First Snowy Hike of the Winter

Went for a nice hike into the valley behind our house around lunch today.


The sky was clear, and it was accordingly cold.


Few signs of animals, a few red squirrels scampering about. Chickadees, Cardinals, and Robins flitting amongst the trees.


The river was beginning to freeze up.


I unpacked my napsack, and laid out my wool blanket. I brought a saw, some bread, evaporated milk, my stainless steel camping mug, my Mora 510 blade, a Light My Fire mess kit (the green item in the back), a kettle, along with a Trangia alcohol stove, a Nalgene full of water, my arctic mitts, some pre-cooked rice in a bag, and some curry in a bag.


I was ready to go.


I also brought some fatwood slivers and some cotton impregnated with vaseline for a firestarter.


First order of business was to make a cup of tea.


Then using the remaining water, I heated up the rice and curry.


I used my saw to cut dead wood up and make a big fire.


Soon the food was ready, and I carved a simple utensil to eat it all with.


I sat and enjoyed myself for a while - I was nice and toasty. I was wearing wool socks, wool pants, a wool sweater, my shearling hat, and gloves with hand warmers in them (the ones that contain iron oxide, charcoal and salt).


When my tea cooled down, I heated it up and added some more water.


The fire was perfect.


After about an hour, I rolled up my blanket, and began to pack things away. I don't have a proper outdoor saw (other than a largish bucksaw which requires assembly - not great in the cold), so I brought my tool set specimen. I think for Christmas I'm going to ask for a folding saw.


In a wink, I was ready to go.


I made my way back past the rushing stream and came home. A nice walk on a nice day.

Cheers,

Mungo

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