Gathering Photo Thread

[JK Knives]

I`m going to post some later, but anybody who wants to post photos from yesterdays gathering can do it in this thread. I don`t know about you guys, but I had a ball! Good weather, good food, good friends, how could it be a better day! I also posted this in the W&SS Forum.

 

[JK Knives]

outdoorsfan and Uncle Bill sawing some firewood.

jds1 working on his fire.

Mr. Sogetsu working on his fire.

outdoorsfan and mqqn sawing and chopping.

visiting around the shelter.

outdoorsfan and frontiertom enjoying the fire.

outdoorsfan explaining what to carry in a survival fishing kit.

cooking hot dogs and bannock mqqn made over the fire.

Mr. Sogetsu bringing in more firewood.

 

[JK Knives]

outsdoorsfan making his fire.

cutlery selection for the day.

mqqn working on a figure 4 trap.

mqqn and outdoorsfan with the knives they won in the firestarting contests.

jds1 with the knife he won in a random drawing.

 

[mqqn]

Hi Stomper -

I had an awesome time at the Skills Gathering!

Thanks to everyone for the great gifts, and thanks to Stomper for the three giveaways, which were just fantastic (and unexpected!).

Click this link to see all of my pictures.

This is a picture of Stomper's re-creation of his first knife he made from scratch. (You can see details of how you can get one of these babies for yourself by clicking HERE)

This is a picture of "The Sparkler", a new offering from JK that has a special end of the tang that is designed to make better sparks from a fire steel. Congrats to outdoorsfan who won this baby by being the only one in the first round that could get a fire started!

Here is a picture of the cool stuff that people brought (or sent to us) as gifts, which has become a bit of a tradition at the Gatherings.

jds1 put together the "military butter tins" that contain several different types of tinder to try, frontiertom brought us the strap-clips with whistle, outroorsfan made the cool little fishing kits (the orange tube), and TheZenful1 sent Stomper along with some fire-starters that he made (which worked great!).

fontiertom (left, trying to start a fire) and our leader supervising.

The contest rules were that you could use any tinder material(s) that you could find at the site, and you could only use a fire-steel and scraper or knife to start a fire. Each of us was timed, and the idea was that the person who could start a fire the fastest would win The Sparkler knife.

Another action shot of frontiertom trying his best to get a fire going.

outdoorsfan watched the rest of us struggle, then he prepared a nest of dried grass and wood shavings etc., which paid off in the end, as he won the knife with a time of 4 minutes and 20 seconds.

Uncle Bill was the official timer for the contests - thanks Bill! Apparently, he can use a beer bottle like a sundial - a man with amazing skills!

More to follow...

best regards -

mqqn

 

[jds1]

It was really great to visit with all of you again. Looking forward to next time!

John, here's a link to the Frost River small pack page.

http://www.frostriver.com/day_packs/day_packs_menu.html

Jeff

 

[JK Knives]

Here are some pics of the shelter about 6 miles down the trail. It`s in much better shape.

 

[outdoorsfan]

I must say that it would be a true challenge to find a friendlier or more generous group of guys to enjoy a day in the woods with. The only problem I had was that our time together seemed to pass so quickly. Thanks to all who attended and I hope that those that wanted to be there can join us next time.

 

[Rockywolf]

Looks like a great time. What other gear did guys bring? How did the #1 knife perform? I like how rounded the handle looks. What brand of boots was Tom wearing?

 

[mqqn]

Pictures cont'd.

Here jds1 is scraping up his tinder for his go at starting a fire:

After a considerable amount of effort to make up his best pile of dry tinder, jds1 pulled out the advanced "full-prone" method - this is a technique only to be attempted by experienced professionals.

Next, Mr. Sogetsu, who had already been the first to draw blood (more later) was cooking up his best tinder-bundle idea.

Mr. S put his tinder in one of the naturally occuring soda cans that were discarded near the site.

However, this method also failed to produce flames.

Being the first to draw blood did win Mr. S a nice little demo in field dressing a wound from outdoorsfan. Take care of that thumb, buddy!

