Welcome to IndefinitelyWild'sweekly roundup of news from the outdoors. What's new outside?
Moby Dick Sunk Ahab’s Ship Using His “Junk”
Could a sperm whale really sink a whaling ship by ramming it? The answer is according to scientists. To do it successfully though, it would have to make sure to ram with a section of its head called the “junk,” not the spermaceti organ. You’re welcome, young, dirty-minded, men of America.
2016 Ducati Multistrada Enduro Review
Can this farkled-up-but-still-delicate-and-exotic-Italian-superbike-with-tall-handlebars really hold its own in the dirt? Jalopnik’s Sean MacDonald . The answer is probably not what you’re expecting.
Eastern Mountain Sports Files for Bankruptcy
I’ve got positive memories of shopping at EMS when I lived back in NYC. The regional chain always offered friendly, knowledgeable staff, a good selection of high-value products, and just felt a little less overwhelming than REI. Now, (itself a troubled organization), the retail group its owned by is filing for bankruptcy. The problem? The typical mix of brick-and-mortar woes: cheaper, better online options; an inflexibility in location that doesn’t enable it to easily relocate to places consumers are currently shopping; and increased competition from larger brands moving into its traditional space. In this case, it’s new outdoor plays from Nike, Adidas, and UnderArmor.
History of the Stormy Kromer
Did you know are named after the former semi-pro baseball player and train conductor who invented them? His wife used to do all the stitching!
It’s Now Illegal to carry a Machete in New York
On the face of it, might seem like a good thing. But it’s just one more ridiculous knife law from a state that uses its current, extremely vague legislation to . While no, you shouldn’t walk down the street in Manhattan waving a machete around, the tool does have many legitimate uses for gardeners, landscapers, or visiting croc poachers from down under.
$135, 4 Lbs Ultralight Summer Sleep System
Gear Rat Outdoors has assembled what looks like , for a total price of just $135. That’s freakin’ crazy, matching the weight of systems that often cost $1,350 or more. The tarp, bug net, ground cloth and Therm-A-Rest Z Lite all look good, but we have real concerns about anyone carrying a sleeping bag made from cotton. You’d be way better off spending a little more money on something made from synthetic materials. .
Snake Poaching Is a Thing, Apparently
Ever seen , out in the woods? I know I have. People use those to catch snakes, apparently. Which may be poaching, if it’s on public land. Report them if you see them, and, whatever you do, don’t go wiggling your fingers underneath them.
The Most Dangerous Thing in the Office This Week
This soon-to-be-released survival kit from ESEE packs a strong set of genuinely useful survival gear into a standard military mess tin. Including ESEE Candiru fixed blade and Swiss Army pocket knife, these are real tools you could really use in an emergency, not the plastic junk most pre-made kits try to rip you off with. Stuffed into a bright orange Corder sack with a MOLLE back, the kit is designed to ride on the outside of a vehicle, or tucked into a small plane, boat, motorcycle or similar, so you can grab it and run. I figure I better spend a night outside, with nothing but, to see how it works.
What You’ll Be Reading Next
Chris, our photographer, has been hanging out in Canada with legendary explorer as he trains for an upcoming expedition. Ty, a contributor, just completed the Mojave Road in his new-to-him, and largely stock 1996 Toyota 4Runner, despite encountering water crossings as high as his hood. I took my Discovery to a local off-road park on Sunday to get a handle on its capabilities. I nearly rolled it, but at least learned where that limit lies. And, I had a nice, long discussing with dog researcher Marc Bekoff for a story I’m wrapping up right now about the benefits of dogs going off-leash in the outdoors.
Watch This
https://www.youtube.com/embed/h6B1myUKAS4