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What if your tent packed to a loaf of bread, your lantern doubled as a power bank, and your jacket helped manage heat without piling on layers? We dive into the gear that actually changes backcountry days: thin solar panels that keep phones and GPS units alive, ultralight shelters that shrug off storms, and smart fabrics that breathe, dry fast, and keep you moving when the weather flips.

We share real-world wins and pitfalls with panels from BioLite and Goal Zero, inflatable solar lights, and the trade-offs of flexible solar fabrics. On the sleep front, we talk Dyneema tents under two pounds, compact pads with high R-values, and down bags that compress to grapefruit size. For water and food, we compare gravity filters to fast bottle purifiers, look at fuel-saving cook systems versus twig stoves, and consider where fire bans and treeless landscapes make “romantic” setups impractical. Power banks, rechargeables, and simple charging tactics round out a reliable off-grid kit.

Safety and navigation get the same treatment. We explain how a ZOLEO or inReach keeps you connected without cell service and why offline topo apps like Gaia GPS and AllTrails Plus pair best with solid map-and-compass habits. Sustainability threads through it all: repair programs, recycled materials, canister refill tools, and choosing durable gear that lasts. Our bottom line is simple—bring tech that trims weight, boosts safety, and reduces waste, but don’t let screens steal the view. Subscribe, share with a fellow camper, and tell us: what’s the one piece of gear that truly earned its spot in your pack?

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The map looks simple until the trees vanish. Then the wind takes over, the horizon stretches for days, and every choice you make—gear, timing, route—has to respect a landscape that doesn’t bend. We sit down with Jim Gallagher and Brian Johnston, a two-person team with 16 years and 5,600 kilometres of Arctic canoe travel, to unpack how they keep remote trips calm, safe, and deeply rewarding.

They walk us through the real logistics of going north: choosing between floatplanes and wheel landings, why a pack canoe that fits in a hockey bag can change your budget and route options, and how to plan circle routes from communities like Yellowknife and Baker Lake when charters fall through. We talk gear that actually helps—freestanding shelters for treeless tundra, white gas stoves when fire bans and driftwood scarcity collide, and a modest solar panel that still charges on cloudy, cold days. With 24-hour daylight, they skip headlamps and sometimes start paddling at 3 a.m. to beat the wind.

On the water, humility beats bravado. Jim and Brian share how whitewater skills, lining, and smart portages open up far more rivers than running every rapid. We swap stories of caribou herds clattering across riverbanks, a distant grizzly minding its own forage, seal skulls hinting at the coast, and lake trout and grayling that turn a campsite into a feast—though never a food plan. The theme is consistency: clear routines, conservative decisions, and simple systems that avoid tent failures, canoe mishaps, and food shortages, so the focus stays on wild country and long, quiet miles.

If you’re dreaming of bigger trips—whether that’s a classic like the Thelon, Kazan, or Coppermine, or a creative link between obscure watersheds—you’ll hear practical advice on courses, clubs, mentors, and building judgment alongside skill. Come for the Arctic canoe tips and expedition planning; stay for the honest take on comfort, resilience, and why an uneventful trip can be the best kind of epic. Enjoy the conversation, then share it with a paddling friend, hit follow, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: hi@supergoodcamping.com

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YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFDJbFJyJ5Y-NHhFseENsQ

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You can feel the spark from the first minute: a morning coffee turned into a grassroots outdoor festival that now spans a Friday night film showcase, three packed halls, and a winter courtyard buzzing with dog sleds, fire pits, hot tents, and live demos. We’re joined by Jason and Bretton from the Hamilton Adventure Expo to trace how they kept the show independent, community-centred, and hands-on while doubling its size and raising the bar for Canadian outdoor events.

We dive into the new Adventure Film Festival at the historic Westdale Theatre—nine films, intimate Q&As, and a 350-seat room where creators and fans meet face to face. Then we map the weekend across the Ancaster Fairgrounds: indoor tunnels connecting vendor halls, a dedicated speaker space, acoustic music sessions, a kids’ corner, and a coffee-and-treats hub that makes every room feel alive. Outside, winter takes centre stage with Abitibi Dog Sledding rides, Esker hot tent demos and cocoa, live knife forging, sled-pulling workshops, and collaborative camp kitchen sessions. It’s an immersive way to learn winter skills, talk to experts, and turn questions into confidence.

The speaker lineup is stacked: Adam Shoalts, Joe Robinet, Kevin Callan, Kylan Marone, Tori Baird, Ken Whiting, Ray Zahab, Ben Beauchamp, Marty Morcette, and Evan LaFive. We talk about why these voices matter, how their stories move people from YouTube to trailheads, and why Saturday and Sunday each offer unique sessions worth seeing. You’ll also hear how last year’s sellout lines shaped smarter crowd flow, added volunteers, and a VIP entrance for weekend pass holders—without losing the indie spirit. And if you like great odds, every ticket enters you to win a Nova Craft ToughStuff 16’ Prospector canoe, ready to kick off your paddling season.

Join us for a warm, honest look at the Canadian outdoor community—where makers, guides, filmmakers, and fans come together to learn, collaborate, and head outside. Tickets go live November 24. Grab yours, share this episode with an adventure friend, and leave a review to help more people find the show. We’ll see you at Westdale on Jan 23 and at the Ancaster Fairgrounds Jan 24–25.

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CONNECT WITH US AT SUPER GOOD CAMPING:

Support the podcast & buy super cool SWAG: https://store.skgroupinc.com/super_good_camping/shop/home

EMAIL: hi@supergoodcamping.com

WEBSITE: www.supergoodcamping.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqFDJbFJyJ5Y-NHhFseENsQ

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/super_good_camping/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SuperGoodCampin

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuperGoodCamping/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@supergoodcamping

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