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Blue Line Magazine – Guest Article

I am so very excited and humbled to be a guest contributor to the November 2018 edition of Blue Line Magazine – Canada’s Law Enforcement Magazine.

You can find my article, 10 non-issued kit items every officer could use.  You can find it through the online link HERE.

Thank you to everyone who provided input into this article.  Across varied backgrounds and experiences, thank you for your continued support and friendship.

Be sure to check it out in your local copy of Blue Line Magazine – likely already delivered to your agency – or check it out here online or here.  Also visit our new LinkedIn & Facebook company pages and give us a follow.  Instagram doesn’t hurt either!

Stay Crafty!

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Upcoming Training – Don’t miss out!

Elevate your operational capabilities with True North Tradecraft, offering unique skillsets for law enforcement and security professionals in Canada.

In cooperation with The CORE Group

Covert Entry skill sets increase operational capabilities for government, law enforcement and security operators across a wide array of situations.  Expand your skills today.

We still have a couple of seats left for our May courses in downtown Toronto…

Covert Entry Concepts  is $865 ($200 deposit to hold a spot) May 12 & 13.

For a description and course details, click here.

Email [email protected] to reserve your spot today!

Safe Dial Mechanics is $510 ($200 deposit to hold a spot) May 14 & 15.

For a description and further details, click here.

Both courses together $1,150 for 4 days of expert instruction and tools to keep!

Reserve your spot now before they fill up!  

E-mail

[email protected]

today!

 

And don’t forget to register and attend the Blue Line Expo on May 3rd!

The CORE Group.


 

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Hiking the Bruce Trail – Notes from the Trail

In the beginning…at the Southern Terminus of the Trail. Let’s do this!

 

Every foray outside one’s home brings with it the possibility of adventure and danger.  This excursion was no different.

Our journey took us from the Southern end of the Bruce Trail (in Queenston Heights Park) to just north of Hamilton, Ontario.

*Note, due to personal circumstances beyond our control, we were forced to delay the completion of our trip and return home.  We are, however, going to complete the rest in shorter blocks to ensure that our responsibilities at home are maintained in our absences.*

During our time on the trail, I managed to field test several items of kit (to be reviewed in separate posts) and streamline my hiking kit for better efficacy and efficiency.  I found that several things I had planned out, thought I might need, or were “essentials”, were not.

Depending on the context and profile of your outdoor adventure, your needs will change.

Here is a list of things that added weight, added bulk or were otherwise not needed given the profile of where we were going:

  • Teva sandals
  • shorts
  • second belt
  • short-bladed machete
  • small forest axe
  • expanded first-aid kit
  • water purification filter
  • extra sweater
  • fleece gloves
  • second dry bag

This stuff, though individually very useful in the right circumstance, became a hinderance.  It added unnecessary weight and made it difficult to move swiftly along the trail.  It also had the added unpleasantness of adding soreness to feet, shoulders and knees without any added benefit.  The other tools and clothing that I had more than covered for the loss of the above-listed items.  After ditching this stuff (at our accommodations  at the end of day one) things got much better and our progress improved greatly.

Taking a much-needed break on the trail. This version of my pack was MUCH improved after I ditched some heavy redundant gear.

The trail itself was well marked and maintained (for the most part) and allowed for unimpeded movement.  The weather was warm and clear.  The terrain a never-ending series of up-and-down, so the quads and hams got a good workout every day.  Hydration was maintained through the 3-litre bladder I filled-up every morning and I found that I never even got through the entire thing despite drinking almost-continuously through the day.  It especially helped to have lunch and “hydrate” at a local winery along the way, just off the trail.

Henry of Pelham Winery. “Hydration” at its finest!

The topography of the Niagara Escarpment and the Niagara Region in general is beautiful and rugged.  The views from the tops of the cliffs were open for miles – all the way to lake miles below.  As strange as it was to be completely enveloped in the woods and still hearing cars sometime, the peace and calm from such immersion was restorative and calming.  Even my evenings were great.  Staying at various accommodations along the way made for a recovery treat!

The view from the cottage was just wonderful and the cottage itself was so well appointed it made all the difference at the end of the day. I have already made plans to go back.

 

So, with all the positives that came along during this trek, there were also some negatives as well.  As mentioned previously, the overage in clothing and equipment made for a more difficult first day.  Also, the topography of the area and higher elevations reduced our daily distance from 30km per day average to 20-25km per day.  Despite the reduced trail coverage, we still made good progress.  The weather held, the bugs were barely there, and we made good use of water and breaks to not fatigue ourselves too much.

We saw a whole host of animals, interesting natural and man-made things and got a feel for some of the history and landscape in a rich area so close to home which we’d hardly get to explore had we not gone and done this.  I’m very happy I had.

Like a nomadic hobo.

While walking along, I would think about how our context will change as we make our way farther north and farther away from civilization.  Those sandals still won’t have a place, but the axe and possibly more first-aid components due to a greater removal from access to emergency medical care.  As we continue this journey piecemeal, I’ll be constantly re-evaluating my set-up.  With that in mind, to anyone thinking about traversing the Bruce Trail I would humbly suggest that you invest in the Bruce Trail Guidebook.  It’s very well laid-out, full of detailed topographical maps and chock-full of useful information.  Well worth the $40.  Also, ensure you have your compass and separate topographical map of the area.  There were a few times where I had to shoot a bearing off a distant tree across an open field with no markings to ensure I crossed to the next trail marker and not on a side trail (or worse, off the path all together).

One step at a time…till you’ve made many, many steps.

As we left the trail to get back home, one of the last things I saw on the trail gave me inspiration for not only continuing, but also for life in general.  “Keep Going” it said.  I guess that’s really it in the end.  Don’t give up.  Hustle and persevere and go for it.

Keep Going. No shit, a good mantra to have. A good form of resilience.

Till next time, stay safe and stay crafty.

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The Jody Mitic Podcast # 38 – Tactical Beaver & True North Tradecraft

Last Saturday, May 27th, Tactical Beaver and True North Tradecraft made an appearance in our nation’s capital.  We met with Tactical Beaver fans at a fine pub in the Glebe (Irene’s) and shared some good cheer and made some new friends.  And sold some shirts!

It was a great start to a day which would see us as guests of Jody Mitic and the Jody Mitic Podcast.

We had been invited to be guests on Jody’s podcast to discuss Tactical Beaver and True North Tradecraft, our vision, goals and of course, shoot the shit with him.  It was all that and more.  Jody and Luke were gracious, humble and very fun to spend a few hours with.  They even invited us back!

We couldn’t leave Ottawa without meeting with some new friends for breakfast at the Wellington Diner, namely Marc from Hayabusa Ninjutsu and his lovely family.  Thank you for the recommendation.

We are looking forward to next time.  Till then, check out the great podcast here and follow Jody Mitic, The Jody Mitic Podcast, Tactical Beaver and True North Tradecraft on Facebook and Instagram.  Subscribe to the Podcast to hear more of Jody’s unique take on things and his other amazing guests.

Stay crafty.

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The Okichitaw Project

I recently came across this project. George Lepine is a driving force for the progress of the Okichitaw Indigenous Martial Arts. He is a man of great skill, knowledge and integrity. I have worked with him for many years.  He has worked tirelessly to structure, research and make Okichitaw accessible to all who want to learn.
Check out their Kickstarter campaign and support their amazing intiative to bring Okichitaw martial arts to the world. Not only is it an indigenously historic Canadian system, the but it is also effective.
 
Check it out and support it. It will help bring this piece of Canada to the world.

 

 

George Lepine