Back from a 4 month trip to Scandinavia and New England. The colors were mild in New England, when I was there, but they seem to be in their Prime here in New Jersey. I went to see how my camp held up through the months and if any people or pests had visited or vandalized it. I stored my tools, tinder and some cook wear, but nothing that I was emotionally attached to. I was surprised to see nothing was moved or taken. My tarp was only hanging on by one lashing, as I have come to realize that jute twine is not very reliable for too long and definitely not good for all seasons and weather. I replaced the twine with bank line, and retrieved my caches from the forest, then got work on some camp craft ideas. This is what a book of matches looks like after a few months in a waterproof container And waterproof matches were useless… They fell apart upon striking, but when added to a flame they sparkled a little and then gave out. Stashed tools were not too bad looking. After a little bit of use the surface rust was mostly gone. None of this was a big deal to me… The temperature was in the middle 40’s, but the sky was bright! Nighttime was around 32F My camp seen through the colors of the forest. Pocket Shot, ghetto style!
This project is for a magazine article, so I will just show a few pictures. I did a small cook fire in the large hobo-stove…mash and spam! Extra mash was zip tied It’s a biggie! I made a set of wood splitting wedges…winter is coming and I will have much work to do… Swiss Army Fire starting trick I think the saw is the best fire steel striker I’ve used. Putting a small piece of stick in there keeps it open enough to strike a fire steel, but safely. Dessert and cool tree reflection! Sunset on the trail out… Two days in the woods, time was not wasted! -RB
No kidding on the colors! Wow that is an orange "rush"! A kind of semi sorta note for my prepper brethren, I've seen the spark/ferrocium rods do the same thing as Bears matches after a few years in storage, even new un-opened,untouched ones. You couldn't do it with matches ( I don't think) but smearing them with vasoline or a neutral petro-jelly and wrapping in newspaper has kept some of mine for 10 yrs without deterioration.
I freaking love your trip reports! if your ever in BC Canada, we should set up a hobo camp proper! "SPAM camp!"
Very likely! I know the plants, trees and berries better there than I do here. Spent lots of time in Skagway and Whittier, Alaska. -RB
