Stoves / Cookers Maps / Charts Camping / Crown Land Mobile Phones VHF Transport Accommodation Provisions – Food etc.

 

Stoves / Cookers

• 'Propane or propane/butane' means our own regular Cookers from Ireland will be OK. i.e. regular gas cookers and even trangia gas conversions. No need to change nozzles, etc.... PS Butane is added to the mix for low temperature (High mountaineering) use according to the adds. (I think Propane is the gas that handles low temps! GS)
• Need to confirm they sell the self sealing cylinders. Its Safety more than anything else.
• Those with the Primus Multi fuel types (Gas) should have no problem also.
• Donal to confirm all of this during the week with a real Canadian who lives locally.
  • Talking to the Canadians last night.
  • No Visa requirements for Irish passport holders.
  • They have always been asked for an address in Canada by the immigration folks. After 9/11 they reckon the don't know as camping answer' may not be sufficient now. Better get the address of that fellow in Tangiers.
  • Should be too early for mosquitoes, but the Black Horse Fly is a speciality.
  • They reckon there should be no problem with fuel availibity. Its the home of Coleman/White fuel (Well close to the US anyway), so that should keep the MSR folks happy. These Canadians seemed unaware of the airlines restrictions on even empty fuel bottles.

 

• Jamie - I have used a trangia in Canada in the past - as I remember we bought fuel in MEC so that should not be a problem except that weight and space wise we might be better off with gas or MSR petrol stoves as meths/achohol fuel takes up more space than the amount of petrol/MSR fuel required for 10 days.

 

• Hard to argue against petrol stoves. I'm a fan of trangia's cos they're light and simple however the amount of energy in petrol means we can probably get away with 3-4l petrol for the whole trip as opposed to perhaps 3l/day of meths if we go with trangia's. I'm assuming we can light fires so presume some cooking will be done au natural. I have an MSR and cookset but it's heavy so I'm in two minds about bringing them - Gerry

 

Maps / Charts

• Gerry assessing digital charts currently. Paul ordered the six OS mAPS REQUIRED 12/3/06 and will copy and laminate as requested by paddlers. What the word on the digital charts Gerry????

 

• My chart man is on holidays, back this weekend (25/26 March) so I hope to have my greasy paws on charts before the planning meeting - Gerry

 

Camping / Crown Land

• Q. Am I allowed to travel freely and camp overnight on Crown land? A. Generally yes. Except when there is a closure due to fire hazard or an area has a restricted designation. To find out if the area you wish to travel has travel or access restrictions contact the local Department of Natural Resources District office. Note: If you wish to set up a semi-permanent site you must obtain a Letter of Authority from the Department. Take Only Memories ... Leave only footprints!
• Nova Scotia Natural Resources FAQ

 

• In terms of tents, do we need to think about freestanding tents? My single-pole needs to be guy'd (and I know Paul/Niall and Ricky also have single pole tents) so that requires soft ground. I know in some parks there are wooden camping platforms which are used to protect the ground in heavily used areas. I think it unlikely but if we end up in such a spot, we'll need a few six-inch nails and a hammer.... - Gerry

 

 

Mobile Phones

• What mobiles work in Canada (tri, quad band)?
• Canadian frequencies are: 1900 and 850 MHz
• Looks like Nokia 6100 (a tri band) works ...
  • EGSM 900, GSM 1800 and GSM 1900 networks in Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America.
  • Automatic switching between the bands
• Canadian Network Information
• But coverage on the East coast? Seems poor - verify...
• I checked out O2 for charges and theres 2 networks in NS, both same rates..rates change monthly so need to contact before we go. However rates are apprx €1`.65 to make local/national calls on peak and €1.01 for same offpeak.

 

 

VHF

• Need to have switch over to Canadian (I think US freqs are different) frequencies as opposed to International frequencies. Some of us have that , maybe say who has and bringing their VHF to Nova, DO REMEMBER YOU NEED A 120 VOLTS CHARGER.
• Anyone bringing VHF???
• Will need to bring your licence for VHF those that have them, just in case.
• I reckon 2 units will suffice. I have one which covers US, Canadian and international frequencies and 2 chargers - 110V and 12V. Mind you, no licence yet, better get on that. - Gerry

 

Transport

• Scott - We could arrange for a shuttle to pick you up from the airport. Depending on whether it is two groups ( i.e., Thursday and Friday) or not, and how long the shuttle would be (e.g., will the driver be taking you shopping, etc) the cost will vary (Cdn $0.40/km; $20/hr for driver and a bit more if we need to hire an outside contractor). The same applies for the end of the tour.

