Recap - Wildlife management area overnighter
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 12:37 am
I've done a couple overnighters with my kit, some at a nearby state park, some in my backyard, but one thing they've all had in common is that I knew where I would be setting up camp before I even left my house. This took some of the stress out of the trips, since picking a good spot to camp is critically important, but on the other hand, it meant that I didn't get the opportunity to practice this important skill! I wanted to change this, so I went out to one of the nearby wildlife management areas with my local group for an overnighter this weekend.
Fortunately, one of the guys in the local group had been out to the WMA a few times, so I was able to rely on his experience while planning. He liked the lakes at the northern end of the area, so we decided to park and look for a campsite in that area.
We stuck to the path that followed the water's edge, partially because one member would be joining us a few hours late and would have to find us, and partially so folks could fish if they like.
Two group members were using modern gear, one was using a mix of modern and primitive gear, and two (Patrick and I) were using primitive gear. Everyone made an attempt at garb, though, which was awesome!
Primitive or modern, there was one constant across all of our kits - we packed for a cold night. The forecast was predicting overnight lows of 20-25 degrees F. I carried two wool blankets, which made for a bulky bedroll. It was manageable, though.
It was a bit chilly during the day (high 40s), but dry with clear skies, which made the hike while we looked for a place to camp quite pleasant. We walked for about half and hour, then decided to turn back and set up at a site we had found near the cars on the way end (but passed by in order to have a bit more of an adventure.
I'm so upset that I had to wear my modern glasses - I bought a pair of colonial-style frames, but my optician is fitting them with lenses and I didn't get them back in time for this trip. I also left my walking stick at home, but I found another one to use to pitch my tarp for the night.
We pitched camp and the late arrival found us (to my relief).
One of the other guys used this spiffy tarp set-up. He hadn't had time to attach tie-out loops to his tarp, so he tucked small stones in his tarp to give his guy-lines something to grab on to.
As I said before, it was a lovely day.
We set up camp near a fire circle someone had left. Virginia's burn law is currently in effect, so we had to wait until 4 pm to start a fire. We were able to collect cedar and birch bark, and there was plenty of dry wood around, so getting a fire going actually went very smoothly.
Patrick brought his hnefatafl set along, so he taught everyone to play (I think this is my favorite picture of the trip, BTW).
The temperature dropped rapidly when the sun went down, but everyone was reasonably comfortable near the fire.
Patrick's reindeer pelt was a pain for him to pack in, but worth it when it got cold.
Even with my two blankets, it was a cold night. The burn law meant we couldn't have a fire after midnight, and even with my two blankets and cloak, I was chilly. I think it was largely because my blankets are a little small, and even with two I couldn't seem to get them wrapped around me appropriately. I didn't get cold enough to panic, but I was uncomfortable enough that I slept on and off. The big lesson I'm taking away from this trip is that it's time for me to invest in a heavy, queen-sized wool blanket, like a four-point or the like. I think it would be less bulky than the two blankets I carried, but actually keep me covered and warm.
Everyone made it through the night, though, and we packed out in the morning. Everyone also seemed to have enjoyed it enough to come out again. All and all, I consider it a successful trip!
Fortunately, one of the guys in the local group had been out to the WMA a few times, so I was able to rely on his experience while planning. He liked the lakes at the northern end of the area, so we decided to park and look for a campsite in that area.
We stuck to the path that followed the water's edge, partially because one member would be joining us a few hours late and would have to find us, and partially so folks could fish if they like.
Two group members were using modern gear, one was using a mix of modern and primitive gear, and two (Patrick and I) were using primitive gear. Everyone made an attempt at garb, though, which was awesome!
Primitive or modern, there was one constant across all of our kits - we packed for a cold night. The forecast was predicting overnight lows of 20-25 degrees F. I carried two wool blankets, which made for a bulky bedroll. It was manageable, though.
It was a bit chilly during the day (high 40s), but dry with clear skies, which made the hike while we looked for a place to camp quite pleasant. We walked for about half and hour, then decided to turn back and set up at a site we had found near the cars on the way end (but passed by in order to have a bit more of an adventure.
I'm so upset that I had to wear my modern glasses - I bought a pair of colonial-style frames, but my optician is fitting them with lenses and I didn't get them back in time for this trip. I also left my walking stick at home, but I found another one to use to pitch my tarp for the night.
We pitched camp and the late arrival found us (to my relief).
One of the other guys used this spiffy tarp set-up. He hadn't had time to attach tie-out loops to his tarp, so he tucked small stones in his tarp to give his guy-lines something to grab on to.
As I said before, it was a lovely day.
We set up camp near a fire circle someone had left. Virginia's burn law is currently in effect, so we had to wait until 4 pm to start a fire. We were able to collect cedar and birch bark, and there was plenty of dry wood around, so getting a fire going actually went very smoothly.
Patrick brought his hnefatafl set along, so he taught everyone to play (I think this is my favorite picture of the trip, BTW).
The temperature dropped rapidly when the sun went down, but everyone was reasonably comfortable near the fire.
Patrick's reindeer pelt was a pain for him to pack in, but worth it when it got cold.
Even with my two blankets, it was a cold night. The burn law meant we couldn't have a fire after midnight, and even with my two blankets and cloak, I was chilly. I think it was largely because my blankets are a little small, and even with two I couldn't seem to get them wrapped around me appropriately. I didn't get cold enough to panic, but I was uncomfortable enough that I slept on and off. The big lesson I'm taking away from this trip is that it's time for me to invest in a heavy, queen-sized wool blanket, like a four-point or the like. I think it would be less bulky than the two blankets I carried, but actually keep me covered and warm.
Everyone made it through the night, though, and we packed out in the morning. Everyone also seemed to have enjoyed it enough to come out again. All and all, I consider it a successful trip!