scout Camp Wolfeboro, just a few hours from their home. They packed all the usual camping essentials – tents, bedding and plenty of water – to prepare for a few days of outdoor adventure. Like many travelers, Laird trusted the GPS app on her phone. She plugged in the directions to the camp and followed the route as it led her off California Highway 44 down a rugged dirt road. At first, she wasn't concerned because the camp director had warned parents the drive could be rough. But after 30 minutes of bouncing along isolated back roads with the camp still eight miles away, Laird realized they were dangerously off course. Trying to retrace her steps only made matters worse. Every turn and new road only created confusion in the maze of dirt paths. Her sedan, ill-equipped for the rugged terrain, bottomed out repeatedly, forcing Laird and Stirling to dig the car out with sticks and move rocks by hand. Eventually, the vehicle broke down, leaving them stranded as nightfall crept in. Survival instincts kick in With no working car or cell service, Laird knew she had to stay calm for both of them. She attempted to call 911 18 times but without a signal, every call failed. Stirling, pulling from his Boy Scout training, blew his whistle, one of the six essential items scouts are always taught to carry. As darkness fell, Laird made an important choice. Despite having camping gear, she decided it was safer to sleep in the car for protection from potential predators. She left the hazard lights flashing all night, hoping someone might pass by and stumble upon them. While Stirling tossed and turned, waking up disoriented throughout the night, Laird didn't sleep at all. 'I just stared at the sky all night hoping that a helicopter would come,' Laird said. By morning, they were determined to find a way out. Laird's greatest fear was getting separated from the car and becoming even more lost in the woods. Thinking quickly, she grabbed a bedsheet and a pair of scissors, cutting the fabric into strips and tying them to branches along their path to mark the way back. When they reached a stretch of flatter road, they left handwritten notes under rocks, explaining they were lost and needed help if anyone passed through the area. 'Me and my son are stranded with no service and can't call 911,' one of the notes said. 'We are ahead, up the road to the right.' Throughout the day, Laird and Stirling continued their exhausting efforts, exploring possible routes to safety and even planning to take a steeper path the next morning if no one arrived. To keep Stirling calm, Laird suggested they play cards together to pass the time before settling in for another night in the car. Then, they heard it. 'I was trying to stay so strong for you out there' At first, it seemed like wishful thinking. Laird and Sterling had misinterpreted sounds before – the rumble of a distant plane mistaken for a helicopter, the sound of rushing water they hoped meant they were near Wolfeboro. But this time, it was a car horn. In the distance, Laird spotted a rescue truck. 'Tears started falling,' Laird said. 'It was such a happy moment to see that truck.' The location was so isolated, the Calaveras County Volunteer Search and Rescue team needed to use an amateur radio frequency to communicate, as conventional radios and cell phones were unable to connect, according to a Facebook post from the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office. The rescue team applauded Laird for her instincts, telling her she'd done everything right. Her fiance also shared her last known location with the rescuers, speeding up their search process. 'We were definitely a good team out there,' Laird said, crediting Stirling for keeping her calm. 'He kept trying to keep me positive because I kept saying things like, 'I don't think we're going to get rescued,' or 'Our only hope is a helicopter, and I don't think a helicopter is going to come.'' Since returning home, Laird says she plans to keep an emergency kit in her vehicle and travel with a physical map if there's a chance she may be heading into more remote areas. Still, after more than 24 hours of survival mode, Laird felt the emotional toll catch up to her. 'I just started crying, and I apologized to my son, saying, 'I'm so sorry that I'm crying like this, I was trying to stay so strong for you out there,' and he said the same thing, 'I was trying to stay strong for you,'' Laird said.
CNN
4 days ago
- CNN
California mom and son used handwritten notes to lead rescuers to their location in a remote forest
Stranded deep in the woods, miles from the nearest road, Tami Laird and her 9-year-old son Stirling faced a terrifying reality: no cell service, no help in sight and a car completely stuck on a rough road. The Sacramento duo had set off for what was supposed to be a straightforward trip to Boy Scout Camp Wolfeboro, just a few hours from their home. They packed all the usual camping essentials – tents, bedding and plenty of water – to prepare for a few days of outdoor adventure. Like many travelers, Laird trusted the GPS app on her phone. She plugged in the directions to the camp and followed the route as it led her off California Highway 44 down a rugged dirt road. At first, she wasn't concerned because the camp director had warned parents the drive could be rough. But after 30 minutes of bouncing along isolated back roads with the camp still eight miles away, Laird realized they were dangerously off course. Trying to retrace her steps only made matters worse. Every turn and new road only created confusion in the maze of dirt paths. Her sedan, ill-equipped for the rugged terrain, bottomed out repeatedly, forcing Laird and Stirling to dig the car out with sticks and move rocks by hand. Eventually, the vehicle broke down, leaving them stranded as nightfall crept in. Survival instincts kick in With no working car or cell service, Laird knew she had to stay calm for both of them. She attempted to call 911 18 times but without a signal, every call failed. Stirling, pulling from his Boy Scout training, blew his whistle, one of the six essential items scouts are always taught to carry. As darkness fell, Laird made an important choice. Despite having camping gear, she decided it was safer to sleep in the car for protection from potential predators. She left the hazard lights flashing all night, hoping someone might pass by and stumble upon them. While Stirling tossed and turned, waking up disoriented throughout the night, Laird didn't sleep at all. 'I just stared at the sky all night hoping that a helicopter would come,' Laird said. By morning, they were determined to find a way out. Laird's greatest fear was getting separated from the car and becoming even more lost in the woods. Thinking quickly, she grabbed a bedsheet and a pair of scissors, cutting the fabric into strips and tying them to branches along their path to mark the way back. When they reached a stretch of flatter road, they left handwritten notes under rocks, explaining they were lost and needed help if anyone passed through the area. 'Me and my son are stranded with no service and can't call 911,' one of the notes said. 