Silent Fury...

[conanjaguar]

@ManicManiac

In general, I find that the utility of a knife is worth the extra 0.5 KG in the pack.

[ManicManiac]

@conanjaguar
Generally, I rarely have need for one... which is why I usually don't carry one.  Also, Carcass Harvesting is one of the first skills to hit level 5 (I just kind of forgot that this time, I'm intentionally keeping my skills low).  In this particular situation, I was reasonably sure I would find one in Bleak Inlet; it just didn't turn out that way.  Since I find myself having to go back around anyway, I decided to grab one.

[ManicManiac]

Real-life stuff has stymied progress for now... hoping to get back to Great Bear again soon.

[ManicManiac]

 

Once the blizzard was finally over... I quickly started to head out for Raven Falls Ravine.  I decided to work my way across the Frozen Delta to save a little bit of time, and bypass having to sneak by the moose again.  I used a flare to get through the transition cave.  I don't like using flares for wolves/timber wolves... but I do find them really useful for saving some lantern fuel.

I don't think I've ever found a live rabbit in any of these caves before...

I got to Forlorn Muskeg and was able to quickly navigate across the ice without any issues.  From the Poacher's Camp continued on down the track to Mystery Lake.



 

As I made my way off to the right side of the tracks heading towards the Camp Office, I noticed a black silhouette begin moving towards me.  Ah... a wolf caught my scent.  I hadn't spotted it, perhaps it was skulking around in the sort of ditch on the other side of the tracks.

Whatever the case, it was clearly stalking towards me with hostile intent...

I immediately started backpedaling.  I decided to cut wide and head towards the slope next to the ruined cabin at Deadfall and proceeded up the slope.  I knew that if the wolf was tenacious enough to follow me up and over the hill, I'd be able to lure it away with the rabbits/deer in the clearing on the other side of the hill.  Fortunately, it seems the wolf lost my trail once I'd crested the hill and was heading down the other side.  I waited for a minute just to be sure I was clear, then made a beeline for the Camp Office.

I dropped off a few things I didn't need... but very specifically picked up one of the two hunting knives I had stashed there.

I opted to stay there for the night... figured I'd have a better chance at getting to Bleak Inlet before dark, if I left earlty in the morning rather than early evening.   The next morning I quickly headed for my path through the woods on onward towards the trailers at Carter Dam.  I had a decision to make... there is a possibility of the two ropes I need to be missing.  The questions I had to ask myself were: do I bring them with me, and where do I get them?

I thought it over for a moment, there were two ropes on the climbs leading up the backside of the Mystery Lake Overlook.  It would be a reasonably quick stop on my way through.  However, I decided that I would rather chance it.  I would press onwards, and if a rope can't be found in Raven Falls Ravine... then I'd come back to pick them up from the overlook.  If we have one at the Ravine, but not at the Pensive Lookout in Bleak Inlet... then I can always goat down the cliff (though a far distance away from where the climbing point is... but there is a reasonably safe way down - unless there's been a geological shift I don't know about 🤭).

There was a rather strange looking fog that seemed to be lifting as the sun was coming up over the mountains...

I had to get low and tread carefully as I made my way past the trailers from the river side, but with a little patience was able to slip past unnoticed. 

I'd managed to make it to Raven Falls Ravine, and still had enough daylight to want to press on and see if I could make it to the Pensive Lookout before dark.  However, when I got to the climbing point down into the Ravine... there was no rope.  The next place I opted to check was the derailed train cars nearby.  Sadly, there was no rope to be found there either.  I went across the "log bridge" and on towards the sidetrack and checked in a nearby cave.  Thankfully a rope was there (so far, the gamble was paying off).

I wasted no time in returning to deploy the rope and make my way down.  When I got to the bottom of the ravine, I searched for whatever I might find on the poor unfortunate soul there at the bottom of the climb, as well as the railway car that had tumbled down from the derailed cars above.  Found a little bit of food and a couple of clothing items I will be dropping in the next reasonable place.  

I did also find a flare gun, but just like the last one... I left it where I found it.  If any other survivor was trying for a Hopeless Rescue, they'd need it far more than I.