 

Update on Bus from Halifax to Tangier and return to Halifax -- I have looked for info on this from Scott, so far nothing. Can anyone else find anything Getting to Tangier is a pretty basic but critical thing-Anyone know anything?? ND

 

• UPDATE FROM COSATAL ADVENTURES ON TRANSPORT--Getting down to beautiful Tangier is not always easy these days. We use to have a dependable bus service running on a daily basis but a new company is in the process of taking over and I have been on the phone with the previous company, they are ironing out the details as I write and should know all the details including the summer schedule by the end of April. This would be the least expensive way to travel for a small group. Last summer the fee was $12 per person, one way. I will give you the old company's phone number and name but they are finished this week. They are called Need A Lift and their number is 1-902-222-5438. But you mentioned a larger group. How large is your group? We offer a van service for up to six for our Coastal Adventure clients which is a flat rate of $85 for one person and each additional person the cost increases by $10. For a group of six the cost would be $135 one way for the group. This is only $22.50 per person. If you are a group bigger than six then let me know and I will see what I can do. A taxi service from Halifax to Tangier is approx $150 per person one way. ND

 

 

Accommodation

• Where and how much , best place to base ourselves for shopping, going to Tangiers
• MEC is pretty central. Lonely Planet throws up a few hostels in the same area. Location wise the best seems to be http://www.hostellingintl.ns.ca/. Reviews of same are varied but for one night? There are also University rooms options that are fairly central. The B&B's listed don't seem as central. There is an Air Shuttle ($12 one way / $20 return) from the airport which takes you close enough to the hostel (500m). PH
• Another hostel - http://www.halifaxbackpackers.com/HALIFAXPAGE.htm PH
• Map of both - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=halifax+backpackers+hostel+gottingen+st PH
• Airport Bus Transport - Air Bus shuttle service to and from various hotels in the Metro Area s provided by Zincks Bus Company (902 873-2091). 21 daily departures run from 08:00 - 23:00. Regular fares are $12.00 (Canadian) one way or $20.00 (Canadian) for a return ticket.
• Taxi from the airport is $52-$53 dollar flat rate to any downtown hotel. So makes sense for groups / us.
  • Another option for accomodation is Holiday Inn in Halifax, theres three holiday Inns but nearest one to gear stores is best, in Robie Street, Have checked and avialaibilty is good for dates required.. approx for room for 2 , twin bed,2 x doubles $176 (aqpprox 61euro each). Just another option to consider ND

 

 

 

Provisions – Food etc.

 

OK, Paul has asked me to have a look at buying provisions etc for the trip.

To date (27/03/06) I have located the local supermarket chain and usefully they have an online shopping facility, I'm not suggesting buying on line but it does serve to give an idea of what's on the shelves http://www.shopsobeys.com and I intend to use it to draw up an outline shopping list.

I would like some feedback from people to help me start drawing up the list, primarily if people can let me know about anything to avoid or allergies etc. (I seem to remember Niall being particularly fond of Broccoli)

Also if anyone has any experience of, or seen any good guides to provisioning groups for extended periods away from supplies let me know - I have never done it for as large a group or for as long a time but will give it my best shot.

 

Finally I don’t intend to take the all the blame for nasty meals after 9 day’s camping so remember the motto ‘Blame Paul – It was his idea’ :o)

(More seriously - shout now or forever hold your peace)

 

Jamie

 

• Have a book on Kayak Cookery - will bring along to Saturday meeting. More for actual meals but some lists on how long stuff lasts, how to quantify how much you need etc. PH

 

• Number of small villages en route - seem to have basic stores (need to confirm with Scott), water etc. so could pick up some stuff en-route. PH

 

• What about water? PH
  • My brother has agreed to lend us his all singing all dancing water filter for the trip. He has used it extensively in Africa and South America and it has served him well (none of the nasties he picked up were put down to dirty water!). From reading the guide some islands have water others don't, just like here, at least armed with the filter if we arrive on an island to find the only water source looking murky we will be ok. Also I think a tarp ala Peter Henneson would be a good idea as it can double as a cooking/socialising shelter and a rain water collector. JD

 

 

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