Tuesday, September 30, 2014

The Knee High Rubber Boot Review

I'm sold on tall rubber boots. For Twenty bucks and a pair of warm socks, I can now cross the West Pleasant in total comfort. The color here in Maine is outstanding, too. A lady saw my boots and said, "With two pair of wool socks, they make the best winter boots." I'm sure going to give it a shot.

Crossing the River in Rubber Boots

 

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Bears Like Beer, Too


I found this beer can while hiking the Gulf Hagas loop. Now that the old leaves are shrinking back, more items are surfacing.


Check out the ragged teeth marks. A good friend, a Mainer, told me baiting bears, right before and leading up to hunting season is legal. There are so many bears here, its a population control thing.
Upon reflection, makes sense. Bears will associate human food with death. Mother bears will warn their youngins, "Do Not eat that, you're goin' die!"


Here in camp, the laptop lunch break. Powering up on battery, its a touchy situation. There's only a couple hours to type the journal. So, once the page is loaded, its all systems go, no wandering around, thinking up things to say. Of course, there is no wifi or cell service, but the laptop keeps me sane as the darkness and cold progress.


Crossing the river becomes an entertaining event. Check out my youtube channel or 
Brawnyview to see the footage of this dude making light.
Tuesday, a woman fell in the early stages, and lay, turtle fashion, her pack in the water, until her husband lifted her up.
I left them figure it out. My job is education. No search and rescue needed here. The man had it.



Thursday, September 18, 2014

Video on Beekeeping

On my days off from the Gulf, my friends Bruce and Nancy welcome me into their home. Many times, there's an adventure in store.

I met a woman building her own home. I met a woman running a blueberry farm. I learned about the back roads into the 100 mile wilderness.


Today, I met a neighbor who does bees. Now, I'm not a fan of getting stung. Still, camera in hand, I said sure to the invitation, layered up with clothes and hopped in the car.

Half an hour later, I had the hood up on my jacket and was wearing the best hat, shown below.

After the area was well doused with a pleasant smelling smoke, they began disassembling the hive.


Bees would cling to the drawers being removed. She told me there were tens of thousands of bees in that hive. Being fall, the drones were being kicked out as useless after completing their task, and the worker bees, all females, were making honey.


The video on Beekeeping can be watched on youtube. The embedded version here sometimes crops the left side.



Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Its Getting Cold!

With a little more than 4 weeks to go living and working in the Gulf Hagas location, I'm having conflicting emotions.

Its fun seeing and meeting bundled up hikers coming through, shrieking because of the numbing cold water crossing, asking about the weather, admitting their excitement to get it done.

Its getting cold in these here hills, by golly, yeah!
I summited Kahtadin on August 14 after a 5 mile successful thru hike. Bound and determined not to freeze to death, I ended up reaching the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail during a heat alert.

Imagine that! Yes, it gets hot in August, and we looked forward to the cool crisp days of autumn. Well, they have arrived.

Packs are heavier, food bags more substantial, but the miles will come.

By the time I meet northbounders, they are 4 days from their goal. I did meet one southbounder this week.
"Sorta late, isn't it?" I asked cheerfully.
"Just seeing how far I can get," he replied. Before what, I wanted to ask, but didn't

Some leave the trail with an excuse in mind. The knees hurt, the feet hurt, the family needs you.

But really, you don't need to make anything up. Its cold, wet and muddy out there. Just say you're sick of it. Most people don't know why you went at all.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Survivalists for Real




This week I met a combat veteran thru hiking with her mom, on the Appalachian Trail. Her pack had five names across the back, three of which were friends lost in battle, two post war suicides. To learn more about her journey and 20 years in the service, check out her blog:Post War Hike Blog


As we sat eating lunch at the West Pleasant River Crossing, there on the AT, in the Gulf Hagas, I couldn't help but think what a survivor she was. Afghanistan, Iraq, training as the only woman in a unit in the desert, it must have taken some mental fortitude to keep going.

And that's what we see with all the various hikers coming through, from the oldest, and 80 year old man who celebrated his birthday on the trail, to the young girl hiking with her family. No matter what the gear, or the menu, its all about mindset, sometimes just taking one mountain at a time.


Saturday we had jets flying over for the festival in Greenville. I couldn't see the military aircraft because of the cloud cover, but  a great sense of gratitude came over me. I am glad to be an American. 


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Warning...A Tad of a Rant.

I recently shot and uploaded a 9 minute film detailing how I keep my base camp clean. So far, no mice have invaded my tent or food. I'm very pleased about this. But, it requires a diligent attitude.

I hope you enjoy this film Base Camp Basics  If you click on the link, you'll get the full screen version.

As I dwell here, off the grid, I noted many edible plants and abundance of water and wild animals. So, in addition to dried foods I hauled into this location, I eat wild plants and contemplate what little effort would be required to fish and trap in this hundred mile wilderness, deep in the north woods of Maine. Truly, this would be a paradise for the survivalist.

Some may ask why I take so much time to explain my routines and am so passionate about this minimalist, sustainable base camp.

Well, last summer I spent 6 days at a "survivalist retreat" where I'd hoped to help build a cabin and study plants, trapping etc.

Things didn't turn out as expected. I eventually left, disillusioned. Many friends have asked for the account and why I even stayed that long, after my initial assessment.

I do have my journal from that time, along with lots of footage and photos. Perhaps an account will be forthcoming.

I was told by a foreigner, another 'survivalist' that all base camps become filthy.

NOT MINE!

Ok, deep breath.
Not mine. I don't live in filth. Never could, never would.

Happy Trails.

Thanks for watching.