- Joined
- Mar 7, 2007
- Messages
- 2,406
Set out with my Buddy Safetyman on Halloween Sunday for a short 5.8 mile hike. Now I haven't been on a "reel" hike in about 6-7 years, I get out plenty but stick pretty close to the truck. I loaded my pack Saturday night so I was ready to go first thing Sunday AM. Safetyman came over about 7:00 and we started the day with a hearty bowl of oatmeal w/brown sugar!! Headed out and made it to the trailhead around 8 and on the trail by 8:15. We were hiking to a lake approx 2.9 miles from the t-head. Along the way we collected some fatwood for our upcoming firecraft. We saw some different fungi and a couple salamanders, one was chowing down on a worm.
A little less than three months ago I picked up a new pack, (True North) a stove, SS water bottle and nesting cup so naturally I was very excited to test my new gear!! The stove (MSR Pocket Rocket) exceeded my expectations, heated up some water for a nice sip of tea. Had a nice little fire to relax by and a nice view of the lake. We even played with boiling water in a plastic container.
We stayed at our little spot for a few hours and decided we better head back so we could get home in time to hand out some candy. We drown our fire cleaned up our spot and strapped on our packs. By this time I was feeling a little tired and the fitigue was setting in, not too bad but I could sure feel a difference from the trek in. My pack was weighing in around 22lbs. but was very comfortable! on the way out we stopped to harvest a little fatwood to throw in our packs for our next trip. It was at this time I learned a valuable lesson. I got out my Silky saw and started my cut, once the cut was started I tried to get in my groove and pick up the pace a little.... Well I bent the blade and snapped it clean off the handle, I managed to slam my hand into the blade as it was left stuck in the stump, cut my knuckle and was left standing there with only the handle in my hand. The cut was not that bad but it didn't want to stop bleeding.
I also found myself on the rest of the trek out that I was stepping on larger rocks that I would normally avoid.
My lesson learned was to slow down, be calm and mindfull of what I am doing. These task are no issue when I am not tired or fitigued. If I were in a real situation where I had to depend on my saw I would have been in a world of hurt. Gotta just slow down and take your time when doing certian tasks. I don't feel too bad about the saw as I was about ready for a new blade anyway (safe queen as you can see) but taking it more of a wake up call. Glad it happened when I wasen't really depending on it.
Well on to some pics. Some nice fall yellow colors and a few reds as well.
A little less than three months ago I picked up a new pack, (True North) a stove, SS water bottle and nesting cup so naturally I was very excited to test my new gear!! The stove (MSR Pocket Rocket) exceeded my expectations, heated up some water for a nice sip of tea. Had a nice little fire to relax by and a nice view of the lake. We even played with boiling water in a plastic container.
We stayed at our little spot for a few hours and decided we better head back so we could get home in time to hand out some candy. We drown our fire cleaned up our spot and strapped on our packs. By this time I was feeling a little tired and the fitigue was setting in, not too bad but I could sure feel a difference from the trek in. My pack was weighing in around 22lbs. but was very comfortable! on the way out we stopped to harvest a little fatwood to throw in our packs for our next trip. It was at this time I learned a valuable lesson. I got out my Silky saw and started my cut, once the cut was started I tried to get in my groove and pick up the pace a little.... Well I bent the blade and snapped it clean off the handle, I managed to slam my hand into the blade as it was left stuck in the stump, cut my knuckle and was left standing there with only the handle in my hand. The cut was not that bad but it didn't want to stop bleeding.
I also found myself on the rest of the trek out that I was stepping on larger rocks that I would normally avoid.
My lesson learned was to slow down, be calm and mindfull of what I am doing. These task are no issue when I am not tired or fitigued. If I were in a real situation where I had to depend on my saw I would have been in a world of hurt. Gotta just slow down and take your time when doing certian tasks. I don't feel too bad about the saw as I was about ready for a new blade anyway (safe queen as you can see) but taking it more of a wake up call. Glad it happened when I wasen't really depending on it.
Well on to some pics. Some nice fall yellow colors and a few reds as well.
