Monthly Archives: June 2020

Posted on June 19th, 2019 by Nathan Coates

Patrick Smith has designed virtually all the base platforms we sell, and has been a pioneer in the outdoors industry since before most of our employees were born.  As a backcountry guide, he found the need to  fill the voids … Continue reading →

Posted in: Kifaru Blog, Kifaru Forum Blog Posts, Patrick Smith's Blog

Posted on June 23rd, 2020 by Patrick Smith

As a foot soldier in the hunting fields, I’ve been carrying store-bought “hunting packs” for over 40 years. Not liking what was available to purchase, I started making my own. The first problem I had to solve when I began … Continue reading →

Posted in: Kifaru Blog, Patrick Smith’s Essays

Posted on June 23rd, 2020 by Patrick Smith

I like things flexible. Versatile. Like my choice of rifles: keep them light and give them enough caliber to handle any situation you might encounter in the area you’re in. And so on, with all one’s hunting gear. When I … Continue reading →

Posted in: Kifaru Blog, Patrick Smith’s Essays

Posted on June 23rd, 2020 by Patrick Smith

May as well start with summer. Ah, summer. A time of mid-day warmth and mosquitoes in the high country. You’ll probably want to open both nylon doors and close the mosquito netting doors. Don’t worry about pitching the floorless tipi … Continue reading →

Posted in: Kifaru Blog, Patrick Smith’s Essays

Posted on June 23rd, 2020 by Patrick Smith

Here is my old checklist: Backpack, boots, extra sox, extra underwear, bandana, rain/snow parka, toiletries (TP, handiwipes, tooth stuff, any routine medication), first aid kit, hat and gloves, fleece, appropriate sleeping bag for the conditions, foam pad(s) for above, spoon, … Continue reading →

Posted in: Kifaru Blog, Patrick Smith’s Essays

Posted on June 23rd, 2020 by Patrick Smith

This discussion will focus on general principles to ensure toothsome meat, especially small game, collected and prepared in the backcountry. #1–try for center of mass hits.  This will usually place the bullet through the animals thorax (chest), not the gut. … Continue reading →

Posted in: Kifaru Blog, Patrick Smith’s Essays

Posted on June 23rd, 2020 by Patrick Smith

Good afternoon. Thanks for coming. I’ll set the tone for this talk by giving you a subtitle: “Making Meat on Your Own Two Feet”. I’m going to talk mostly about backpacking up and in to where the game is. We’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in: Kifaru Blog, Patrick Smith’s Essays

Posted on June 23rd, 2020 by Patrick Smith

As the founder, chief designer and former owner of Mountainsmith, one of the world’s best known manufacturers of technical backpacks, I spend about 200 days a year camped out testing designs. On almost every one of those trips, I carry … Continue reading →

Posted in: Kifaru Blog, Patrick Smith’s Essays

Posted on June 23rd, 2020 by Patrick Smith

Over several decades of wandering the backcountry I’ve developed a kit of “possibles”–items that can save my bacon, or just ensure comfort, wherever I roam. The term “possibles” comes from the intrepid Mountain Men of the Rocky Mountain West, who … Continue reading →

Posted in: Kifaru Blog, Patrick Smith’s Essays

Posted on June 23rd, 2020 by Patrick Smith

Patrick:I’ve been backpacking and backpack hunting for about 45 years.I owned a wilderness survival school (Colorado School of Outdoor Living) from 1972 to 1980.I was a Certified Cross Country Ski Guide from 1974 to 1982.I founded Mountainsmith Inc. in 1979, … Continue reading →

Posted in: Kifaru Blog, Patrick Smith’s Essays

Posted on June 23rd, 2020 by Patrick Smith

The reader who has perused a bit among my other “essays” knows that I am pretty much a solitary hunter/rambler. I do it by myself. Perhaps some probing of the ramifications of this style of wandering would serve the reader- … Continue reading →

Posted in: Kifaru Blog, Patrick Smith’s Essays