another overnighter: blueberry camp of tears.

i've been laying low and out of the woods since the insane summer heat we had but now it's perfect overnighter weather for me again...sold off most of my ground setup during the summer and i'm very close to a 4-season hammock setup.






the latest addition towards that goal is this loco libre 30° f 850 fill wide top quilt. the forecast was a low of 35° f so i also brought along a loco libre 50° f top quilt to layer just in case i got too cold but i never needed it even though we hit a low of 27° f...this brand gets a two thumbs up from me! next is a 0° f top quilt and that should round out my sleep setup.




i came back from setting up my shelter and next thing i know someone was eating my blueberry pop-tart (cough...parker...cough)...the crime scene photo...the pain was almost unbearable to say the least but i managed to hold back the tears.




...and distracted myself by doing a saw-off! bob dustrude quick buck saw with a 21" blade vs. silky big boy with a 14.20" blade. their weight is practically the same with a ~$10 price difference.




it was a blowout! within the first 10 seconds i already knew the silky won...cuts much faster, much quieter, and less vibration in the hand...the only advantage the quick buck saw has is since it's a full frame it's bulletproof.

the 3 of us tried the silky and knowing full well it's a pull-only saw still managed to curve the blade ever so slightly on the push stroke once per person - it's that super sensitive. it was so minor there's definitely no blade damage but that's definitely a huge downside when you're not 100% focused. with that said, i think it'll replace my quick buck saw as my overnighter saw from now on though!




i was smiling the whole time i was sawing through this log with the silky - it was that effortless and fast.




it's easy to do an undercut too for when the blade binds when cutting on top.




with the frameless design i couldn't find an angle that was too awkward for it.




like dragging a dead body!

 

bearthedog's the hidden woodsmen camp chair.






baby potatoes directly on the coals.




...with cheese and bacon bits on top.




next morning.




i finally found out why my gear always smells funky after every overnighter with bearthedog!




i always see shugemery with this brand of coffee so i decided to try it.




breaking-in my new kuksa...thanks ruben! i'm not a coffee snob so for me it does taste good.




only fixed blade i brought which was used mainly for food prep.




five guys burgers to end the trip

 

Blueberry Tears Camp (27 F)-Hidden Woodsmen- Harriman State Park, New York


It’s good to be back camping with a group after a long time. This camp was in New York, full of cold weather, friends, food and some tears!


To start the trip off, I left my camera at home and was forced to use my cell phone camera, which was terrible at taking photos. Probably the worst photo quality I’ve ever seen from a phone. I thought it was in the bellows part of my pack, but it wasn’t. I had to make lemonade.


We met Keith and his two kids, Parker and Madison for a quick hike on the trail where we’d make a camp for the night. There was food, like always and one blueberry Pop Tart thief.


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The woods were dry, but there was still enough water


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I used a downed tree as my bedroom wall…I made a wooden nail to hang my pack.


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Food Cache


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There they are…Blueberry Pop Tarts


When Jay wasn’t aware, Parker helped himself to the Blueberry Pop Tarts Jay had longed for…and there were hurt feelings. Jay went to go “use his saw,” but legend says…he went to cry!


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I made a quick suspension rig for boiling out of wire…


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No real noticeable poplar bark or good birch to use as tinder, so I had to make my own tinder. Swiss Army Knives can slice thin curls that will take a spark easily.


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Time to heat up the frying rock.


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Fun with nails and wire


Quick down and dirty pot hanger out of scrap wood.


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Nail pot hooks and wire suspension…


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Quick snack


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Hidden Woodsman Stool Project


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Tools


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Jay likes to open his mail around the camp fire…in many layers of clothing.


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Steak for Keith and the kids…


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Jay and I had baked potatoes with cheese and bacon…


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The kid on the rock grill!


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Coal baked taters…


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Nighttime lows were about 25F-27F


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Morning Spam


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Cheese fried cracker


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Celebratory Cider!

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Looks like a great time guys, thanks for sharing. I need to get some woods time in...

 

Looks like a great time. Reuben what SAK is that?

 

You guys are killing me! Would you decant your bourbon into this, like I did in So Cal, those bottles are heavy:

What was RB's sleep set up for 30*, more leaves ?

 

SAK is the old Vic Hunter.
Kuksa is birch.
It was heavy, but Jay carries the Bourbon, I can't be trusted with it!

How in the world do I multi-quote on this?

-RB

 

hell ya what a trip you guys did! love the photos!

you CANNOT go wrong with this coffee!




this gives me an idea on a piece of easily stowable gear something i want to make.........when i do make it, i'll send you the prototype for testing........

 

Well, if it's good, I'll make you famous!

-RB

 

Looks like a good trip. Wish I didn't work yesterday and today so I could've come.

 

Good stuff yall! @JV3, I figured you'd love your Bigboy. I can cut some massive logs one I get a rhythm going! Thanks for sharing!

 

Great pics...

 

thanks, guys!

seriously, in the car i told rb i could put the bourbon in a plastic bottle and save a ton of weight but the pic wouldn't look as good so i hucked it in

that or more bourbon!

there will be another trip...hopefully soon!

 

Yes...not soon enough!

-RB

 

Work is slowing the OT down after the holiday so I'll be around

 

Looks like fun, wish this drought would go away so I could go build a fire and hang out in the woods for a few days.

 

Good to see you back in action Jay, I've missed your trips.

 

Looks like the Asian A-Team is all back in action!

-RB