downtime - much needed downtime. A day off

[Bushman5]

Went to bed early on Tuesday night, and got MUCH needed sleep. :thumbup: Woke up to the soothing sounds of my new coffee maker (Cuisinart Burr Grind & Brew) grinding and brewing some KICKING HORSE "GRIZZLYCLAW" coffee at 0700 hours Wednesday morn :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: . Fired up the water cooled computer and surfed the web for a bit, sipping strong black coffee. Made a post on Bladeforums and then hit the road.

Went to a favorite spot just off the Sea 2 Sky hiway in Sqaumish BC......... trying to get as much time here, as soon all the wilderness will be "developed" into yuppie condos. The entire 100KMs of wilderness from Vancouver to Whistler is surveyed, sold and planned for MASSIVE condo developments. Not going to comment........leave it at that.

no snow today , so easy access with my little truck. Parked it and got out. breathing that soothing REAL air. Silence, save for the occasional semi truck jake braking down the hill below.

Breakfast before i left, chopping onions and cheese for some scrambled eggs, using my new ZT0170.

 

[Bushman5]

The creek on the access road, this should be a water color....

WILDERNESS TIP: off highway roads can OFTEN be locked down,. leaving you STUCK behind a gate for days or weeks.....this is why i carry SEVERAL different sized padlocks, all spray painted bright red and labeled "RESCUE CREW IN AREA - DO NOT LOCK GATE!".......so i can put one in the gate and not worry about being locked in

got to my usual firepit....but it was underwater due to the recent deep snows.

I used my truck tires to make a drainage channel....

but it took to long to drain...so i relocated.....found another area that had been used recently.......bunch of winos' lol

they had made a hot fire in between two rocks....the resulting heat flaked of sections of the rock

closeup

they left a nice chopping block!

Despite the WET WET WET conditions, i found dry wood easily.......lots of alder about, easily split lengthwise (NO batoning needed) to get dry kindling

but i used my GB SFA anyways....lol

 

[Bushman5]

the mountains above me.....ALWAYS changing weather....

used my new ZT0170 to work up some fatwood

as well, i had my new Spyderco PPT corrugated folder helping

big ol fixed blade JUNGLAS making short work of the wood

5 chops

GB SFA

7 chops

changing weather again

just a few of the tools i had with me

my WCB (workers Comp Board) approved forestry vest. LOADED with survival gear should i have to abandon the truck and walk.

 

[Bushman5]

backside

the fire i made between the two reflecting rocks. I didn't feel like playing Primitive today. I used my Zippo and fatwood. Sorry

HEALTH & SAFETY: does burning fungus covered wood pose a health risk??? I DID feel sick after breathing in the smoke from this, and felt short of breath.......long term effects, i have no idea.....hmmmmm

changing weather again.......(first photo had weird blotches?...)

snow level DROPPED down....

sleet, not sure if you can see it here, but it was raining/sleeting HEAVY

staying warm though with my TAIGA windblock fleece

the heat reflecting from the two rocks was INTENSE. my jacket was steaming and my face hurt from the heat

 

[Bushman5]

one does not need a knife

but...it took many hits and much wasted energy to chop thru a simple 1/2" stick........and the ends were mashed

compared to a SINGLE clean chop with a big fixed blade

LUNCH! Christmas cookie tin filled with Jalepeno Jack cheese and crackers!

i like this pic

 

[Bushman5]

more pics that should be a watercolor

changing weather again! sun.....

5 hours later, after processing (JUNGLAS, GB SFA) and putting over 4 x 50' x 6" thick alder trees onto the fire (4' x 3' ), I had a nice bed of coals. I wish i could have stayed overnight, and had my cast iron stew pot nestled in these coals, loaded with beer/wine, onions and roast or two....but alas i had work the next day.

the perfect bed of coals......

thats about it....i spent 9 hours out of the rat race, tending fire, gathering firewood, using my knives and ax, relaxing.

nuff said.

EDIT:

tweaked some of my photos

paintings:

 

[pitdog]

Great stuff Bushy, glad ya feeling a bit better mate !

Is that area anywhere near Brackendale ?

 

[Bushman5]

about halfway......its near PORTEAU COVE...the access road leads to DEEKS CREEK (a great hike)

 

[Doc13]

Great pics and post, it must feel great to be out in that beautiful wilderness.

 

[flybri]

looks like a wonderful day to be out in the woods. I haven't hiked that area before and will have to go explore it sometime when I have a chance.

 

[LMT66]

Now don't you feel better? Looks like a good day!

Who makes that vest? I wonder if its made in OD or camo?

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Great Photos-

Great Cutlery

Great Day

Sure wish I had places like that near here

Please keep posting photos like those

Dr.Bill

 

[BenchmadeBoy]

Bushy, great pics as always. B.C is the one province I haven't had the pleasure of visiting yet for any length of time. Beautiful. I really like that vest. I wear a similar one for work, but also when I snowshoe or bushbash. Who makes yours?

 

[ROCK6]

Thanks for sharing and I hope you're feeling a little refreshed. I'm coming up to BC this summer for a canoe trip with my dad...MaHood lake is the destination. My son and I are really looking forward to it.

ROCK6

 

[IUKE12]

Glad to see you're finally getting some down time. Your pictures are great.
Hope you don't mind me using one as my desktop wallpaper

 

[kgd]

Really nice pics Bushman. Gotta love the smashing stick with rock demo!

 

[Bushman5]

Really nice pics Bushman. Gotta love the smashing stick with rock demo!

I had to make amends, afte rmy grumbly post in your thread....

the vest is made locally in Vancouver BC by DEAKIN EQUIPMENT, a local mining and forestry supply house. I have dealt with them for 15 plus years. Great crew.

It was quite nice to just sit and feel the warmth of the fire, close my eyes for several hours and just breath and listen.

Glad to see you're finally getting some down time. Your pictures are great.
Hope you don't mind me using one as my desktop wallpaper

go for it! enjoy! and thanks for liking it.

I urge anyone that can get here soon to explore this area......it is now owned (over 5000 HECTARES) by Concord Pacific, and will be bulldozed, paved and condo'ed soon.

 

[Bushman5]

looks like a wonderful day to be out in the woods. I haven't hiked that area before and will have to go explore it sometime when I have a chance.

you a local? join us for a hike!

 

[canadiantrailman]

registered user

 

[flybri]

you a local? join us for a hike!

Hopefully sometime this summer! I grew up in Vancouver but moved to Seattle a couple years ago for school. I come up to the land of igloos, polar bears, and health care generally every 2-3 weeks... it's not too long of a drive.

I didn't know that they planned to develop the Sea-to-Sky corridor any more than they already have. It's a shame... and to think that there was talk about installing a gondola up to either the Lions or Garibaldi. I don't remember which one, but if I recall correctly, that fell through (thankfully).