I came to end of the Ravine, took a moment to prepare myself... and stepped back into Bleak Inlet.  The weather back in the Ravine has shifted to a bit of a heavy snowfall, but I had decided to continue on anyway.  I wasn't far from Pensive Lookout now... just a little further to go (although there is likely a timber wolf pack to evade/avoid).

I goated up a little to get up on the nearby rock formation that would let me stick closer to the ridge line.  It would afford me a much better chance at spotting any timber wolves milling around.  However, as I started shimmying down the slope, the weather had taken a drastic turn for the worse... and it had turned quickly.  A blizzard had rolled in like freight train.  Visibility was gone... and going backwards wasn't really an option.  I decided to stick to the ridge line and follow it around.  Thankfully, a cave soon came into sight.

I managed to keep warm enough, though for a while I was getting close to freezing.  The blizzard had lasted all night.  After the storm cleared the cold eventually abated enough for my sleeping back to be just enough to help me warm back up.  I was prepared with a couple of pieces of coal, but thankfully due to a careful napping strategy I ultimately was able to save that fire for another time.

That morning, I got low and went out seeking a safe path to Pensive Lookout.  As I made my way to the climb (noting a distinct lack of rope 🤭), I spotted the pack of timber wolves that I feared was milling around up here.  Thankfully, they were all sulking off near that same ridge line I had been following the evening before.  This gave me a clear path around to get search Pensive Lookout.  Much to my delight, a rope was waiting there for me.  I decided to leave it for now, dropped all non-essentials, and decided to continue on to the Echo One Radio Tower.

I carefully made my way onwards, keeping a sharp eye for any more timber wolves (but also stopping to do a quick search of the cars) before making my way across the bridge and into the radio control hut.  I used my lantern just to do a quick search in the nooks and crannies... but then checked all the drawers and container by whatever natural light came in through the windows.  Frankly I didn't want to risk missing anything (a good thing too... I found a Cowichan Sweater, "That'll come in handy...").

I after a thorough, search and securing the door code...  I cautiously made my way back up to the Pensive Lookout to sort/stow and bed down for the night.  Weather permitting, I'll descend in the morning and work on heading back to the cannery to finish dealing with the Timber Wolf incursion.  

Edited July 14, 2022 by ManicManiac

[twyn1]

I've been a bit quiet lately here on the forums (took a break from TLD to test out & finish another game), but I continue following and enjoy reading of your adventures (and others as well).

I do admire your ability to stay calm and crouch/distract/backpedal when the wolves are around and have caught scent/sight ... I just panic and flail ☺️

Good Luck in your endeavors & Enjoy!

[ManicManiac]

@twyn1
I'm glad folks enjoy following along on my adventures/misadventures.
It took many many maulings before I eventually worked out evade & avoid tactics that worked for me.  I do my best to describe what I do to slip through those tight spots and close calls.
 

I appreciate the feedback, thank you.

Edited July 14, 2022 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

I see you met our rare bunny friend🙂 but no 'Prince'?  

You got very  lucky with the ropes ,I haven't seen one at the ravine for quite a while.    Great pics too🙂.  Not sure about that fog though!bit of an odd colour.

Have you gotten any more used to the silence  yet?

[ManicManiac]

@Leeanda

Considering there were two wolves prowling not far from the camp office, I'm glad the Prince of the Forest wasn't around.  When I was coming back around from the grove, I momentarily mistook that little pile of rocks for the Prince's carcass, but thankfully as I got closer I realized it was indeed just a little pile of rocks.  I would have felt kind of sad if I found him slain and knew I just hadn't gotten there in time. 
(I've successfully protected that deer for more than 8 years now...🤭)

I'm gotten very comfortable in my Silent Apocalypse.  I do really miss Astrid's voice... but I've found that as long as I keep my situational awareness sharp, I don't need to be able to hear anything to survive just as well.  Yes, I did have that one mistake where I got ambushed at the very beginning, but I considered that to be "growing pains" as I got used to constant visual scanning.  I find that with every one of these personal challenges, my play style evolves a little bit more.  At this point, it might feel odd to be able to hear everything happening on Great Bear again.

Edited July 14, 2022 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

Glad it wasn't the Prince.   I have to admit I've shot a couple of rocks before because I thought they were wolves😁. Very overdue eye test needed. 

