My Upcoming Trip

Greetings!

Well I am excited about my upcoming vacation and trip to the mountains on my family's property.

I am taking a pretty good set of gear but not a lot of luxuries but I am taking a lot of gear. I will be driving my El Camino about 100 miles to my family's 80 acres of land in the mountains. Once I am there I will leave my car at the start and look for a good place to setup my camp for the next 4-7 days.

My to-do lists include:

First Day:
- Find suitable place for base camp were I can make my 2 shelters
- Make Survival Shelter (take before and after pictures)
- Get Firewood (ongoing)
- Make Dinner
- Work on custom wood ware of dishes and utensils while relaxing (Spoon, Fork, Knife, Spatula, Ladel, Cup, Bowl, Plate then second set) (This is more of a relaxing thing to do while enjoying the view and wild animals, trees ect, or before beddown) (ongoing)

Second Day on:
- Hike around and explore the whole 80 acres and maybe a little beyond
- Start Working on a nice semi-longterm shelter that will be suitable for winter use
- Hunt for some fresh Rabbit or Squirrel for dinner

I plan on really enjoying my trip, and if my phones battery doesn't die I should be able to post some nice pictures. I plan on taking 1 Battery for the before, and 1 battery for as I am leaving/for emergencies.

Any ideas on other things I can do?

I will be there atleast 4 but maybe 7 or more days. I plan on heading up there around August 5 or 6th (Sunday/Monday) and staying atleast until Thursday but I don't have anything to do until the 2nd Tuesday so it could be longer.

I looking forward to each of the things I listed and since I am only taking enough food for maybe 2 or 3 days I will have to get some wild food to stay longer. I know I can bag a rabbit or squirrel with my .22LR rifle, and I think I will be able to have a nice amount of meat for dinner, and will try my hands at some stews I am sure.

Here is a good list but I might have a item in here I might be missing before I go so let me know.

