Little woods time

dogboye

dogboye

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After about a 5 year hiatus (to include having a new daughter and letting her grow a little), I got back into the woods over the weekend. My wife, daughter (4 y.o.), my dog (8 y.o. Rottweiler), and I went to Crabtree Meadows in George Washington Nat'l Forest in VA this past weekend. We had a helluva time getting there.... 1.5 hour traffic jam on I-64 in Charlottesville... :mad: unbelievable... but I digress....

It was a car-camping weekend, but still was woods time, and afforded an opportunity to practice some skills, beat on a couple knives, sleep in a tent, and introduce my daughter to living in the outdoors, albeit for a very short term. But other than the car, it is pretty much primitive camping. No water sources other than ground water (so we carried all ours in), no toilet facilities of any type, etc.

We finally got there just before dark. The temp was already down into the 40's (Farenheit) I'm guessing. Supposedly the low was to be high thirties that night, but that was down in the valley; we were up on a ridge. The wind was blowing about 20mph, and it was spitting rain off and on. We got the tent up just as it got DARK, and just as it started spitting rain again. We wanted a campfire, so I started at it. I had taken a BK&T BK-2 with me, new one, no previous experience, but I had given it a nice convex primary bevel, and it was saving sharp. Used it to baton to the center of some branches at get to some wood that at least felt dry, the best my cold hands could tell. The BK also did a remarkably good job shaving some feathers off the center-wood. So after I gathered all my fuzz/feather wood, wood shavings, twigs, etc., I tried to light the fuzz/feather with a butane lighter that I had, and the wind was so strong that it kept blowing it out, even with my back to the wind trying to block it. So I decided I'd probably have as good or better luck with my LMF Scout Firesteel. Which I did, but it still wouldn't catch. I finally gave up and grabbed one of the starter blocks that I carry from this. Shaved some slivers off it, then laid the block in the tinder, struck the LMF, and got it to start. It lasted long enough and hot enough that I got a fire started then. I actually managed to get a small one going, and could have gone larger then, but the rain had become pretty steady (albeit light), it was driving almost sideways from the wind, and my wife had decided it was better to just get in the vestibule and cook dinner (freeze dried) over the Optimus NOVA. So, that is what we did. But the fire lasted about 20 minutes after we gave up and went in.

More later, but I have to pick up the 4 y.o. at the sitter, and get home. So I'll add some more about the weekend, and some things I learned, or think I did. Later.
 
rockspyder said:
After about a 5 year hiatus (to include having a new daughter and letting her grow a little), I got back into the woods over the weekend. My wife, daughter (4 y.o.), my dog (8 y.o. Rottweiler), and I went to Crabtree Meadows in George Washington Nat'l Forest in VA this past weekend. We had a helluva time getting there.... 1.5 hour traffic jam on I-64 in Charlottesville... :mad: unbelievable... but I digress....

It was a car-camping weekend, but still was woods time, and afforded an opportunity to practice some skills, beat on a couple knives, sleep in a tent, and introduce my daughter to living in the outdoors, albeit for a very short term. But other than the car, it is pretty much primitive camping. No water sources other than ground water (so we carried all ours in), no toilet facilities of any type, etc.

We finally got there just before dark. The temp was already down into the 40's (Farenheit) I'm guessing. Supposedly the low was to be high thirties that night, but that was down in the valley; we were up on a ridge. The wind was blowing about 20mph, and it was spitting rain off and on. We got the tent up just as it got DARK, and just as it started spitting rain again. We wanted a campfire, so I started at it. I had taken a BK&T BK-2 with me, new one, no previous experience, but I had given it a nice convex primary bevel, and it was saving sharp. Used it to baton to the center of some branches at get to some wood that at least felt dry, the best my cold hands could tell. The BK also did a remarkably good job shaving some feathers off the center-wood. So after I gathered all my fuzz/feather wood, wood shavings, twigs, etc., I tried to light the fuzz/feather with a butane lighter that I had, and the wind was so strong that it kept blowing it out, even with my back to the wind trying to block it. So I decided I'd probably have as good or better luck with my LMF Scout Firesteel. Which I did, but it still wouldn't catch. I finally gave up and grabbed one of the starter blocks that I carry from this. Shaved some slivers off it, then laid the block in the tinder, struck the LMF, and got it to start. It lasted long enough and hot enough that I got a fire started then. I actually managed to get a small one going, and could have gone larger then, but the rain had become pretty steady (albeit light), it was driving almost sideways from the wind, and my wife had decided it was better to just get in the vestibule and cook dinner (freeze dried) over the Optimus NOVA. So, that is what we did. But the fire lasted about 20 minutes after we gave up and went in.