I suppose in game is the same as real life,losing one sense makes the others sharper.  I do enjoy the silent blizzards but I think I'd miss her voice and the music . 

Even with the sound on you probably would've been ambushed sooner rather than later, it is stalker after all!   Kudos for coping so well 🙂

[ManicManiac]

@Leeanda

Thank you, I've been had a pretty good streak going...
I think before this run, the last time I was ambushed (funny enough) was also out on the Muskeg, back when I was working my personal challenged that included Faithful Cartographer.
I don't think I've been ambushed since then... until day one of this run of course. 🤭

I don't mind though... it was my own fault and in this game "mother nature" is very good at reminding us who's boss.  

Edited July 14, 2022 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

That's why it's possibly the second most feared map in the game.  

Mother nature is definitely the boss,in game and at least here at the moment in real life too.   

 

[ManicManiac]

@Leeanda
Really... hmm, I find that's very interesting. 🤔
I suppose I hadn't considered how other players rank the regions.  Personally I enjoy the Muskeg... it's trickier to navigate there's no question, but I've always found it a pleasant enough place.  🤭

The only region I'm a little shy of is Blackrock and the transition zones of Keepers Pass (and that's only because I've not spent any real significant time there).  I imagine that will change once I get some good solid dwell time there.  I felt the same way about Ash Canyon at first, but once I forced myself to live there a while... I grew to love it.  At the same time, not knowing much about a region (I think) is always a highlight for the Survival Sandbox.  New and dangerous places to explore.

Edited July 14, 2022 by ManicManiac

[conanjaguar]

12 hours ago, ManicManiac said:

Ah... a wolf caught my scent.  I hadn't spotted it, perhaps it was skulking around in the sort of ditch on the other side of the tracks.

Whatever the case, it was clearly stalking towards me with hostile intent...

That... was Rusty.

[ManicManiac]

@conanjaguar
Duly noted  
That wolf is safe for this run... unless it goes after the Prince of the Forest, that rule takes priority. 🤭

[Leeanda]

@ManicManiac 

I might be wrong but it's the impression I get when reading others posts. 

I have to agree about ash canyon. I wasn't a fan of it but Ive spent quite some time there lately and really enjoyed it.  Keepers north,at least on pilgrim, is just a long long walk🙂 if I'm lucky I can get through it without a blizzard!  I'm not sure about wolves there,some say there are none but I've heard them several times..🤔. 

I know what you mean,it's the same when you start a new run. A fresh challenge 🙂

[Admin]

15 hours ago, ManicManiac said:

  Reveal hidden contents

Once the blizzard was finally over... I quickly started to head out for Raven Falls Ravine.  I decided to work my way across the Frozen Delta to save a little bit of time, and bypass having to sneak by the moose again.  I used a flare to get through the transition cave.  I don't like using flares for wolves/timber wolves... but I do find them really useful for saving some lantern fuel.

I don't think I've ever found a live rabbit in any of these caves before...

I got to Forlorn Muskeg and was able to quickly navigate across the ice without any issues.  From the Poacher's Camp continued on down the track to Mystery Lake.



 

As I made my way off to the right side of the tracks heading towards the Camp Office, I noticed a black silhouette begin moving towards me.  Ah... a wolf caught my scent.  I hadn't spotted it, perhaps it was skulking around in the sort of ditch on the other side of the tracks.

Whatever the case, it was clearly stalking towards me with hostile intent...

I immediately started backpedaling.  I decided to cut wide and head towards the slope next to the ruined cabin at Deadfall and proceeded up the slope.  I knew that if the wolf was tenacious enough to follow me up and over the hill, I'd be able to lure it away with the rabbits/deer in the clearing on the other side of the hill.  Fortunately, it seems the wolf lost my trail once I'd crested the hill and was heading down the other side.  I waited for a minute just to be sure I was clear, then made a beeline for the Camp Office.

I dropped off a few things I didn't need... but very specifically picked up one of the two hunting knives I had stashed there.

I opted to stay there for the night... figured I'd have a better chance at getting to Bleak Inlet before dark, if I left earlty in the morning rather than early evening.   The next morning I quickly headed for my path through the woods on onward towards the trailers at Carter Dam.  I had a decision to make... there is a possibility of the two ropes I need to be missing.  The questions I had to ask myself were: do I bring them with me, and where do I get them?

