another overnighter: friday the 13th and hammock zen.

[J.V.3]

another overnighter: friday the 13th and hammock zen.


having spent several weekends in a row with friends i badly needed some solitude...and what better time to go to the woods than friday the 13th with rain too! just before taking off i had a friend ask me about birch bark so i harvested some to send over.




i first saw this downed tree maybe 5 years ago and the bark is far from rotting.




there's so much oil in the bark that it felt like stiff leather despite the interior being well rotted already.




picked this off the ground and gave it a good shake and the interior spilled out like soil...the bark itself was still super pliable.




what can i say, i like to stay super hydrated




i decided to do a silky saw fine vs. medium teeth comparison since i haven't seen anyone do it yet...not sure if this log is maple or beech but it's well seasoned...in short, i prefer the medium teeth for all-around hardwood use (we mostly have oak, maple, beech, some hickory and cedar here). if i was cutting bamboo though i prefer the fine teeth.




the rain started just as i finished my fire prep.




the only cutting tools i used for this trip since i already had a good stash of wood from previous trips.




poplar bark was damp and refused to light with a firesteel no matter how fine it got from rolling between my hands. this is why rain or shine i almost never use natural tinder, preferring instead to make feathersticks fine enough to light with just a firesteel - i get enough practice so i know i can do it when i really need to!




after i threatened to use my featherstick instead the poplar bark finally gave in and lit.




thanks to reuben and that survival russia dude for showing me the siberian firelay.




the gates of hell!




bushcraft tv.




i love the sound of rain hitting the tarp.








3rd straight overnighter with rain...i was happy as a clam!




the drip line (orange cord) working well...there's also a dutch 'biner next to it.




mother nature has her own tricks up her sleeve for not getting wet.






brought my machete just in case jason decided to show up so far it's been 3 out of 3 no shows.




this little guy did harass me for a piece of kielbasa.




you know this pic was coming!




i'm a recent hammock convert and shug's videos of breakfast in the hammock were the ones that pushed me over the edge...wooo buddy! thanks shug for all your videos.




i literally spent the next day just doing...nothing.




hammock zen achieved!




got up long enough to cook lunch...then back on the hammock.




amazing what a little peace and quiet will bring to camp...turkeys and even heard a hawk fly below the tree branches and close enough for me to hear the wings flap...even saw quite a few chipmunks chasing each other and ran underneath my hammock completely oblivious to my existence

[AlanH]

Very nice. Nothing like solitude to fix what ails you.
take care,
Al

[Stinky]

cool pics, thanks for sharing the trip

[u.willie]

As I mentioned elsewhere, I'd say you nailed it

u.w.

[Other Guy]

Like the pictures and story, thanks for sharing. Sounds like a nice relaxing trip. That is quite the set up with the stone wall, tarp, and fire pit. Do I spot a couch of sorts in there?

[Atlas918]

Gonna share that recipe!?

[FourRingCircus]

Beautiful! That looks like a piece of heaven on earth if you ask me!

[JmBoh]

that looks like a great trip!! nothing like a solo trip the refresh and relax!! great pics!

[J.V.3]

Very nice. Nothing like solitude to fix what ails you.
take care,
Al

thanks, al!

cool pics, thanks for sharing the trip

thanks!

As I mentioned elsewhere, I'd say you nailed it

u.w.

thanks!

Like the pictures and story, thanks for sharing. Sounds like a nice relaxing trip. That is quite the set up with the stone wall, tarp, and fire pit. Do I spot a couch of sorts in there?

thanks! i wish i had a couch out there or even a wooden bench but i'm too lazy to build one, haha...pic from the next day - just some piled up firewood...quite comfy actually with just a small piece of foam on top to soften it up a little. the stone wall was already there for a long time - probably older than most of us here...most likely from the old farming/mining days which was common in this area before it became state-owned land.

Gonna share that recipe!?

just a knorr instant rice with a roasted polish keilbasa with a good dose of habanero flakes

Beautiful! That looks like a piece of heaven on earth if you ask me!

thanks! it really was heavenly...felt like i had my own zoo out there too.

that looks like a great trip!! nothing like a solo trip the refresh and relax!! great pics!

thanks! great signature by the way.

[Big Flounder]

Great report! Looks like a fantastic time. Gotta love solitude!