More later, but I have to pick up the 4 y.o. at the sitter, and get home. So I'll add some more about the weekend, and some things I learned, or think I did. Later.
Click to expand...

Awesome. My girls are just big enough (8 and 5) to get out and get some Nature in. They are liking it, but, they are still a little apprehensive about it. I thought it would be the dark or the noises. Nope, its the squatting. Go figure. Moose
 
Hopefully you got some good pictures! Glad to see you made it out; great way to get kids interested in the outdoors. Getting a fire going in with a cold, wind-blown rain isn't any fun; glad you stuck with it and got it going even if your wife called you back inside:D Hopefully the weather let up and you guys enjoyed the rest of your camping trip...

ROCK6
 
OK, more.
I know kinda what you mean, Moose. But we started ours very early on. I guess we're kinda barbaric, but my wife has actually ended up having our daughter just drop it (not solids) at places I wouldn't have considered, and I don't think it is that unusual for her to squat in our yard if both of them are outside in the summer and don't want to bother coming in. The wife, not so much (I don't think she EVER has around the yard), but the daughter definitely has. So the concept wasn't something new to her. N-E-way..... I digress....

Where was I? OH. In the vestibule.... I was very apprehensive, because I generally make it verboten to cook in the vestibule. But I figured I would open up the center panel, so I could at least kick the stove out if there was a flare. Don't know if anyone has used a Nova, but the priming can be pretty impressive if you dump a little too much fuel at the start. I did ok, though, so not a big deal. But, this was lesson (1): should have set up some lines to tie the center panel of the vestibule to make a porch cover, instead of just rolling it up and tying it back. Would have made a much better set-up. Take cord (I had plenty), and think ahead... even if you're a bit uncomfortable. It can make things easier, and perhaps safer, later.

I had also taken a Trangia alcohol stove and cook kit. Along with only about 4 oz. of denatured alcohol that i had left. I figured I would use both for breakfasts, the Nova for the extra water we'd need for hot cereals, and the trangia to heat water for coffee. I also had a Snow Peak 700 (I think) pot with me for use with the Trangia, instead of the pot it came with. The Trangia also had the nested wind-screen. Well, lesson (2): the stock wind-screen/pot-stand isn't enough screen for the level of wind we had. I had maybe a half-liter of water in the pot, and the trangia about full of alcohol, it appeared. Even with the lid on the pot, and the stove inside the wind-screen, it still didn't even have enough oomph to heat the water to steaming, let alone boiling, before it ran out of alcohol. The Trangia definitely needs more wind-protection if it will be my only stove. I still like it, and would probably take it solo, but that is about it, I think. I don't for a second regret buying it, for that reason. But gotta know its limitations. I'm glad I didn't have it as my solo stove on a weekend hike. I would have been able to make it work, I'm sure, but it definitely would have needed more care. Also, I finally noticed the instructions at the bottom of the Trangia pot after I got there, recommending adding just a bit of water to the alcohol. I realized why, after I tried to use it, I think: makes the flame a little more visible.

(3) I learned that my best friend, my Rott, has gotten old enough that he needs some extra warmth for those cold nights. He woke me up the first night laying against me shivering. We had had him out there before, 5 or so years ago, and in similar weather he could barely stand the warmth of the tent. Not so this time. Fortunately, I had taken an extra blanket, in the form of a mil. poncho-liner, that we were able to put over/under him. Not really relevant here, maybe, unless some of you reading have older dogs that you might take with you. Yeah, they're just dogs, but if you're like me, they're your best friend outside family; don't forget about them.

Second day, wind is still up, albeit a little lighter. That afternoon, I take another shot at the campfire. Did my homework. Had a Doan with me, so I got about a dime-sized pile of shavings. Also worked some dry wood tinder in there, followed by some whittled shavings, with some dry sticks standing by. One strike of the firesteel, and I was hopping to get the kindling on there fast enough. That magnesium goes up HOT. I had used it before, but like I said earlier, it had been at least 5 years. One strike of the firesteel was all it took, though, and we shortly had a nice little campfire. We had to keep it kinda small, or at least not roaring, though, because of the wind. Even with all the rain the day before, I was afraid all the wind would have dried things up enough to be a threat of uncontrolled fire, and the wind certainly was kicking up enough to carry embers if I let it get too big. But anyway, I probably could have used the magnesium the night before in the rain, if i had not had the Strike-force block, and DID have the patience to scrape the magnesium block for 5 minutes or so.

I've probably rambled on enough. It was good to get back into the woods. It was GREAT to have a daughter with me. If you have kids, you're missing out if you don't get them into the woods as early as possible. Just don't overdo it with them the first time and scare them off. She did great considering the rain the first night, and the wind. Fortunately, she's like a little nuclear pile when it comes to staying warm.