I thought it over for a moment, there were two ropes on the climbs leading up the backside of the Mystery Lake Overlook.  It would be a reasonably quick stop on my way through.  However, I decided that I would rather chance it.  I would press onwards, and if a rope can't be found in Raven Falls Ravine... then I'd come back to pick them up from the overlook.  If we have one at the Ravine, but not at the Pensive Lookout in Bleak Inlet... then I can always goat down the cliff (though a far distance away from where the climbing point is... but there is a reasonably safe way down - unless there's been a geological shift I don't know about 🤭).

There was a rather strange looking fog that seemed to be lifting as the sun was coming up over the mountains...

I had to get low and tread carefully as I made my way past the trailers from the river side, but with a little patience was able to slip past unnoticed. 

I'd managed to make it to Raven Falls Ravine, and still had enough daylight to want to press on and see if I could make it to the Pensive Lookout before dark.  However, when I got to the climbing point down into the Ravine... there was no rope.  The next place I opted to check was the derailed train cars nearby.  Sadly, there was no rope to be found there either.  I went across the "log bridge" and on towards the sidetrack and checked in a nearby cave.  Thankfully a rope was there (so far, the gamble was paying off).

I wasted no time in returning to deploy the rope and make my way down.  When I got to the bottom of the ravine, I searched for whatever I might find on the poor unfortunate soul there at the bottom of the climb, as well as the railway car that had tumbled down from the derailed cars above.  Found a little bit of food and a couple of clothing items I will be dropping in the next reasonable place.  

I did also find a flare gun, but just like the last one... I left it where I found it.  If any other survivor was trying for a Hopeless Rescue, they'd need it far more than I.

I came to end of the Ravine, took a moment to prepare myself... and stepped back into Bleak Inlet.  The weather back in the Ravine has shifted to a bit of a heavy snowfall, but I had decided to continue on anyway.  I wasn't far from Pensive Lookout now... just a little further to go (although there is likely a timber wolf pack to evade/avoid).

I goated up a little to get up on the nearby rock formation that would let me stick closer to the ridge line.  It would afford me a much better chance at spotting any timber wolves milling around.  However, as I started shimmying down the slope, the weather had taken a drastic turn for the worse... and it had turned quickly.  A blizzard had rolled in like freight train.  Visibility was gone... and going backwards wasn't really an option.  I decided to stick to the ridge line and follow it around.  Thankfully, a cave soon came into sight.

I managed to keep warm enough, though for a while I was getting close to freezing.  The blizzard had lasted all night.  After the storm cleared the cold eventually abated enough for my sleeping back to be just enough to help me warm back up.  I was prepared with a couple of pieces of coal, but thankfully due to a careful napping strategy I ultimately was able to save that fire for another time.

That morning, I got low and went out seeking a safe path to Pensive Lookout.  As I made my way to the climb (noting a distinct lack of rope 🤭), I spotted the pack of timber wolves that I feared was milling around up here.  Thankfully, they were all sulking off near that same ridge line I had been following the evening before.  This gave me a clear path around to get search Pensive Lookout.  Much to my delight, a rope was waiting there for me.  I decided to leave it for now, dropped all non-essentials, and decided to continue on to the Echo One Radio Tower.

I carefully made my way onwards, keeping a sharp eye for any more timber wolves (but also stopping to do a quick search of the cars) before making my way across the bridge and into the radio control hut.  I used my lantern just to do a quick search in the nooks and crannies... but then checked all the drawers and container by whatever natural light came in through the windows.  Frankly I didn't want to risk missing anything (a good thing too... I found a Cowichan Sweater, "That'll come in handy...").

I after a thorough, search and securing the door code...  I cautiously made my way back up to the Pensive Lookout to sort/stow and bed down for the night.  Weather permitting, I'll descend in the morning and work on heading back to the cannery to finish dealing with the Timber Wolf incursion.  

Thank you for sharing! 

Please consider posting some of these great screenshots in the Screenshots Thread, if you haven't already! 