1 .22LR Ruger, 4 Clips, prob. 1000-3000 rds.
1 Leatherman Knife with fold away clip
2 Mosquito Head Nets
3 Normal Size Bic Lighters
1 Mini Bic Lighter
1 Plastic Clasping Case wrapped in Duct Tape to be air tight holding 14 Vasline covered Cotton Balls
2 Mag Sticks
1 Old Stainless Steel Pocket Knife
6 Emergency/Household candles in box
2 Pencils with 4 medium sized rolls of duct tape on them (Not part of the fire kit there to safe space in other areas)
1 Small Emergency Plastic Water Pump
1 Flask w/ Drink (Vodka)
1 Sewing Kit including 2 Needles, Buttons, Small Scissors, multiple rolls of thread
1 Box of Saftey Pins (approx 100)
1 Wet Compass/Whistle/Temp. Thermo/Maginifiing glass
2 Butane Re-fillable lighters with small LED Light and Mini-Wet Compass
1 CRKT M16-14Z Carbon Steel Knife
1 ColdSteel Tri-Lit Folder
1 Folding Cardboard Cutter with replacable Stainless Steel Large Razor Blades
1 Box of 99 Razor Blades for Knife
1 MultiTool w/Case
1 Cheap Stainless Steel Knife
1 Wine bottle Opener
1 Can Opener
1 Large Rough & Fine Diamond Sharpener with Handle that also is the storage case
1 Small whetstone
1 Small Fine Diamond Sharpener w/ Groove for Fish Hooks and Case w/instructions (for belt)
1 Small "dual non-adjustable" sharpener, 1 side is 2 ceramic rods, the other side has 2 diamond "rods" both at fixed angles for quick and "fool proof" sharpening
1 Small 12' auto-locking tape measure
1 Mini Wet Compass w/ Whistle, Small Plastic Mirror and approx 10 wood matches in it.
1 Magnifying Glass
1 Small Reel of multipurpose rope through zipper for easy access
1 6 in One Spice Jar (Salt, Paprika, Seasoned Salt, Cayenne Pepper, Granulated Garlic, Black Pepper
1 Small Jar of Vaseline sealed with duct tape (chapped lips/tinder)
1 Small bag of approx 20 cotton balls (tinder w/ above vaseline)
1 Bag Dental Floss/Toothpicks
2 Large Bag of California Tail Mix (160 Carbs, 960 Calories, 8 g protein)
2 Small Bags Mixed Trail Mix (42 Carbs, 12 g protein, 540 Calories each)
1 Large reel of 10 Lb Fishing Line (700 yards, some removed for "fishing kit")
1 Large reel of 50 Lb Fishing Line (150 yards, come removed for "fishing kit")
1 50 yard Reel of small camoflauge rope
1 Bag with Cold pack
1 Poncho
1 Emergency Saftey Vest
1 Emergency Water Bag
1 Small SOS "flag"
4 Zip Ties
1 Small First Aid Kit
1 Perkaltor
2 Bags Coffee
2 Bags Sugar
1 Reel Kit String
1 Pair of Pants
1 Button Up Shirt
1 Pair Socks
1 Pair of Gloves/Mittens (they can be cut off gloves, or mittens)
1 Pair Underwear
1 Hand Saw in case
1 Fishing Kit (Small, Med, Large Hooks, small amounts of the above fishing line, 1 Bobber, 1 Fish Tie, lots of plastic covers for the hooks)
1 Pull String bag with:
1 Large Pot (all have folding handles)
1 Large Skillet w/ Lid
1 Med Pot
1 Med Skillet w/ Lid
3 Cups
-
2 Bags Sugar
2 Bags Oatmeal
1 Sealed bag Reg Tea
1 Sealed bag Green Camamile Tea
2 Sets silverware (Knife, Fork, Spoon)
1 Small Bag Salt
1 Big First Aid Kit, lots of bandades, bandages, some asprin and non-asprin pain meds, and wipes)
1 Large Thick Tarpe (I think it's 9'x18' or something)
1 Writing Tablet wrapped/packaged in aluminum 3.48 mil thickness multiple times and sealed with duct tape
1 SEER Marine Guide
1 Marine Jungle Guide
1 Razor Blade inside the Marine Jungle Guide (spare blade in case I lose all of my blades, or maybe knifes)
1 Camp hatchet
1 Crank AM/FM/WB Radio w/ Light
1 50 FT 60lb length of rope
2 Machetes
1 Canteen Military Style
1 Water Bag/Bladder
1 Old Camp Style Canteen
1 Large Splitting Maul
2 Steel Wood Splitters
1 Blanket
1 Box of Nails

I know this is alot of gear but I want to make sure I have everything I need to start working on this being a long-term place to stay. On my next few trips I will be able to cut down on some of the items I am taking because they will be left on site (like the splitting maul, and wood splitters and nails) and other I plan on cutting down or out of the pack. If my winter/long-term shelter comes along nicely I will also be able to leave some other items there, or bring less along.

I would eventually like to have everything I would need to live for a good month long hike or more into the moutains to explore were the stream and dry river come from. Like why the river is dry? Or if I wish to go and hunt further away later maybe looking to not out hunt the game in one area.

I wish it was August allready!

I'd suggest deet/bug spray for August... I'm not sure where the property is, but it seems like August is a prime month for mosquitos and no-see-ums everywhere.

And I'd suggest throwing in a mosquito net for sleeping in at night, not just your head nets. Their cheap at Wally World, weigh nothing, and could make the trip infinitely more comfy.

One more thing, one of those Sawyer Extractor kits, for your FAK. http://www.rei.com/product/407144
They're also cheap but worth their weight in gold if you need to use one for bites and stings, including mosquitos and bees.

Great sounding trip! I'm excited for you! Very Happy

_________________
"Asinus sæculæ maximus."

Dobry wrote:

I'd suggest deet/bug spray for August... I'm not sure where the property is, but it seems like August is a prime month for mosquitos and no-see-ums everywhere.

And I'd suggest throwing in a mosquito net for sleeping in at night, not just your head nets. Their cheap at Wally World, weigh nothing, and could make the trip infinitely more comfy.