'We are ahead, up the road to the right.' Throughout the day, Laird and Stirling continued their exhausting efforts, exploring possible routes to safety and even planning to take a steeper path the next morning if no one arrived. To keep Stirling calm, Laird suggested they play cards together to pass the time before settling in for another night in the car. Then, they heard it. 'I was trying to stay so strong for you out there' At first, it seemed like wishful thinking. Laird and Sterling had misinterpreted sounds before – the rumble of a distant plane mistaken for a helicopter, the sound of rushing water they hoped meant they were near Wolfeboro. But this time, it was a car horn. In the distance, Laird spotted a rescue truck. 'Tears started falling,' Laird said. 'It was such a happy moment to see that truck.' The location was so isolated, the Calaveras County Volunteer Search and Rescue team needed to use an amateur radio frequency to communicate, as conventional radios and cell phones were unable to connect, according to a Facebook post from the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office. The rescue team applauded Laird for her instincts, telling her she'd done everything right. Her fiance also shared her last known location with the rescuers, speeding up their search process. 'We were definitely a good team out there,' Laird said, crediting Stirling for keeping her calm. 'He kept trying to keep me positive because I kept saying things like, 'I don't think we're going to get rescued,' or 'Our only hope is a helicopter, and I don't think a helicopter is going to come.'' Since returning home, Laird says she plans to keep an emergency kit in her vehicle and travel with a physical map if there's a chance she may be heading into more remote areas. Still, after more than 24 hours of survival mode, Laird felt the emotional toll catch up to her. 'I just started crying, and I apologized to my son, saying, 'I'm so sorry that I'm crying like this, I was trying to stay so strong for you out there,' and he said the same thing, 'I was trying to stay strong for you,'' Laird said.
CBC
5 days ago
- General
- CBC
Vancouver Islanders call for better access and environmental oversight of private forest lands
A survey by a private forest management company on Vancouver Island shows thousands of outdoor enthusiasts want better access to forest land — but an alliance of wilderness advocates is also raising concerns about environmental accountability. Mosaic Forest Management, which oversees roughly 550,000 hectares of privately owned forest land between Victoria, Sooke and Campbell River, reports that the survey received over 7,600 responses and the feedback was clear: open the gates. According to Mosaic's website, the company has over 20 gates on the Island that it can open and close to control recreational use — including those controlling access to popular hikes like Century Sam in Comox and Mount Arrowsmith near Port Alberni, and front-country camping sites like Nanaimo Lakes. Access to the areas is often limited to weekends between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Steve Mjaaland, Mosaic's manager of forest protection, says the company would like to enhance recreational access, but gate closures are often necessary for safety and to prevent wildfires. "It's a working forest. There are a lot of high-risk hazards, especially hauling on the roads, which would probably be the biggest risk with traffic," he said. Among those calling for better access: Jenn Holland, who currently chairs an alliance of almost 30 grassroots groups on the Island called the Vancouver Island Private Managed Forest Land Action Alliance. "There's gates everywhere and people can't get to beloved waterfalls or lakes or camping sites that they used to be able to access," she said. Holland says the issue goes beyond recreation. "We can't get in there, and we can't see what they're doing back there. We can't see if there's been a landslide. We can't see if a water course has been logged. We can't see that they've logged an entire watershed," she said. "It's not just access for recreation, but it's access for accountability that's missing." WATCH | Hikers call for greater access to the Island's backcountry: Hikers call out Mosaic Forestry for restricting access to Island's backcountry 16 days ago Passionate hikers are calling out Mosaic Forestry, the company responsible for managing much of the Island's backcountry areas, for restricting access to forest lands. The company says it's looking for ways to improve accessibility. Issue goes beyond the gates, say conservationists Holland says that while hiking access is something that the public can easily grasp, she's focused on bigger issues, like conservation, private forest landowners and the province, that go beyond Mosaic's control of the gates. Dave Weaver, a retired forestry worker who now volunteers with the Beaufort Watershed Stewards, one of the groups that make up the Vancouver Island Private Managed Forest Land Action Alliance, says he takes issue with the Private Managed Forest Land Program, which was established in 2003 under the Private Managed Forest Land Act. According to the province's website, the program works by setting out management objectives for forest landowners, who in turn develop management strategies most appropriate for their land. Weaver says the act sets a low bar for forestry practices, especially in comparison to regulations for public forest lands, which have more restrictions on harvesting and clearcuts, and greater requirements for public accountability. "We need to have these difficult conversations very soon, with all the parties involved — with the provincial government, with the landowners," he said. WATCH: Vancouver Island groups call for forestry reform on private land: Vancouver Island groups call for forestry reform on private land 1 day ago In 2019, the province undertook a review of the Private Managed Forest Land Act, where Weaver says extensive feedback was collected from the public, local government and First Nations. The province published its findings, which show there was a recurring theme of concern about the sustainability of forestry practices and the effects on things like watersheds on privately managed forest land — but Weaver claims no tangible change ever came from the review. In an emailed statement, the Ministry of Forests said it's working to modernize the act following the 2019 review, and that "many of the issues raised during the review are being addressed through the government's work to make sure forestry supports ecosystem values." But Weaver says he believes even that review would be out of date by today's standards and is joined by the alliance in calling on the province to undertake a new review. In a statement, Mosaic said it would be willing to work with community partners toward a sustainable strategy. "Mosaic supports enhanced collaboration between private forest landowners, First Nations, the Province, and communities to ensure responsible forest management plays a key role in BC's economic, reconciliation and climate strategies," said Karen Brandt, the senior vice president of public affairs and partnerships at Mosaic Forest Management.