Sorry for the ramble. Just posted, and saw that i had taken so long that I ended up with two more posts on here. So, to address them.... Yeah, rough start, but things cleared so much the first full day (Saturday) that we all had a GREAT time, and the traffic jam and spitting rain were all but forgotten. My wife said it was the best camping trip she could remember having, and the daughter has already asked if we can do it again. So absolutely, it "cleaned up nice." :D
 
Awesome write up. I can dig it.

My girls are too busy watching for "imaginary" bugs that they are exposed too at that particular moment.

But I had different experience with mine the last time. We have been working on firecraft for the last little bit, and there was an unsanctioned event in the early morning. We all got over it. Later my oldest told me she didn't want to go camping, 'caused she didn't like making me mad. :(

The little one, rarin' to go. Only Highway gear on that one.

We fixed that and they will be heading out with me again as soon as weekend after next, maybe for a dad only trip, give mom some piece and quiet for the weekend.

I use a homemade alcohol stove and a wood stove I made from a coffee can. Yeah, big spender. It got a good wind break and works as both wood and alcohol. Nothing exotic, but it boils water.

Again, great post. Moose
 
moosez45 said:
Awesome write up. I can dig it.

My girls are too busy watching for "imaginary" bugs that they are exposed too at that particular moment.

But I had different experience with mine the last time. We have been working on firecraft for the last little bit, and there was an unsanctioned event in the early morning. We all got over it. Later my oldest told me she didn't want to go camping, 'caused she didn't like making me mad. :(

The little one, rarin' to go. Only Highway gear on that one.

We fixed that and they will be heading out with me again as soon as weekend after next, maybe for a dad only trip, give mom some piece and quiet for the weekend.

I use a homemade alcohol stove and a wood stove I made from a coffee can. Yeah, big spender. It got a good wind break and works as both wood and alcohol. Nothing exotic, but it boils water.

Again, great post. Moose
Click to expand...

I remember reading about the unsanctioned fire event. :D That would have gotten me going. Glad you got it straightened out with them, though, and that you'll be going out again, soon. It's important for them to have fun, but VERY important that they come back alive. ;) My biggest fear was that ours would wander off without thinking, and without us realizing it. So I was keeping an hawk-eye on her, and ended up scolding her a little bit. I finally realized she had no idea why i was so concerned, and explained to her how easy it would be for her to get lost and end up spending a night out in the dark, cold, alone, and no tent (this was after the first night with the rain and extra cold). Didn't have any more problems with her going too far away from the camp.

I want to get her started on learning to build the camp fire as soon as possible.

I have a homemade alcohol stove, too. And it works reasonably well. But I never ended up making any kind of pot stand for it. And I found a good deal on the Trangia, so I jumped at that.

I'd like to try a wood-burner sometime. I had a canteen cup and ... stove?... with me, but never got around to trying that. I should have. I could have probably used IT with the Snow-peak....

Oh, and I know what you mean about "highway gear!" :D

Someone mentioned pictures. I have some, but I need to get them downloaded off the camera, and then figure out how to get them posted. It's been a while since I posted pictures on Bladeforums, and I think the rules (or methods) have changed. So it might be a little bit. Sorry. I know how frustrating it is to me to read about woods time, but see no pictures. I'll try to get that done.
 
Yeah, I was the same way with line of sight of mine. I have learned to listen now, so they can get a little further than before, but I gotcha on the hawkeye.

Most of my out doors have been in the Southeast and Southwest, so my raggedy kit has suited me for my needs there. I have no Boreal forest or extreme northern experience. I want some, but I live here.

Don't get me wrong, I want some better gear, but I'm poor, so I'll just have to make my own. Plus I find it a very fulfilling. Moose
 
Hey Rockspyder....

Great post.....It is soooo tempting to only talk about what goes right.....So, THanks fro sharing the rocky parts too....They are the teachers..... BTW Watch out for alcohol stoves....When it gets REALLY cold they are worthless.......I had a horrble night out at age 16 relying on a alcohol "buddy burner" I built and a summer weight bag....The weather went in the dumps(20 below) and things went south from there ( I know DUMB does not even BEGIN to cover it).......I became a fire fanatic after that.....

All Best....

ethan
 
Thanks Mr. Becker. I'll keep that in mind about the alcohol stoves. Definitely relegate it to ... more pleasant weather. :thumbup:

Hopefully you saw my write-up on the BK-2 in the companion thread to this one. I was QUITE impressed.

Whups... I see that you did. :D
 
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