A white x-mas hike

[VTguy17]

I planned on climbing to the summit of Mendon peak, it's a trailess mountain. It was a beautiful crisp day and the views would have been spectacular. However, I invited a friend which I rarely do it's usually just the dog and I in the woods. We ended up getting a real late start (The reason I usually hike alone so I don't have to wait for others) and by time we started the hike there was no way we could get to the top and be able to enjoy it without having to come down the icy rocks in pitch black. Se we decided to just bushwhack in for a while and hang out, have a fire, and eat some good food. Pretty un-eventful day but it was fun and shared with good company which is rare. Took a few nice photos.

The bushwhack in

Fresh powder from the night before

Sonya having fun as usual.

Harvesting a little birch to get the fire going. (I only use the shedding dead bark and try not to cut into the tree unless I absolutely have to) I have a lot of knives cheap and expensive but I always come back to the ESEE 6 it's my favorite hard use good for everything blade.

Scraping some birch bark into powder and giving it a spark

 

[fmajor007]

Good stuff there!!! Gotta love it when you've a nice fire, no howling wind, get to use some great gear and enjoy good company.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Love your photos and that Beautiful Dog as well

 

[Morrow]

Your pup couldn't look any happier.

 

[VTguy17]

Thanks guys, was just a nice relaxing jaunt. I really wanted to find the summit of Mendon but sometimes those things just don't work out, no big deal just means I have an excuse to go back bushwhacking!