One more thing, one of those Sawyer Extractor kits, for your FAK. http://www.rei.com/product/407144
They're also cheap but worth their weight in gold if you need to use one for bites and stings, including mosquitos and bees.

Great sounding trip! I'm excited for you! Very Happy

Thanks for the reply!

I forgot to add I got a package of deet bug lotion on the side of my bag. I will check into the Mosuito net, but when I was at wally world all I saw was the head nets, but i will check the camping store as i plan to get a few more things before I go.

Thanks again!

Nice post, don't take too much gear, looking forward to the pictures.

_________________
Outdoor Blog
Last.fm

Time passes softly and I'm a day older.
But still I'm living days gone by.
Ashes to ashes, the rain's turning colder.
Finding tomorrow, the ashes, the rain and I.

Thanks,

Yeah I am trying not to take to much, but I also don't want to have to come back because I didn't have enough supplies.

I have been thinking, and thinking about what type of shelter to make. I have basicly been walking through the main part of the 80 acres I know well in my mind daily trying to think of any place that would make the best shelter spot.

Basicly everything has to be able to be carried by me in one go. I am a big guy so I can carry alot, and since I plan on building first a shack type shelter, and then a mini-log cabin, and then hopefully a true log cabin I will need alot of gear.

The one change is i will be taking my 12 ga that I was given as I will be able to use that for a good self defense gun if something decides I look tasty. Another thing is I am taking 4-5 person tent in case some of my buddies show up, but I will not be sleeping in it. I will also be taking a aluminum table but will not be useing it as it will be for my guests if they can make it.

2 weeks from today I will be on vacation, and on my way. 3 weeks from today give or take and I should have some pictures posted up.

What does everyone think here is my ideas for my shelter:

After I create my a-frame with tarp shelter to sleep in the first night I am going to make one of the following for my return trips, but I am open to any shelter than will last more than a few seasons with minimum upkeep

a. Underground shelter on hill side:

b. log type shack:

I am considering the hillside shelter because there is a hill I could possibly use. It is on one of the corners of the property and it is 200 yards away from the year round stream I will be getting water from.

I am considering the other because I can build it anywhere, but I am wondering if I will be able to get enough clay dirt, and rocks to create a fireplace for it.

What does everyone think?

The only thing not in this picture is my bag, and the first aid kit in my car, tool kit in my car, one poncho that is in my car, my guitar, my shotgun+ruger (12 ga and .22lr) as well as the ammo and the one other book I plan on taking

The table and tent will be just for my buddies if they show up, and they will be left in the car as I don't plan on using them unless it's a life or death emergency.

The extra machete, folding shovel as well as hachet will be left in my long-term shelter as well as 1 mag stick (I have 3) and one of the pocket knifes and whistle/compass combo will be left as well as any carved bowls/spoons/ect, the box of matches, a couple of the lighters, and one poncho that is in my car

My updated to-do-list

First Day:
- Find suitable place for base camp were I can make my 2 shelters
- Make Survival Shelter (take before and after pictures)
- Get Firewood (ongoing)
- Make Dinner and Breakfast/Lunch for next day(Flour+Sugar+Baking Soda w/trail mix added)
- Work on custom wood ware of dishes and utensils while relaxing (Spoon, Fork, Knife, Spatula, Ladel, Cup, Bowl, Plate then second set) (This is more of a relaxing thing to do while enjoying the view and wild animals, trees ect, or before beddown) (ongoing)
- Work on learning the Harmonica

Second Day on:
- Hike around and explore the whole 80 acres and maybe a little beyond
- Start Working on a nice semi-longterm shelter that will be suitable for winter use
- Hunt for some fresh Rabbit or Squirrel for dinner
- Continue with the others from day one.

I am going to have to cut down what in the bag, or get a bigger bag as this one isn't going to hold it all. Will look for a bigger framed backpack that I can hang 2 blankets on as well. Dang I forgot to picture the one blanket I plan on taking as of now.

Are you planning on going back, or staying longer than 7 days? Building a log cabin takes a couple weeks of constant work. I'm jealous, 80 acres of land in the mountains. Where is this?

