Well, it got up to -7C (predicted high of -5C), so it was a go for some dirt, um, snow time. I had to get out. My eldest son joined me and acted as photojournalist and padawan bushcraft learner. There's a few things you need to know in the way of total disclosure. First, it was warm (for around here) and I was WAY over dressed for the day, and second, I carried WAY too much stuff with me. This equaled a much shorter jaunt than usual, but that's OK, we got out and listened to the winter silence. Gorgeous!
Here's some pics.
A major part of this day's purpose was to test out the Ontario Gen II SP 46 knife as a winter camp knife. It was chosen for the job because of the stuff that many 'bushcrafty' people do NOT like about it: the 'rubber' handle, the coated blade, the nylon case, etc. I actually thought all these things would be ideal for a cold weather (sometimes snowy wet) winter knife. This knife was a long way from home, but it was right at home today.
We pulled up to a big old evergreen and I found this really cool pack carrier...
...and we lit the fire.
The menu today was hot chocolate (I'm starting to prefer it in the woods, for some reason. Sugar boost, chocolatey goodness... I'm not sure?). Here's some pics of the fire:
Regarding food... Our family likes to eat our broiled bush meat (in this case, venison summer sausage) on a stick, roasted over a hot bed of coals. We eat the warmed up portion (it's all cooked, of course) and stick the rest back on. Roast. Gnaw. Roast. Repeat. I realize it's barbaric, but if you haven't tried this method, well, you really should!
Bannock - I premix at home, toss in a little container of oil, and mix in the bag. Preheat the stick, and Bob's your uncle.
Of course, I brought my newest Grohmann - a #3 in stainless steel. I didn't test it much, but it did get a little bit of attention. It is very much in what I would consider the bushcraft vein of things. Great little knife, made in Canada.
I also got to try out my canvas overcoat I had my SIL make for me. (She's an awesome sister in law.) I had her make it really, really, REALLY large so as to have lots of room, and I had her make it like a judo gi (or bathrobe) so I could dump heat quickly if I had to. I overheat easily, and wanted to be able to open it up front to let the heat roll out, rather than have to take the whole thing off. (My reasoning was similar to the way I wear my wool trousers on suspenders - no belt - to a) facilitate blood and heat flow up and out from my, uh, 'warmer climes' and b) so I can undo the button and fly to cool off without losing my trousers! It is amazing how much cooler things are when you unbuckle and unzip.)
I also brought along my recently created waxed tinder pouch (which saw no use at all today, sadly...
And then, finally, here's my 'Les Stroud' walk away shot...
Things I learned today:
- I'm out of shape. But I knew that.
- I carry WAAAAAY too much stuff. (THAT'S over as of right now. Man, it's like I was carrying a small person on my back the whole time!) - My SIL's anoark/coat/windbreaker worked AWESOME!
- The Gen II SP 46 knife worked awesome as a winter camp knife.
- The Grohmann WILL be awesome.
- Deer summer sausage on a stick? Yup,
ATB.
KK
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