Woods Walker
The Wood is cut, The Bacon is cooked, Now it’s tim
Back on the trail. This area has lots of snakes and bears so gotta keep a clean camp plus an eye on my hands and feet. Tons of biting nasty little gnats, mosquitoes and horse flies.
My warm weather trail backpack. The Smart water bottle has been a winner as it fits in the side pocket of most packs, is UL and comes free with the water.
Bear defense. I had several encounters in this area over the years.
Vented back.
I keep my poncho in a place which can be accessed without the need to go though the pack. It is looped around a strap just in case. This will all come into play the next day.
Well worn little natural raised rock platform which the trail goes along.
Staghorn Sumac. I am going to make the legendary Stag horn Sumac Sawyer squeeze cold tea. As always don't consume (or drink in this case) any wild edible unless you know the score.
There was a mixture of Black Hucks and Blue berries about. Great little nibble.
There was a recent burn in the area which goes on for a few miles, maybe more near as I could tell.
Looks like fire damaged leaves. This looked like a fast flash over or something as many of the larger trees survived and even some green leaves. In lots of places the trail alone acted as a fire break.
Looks like this reindeer moss got hit as well though only the outside was burned away.
Water near camp. Going to use this for the Stag horn Sumac.
Camp all setup.
Time for the Sawyer Squeeze Staghorn Sumac tea/lemonade.
First squeeze in some cold water
Let steep for 10 or so minutes. Actaully I never timed it. The important bit is to use cold water. Not hot.
Came out great!
Core 4 stove in UL configuration.
Up next the space meal. It was kinda like dog food but then again what did I expect for 2.50 from Sierra Trading Post.
Up the next day! Brunch!
Mora LMF knife is ok given the weight and cost.
Nitecore Battery Magazine 40 will be reviewed as been packed for the summer. Got one for my hiking kit and another for preps.
Nitecore F1. One of my favorite power solution as it's totally solar reliable and works well for a power bank and charger on the fly. Using it to charge my phone.
Armytek Wizard standard CW. A great value for the money. Relatively simple UI and works well.
Good gear options for both the trail and preps IMHO.
Locally a bear broke into a barn and ate a donkey if the rumor is true so like to pack bear spray these days. It is getting a little sporty out there. LOL.
All packed up
I like to leave camp with more than enough water till the next source and beyond whenever possible. I can go without food for a long time but water no so much.
Sawyer Squeeze is greater than Sawyer Mini.
This is rattlesnake country so not sure who the owner of this skin was.
More burn and fire stressed leaf pics.
The fire often got stopped by the width of the trail.
Side with fire.
Side without.
Overlook.
Fire goes on for some miles.
Big storm brewing. It hit like a ton of bricks. I really wanted to get off the ridges for lower country.
Put on my poncho and hike back the the truck. It looked very dark for 4 pm.
Thanks for watching. Here is a video.
My warm weather trail backpack. The Smart water bottle has been a winner as it fits in the side pocket of most packs, is UL and comes free with the water.
Bear defense. I had several encounters in this area over the years.
Vented back.
I keep my poncho in a place which can be accessed without the need to go though the pack. It is looped around a strap just in case. This will all come into play the next day.
Well worn little natural raised rock platform which the trail goes along.
Staghorn Sumac. I am going to make the legendary Stag horn Sumac Sawyer squeeze cold tea. As always don't consume (or drink in this case) any wild edible unless you know the score.
There was a mixture of Black Hucks and Blue berries about. Great little nibble.
There was a recent burn in the area which goes on for a few miles, maybe more near as I could tell.
Looks like fire damaged leaves. This looked like a fast flash over or something as many of the larger trees survived and even some green leaves. In lots of places the trail alone acted as a fire break.
Looks like this reindeer moss got hit as well though only the outside was burned away.
Water near camp. Going to use this for the Stag horn Sumac.
Camp all setup.
Time for the Sawyer Squeeze Staghorn Sumac tea/lemonade.
First squeeze in some cold water
Let steep for 10 or so minutes. Actaully I never timed it. The important bit is to use cold water. Not hot.
Came out great!
Core 4 stove in UL configuration.
Up next the space meal. It was kinda like dog food but then again what did I expect for 2.50 from Sierra Trading Post.
Up the next day! Brunch!
Mora LMF knife is ok given the weight and cost.
Nitecore Battery Magazine 40 will be reviewed as been packed for the summer. Got one for my hiking kit and another for preps.
Nitecore F1. One of my favorite power solution as it's totally solar reliable and works well for a power bank and charger on the fly. Using it to charge my phone.
Armytek Wizard standard CW. A great value for the money. Relatively simple UI and works well.
Good gear options for both the trail and preps IMHO.
Locally a bear broke into a barn and ate a donkey if the rumor is true so like to pack bear spray these days. It is getting a little sporty out there. LOL.
All packed up
I like to leave camp with more than enough water till the next source and beyond whenever possible. I can go without food for a long time but water no so much.
Sawyer Squeeze is greater than Sawyer Mini.
This is rattlesnake country so not sure who the owner of this skin was.
More burn and fire stressed leaf pics.
The fire often got stopped by the width of the trail.
Side with fire.
Side without.
Overlook.
Fire goes on for some miles.
Big storm brewing. It hit like a ton of bricks. I really wanted to get off the ridges for lower country.
Put on my poncho and hike back the the truck. It looked very dark for 4 pm.
Thanks for watching. Here is a video.