Good-bye basecamp insanely pic heavy

[John Fenna]

Thee title says it all really. I got into the woods today and saw the utter devastation of our camp. Just when it looked like I could start running courses out of it. It looks like at least 50% blow down with at least six trees falling directly across our home. If you look at the photos you may be able to make out my bed tripods, the blue rope from the lean-to the squashed parachute and the gear I was able to recover. If Willow manages to get in over the next couple of years and free stuff up then I will probably be able to reclaim the 'chute and my bed and perhaps some more pots. The good news is that the Storm Lantern, fuel, a couple of the big pots, my Crusader Mug ... and the camp Spork survived! I do not see the site becoming usable again in my lifetime.
From this

To this

 

[DR2501]

Ouch, thats awful mate

 

[Mesquite]

That is a scene of devastation John

 

[Shewie]

Oh not good John, glad you weren't in there though

Is that where I camped? It looks different and I don't remember the stream?

 

[Stringmaker]

That must be heartbreaking.

Who owns the land? Is there likely to be any clearing and cleaning up possible?

 

[Clouston98]

That's terrible John! Hope you get sorted with a new plase or get this one fixed up .

 

[ozzy1977]

It really is quite shocking what nature can do, I hope you get sorted out soon.

 

[Toddy]

Oooh

Is access a nightmare ? if you could organise a few work party dates and get a couple of capable people with chainsaws? and everyone else with shovels

On the other hand, is it not better that they've come down and no one hurt, than they came crashing down when it was busy.

Still a real blow John, and you have our sympathies.

M

 

[JohnC]

That's desperately sad to see all the work gone like that..

 

[Goatboy]

Sorry to see that Mr Fenna,

A real shame but unfortunately the nature of woodland. If I was closer I'd offer to come in with a chainsaw and help clear up but alas I'm miles away.

It was a lovely looking camp too that you'd obviously put your soul into. Try to look on the bright side and think of the improvements you can make though I find once a hole has been blown in a forest especially with soil like that it will get bigger over time. Some judicious thinning may help! (And think of the firewood).

Hope you get up and running again as it's a lovely looking spot.

Sending positive vibes your way!
GB.

 

[dwardo]

Looks more like a twister went through the place. Gutted for you john.

 

[John Fenna]

Cheers for the sympathy folks - even if the landowner could get in (it is a private forestry company and it took them 4 years to have the tracks in good enough order for them to get in to thin the trees last year and they have hundreds of acres in the same kind of state and all the tracks are blocked) so many trees are down that there would be too few to hang hammocks! I have about £200 worth of kit buried in that game of Jack-Straws!
We are not allowed to cut the timber ourselves as it is a cash crop and needs to go out in commercial lengths...
I have ideas for another site already and will chat to a different land owner/friend/employer tomorrow

 

[rik_uk3]

Bad news John and my heart goes out to you. You built it once and I'm sure you'll build it again chap.

 

[John Fenna]

Bad news John and my heart goes out to you. You built it once and I'm sure you'll build it again chap.

And better!
Once I get my 'chute from under 100 tonnes of tree....

 

[British Red]

We are not allowed to cut the timber ourselves as it is a cash crop and needs to go out in commercial lengths...

That's the show stopper sadly. You and I could shift most of that with a Husqy, a timber jack and a hand winch. - but we would be cutting it up small into manageable lengths.

So, lets have a list of what is buried please John. I have a pile of surplus gear and I know others do too. You are a member "in good standing" and we look after our own here.

Red

 

[treadlightly]

I'm very sorry John. I'm going to my camp this weekend with a sense of trepidation. I hope you can get another site sorted.

 

[treadlightly]

So, lets have a list of what is buried please John. I have a pile of surplus gear and I know others do too. You are a member "in good standing" and we look after our own here.

Red

I second that!

 

[MartiniDave]

Strewth & spiders John, that's terrible.

I hope the plan B site works out for you.

Dave

 

[John Fenna]

Thanks for the offer guys but most of it should (eventually) be recoverable and it is all stuff that I have spares of.
I only left stuff that I was not too worried about losing if some nogoodnicks ever found the place
I have seen that a couple of pan lids have found an interest in Origami and my folding chair has taken on some new folds but the 'chute is in a tough bag and seems to be under a smooth section of trunk as it my bed tarp/tube. Some stuff like camp grills were so buried I could not see them but they were pretty bent already....
It is just a case of waiting until the trees are cut away and I can get in - it may be a few years so I am thinking of it as a bushcraft ISA savings account!

 

[John Fenna]

Any word on how the Moot site has fared?