_________________
Outdoor Blog
Last.fm

Time passes softly and I'm a day older.
But still I'm living days gone by.
Ashes to ashes, the rain's turning colder.
Finding tomorrow, the ashes, the rain and I.

	OGTL wrote:
	Are you planning on going back, or staying longer than 7 days? Building a log cabin takes a couple weeks of constant work. I'm jealous, 80 acres of land in the mountains. Where is this?

I plan on staying for 7 days and going back every 3 months for a week at a time until I move away, or can't. I will also be spending the odd long weekend (2-3 days) there when I can.

I know building a cabin takes a long time because you need to season the wood. I expect it to take a year or two.

My families land is in the Mountains semi-nearby to Yosemite

Yes indeed, I was just confused about the 7 days thing, Yosemite, hard to find a more beautiful location,

_________________
Outdoor Blog
Last.fm

Time passes softly and I'm a day older.
But still I'm living days gone by.
Ashes to ashes, the rain's turning colder.
Finding tomorrow, the ashes, the rain and I.

Yeah I am glad it's my grandfathers so I can go enjoy it and build on it. He gave me complete permission to build anything I like, and to use it as I like (cut down tree's ect). I have been there 2-3 times in my life, and it's one of my vivid memories.

Once I get my first shack type shelter complete and can use it as a storage shed later once I get my cabin complete. Right now I am leaning towards the shack at least instead of the hillside shelter for that reason.

I also think it will take longer to build the hillside shelter.

I can leave part of the shack type shelter's roof open, get a bunch of rocks and mud and make a fireplace in it. I have never tried such a thing so I hope it will work out and not make a mess in my shelter. I have been attempting to do research on making your own chimneys but have been unable to find a website with info.

From what I've read in a couple of books all you need is a few bags of concrete mix, and practically placed stones from the location. Dick Proenekke did this, and the fictional protagonist in My Side of the Mountain uses clay and rocks to build his, but it might be undoable. You might want to consider a a tipi for a semi-permanent shelter, roomy, easy to build and accommodates a fire inside.

_________________
Outdoor Blog
Last.fm

Time passes softly and I'm a day older.
But still I'm living days gone by.
Ashes to ashes, the rain's turning colder.
Finding tomorrow, the ashes, the rain and I.

I will keep it in mind while I am looking around and thinking about my long-term shelter up there. Though I am unsure if it would last as long, or stand up to as much as a shack. Though it's only 4,000 feet I am sure the weather can get rough.

Just a couple more days! Man I can't wait. This time Sunday, or Monday at the latest and I will be up in the Mountains!

Things were going bad for me for a bit as I cut the hell out of my finger Embarassed

, got a toothache and had to have a tooth pulled out Sad

but not I got just 3 days of work left and then I am on vacation for 19 days.

I have bought a few more things including a new bag which holds a little more, a fleece blanket (I plan on ordering a wool one for winter and to keep in my cabin) and I got everything accept a few things to fit inside the bag. I also didn't have to stuff it as much to do so.

I also bought a very nice axe that is axe/hammer and will work great for making my cabin if I need to use nails.

I bought a Plane to make some nice flat wood, as well as wood chisels and punches

OGTL thanks for the idea about the cement, but I don't think I can bring myself to use it just yet. I think if I can't make it this trip with clay and rocks then I will break down and use cement when I go back after the winter (I plan on going once in November - January, and then back again in April or May)

I know what you mean, I didn't want to use tarpaper on my shanty and I might remove it still.

Good thing you bought the plane and the chisels, good tools for cabin building indeed. Do you have a draw knife?

I'm really envious of you, not having to worry about government helicopters landing while I build things on crown land. Razz

Good luck and take a lot of pictures.

_________________
Outdoor Blog
Last.fm

Time passes softly and I'm a day older.
But still I'm living days gone by.
Ashes to ashes, the rain's turning colder.
Finding tomorrow, the ashes, the rain and I.

OGTL,

Actually I don't have a actual draw knife, but a knife I have can be used as one so hopefully it works.

I am leaving tomorrow morning so this will be my last post for a week. I am taking about 3 sets of batteries for my digital camera so I plan on bringing ALOT of pics back as well as a few videos. I will post them when I get back though it will take a few days I imagine.

I will miss coming to this board, but I hope to be able to contribute a bunch of info, and pics! See everyone in a week!

Have fun

I can't wait to see those pics Very Happy

eric

Well I decided to cut my trip short because a few things were not going as planned, but I still had a great time and got a ton of picks and a couple of videos I might post. I also did a Journal of my days so here is some of the pics, Journal will come later.

We arrived about 11am at the town that is still 30 min away from the property through a bunch of hills on a regular road and then the last 15 minutes is through first roads. We get to the property just before noon and walk around a bit and then take these photos.

This is my Grandfather, and two of my younger cousins

Same but with me

They leave about 150pm and I follow them in my car the 3 miles to the locking gate, let them out and then drive back to my "base camp" were i started a first for my cousins showing them my mag stick. I then decide to go fill my water jug and see how far it is to the river.
This is the river about 1 mile or so from were the other pictures was taken

Another pic of the river, this river is actually off my families property but they don't mind us going there as long as we don't hunt.

So then I hike up the hill back to my "base camp" and get lost on the way making it a 3 mile roundtrip hike. Boy am I tired and I still got to boil the water. My first nights campfire at the top of the hill and my families property.

The next day while the water is cooling from the boil I go for another hike this time to try and spot a camp site closer to the river on the other person's property. I find this place and it looks interesting as a possible camp site for the next day.

Another picture of the river

and another picture of the river

This is a another picture of the river but if you look you can see a frog enjoying the river, they were very loud and I could hear frogs 20 feet or more away down the river.

This is a tree with a giant hollow hole in it I spoted, the hole was about 2-3 feet deep though it got smaller as it went in. I looked inside carefully and didn't see anything but I think some birds or bats might stay in there as I think I heard something fly off when I approached.

The start of my shelter

Slightly better picture of the start as I have the big stick from the tree propped up on the fork of another limb I grabbed and stood straight

This is a dry steam bed 10 feet from the picture above that I grabbed some rocks from to make my fire pit.

This is my little shelter I made to sleep in for the night

Another pic of my shelter

And another

Where I am going to setup my new fire pit

My new fire pit

Well after I got my fire pit setup I decided that since I knew there was some ok sized fish in that river I wanted something besides oatmeal, or unleavened bread so I decide some of the trail mix i have would go good with some fish. So I hike down to the river (now only about .25 mile round trip) and try my luck. I snagged 1 fish, then a 2nd that was too small, then a 3rd in about 10 min (5 tosses into the water) when I took this pic with 2. I ended up only taking the first one I caught as I didn't want to take more than I needed. I just found it fun to fish with nothing but a bobber and a hook with fake bait.

This is my "fishing setup" that I caught dinner with

Fish cooking on a stick by the fire, and you can see the fire tinder I got that sucks. I thought you might be able to light it with a Ferro rod and that is not the case. It does work well if you take a lighter or match to it, but you have to use almost a whole match to get it lit well. Not very good fire starting material if you ask me.

Let me tell you I could live off of the grasshoppers here EASY! They are thick and they will catch themselves for you. I had a mosquito head net that had at least 5 or so in it after only a few hours (and that was with it full of stuff just sitting there) and they were all over this laundry/tote collapsible bag I brought so I took a pic to show you how "thick" the grasshoppers were on this land

This is a big rock on the property, there is like 100's of these on the 80 acres, sorry that it's out of focus. The tree on the right is even with the rock and about 10 inches in diameter to give you proportion.

Time for tea and then bed

Some other big rocks

Sunrise through the trees

Sunrise over the prairy

I told you lots of rocks.. lol

A cow trail I follow to water, you can tell this trail is used a lot. It is the most used trail because it leads to the spot with the broken fence. Smile

You see animals are smart!

Yes it's going to get hot today

Another shot of the game trail

There is also alot of fallen and broken trees due to termites, woodpeckers, and lack of water it seems.

I bet something lives in there!

Where the game trails meet is were the fence is broken. Yep, animals can help yeah out sometimes.

The dry river bed, it must have once been a huge river

My last picture at the river right before I spent 1 hour fishing. I took 30 minutes and tried to video tape my way of fishing with just line, a bobber, and a weighted hook with plastic bait on it but the video camera battery died and then it lost the video. Then spent another 30 minutes fishing some more for fun relaxing and waiting for the water tablets to work so I could have water for the hike out.

Sorry I cut the trip short but I could tell I need to stagger my trips as I am not use to such hard work, being a supervisor has caught up to me lol! But I think I hiked a good 15-20 miles, and I lost 5 lbs in 3 days so I put in some work. I plan on going back for a day or 2 now that I have a mini camp setup and see what I can do with all these dry, non straight trees for shelter. The ones the size I want are not straight, and the straight ones are too big! I think I am going to have to cut down one big tree and split into manageable pieces. I might have to break down and get a chainsaw and maybe a mini-cat or something that can haul 400-800 lb logs over hills and such because I sure ain't going to do it by myself.

Maybe if I go back in spring I will find it less hot as well and I won't be killing myself trying to fell a big tree. I found one of the axes I had wasn't up to the task as it broke a 2 inch chunk off on a log! The other 2 I had but the small one while great for a smaller shelter wouldn't for for a log cabin other than firewood. The big one I like accept it has a fiberglass handle.

One thing don't forget to filter the water with a bandanna as I found this invaluable. I think I got a little sick from dirt/bacteria/cow feces of something because I don't know if boiling will kill chunks of junk in the water. I guess after hiking 2 miles to the water my brain wasn't thinking right huh? I also was expecting the river to be the small steady stream I remember but it is no longer the case. I did try digging a whole to filter the water but I found to many rocks for my small travel shovel. Later I found my bandanna with a rubber band I found in my mini-fishing kit to work great to keep junks out of the water. It smelled fishy but then I popped in the auqatabs then neutrilzer tabs and it smelt great and tasted great and was cool! I somehow lost the lid to my big canteen filling it up though, and was mad! It was attatched to the canteen by a plastic snap but it somehow came off! Well luckily my small gi canteen had the same lid size so I just used the bandanna with rubberband to cover the gi canteen and used the gi canteen's lid on the big camp canteen since it holds 2 times as much water.

I found that you can get a fire going from smolder coals so easily that it is not funny. When I drifted off to bed finally around 10 o'clock I slept good until 145 am or so if I remember right and woke up cold with the fire out. Half asleep without burning myself because I can't see without my glasses (legally blind without them) I threw a smallish log on it as well as the 1/2 burnt pieces from the edge and blew on it a 1/2 dozen times and it lit right back up. I did this about 4 more times until 5 am when I was awake and decided I wanted coffee so I got a good fire going then.

I will post my journal and most thoughts later. I have videos but they are very jerky and not very good they are just of the hike to my camp and about 1/2 way out before I stopped to finish the hike.

Sorry I don't have anything on making a long term shelter but I am going to have to think of something different as the tools I took didn't work for the job, and I have different materials of which to work with. I actually have a idea of something, but I think I will keep it to myself for now as it's a bit "odd" and I need to work out a few kinks.

Awesome post ColdSoul! Looks like you had a great time Very Happy

eric

Nice dude!! Looks like a beautiful area.

Are you planning on bringing logs in for the log cabin? Looks like there's a lot of trees, but none suitable for log building. ]

Thanks for that post, I love reading that kind of stuff. Keep us updated with any more journeys.

_________________
Outdoor Blog
Last.fm

Time passes softly and I'm a day older.
But still I'm living days gone by.
Ashes to ashes, the rain's turning colder.
Finding tomorrow, the ashes, the rain and I.

Thanks Turd and OGTL....

Actually I was thinking about digging myself a hole/home under ground or maybe making a pit and covering it with tree's as I think it would make a good shelter.

But for the cabin I might have to bring in the wood as you said the tree's are not made for building log cabins. But I still had a great time, and enjoyed getting in touch with nature.