Sierra Designs Trip Report

“The neck tape on the paka/hood seam of my Sierra Designs 3-ply Gore-Tex parka had started to delaminate. I posted on Trail Talk and got the Canadian service co-ordinates in no time flat (thanks, guys).

I contacted the Canadian manufacturer, Blackwater Designs, in Foymount, Ontario and when I saw where they were decided to bring in the jacket in person.

It's 'way up the Ottawa River Valley past Renfrew - about four hours from my school by car. I had only first period on the 31st of May and because it was just between my rugby season and my end of term correcting and government exams, I decided to drive up.

I got lost twice. The first time I was driving back to where I should have turned and was doing 130 kmh in an 80 kmh zone. An Ontario Provincial Police cruiser rounded the curve and the lights went on. I pulled over right away and had my papers ready after he had turned round, dis-embarked and walked up to my window.

He told me he had clocked me at 113 kmh and asked me if I knew what the limit was and I admitted it was 80. He asked me why I was in such a hurry and I told him I was lost and looking for Foymount.

'You should have turned left at the light in Eganville.' he said.

I answered that that's what I learned when I stopped to ask for directions.

HE LET ME OFF WITH A WARNING!

This almost NEVER happens with the OPP and even less with a Quebec driver.

I got lost a second time in a hamlet with a cemetary, two churches and four houses (no-one home) and flagged down a BMW convertible with a middle-aged man and I presume his daughter who was wearing some private school uniform.

'Foymount is where I live; follow me.' he said.

I followed him for a few miles and then he pulled ahead on an uphill and lost me. About a kilometre further on I saw him stopped at a side road and standing beside his car.

'I pulled ahead to have time to stop and direct you.' he said.

Well, I took the first left as he said and climbed up to the top of a small mountain where there was a sort of tiny village and some large buildings. I turns out it was an old Cold War radar emplacement, (Pine Line) and it was now a village and the home of Blackwater Designs. It was on the summit of what was almost certainly Mont Foy (Mount Faith) at one time.

They looked at my jacket and said they don't make that model any more and had me try on the model that has replaced it. I chose navy blue, medium.

They mailed it that week and I got it last Wednesday in time for my climbing course last week-end.

It is gorgeous, in fact too nice for me (a little too 'ski'). It is Gore-Tex, 3 ply XCR in navy blue rip stop nylon and heavier gun-metal grey re-inforcement along the shoulders and sleeves.

Needless to say I am thrilled with Sierra Designs service and recommend them highly to everyone who will listen.”

“I got lost a second time in a hamlet with a cemetary, two churches and four houses (no-one home) and flagged down a BMW convertible with a middle-aged man and I presume his daughter who was wearing some private school uniform.

Are you sure that it wasn't his side action?”

“Pics?


Great TR.”

“Was it a tartan skirt.........for a little tart?”

“well it was nice of them to make the 8-hr. trip worth it!”

“Thank you, Lyra, it was.

And you guys,

DON'T BE RUDE!”

“It's a fine line between 'bored' and 'rude' around here, LOL

I've had good results with SD customer service re: their tents, too.”