Here, outdoorsfan is going through a comprehensive review of his fishing equipment pack, where he showed us what he carries with him and showed us several different proven riggings to help you catch that swimmin' dinner.

I thought jds1 was going to show me how to use a bottle for self defense to keep people from sticking a camera in his mug.... -

More of the fishing techniques and gear demo - thanks for that outdoorsfan!
In the background you can see the nice array of hotdogs and condiments that Stomper, outdoorsfan and frontiertom had brought. frontier tom also provided some coffee and coffee cake in the parking lot when we arrived!

cont'd

best regards -

mqqn

 

[JK Knives]

I really think that Mr. Sogetsu should change his name to Mr. Lucky! At our last gathering the "special seasoning" that JackHammer sent got the best of him, at this gathering he drew first blood.

 

[mqqn]

Pictures cont'd.

Here is Stomper cooking up a tube steak - thanks for bringing the 'dogs, Stomper! You can see a few sticks with bannock bread on them baking in the fire as well.

We were at the McKinley Woods Forest Preserve just west of Channahon Illinois. Here you can see the canal from the shelter where we had our fire.

Here, Stomper is using his new camera to take the group shot.

outdoorsfan and jds1 shooting the breeze and munching on bannock

After a while, Stomper announced that there was to be a second round of fire starting competition, with the prize being a Small Simple Scandi!! Ok - now it's ON! Having learned from the first round, this will be easy, right??

Here is Uncle Bill doing his best to get a fire started in round 2 -

Stomper (left) and frontiertom discussing the techiques of fire starting...

Mr. Sogetsu sparking up a storm, but alas, no fire. It will be easier next time when he has two working thumbs... :thumbup:

I was able to find a "naturally occuring" trash napkin that some inconsiderate camper had discarded on the ground - which I was able to get to flame up in 1 minute and 10 seconds, winning the SSS!

Here we are winding down in the afternoon - a GREAT day of fun that went by all to quickly.

I am looking forward to our next Gathering!

Thanks to all for an awesome time!

best regards -

mqqn

 

[ManOfMisery]

Looks like you guys had a blast and awesome pictures. I hope to be able to come participate in the next Gathering.

The handle material on the Special Run knife really has some nice color to it.

outdoorsfan, is there any chance of you posting a thread with details on your fishing kit?

 

[JK Knives]

outdoorsfan, is there any chance of you posting a thread with details on your fishing kit?

Please do, I remember some of it, but not all.

 

[TheGame]

Looks like you guys had a blast! Thanks for sharing the pics!

 

[Mr. Sogetsu]

Had a great time. I'm a glutton for punishment. Hope to go over more skills next time with a short hike or two. Maybe if I don't cut my thumb next time, or anything else painful, I'll be able to do some ropework and teach some knife safety .

 

[frontiertom]

I had a great time as usual yesterday. It just didn't last long enough! I always enjoy getting together with all of you guys!

I guess we will all have to bring extra Bandaids if Mr. Sogetsu is going to teach us some knife safety next time! Haaaaaaaaaa! Haaaaaaaa! Just kidding Bud! I just couldn't resist! I think John's got a good idea there, you should change your handle to Mr. Lucky!

 

[outdoorsfan]

Yes, special thanks are in order for Sogetsu for providing frontiertom and I an opportunity to practice our first aid techniques! I should add that he does cowboy up and push through without complaint, whether he has a mouth on fire or a wounded thumb.

 

[WJC01]

Looked like a fine adventure. Let's have the next one in Georgia!!

 

[kyturkey]

WOW, John gave away three knives, you lucky dogs!!!

Thanks for all the photos and commentary. Looked like fun for all (well maybe not the bleeding part).

 

[frontiertom]

You know, I'm just glad we decided not to roast those marshmallows in the fire! We might have had to rush Mr. Sogetsu to the hospital if he had of gotten to those! Ha! Ha! I think everyone forgot about those. I found them unopened in the grocery bag when I got home.

I think Uncle Bill must have found what was left of the freezer pickles and my container in his cooler when he got home! By the time we got to the parking lot, I had forgotten about them already! See what happens to you when you start getting old! It's just not a pretty sight! Ha! Ha!