Using Search This Blog

I write about a host of topics in this blog and my

http://brawnyview.blogspot.com

The easiest way to find what you're looking for is to use the Search this Blog" box at the top of the page, on the right.

The ten pages I've written to go with each blog also are searchable.

Starting in January, I'll be posting regularly at BrawnyView on Planning a Long Hike. This will deal with long distance hiking, backpacking as a form of vacationing, logistics and gear.

On this blog, January should usher in more adventures and alternative gear building and design. Stories from trail life will litter the blog as well.

May 2011 be all you desire and more.

Knowledge is Power-a Trail Story

Nearing the end of 2010, I'm inspired by all the creativity shown on the Internet.
Youtube offers videos on just about anything you can think of, from Review of the 2100 Casio Piano Keyboard, How to Break Down and Reassemble a Shotgun, to music by Rianna, and How to Build a Snow Cave.
You can see gear in use before you buy it, learn techniques on survival hunting, and watch cute animal videos.

Knowledge is power. If you surf awhile, there's no telling what you'll come across. I love the http://walletpop.com website for the boring financial stuff made interesting.

Yes, knowledge is power but without experience, that power will burst like a bubble under stress.
I try nearly everything I can at least once. Not everything works for me, but even failures or less than ideal outcomes are valuable learning tools.

We met a Continental Divide Trail hiker up in East Glacier a couple years back. He'd come into the hostel and my partner and I were trading stories with him. He pulled out a water spotted map and pointed out an alternative route, skirting through a range just north of Enis. It looked interesting, viable. Some of his descriptions, however, seemed nebulous.
I finally asked, "Have you hiked through there?"
"Nope", he replied, "but it looks totally doable".
After he put away his maps and data and went for supper, I told Rainmaker, "I don't think we should be pissing around on someone else's bushwhack"

Rainmaker laughed and agreed. We'd been on enough bushwhacks and alternative routes of our own to know how disappointing they can be.
Water? Campsites? Lost trails? Impassable blowdowns.
Experience ruled out this route suggestion from our new friend, although we filed away its existence in our trail brains.

You just never know when this piece of information might come in handy.

Wanderers Die in Fire-A Carbon Monoxide Warning

Unfortunately, we are often bombarded with Non News.

Check out this heart rending story of a fire in an abandoned building:
Fire Kills At Least 8 "Wanderers" in New Orleans

Young people huddled in one of many old buildings, as temperatures dipped below freezing. In their attempt to stay warm, they built a fire in a large metal trash can. You would think in these old buildings there would be sufficient draft to allow fresh air into the building. Not so. Enough carbon monoxide built up to render some young "wanderers" unconscious and thereby unable to flee the burning building. Small places like tents and snow caves would be more deadly with even tiny unvented combustion.

This article brings up even more disturbing trends. Not only is there an estimated 12,000 people homeless in New Orleans, but many of them are young. Even those with skills like carpentry are still unemployed, in a city so desperately needing rebuilding .

Those who died in the fire were called "wanderers". At first I thought it denoted adventure, idealism, and a creative lifestyle. After reading the article, I felt it reflected hopelessness; a roving band of the directionless.

The continuing recession brings up important issues. As people become more impoverished with fewer options, there will be further breakdown in family and society.

If the media doesn't present these issues, no one will know they exist or find solutions. The above article does an excellent job in exploring the roots of this disaster.

As survivalists, our surroundings are very important indications of pending threats. If I am unaware of the storm brewing, I am unlikely to seek shelter. If I am aware, I make plans and take action.

I'm also making a mental note, a survival memo: beware of carbon monoxide!

Bushwacking in Snow

We got seven inches of snow, so I decided to hike an abandoned trail. No fears of getting lost and turned around in these hills and hallars. Just back trail in my own footprints.

I saw canine and wild turkey tracks.

My life partner found wild hog, bear, deer and canine tracks on his four mile hike in the woods.

Sometimes a person doesn't know how many wild creatures frequent the same trails we take until it snows.

This is just an affirmation that the easiest way to hunt game is stay by the trails.

Wild animals use them, as we do, to facilitate navigation, following the ridges and natural lay of the land.

Today's hike confirmed also that some old trails just simply peter out, overgrown and reduced to piles of blow downs.

Wind Chill Online Calculator

Check out this link for a great chart, information on what it means, and at the bottom of the page, an actual calculation plug in the numbers tool.

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/windchill/index.shtml

Before heading out, follow safety measures, including layering clothing, full face covering, sunglasses, lip balm. Leave your itinerary with a friend or in your vehicle.

Wind chill can kill.

Five Days Left

2010 is coming to a close. Its cold and windy. We're snowed in up here in the mountains.

Wind chills are sub zero, an amazing thought for those finishing up a southbound hike on the Appalachian Trail.

With the new decade right around the corner, and only 5 days left of this one, are there any pending tasks to squeeze in?

There are tax tips, and to do lists for the car and home. Be sure to check that antifreeze level. A guy from Arkansas was visiting us one December up in Illinois, and he just forgot that things freeze up there. His whole radiator froze. Not good.

Of course there's the windshield washing fluids. I absolutely love the De-Ice stuff. Early mornings when you need to get going, a couple squirts of that can de-ice the windshield and you don't even need to scrape it.

When I first moved to Georgia, I had a snow shovel in the car. My friend asked me "what is that for?" If you've ever been plowed in while parked on the street, or in the parking lot at work, a snow shovel will greatly assist your efforts to get out. Been there, done that.

I've never used tire chains. Not even sure they make them for a Geo Metro. I'm still getting 45 mpg, so I'm hanging on to this little low maintenance gem, even with the incentives for those lusty Pick Up trucks end of this decade. Up north, to help a light vehicle get traction, we'd put extra weight in the trunk, like couple bags of salt. Use the salt if you get stuck in a ditch. Throw some under the tire, and for god's sake, don't spin out a rut into the frozen earth.

A light vehicle can get pushed out of the ditch quite easily by a couple strong guys. Put the thing in neutral, and steer it while a couple guys guide it out.

Always easy does it. On ice or snow, never make any quick moves.

I got one town day yet this year. One good business day to get all the things done before 2011 arrives.

My gratitude list for 2011 includes being alive, having friends and family, and surviving the last decade.

Heads Up to All Internet Posters

There is an alert out to all those who post articles, or do any copy and pasting to their web sites:

This article further explains the move into image infringement lawsuits as well. Don't right click and paste images, either.
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/12/death-ray-lawsuits/

Apparently, there's a company called Righthaven. Its whole purpose is to buy the copyright to various articles from any given newspaper, then check the Internet for that article. If they find someone who has put it on their blog or website, they try to sue them. The federal copyright law allows fines or penalties of up to $150,000 per article.

Now, I would think they'd have to give you a warning, or a threat, or at least some way to avoid this huge fine. But no.

Apparently there doesn't need to be a warning, or a cease and desist letter, or demand to delete the article in question.

According to sources, Righthaven does this just for the money, no pretense that its for any higher purpose.

Of course, once we know this, we can be sure not to get into the trap.

I may have used some quotes when giving a book review, just so you all can get the flavor of the book.

I guess a person has to be very careful, there are money grubbers everywhere.

About 80 lawsuits have been filed so far, I'm told, against organizations like the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), the Democrat National Committee of Nevada, a real estate broker in Las Vegas, and FreeRepublic.com. More are expected to be hit by the end of the year.

Its never right to use someone else's work, copying and pasting into your site and not giving the rightful owner credit.

There is a "fair use" clause which allows people to use excerpts in reviews.

I have a book which is copyrighted. I hope people honor the law.

I am posting this for a heads up to anyone tempted to circumnavigate those laws, designed to protect intellectual property.

The Hobo Survival Lamp

Today I made the hobo lamp. Its a quick and easy project.

Fill a tin can to within one inch of the rim with dry dirt. I used a clayish soil.

Next, find a twig about as thick as your pinkie, long enough to push into the soil the length of the can, plus about 4-5 inches above the can. We're talking about 7 inches, give or take.

Now, find an old scrap of cotton fabric. I used an old bandanna and tore off a strip measuring 2 inches wide by 26 inches long. This will be the wick, so, be sure its substantial enough or it will burn up too quickly.

Now, with the twig firmly planted in the middle of the can, wrap the cloth around the twig, leaving a decent amount at the top to receive the oil and lighting.

Next, chose some type of liquid fat, grease or oil, and pour this over the wick, filling the can to within half inch of the top rim.

If you have a room temperature solid fat, heat until its liquid so that it will saturate the fabric and flow into and on top the soil.

Let this set up awhile, so that the oil soaks into the cloth wick.

Your lamp is now ready to light. Follow all normal safety procedures.

Firing The Pistol

Today we practiced everything we'd learn the previous classes, including loading. I also learned how to pick up the weapon, bring it to eye level, sight in, take off the safety, and fire.

I was reminded to hold the pistol very steady, take a deep breath, let out some air, and hold the remaining breath while I squeezed the trigger.

I am wearing shooting glasses, ear protection.
The target was a Styrofoam plate, with a red dot in the center to assist in focusing.

By following my instructors directions, I was able to make my shots count. He was very pleased.

More practice is needed. I still feel awkward handling a firearm.

I recognize how devastating one small mistake could be. I think that's always going to be very important attitude.

Loading and Stance

During the second firearms class I picked up the pistol, properly checking to be sure the safety was on, the muzzle always facing in a safe direction, finger never on the trigger.
I checked to be sure it was not loaded by removing the clip, then, checking the chamber and breach.
Next, I loaded the clip with five cartridges. Inserting the clip, but not working the slide, I was nearly ready for firing, but not yet.

Holding the pistol in a balanced stance is very important, too. Feet placed about shoulder's width apart, knees slightly bent, the weapon held firmly in my right hand, supported by my left.
As I raised the pistol to eye level, I felt some uneasiness. In the future, I might need to actually use this skill for self defense. I've been warned, never point the pistol at someone unless you mean to fire.

The semi automatic Ruger that we are using is heavy. Holding it out in front, at eye level for any amount of time is tiring.
After all these drills, I unloaded the firearm, unloaded the clip and replaced it. Checking to be sure the pistol was totally unloaded, safety on, I wiped it down with a clean cloth.

It was a good class, and I am feeling a little more comfortable handling firearms.

First Firearms Class

My first class was all about proper terminology, handling, and feeling comfortable around weapons.

I learned how to load a semi automatic pistol and why using the bolt is so important. Turns out, you have to pull the slide back to load a round into the chamber from the clip, if a round is not already there. Otherwise it won't fire, even if you pull the trigger.

Of course, the finger never goes near the trigger, but remains outside the trigger guard for safety. Its important to maintain a routine when handling guns, whether loaded or unloaded, so there is never a mistake. We always handle them as though they are loaded, having complete control of where the muzzle is pointed.

A precaution built into the semi automatic is the safety. My instructor told of the incident in combat where his buddy thought he was firing his weapon, but because the safety was on, nothing was being discharged.

A safety can get you killed, if used improperly.

We practiced home invasion scenarios where by being in the right place at the right time will increase odds of a favorable outcome. Namely, you live. This involves never standing directly in front of the door that is being breached.

Standing off to the side, in a darkened room, with a clear view of the pending invader is crucial.

These sorts of scenarios can be frightening, the more real, the more valuable.

While hiking my long trails, the Pacific Crest, Appalachian, Colorado, etc, I remember being warned time and time again, Never never never run from a bear. Never. When the time came that bears were in my path, and I found myself in direct confrontation, I remembered this warning.

In the wilderness, national parks, or in camp, the skills I learned prevented humans and bears from resorting to deadly force. A peaceful outcome was the result.

The weapons I handled seemed heavy, deadly, menacing. I respect them and hope to never use them in a life or death situation.

Target practicing is fun, I'm told, and that is on the schedule.

Knowledge is power.

Power gives confidence.

How to Shoot a Gun

I've decided its about time I to learn how to shoot.

First, I'm told, we'll learn safety, loading, then firing. I will be able to try various firearms.

The instructor has his work cut out for him.

I don't even know how to load a gun, or figure out which type bullet goes in what. I do know to never allow it to be aimed at anything unless I am prepared to fire. Which means assessing first where said bullet might land.

Even though I know its not loaded or even when no one is in the room, or even when I'm outside, I must be aware of potential hit sites if it would go off.

I understand guns are just tools. We must be taught how to use them correctly, with the proper respect. Like a powerful kitchen slicer, much damage can be done in seconds if a person's not paying strict attention.

I'll be reporting and posting photos as these classes and field work unfolds.

Piano by Chords Website

Learning to play by ear is not as hard as you'd think. I hope. I found this website and its looking doable. Some good winter fun, inside, and out of trouble.

http://pianobychords.com/index.html

Hunting the Dogs

Yesterday, a guy in olive green pick up truck stopped in the road, got out of his rig and asked if I'd seen any dogs.

His coon hounds were on the lam, last seen on another gravel road, not far from here as the crow flies. Driving there is about 10 miles.

Several dog cages were in the bed of his truck, he looked fairly prosperous.

"If I see the dogs, I'll call you. I suppose they have tags with your number on them?" I asked.

"Yup" he assured me.

He then quizzed me if was married to a certain individual, Nope was all I said. Not a lot of folks live back this way. I was actually surprised he didn't know the whole scoop.

So, today on the way out, I saw a group of five happy dogs running through the woods. They didn't want to stop for me, so I figured either they have eaten recently, or are not his dogs.

The news warns us of dog packs and coyote packs. Hunters keep them in check around here and don't allow aggressive animals to roam freely. I love that about this neighborhood, way back in the boonies. People have guns, know how to use them, and only call 911 to let them know what has transpired.

Years ago, before I moved here, a referendum, real live vote was taken on the whole 911 thing. Reliable sources tell me the population voted it down.

The politicians didn't like it one bit. In spite of the citizens negative vote, 911 emergency numbering system was installed anyway. This goes against the grain of the old timers here. It goes against democracy. Why offer a vote if its going to be forced on us anyways?

I'm told a good ol' boy would never live it down if he didn't take care of the situation himself and instead called 911 first.

Around here, we have chain saws, guns, and plenty of stored water.

Last week we were iced in for several days. No problem, being prepared is a way of life.

Movement In Survival-I Shouldn't Be Alive Review Lessons

Movement will catch your eye quicker than unusual colors.

I enjoy watching survival shows. Last night we watched an episode of "I Shouldn't Be Alive" on the Discovery Channel. The hour long reenactment of a treasure hunter (looking for surface gold with a battery powered metal detector) in Australian outback was rife with educational material.

The man says good by to his wife in camp, and drives off with his two buddies. He leaves the GPS unit in the jeep because their plan is to head in different directions, and navigate back to the jeep via sun.

The sun disappears behind cloud cover, he looses all track of time. His buddies make it back, but he gets disoriented and starts wandering around, trying to find the jeep.

Night falls, the wife radios the waiting buddies, no sign of the husband. A search begins for this man, who continues to wander, dispite the well known adage: when lost, stay put to enable your rescuers to find you.

The story unfolds as he finds a fence. One direction leads to a village, the other farther into wilderness. He chooses, hikes until he runs out of fence. Its dark, so he hikes away from the one known variable, finding rocks to camp in. Again, come morning, he begins wandering around, has no water, day three he drinks his own pee.

Search planes fly overhead but can not see him because his clothing is desert blend. Lesson: wear some contrasting color when hiking in the desert. He feels sure they will see him, standing there with hands raised.

Movement would have helped a great deal here, or using his watch to reflect to the pilot.

The plane makes several passes, flies away, and returns several times. He should have realized he couldn't be seen. A way to signal in this case is to get in an open area and line up stones or vegetation in an SOS pattern.

We see that he has a knife, its bone dry, but he never attempts to build a fire. Several things we are shown could have been used to attempt this. If nothing else, he would have been stationary, and the 70 people searching for him, including aborigines, trackers, people in jeeps and ATVs, would have finally caught up to him.

He eventually discards his pick, yet continues to tote the metal detector.

After nearly a week, he takes to a small cave, planning to die. Now, he is totally undercover.

Watching this show teaches problem solving. We learn that creating movement, contrasting color, being visible, staying put, having some outdoor skills, and being prepared for the possibilities of becoming Lost, would have helped this man have a much quicker rescue.

Had he stuck to the fence, and just walked back the other way, a self rescue would have been very likely.

Movement works for and against us. If you want to hunt food, staying put until the creatures begin to move is important. Its hard to run down a meal, let them come to you.

Movement can give away your position, or aid in rescue.

In The Shadow of Denali-final review

I finished the book, and my final take is if you're into mountain, outdoor skills, Alaska, or survival stories, its a good read.

At times the author seems to whine a little, especially in chapters 7 and 8, telling how his climbing buddies left him behind, his broken bones and exclusions.

In the last chapter we get a taste of rescue operations from the rangers point of view. Jon Waterman, having served in this role for many years, tells of climbers going up unprepared and when things go a bit wrong, or they break a minor bone call in for rescue.

Now, I'm not sure if the taxpayer still foots the bill for these harrowing acts of courage, but Jon quotes some figures that are astounding when he worked in the late 70's.

He also is obviously critical of the apathetic attitudes, lack of gratitude and self sufficiency.

I have to agree with the author on our need for self sufficiency.

If you're going into the wild, on an adventure, or even just driving down the road, bring some stuff and learn some skills. Plan on surviving every ordeal on your own.

In the Shadow has its heroes and villains. Has its survivors and wimps.

Resting on Uphill Climbs and Poison Ivy

The climb from my favorite shelter is 700 vertical feet. Especially in snow, I usually take a breather. Find a good solid tree, without any vines growing on it, stand close to the trunk on the uphill side and lean against it. No energy required.

I always check for vines first. Without leaves, its hard to tell if the vine is poison ivy. Even in winter you can get the oil on your clothes. Once there, the oils can cause a reaction any time you use this garment unless the item is thoroughly washed.
Poison Ivy and Poison Oak are serious stuff. Either can cause systemic reactions, and even hinder breathing. If you've had a bad case , you are aware how maddening the itch, swelling and seeping of pus can be.

Sometimes you have to wade through a pathc of poison ivy. The Bartram Trail, near Wayah Bald is especially overgrown with it come June and July.

If you find yourself exposed to poison ivy or poison oak, wash in Cold water, never warm and absolutely never hot water, as soon as possible. Wash for several minutes, more is better. If you wash in a stream, do not use any soap; soap is not necessary. Hot water only spreads the oils.

If you are not certain of exposure, take the safe way out and wash everything. Change clothing if it has touched the plants, place items in a plastic bag and wash thoroughly in cold water.

Once all the oils have been removed, you can not transmit it to another person. Your body may react, but you are not contagious. Poison Ivy is an allergic reaction to plant material, not bacterias or viruses.

Some people recommend calamine lotion to relieve itching. I find the Polar Ice analgesic gel cools the area, and eliminates itching. You may find this works for you as well. Cold compresses help by reducing blood flow and keeping the inflammation localized. In my experience, warm compresses worsen the reaction by increasing blood flow. Scratching can break the skin and introduce infection. If you must, cover the area after applying cooling gel, to keep from scratching or further irritating the skin.

Never burn leaves in the fire ring or as toilet paper unless you are certain they are not of the poison ivy family.

Video of Survival Can

Survival in a Can- Contents List

When I go on adventures, I take my Survival Kit. Its evolved to include the following:

Inside one coffee can, with lid, place

*3 mil, contractors garbage bag, cut open so it lays flat. Roll this tightly and secure with elastic band which can withstand freezing.

*compass, on lanyard

*sheet of notepaper, folded, small pencil with electrical tape wound around it

*Jack knife, 3.5 inches, on elastic lanyard with binder clip

*cigarette lighter, hexamine tablet, book of matches, flint, petroleum jelly on cotton balls in plastic bag,

*Ziplock sandwhich bag to contain all firemaking tools

*safety pins

All of this easily fits into the can. There's just enough room to tuck in a few tea bags or boulion cubes. Orange strips of trail tape could be included, if desired.

The various cords are elastic bungee cords, which can be used to set up the plastic sheeting for shelter. The various redundant firestarters are important in winter and wet seasons. The knife enables me to build, protect and secure food. The can is for cooking, boiling water, and containing everything in a dry manner.

The compass, writing materials, trail tape are for self rescue and enabling rescue.

The electrical tape and safety pins are for repairs to body or gear.

Food, water, shelter, orientation, repair. This whole thing weighs just 13.5 ounces and was made with things on hand.

Piano Keyboard Therapy

Today I bit the bullet and bought a CTK 2100 Casio 64 keyboard. It has so many functions which seem intimidating at first. Things like tone, rhythum and song banks. All adjustable, multi tasking and teaching. Plug it into the computer and there are more things it can do.

Its not really survival oriented unless you think of brain cells. Studies show that as we age we loose brain cells, and the gray matter doesn't fire as rapidly. Learning a new skill like a foriegn language, musical instrument, gormet cooking, crossword puzzles combats dementia and alztimers.

Years ago I could read music, and co ordinate this with actually playing basic piano. Time to revisit this activity. My excuse is it also keeps me out of town and off the streets.

Meanwhile, the Denali book unfolds, reaffirming that I was never meant to climb Everest, spend winters on Denali, or attempt any solo trip above my highest love, Mt. Whitney.

Paying for the Summit-Chapter Four

Jonathan Waterman talks about the whole guide-client relationship in this chapter. Burnt out and especially fed up with certain recent events, the last sentence in this chapter is "I never guided the mountain again".

I've talked to several retired professionals who made their passion their profession. After several years, they found their clients became the assassins and pallbearers of this passion.

Doesn't happen to everyone, that's true. Not sure how a person could predict the approaching calamity. Losing one's passion is a great tragedy. Finding a new one is nearly impossible.

In this chapter we are treated to the hilarious recounting of the Phil Story: a preacher from the state of Georgia felt the Lord had told him to climb Denali. Had our guide not rescued him time and again, this preacher would not have summitted nor survived to brag on his achievement. Of course, the Lord has been profusely thanked for his good fortune. The guide has not been.

While reading this chapter, I think of the disparity between an "insiders" viewpoint and an "outsiders". An insiders job is to make everything look like its going smoothly, pick up the slack, and give good value for the price paid. An outsider is often unaware of the grief he causes by rude or selfish behavior.

When all is said and done, the price to either party has been considered, and paid.

Sometimes on the mountain, the price was their life.

Lone Wolf, the John Waterman Story

Chapter Three of In the Shadow of Denali tells all about "the other John Waterman". The author of this book is Jon Waterman, and the remarkable crossings of paths without actually meeting each other is surprising. The father of John taught ice climbing skills to the author, they both loved and climbed in Alaska, moved in the same circles.

John disappeared after heading up the east face of Denali, climbing alone, in 1981. He is presumed dead, only the trail gods know for sure.

I took a lot of notes reading this chapter, most of them dealing with our inner demons that drive us nearly to madness, and beyond. Hard to remember the race is only with our self, and cut our greatest enemy some slack. Even after death defying feats, the Lone Wolf feels a disappointment and continues in his self distructive mode. Why is it never enough?

Jon writes , " If going mad didn't kill you, and you survived collapsing cornices and tent-ripping storms, you would forever walk twisted among your peers, changed irreparably by a stark and surreal world beyond most people's earthly experience."

Sounds like what long distance, and thru hikers especially call Re Entry.

I live not in myself, but I become Protion of that around me;and to me High mountains are afeeling, but the hum of human cities torture. -Lord Byron

John, the Lone Wolf received his trail name because of his propensity for long spells alone, among them 145 days soloing on and summitting Mount Hunter in 1978. His chosen route had never been climbed. In spite of his vast experience and daring, he'd end up washing dishes in Fairbanks instead of capitalizing on his feats and writing books and lecturing.

He lost many friends due to mountaineering accidents, never had a long term girl friend, and was given to volatility.

People who are afflicted with this kind of obsession for their chosen extreme sport understand the spirits that haunt until we go out to meet them again.

I recommend this book, this chapter being one of memorial, respect and warning.

The mountain climbers who reach a fine old age have been able to say "its enough."

In The Shadow of Denali

I started reading this book yesterday and its incredible.

Written by Jonathan Waterman and published in 1994, there are lessons to take away with each chapter.

While I don't expect to summit Mt. McKinley, or Denali as the locals refer to the 20,320 foot beauty, there is much to take away from the true stories of life and death here.

The author has much experience mountain climbing. As he tells his personal experiences and relates other gripping stories of mountain climbing Denali, we're left with deep respect for those who pursue this passion.

He's the first outdoors person I've seen admit in writing that dehydrated food can cause ( and usually do at this altitude) flatulence of epic proportions.

He tells of following Camp keeper Sue's advice to sprinkle cayenne pepper on your feet to keep them warm. At first he and his partner felt no effects. But, on the way down from the summit, the spice's heat built until he could hardly stand it. Once in camp, he removed his footwear and plunged his feet into the snow.

I'm wondering about a little cayenne pepper in some olive oil or petroleum jelly, would that work better? We'll report on that topical ointment if we try it.

Reading about the fatal mistakes of a crew of 12 was sobering. Seven died in that trip, inexperience and a horrific storm both being a factor. I do not pretend to understand all that mountain climbing entails, so I leave it up to you the reader to draw your own conclusions. Howard Snyder wrote The Hall of the Mountain King as a cautionary work telling his side of the story. Joe Wilcox wrote his book, White Winds telling his version. I think Jonathan Waterman wrote both sides well in the second chapter of this book.

My take away from this chapter is to be careful who leads you, and be careful who you lead. On any expedition, under or overestimating abilities can be fatal.

Researching gear lists and typical weather conditions, and having real time trail experience are two other lessons from these first chapters.

Not building snowcaves and lacking serious snow shovels both factored into fatal outcomes.

The author recalls his first trip while an Explorer Scout. Enormous amounts of food and gear caused them to actually gain 10 pounds each in efforts to decrease the loads. He remarks that having 8 members of this first team was detrimental to the fun as well.

An interesting quote" We spend our lives trying to evade death and its myriad of black mysterious faces, but unless we kick and shout back and fulfill ourselves wholeheartedly during our precious short time, death will stalk us until our days turn to mere condemnation."

Stay tuned for more in this blog while I devour this book.

Getting Off The Gerbil Wheel

There seems to be a lot of interest in going minimal, getting off the grid, downsizing.

Some do it for necessity, some novelty, some just want their freedom.

If I don't spend it, I don't have to earn it.

Being able to make do, make use, or just make over are all skills for the survivalist, whether wilderness or urban.

And these days, we need to survive.

Getting off the grid happens first in a person's mind.

I met a guy who lives on a boat on the Hudson River. Each day, for fun, he goes into Manhattan, and watches people, buys fresh food, meets his comrades, and returns to his Water Castle. He has a resident duck. Not sure what this duck does come January, but I've seen pictures of the fowl perched happily on a flower pot, overlooking the river.

This guy has his facebook page, keeps up with all the events, and lives pretty much as he pleases.

I've met people at the other end of the spectrum: bought a beautiful house during the bubble and running on the gerbil wheel of consumerism. A big house is a vicious circle.

They might get off the wheel, if they could. Hard to get off a spinning wheel without getting hurt.Sort of depends on how much pain a person is willing to endure.

Depends how long they are willing to chase a carrot that is just out of reach, something a person does mindfully, and gradually, until the wheel finally slows enough to jump free.

Scouting the Territory

Today I stashed firewood under the cave-overhang, my new favorite spot in this forest. Its hard to find, and a very steep descent, so I'm thinking it could be nearly unknown . The water source is reachable and there are sign of wildlife. All good.

It is snowing lightly today, wind chills in the teens. Winter is a good time to bushwhack cause poisonous snakes and bees are much less a threat. Always good to watch your step though.

The Road-A Movie and Book Review

I watched The Road last week on HBO.
This movie is based on the novel, a Post Apocalyptic scenario which is both profound and monotonous as to be genius. Written by Cormac McCarthy and published in 2006 it contains a few more dramatic scenes than the movie. Scenes which involve infanticide, pregnant women, slaves, canabalism, farming of body parts, and catalytic destruction are so moving as to cause dreams and nightmares.
I'm still pondering all the implications.

The movie follows the book in mood and theme quite well. If you want a fuller experience, read the book afterwards. Do not be surprised at the lack of sentence structure or normal punctuation, such as quotes. Whole conversations flowing along between the man and boy fill a page, yet the normal constraints and protocol of literature are abandoned.

How fitting. I found it very much in keeping with the end of world scenario. "Old and troubling issues resolved into nothingness and night...
Darkness implacable....There is no god and we are his prophets".
These sentences are examples of McCarthy's talent.
We find ourselves on The Road, along with the man and his son, hunting food, watching over our shoulders, wearing rags, freezing, ever scared of those that follow us. I read the book in two days; I found it so gripping even after seeing the movie.

An entire semester of high school English could be taught with through this one literary work. Ethics, economy, religion, relationships, history, and creative writing, would be just a few areas of exploration.

Many times the book is much better than the movie. I would say they are nearly equal in impact. However, the book does offer more understanding of the breakdown of humanity, the scavanging of trinkets, the years of wasteland invisioned in The Road. Thankfully, we are left with a ray of hope at the very end of the novel.

Sensory Reorientation

Early morning hikes, complete with MP3 player, sunglasses, and poles often lead to zoning out.

My mind is off on problem solving or simple list making.

Living in the moment takes some practice.

I take off the sunglasses, unplug the music, blow my nose, and reorient my senses.

This is important in survival practice. Dark glasses protect eyes from glare but they also make identifying bear scratchings or rattle snakes more difficult. Gray skies look more menacing, and obscure trails blend into the forest.

Music hide the soft noises of woodland creatures, distant barking or howling, hunter's shooting a few rounds. Hearing is a vital sense which contributes to the other senses in ways not fully understood.

To fully appreciate the subtle smells of the forest, a person has to clear the nasal passages of all other home smells. Blowing the nose clears the mucos. Sounds gross, but its a blunt reality. Hard to distinguish campfires from cigarettes unless I do this first.

Sensory Reorientation is a technique I use when I really want to touch the wilderness.