Fall and winter ahead.

1.10-2009

So,tonight will be officially the first night,here at my home area,when the night temperatures go below zero.Just a few grades but still.
i have been wondering where the fall is as it hasnt been raining much,its suspicious even,and if i guess,its again fault own mankinds greedy actions and careless attitude against earth,nature,mother north.Its been very dry id say,and that aint so bad but it should be raining at fall i know,a sit did when i was kid and from then the weathers has been going odd. Short summers,long winter on one year and on next the opposite.It must have something to do with greenhouse effect too.But then again i dont have any degrees on high grade,on physics or maths so i can be wrong all as well :).

But but,im waitin eagerly to see this nights weather,as it has been cooling all day long and during weekend we might get storm as a guest here.Last fall it was pretty intense as the storms cracked off few trees in our yard and the roof tins were about to break off.

For last few days ive been dreaming at night of the winter trips,that im about to do,to drag a sled on ski ´is,to sleep in simple log cabins and lean to´s,while the frozing trees make the snappy sounds and winds blow. I just love the sound,which you hear for few seconds when the fire starts to go in the smoke pipes,when you light up the wood-ovens and heaters. Somehow its almost hypnotizing,to watch fire,no matter is in in the open fire in the camp,when you lie in the lean-to,or make some food over fire,or just sit around fire and talk with your buddies.

I have been making some inventories in my lockers,drawers and where ever i have my stuff lying. Ive been collecting some sort of winter-EDC ( every day carry) from these hides,and i put up small pocket size pack,its some maxpeditions small pocket pouch,to hold these:
-chapstick
-water purifier tablets in tiny stainless holder
-wiresaw BCB ( small size,better than nothing and better than multitool saw´s when sawing any thicker wood)
-Waterproof match contaner with matches and button compass
-Old leatherman supertool (good,locking saw,pliers,and good dedicated screwdrivers,these are reasons to choose this.)
-Small amount of snare,paracord and gaffa tape
-fishing line,few hooks,split weights,two needles,and safety pins,in tiny capsule.
-tatonka space blanket ( due to minimal weight and packing size)
-some piece of heavier tin foil(as it can be used to form a cup etc)
-Fox 40 whistle
-small keychain led light
-a small cheap diamond shapening rod

and as i nearly always still carry Victorinox OHT in kydex neck-sheath,with firesteel,led torch and proper small compass atached to it,i think im able to to take my dog for a walk around our yard any time :).

Seriously,this kind of stuff i just found,from old pencil boxes,from my wardrobe shelves,from pockets,and i just stuffed em into this belt pouch,and it seems good to go with me.

I tend to carry some gear with me always,but i love to lern to get along without gear,or with minimal too,so ive been learning to make fire with firebows etc,old but vise skills. Still,id rather put some knife or multitool on my belt,some energy bar on my pocket,and things like that,when i head outside the door,as they dont weight at all to my opinion and aint a problem to carry anytime.Its also a form of preparation to me,to gear up a bit "cause you never know when the SHTF". This kind of gear wont save me from apocalypse of zombie attack,nor from the massive plague,not to mention major meteorite falling from my head mbut it will surely help out a bit,if i get in some trouble in the trails,especially if i add some first aid items and food to me and my dog,in my daypack. And if if i take one more step and pack up a light sleepingbag,field canteen,some pot to cook up, and pair of dry socks,im ready to walk to the my favourite local every-mans-right cabin nearby.

And that wouldnt be bad start for this cold long season,to hike there,put up a small fire,feel the cabin to warm up,drink some soup and give my dog buddie some snacks,and just chill out till you fall asleep. It aint the great survival hike but man,its relaxing to me.