I spent my summer working in the states in New Jersey as an adventure trips counselor; lead an 85 mile long canoe trip, gained a promotion to nature directer had my own nature and survival classes. BEST SUMMER EVER! The experiences was far better than i imagined; watching bears, helping children with home sickness; saved the day when it was raining with my fire making skills for all of the cabins on cook outs and took the hood out of the boy. I could tell these stories for a month but this one in particular takes the biscuit. Before i even got to America i was pondering where i would travel after..... My own adventure after taking the campers on so many. I was considering Maine at first; but when i was on a course at woodsmoke i was recommended the White mountains, just south of Maine in New Hampshire. After doing some research i decided the white mountains was the place for me, and a great choice it was indeed.
I packed my bag with enough food for a few weeks and planned a route, i stopped off at a local information center to tell a Women of my plans. She told me the weather was looking good for the next couple of days. Found a quiet spot about near a river in some woodland. must of been 6' higher than the water level. I dug a hole and left my unneeded belongings in a dry bag to pik up on the way back. This is where i spent my first night; cooked some food, an amazing soup from wallmart, best instant soup I;ve ever had, meat potatoes and everything in it. One problem no spoon!
I quickly found a piece of birch bark and a stick which i split half way down; I cut a circle out of the birch bark sheet and made a slit to the center, overlapping each side of the slit to form a bowl shape. I then inserted this between the split in the stick and.... Walaa, 1 spoon i a minute (thankfully the birch bark is much thicker over there). The next day after much thumbing and walking down roads I managed to hitch hike to the start of the first trail. The women that picked me up just needed someone to talk to; her son of 18 had just walked out of the house and left with all of his belongings, not being far away past 18 myself; i reassured her that he would come back and to use this time just to have fun and relax. I think she just wanted to mother someone, asking me questions making sure i have water and food.
I'd spotted a really nice looking lake towards the top of a mountain that i wanted to stop at for the night. The whole place is covered in trees, trees everywhere. the largest forest I've ever been in, so lucky that Steve recommend The White Mountain National Forest. On the trail; rounded a bend and came across a huge waterfall, I had no idea it was even going to be there. It must of been 40 ft. This isn't even a big deal to in the White Mountains, not even a sign post for it at the start of the trail and its not marked on the map. I had a refreshing break, filled my water bottle up and added the dreaded iodine tablets.The trail became very steep, even steeper. (looking at the map now, working out the gradient.) about 72 degrees. I was using my hands scambulling when two people were on an descent back down. The guy at the front.....'on a bit of a tough bit aren't you' 'sure am', breathing heavily. So tired with the weight of my backpack, maybe i could of got away with bringing less??? I'm still sure to this day i needed it all. Even the dream catcher strapped to the side
Waiting for the time to pass for my water, Even though there was iodine in the water it still tasted very refreshing. I set up camp by the lake at the top. Amazing views, stunning. Nothing but mountains and trees as far as the eye can see. Opened my mushroom book and began studying the local mushrooms, crazily excited with the bolete section of the book I'd eaten these from the ild before but this had so much knowledge of habitat and many other useful information that other books don't include. Paster add water bolognese sauce and tomato pure for dinner, so hungry after reading about mushrooms. Great after a long days hike.
...........To be continued
I packed my bag with enough food for a few weeks and planned a route, i stopped off at a local information center to tell a Women of my plans. She told me the weather was looking good for the next couple of days. Found a quiet spot about near a river in some woodland. must of been 6' higher than the water level. I dug a hole and left my unneeded belongings in a dry bag to pik up on the way back. This is where i spent my first night; cooked some food, an amazing soup from wallmart, best instant soup I;ve ever had, meat potatoes and everything in it. One problem no spoon!
I quickly found a piece of birch bark and a stick which i split half way down; I cut a circle out of the birch bark sheet and made a slit to the center, overlapping each side of the slit to form a bowl shape. I then inserted this between the split in the stick and.... Walaa, 1 spoon i a minute (thankfully the birch bark is much thicker over there). The next day after much thumbing and walking down roads I managed to hitch hike to the start of the first trail. The women that picked me up just needed someone to talk to; her son of 18 had just walked out of the house and left with all of his belongings, not being far away past 18 myself; i reassured her that he would come back and to use this time just to have fun and relax. I think she just wanted to mother someone, asking me questions making sure i have water and food.I'd spotted a really nice looking lake towards the top of a mountain that i wanted to stop at for the night. The whole place is covered in trees, trees everywhere. the largest forest I've ever been in, so lucky that Steve recommend The White Mountain National Forest. On the trail; rounded a bend and came across a huge waterfall, I had no idea it was even going to be there. It must of been 40 ft. This isn't even a big deal to in the White Mountains, not even a sign post for it at the start of the trail and its not marked on the map. I had a refreshing break, filled my water bottle up and added the dreaded iodine tablets.The trail became very steep, even steeper. (looking at the map now, working out the gradient.) about 72 degrees. I was using my hands scambulling when two people were on an descent back down. The guy at the front.....'on a bit of a tough bit aren't you' 'sure am', breathing heavily. So tired with the weight of my backpack, maybe i could of got away with bringing less??? I'm still sure to this day i needed it all. Even the dream catcher strapped to the side
Waiting for the time to pass for my water, Even though there was iodine in the water it still tasted very refreshing. I set up camp by the lake at the top. Amazing views, stunning. Nothing but mountains and trees as far as the eye can see. Opened my mushroom book and began studying the local mushrooms, crazily excited with the bolete section of the book I'd eaten these from the ild before but this had so much knowledge of habitat and many other useful information that other books don't include. Paster add water bolognese sauce and tomato pure for dinner, so hungry after reading about mushrooms. Great after a long days hike. ...........To be continued
