Organic Back-Pack Warmers
January 10, 2016 2:02 PM   Subscribe

Bolt and Keel, the back-packing cats. This past July, two tiny kitties were found, alone in the forest, in British Columbia. They were rescued, and now travel along on their human's outdoor adventures. Christened Bolt and Keel, for their new companion's passion for kayaking and rock climbing, they have their own Instagram account.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy (25 comments total) 35 users marked this as a favorite
 
Their human companions' less cat-centric Instagram account, Rad Girl's Collective, inspiring and empowering women to explore the outdoors.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 2:10 PM on January 10, 2016 [5 favorites]


The kitties should each have their own backpacks with two tiny mice peeking out. Cuteception.
posted by XMLicious at 2:15 PM on January 10, 2016 [25 favorites]


We also have a feline nugget who hikes with us. The green pointed us towards the best GPS unit for his collar. Because we are adults, we will sometimes take him on walks that allow us to draw silly pictures on his map.
posted by batbat at 2:16 PM on January 10, 2016 [11 favorites]


Now that's a pair of intrepid adventurpurrs.
posted by prinado at 2:18 PM on January 10, 2016 [2 favorites]


My first thought was "How do you ever really know what a cat likes" and then I remembered that when they don't like something they let you know.
posted by bleep at 2:26 PM on January 10, 2016 [17 favorites]


OH MY GOD THEY DO HAVE KITTY PARKAS AND KITTY HATS!
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 2:32 PM on January 10, 2016 [2 favorites]


Those cats cannot be happy.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 2:38 PM on January 10, 2016


They seem very loved and taken care of.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:43 PM on January 10, 2016 [3 favorites]


Those cats cannot be happy.

Really? They look incredibly self-satisfied to me. I think they're loving it.
posted by mudpuppie at 2:44 PM on January 10, 2016 [4 favorites]


I had a cat that liked to go on long walks in the woods! She liked it cause when she got tired I'd carry her home over my shoulder like a sack of rice! Very nice cat.
posted by The Whelk at 2:50 PM on January 10, 2016 [10 favorites]


Those cats cannot be happy.
Portrait of an angry cat!
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 2:50 PM on January 10, 2016 [5 favorites]


Mountain kitties!
posted by wemayfreeze at 2:56 PM on January 10, 2016


Previously in outdoorsy cats, which is a subject I seriously cannot get enough of: My Climbing Partner Eats Chicken Liver.
posted by egregious theorem at 3:01 PM on January 10, 2016 [4 favorites]


OMG KITTIES
posted by Artw at 3:15 PM on January 10, 2016 [3 favorites]


Fatty followed us to the pub one night. We spotted him at the last second and carried him home.

Simon tried the same thing, but we were wise to it even through he tried to go commando style and dodge from shadow to shadow.
posted by biffa at 3:36 PM on January 10, 2016 [1 favorite]


Why are these two adorable kitties not wearing life jackets while kayaking?

The humans should probably be wearing them too
posted by RonButNotStupid at 3:55 PM on January 10, 2016 [3 favorites]


I'd love to do this, but I would worry _so_ _much_ about snakes, falling, wild animals, other people taking them -- even the smartest, toughest kitty is so little and so quiet!
posted by amtho at 5:39 PM on January 10, 2016 [2 favorites]


Why are these two adorable kitties not wearing life jackets while kayaking?
Some thoughts on this.

All of the shots of the cats afloat are in glass-calm waters. Not sure how much ocean-experience you have; but honestly, when anchored-out and gunk-holing about, pretty much nobody wears life-jackets in those conditions. Also, if you look carefully, you'll see that in many of the boating pictures, they do have their harnesses on. My best guess is that it's done on a case by case basis. Note, as well, that this is their first summer together, it's likely an ongoing learnong process. However, it does looks like they have jury-rigged a CFD in this picture.

Finally I'd like to note that Ship's Cats are a thing, my commercial-fisherman buddy's cats have been going salmon-fishing on his fish boats, along with his wolves, for decades, without a problem.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 5:44 PM on January 10, 2016 [4 favorites]


my grandparents went camping with their dignified old Siamese on a leash. That Siamese camped out all over the pacific northwest
posted by angrycat at 6:03 PM on January 10, 2016 [7 favorites]


Adventure cats best cats
posted by Spatch at 7:54 PM on January 10, 2016 [1 favorite]


Kitty: "I told you this was no jet pack"
posted by clavdivs at 1:52 AM on January 11, 2016


Not sure how much ocean-experience you have; but honestly, when anchored-out and gunk-holing about, pretty much nobody wears life-jackets in those conditions.

And that's why people sometimes end up in serious trouble--because they didn't think they needed a life jacket. I'm not always good about wearing one around the water, but I definitely make it a point to wear one if I'm in something that could tip over or on something that I could fall off and become separated from.

I'm glad you pointed out the picture with the improvised CFD. I must have missed that photo. As much as I like the idea of taking cats out on the water, I'd feel terrible if anything ever happened to them.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 3:54 PM on January 11, 2016 [1 favorite]


Yeah, I honestly believe that situational awareness is critical in risk asessment, and that most boaters are pretty good judges of what's appropriate. Mind you I said "most". It's also certainly true that most boaters and water sports enthusiasts, including myself, could be more conscientous.

That said, if you look at their Instagram page you'll see that these women are extemely active outdoors in a wide variety of "risky" pursuits, and seem pretty competent and concerned. On that note, I have sent them a link showing them the appropiate equipment.

Now is my chance to mention that even here, on the typically calm waters of English Bay, sudden unexpected squalls can be a thing. Some 30 odd years ago a vicious one blew up out of nowhere at the Jericho Sailing Center, and my buddy and I had to whip around in his speed-boat rescuing sailors and wind-surfers who were getting blown away. The one who came closest to drowning was being blown up against the breakwater at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club downwind. I had to dive in and him pull out from under his rigging he'd become entangled in. That panicked 10 year old apprentice-sailor, dear reader, turned out to be Justin Trudeau, our new Prime Minister. Yes, he was wearing his PFD, (it was required) and it likely saved his life.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 4:32 PM on January 11, 2016 [18 favorites]


What is the feline equivalent of falconry?
posted by Doroteo Arango II at 10:36 PM on January 11, 2016 [1 favorite]


What is the feline equivalent of falconry?
Not sure how to interpret this sentence. Certainly it's true that many boaters, including myself, have traditionally used cats as surrogate hunters. Never seen any kitties with mercenaries, though.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 1:17 AM on January 12, 2016


« Older The not-so-secret history of comics drawn by women   |   I Found The Worst Things At CES Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments