Yellowstone Lake Location Under Snow

I hiked up Elephant Back Mountain with a new friend. She's the fiance of the chef and will be living here at Lake with us. I really like her. She and I enjoyed the 1400 foot climb. The closer we got to the top, the deeper the snow. I busted trail, leading the way. She'd never been up there before.

 

I wore my new trail boots. Loved them. Even though the snow was over a foot deep, My feet stayed warm and dry. They are Merrells. Up on Elephant back we do get cell reception. Its a long way to hike to see if you have a call or text.

 

I learned about the Google gmail application for talking free in the USA. I tried it tonight. Perfect reception. My laptop allowed me to talk and hear without any extra mics or ear buds. Ultra cool.

While hiking on location, I came around behind Lodge. In the meadow were 35 bison of all sizes. I gave them a wide birth as I made my way to the Lake. So far it hasn't frozen.

 

While hiking I came across an interesting idea for a snow bound survival video. Stay tuned for that clip.

Horror Unfolding

Happy Thanksgiving you all.

I'm up here at Man Camp, saw we got 4 inches of new powder last night. I plan to go skiing this morning, then get back to my warm room and continue writing.

The chef and his fiancee are manning the shop. We only have a few guys on location. Some are bringing their wives up for a traditional dinner of turkey and pumpkin pie.

Somehow, I've become engrossed in a new horror story and as some authors will tell you, this one is writing itself. I write after work, on my days off, taking a break to hike in snow. A thousand words seem to pour out of no where.

This fictional thriller started out being a journal of my experiences here. But, then it took an evil twist and a young female cook became the "heroine" instead. I use the term loosely. You will disagree if you read this novel. She will make you rethink seasonal workers appearing out of the blue.

The Yellow Hotel, in fact, the entire location, is reputedly haunted. Both employees and guests have reported strange bumps in the night. I think the spirits have taken over my key board. We have murder, rape, violence and dark humor going on. The caretaker is messing with the crews and they can't even pay him back; the dude doesn't know he died 7 years ago.

Primal Cut will be available soon, if the ghosts co operate, and I'll let you know via a post here. Kindle at Amazon.com has a program for lending out digital books through it's library and we may give that a shot and see how it goes.

Until then, Happy Holidays. Stay warm, don't spend anything I wouldn't.

Gear Review-Lightning 50 Pack

I just received my new Lightning 50 pack,  made by Alpinizmo. You can check it out at www.highpeakusa.com

My first reaction on getting it out of the packaging, was what a lot of straps.

As a minimalist and extreme ultralighter, my initial thought was there will be alot of trimming going on.

This pack is designed to fit x-Large down to x-small torsos. I planned to check that theory out immediately. I'm up at Lake Yellowstone. When the superintendent came for lunch, I brought out the pack, asked him to be my guinea pig. He is 6 foot 3 inches tall, about 240 pounds of muscle. He was wearing a heavy sweatshirt. At first it was a hard fit because I had cinched everything up to fit me, at 5 foot 2 inches tall, 115 pounds. Once adjusted properly, he said it fit fine. It looked like a day pack on him, though. The carry capacity internally of this 3 pound pack is 3,000 cubic inches. It feels amazingly light.

 

I packed the pack for a quick ski around Lake Location. We have about 6 inches of snow.

It was really easy to adjust the pack back down to my size. The main adjustment comes from a removable velco design that allows you to choose one of 8 slots to adjust for torso length. It takes less than a minute to do this. Then you put it on, the shoulder straps are well padded. A quick pull on side straps and it fits like a glove.

 

I thought about the advantages of this versatile sizing option. It allows you to buy a pack as a gift for someone, and know it will fit them perfectly.

It allows you to buy this pack as a gift for a youngster, knowing it can be adjusted to fit them through the years. Even if they don't use it that much, it will serve through the growth spurt, a very economical way to outfit kids for a great introduction to backpacking. With great gear, they will love the experience, not dread the overweighted cheap stuff many kids are forced to endure.

 

I skied for two hours, carrying my bear spray, a sleeping bag, apple, extra clothes. While on the trail, I tested a survival item, lighting dryer lint with one match in snow. It was a great test.

 

 

 

More information will be posted on this pack on my other blog,

http:www.brawnyview.blogspot.com

 

I have to admit, I think its a sharp looking pack. I love the zippers in the hood, the bottom compartment for easy access to my sleeping bag, the side pockets for water bottles and bear spray, and maybe best of all, the very trim, roomy hip belt pocket for my camera and lip balm. Now, I'm sure to take more photos.

 

 

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Survival Hiking-Testing Bear Spray

 

We're expecting a bunch of snow, finally. I was surprised the initial 12 inches melted off, resulting in mud all around the man camp. Other than the hike up to Elephant Back Mountain, snow seemed to disappear.

Taking advantage of my day off, I headed out, even though heavy snow was predicted. I brought along my bear spray, something I've carried up here in griz country for seven years. I've never, ever tested it.

 

Once I got far up the mountain, I released the safety on the spray, pointed it up the trail. With no wind, and heavy flurries, I gave it a shot.

A great burst of yellow spray covering 8 feet in diameter, easily shooting 20 feet distance, was a rewarding sight. The spray still works. I began to feel the sting, started running full out away from the bear mace.  

Reaching the man camp via the employee trail brings one right to the back of Teal Dorm. You can see the trailers to the left of the photo. Once there, a new friend said he just saw a big wolf head right past where I just came from.
I, personally, am not afraid of wolves unless they're in a pack. Its the griz that concern me. I saw lots of tracks on the snowy elephant back trail, some large canine. Wolf, coyote, grouse, some thing big. I practiced walking back in my own tracks, an old "indian" trick. If a person isn't careful coming up the trail, they tend to drag the back heel. If I needed to hide my tracks, I'd be careful to step high. That way, walking back in my own footprints, the drag wouldn't give my direction away.

As soon as I got back to my dorm, I took a hot shower, started packing a survival kit. Around her, a whiteout could mean death if you're not prepared.

My New Love

 

Up here at Man Camp, Lake Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park, in Wyoming, I'm testing all the stuff I bought to winter here. I'm not expecting to get out for about 6 months. Who knows, the guys think I'll want a change of pace at some point and promised to help me get the Geo up to West Yellowstone.

 

Hiking around Lake is peaceful, if not warm and sunny one minute, then freezing cold the next when the clouds roll in. The long scarf, nearly five feet total, is perfect for this changeable weather. I never owned a long scarf before. I bought it before heading here on a hunch. I love it. I've tried wrapping it around my neck, using it as a head scarf, or paired it with a ski band. Totally warm and versatile.

My bear spray is carried with a caribiner clip hooked to my camo pants. So far we've only seen prints of griz, no live bear. I've seen many wolf prints, bison coming down the hill tonight, and other small creatures.

 

With daylight savings now in effect, we are walking about two tenths from the dining area to the dorms. Could be a bear just around the corner, what an adventure!