[ManicManiac]

@Admin

I will gather them up and do that, thank you. 🌞

[James Hickok]

@ManicManiac  I understand that you have your playstyle regarding killing animals etc but i really dont understand why you left the most powerfull weapon in the game for the 2nd time -=> I mean the flare gun - capable of oneshooting anything in the game.  🤔

@LeeandaMuskeg one of most feared?  Srsly? Dont understand why, warm caves, coal cave, tons of cattails, forge and open terrain where you can see predators from far away. I woul rank it 3rd or 4th easiest region (not sure if pleasant valley is easiest but i think it is)

Edited July 18, 2022 by James Hickok

[Leeanda]

Just now, James Hickok said:

@ManicManiac  I understand that you have your playstyle regarding killing animals etc but i really dont understand why you left the most powerfull weapon in the game for the 2nd time -=> I mean the flare gun - capable of oneshooting anything in the game.  🤔

@LeeandaMuskeg one of most feared?  Srsly? Dont understand why, warm caves, coal cave, tons of cattails, forge and open terrain where you can see predators from far away. I woul rank it 3rd or 4th easiest region (not sure if pleasant valley is easiest but i think it is)

I only said from what I can gather from threads I've read and some ytube videos. That is on loper though not stalker.  As for cattails they will run out sooner rather than later and some are only obtained by risking thin ice and ,in my experience,bouts of sudden fog.  Four caves if I remember correctly and if you're unlucky three bears and possible moose on top of the wolves.  

As I said though that's just my view of it from watching/reading others posts.  

I may be way off the mark but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.🙂

 

Edited July 18, 2022 by Leeanda

[ManicManiac]

@James Hickok
I've left flare guns where I find them because I don't need them.  I'm good enough at dealing with wildlife (be it evade and avoid, or hunting what ever I'm after) that I find that the flare gun just isn't a necessary item for me.  I generally prefer not to even carry any weapons unless I've got a particular objective in mind (like clearing out the timber wolf incursions while working my way to the cannery workshop).

I prefer carrying as little as possible, and I relying more on my wits to deal with wildlife rather than relying on "firepower."  If I'm going out specifically to hunt a bear or a moose then perhaps I'd bring a rifle or bow & arrows, but if I'm just exploring and I come across hostile wildlife, I'd rather try to evade and avoid.

The flare gun just feels a little too easy to me, so I tend not to even pick it up.
It's kind of the same for things like spray paint and painkillers... I don't really have a use for them, so I don't tend to pick them up either.

Edited July 18, 2022 by ManicManiac
Fixing some typos...

[James Hickok]

1 hour ago, ManicManiac said:

@James Hickok
I've left flare guns where I find them because I don't need them.  I'm good enough at dealing with wildlife (be it evade and avoid, or hunting what ever I'm after) that I find that the flare gun just isn't a necessary item for me.  I generally prefer not to even carry any weapons unless I've got a particular objective in mind (like clearing out the timber wolf incursions while working my way to the cannery workshop).

I prefer carrying as little as possible, and I relying more on my wits to deal with wildlife rather than relying on "firepower."  If I'm going out specifically to hunt a bear or a moose then perhaps I'd bring a rifle or bow & arrows, but if I'm just exploring and I come across hostile wildlife, I'd rather try to evade and avoid.

The flare gun just feels a little too easy to me, so I tend not to even pick it up.
It's kind of the same for things like pray paint and painkillers... I don't really have a use for them, so I don't tend to pick them up either.

Ok. I get your point there.

2 hours ago, Leeanda said:

I only said from what I can gather from threads I've read and some ytube videos. That is on loper though not stalker.  As for cattails they will run out sooner rather than later and some are only obtained by risking thin ice and ,in my experience,bouts of sudden fog.  Four caves if I remember correctly and if you're unlucky three bears and possible moose on top of the wolves.  

As I said though that's just my view of it from watching/reading others posts.  

I may be way off the mark but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.🙂

 

The more bears the better. More food and pelts. Just my opinion but i get your point there as well. Some ppl find hrv hard and they dont like it. Me i love it. 

[Leeanda]

I'm one of those people.🙂 I don't go there at all.

[conanjaguar]

37 minutes ago, James Hickok said:

Some ppl find hrv hard and they dont like it. Me i love it. 

I am not the biggest fan of HRV, but I think that when I learn the map I will get to love it.

[ManicManiac]

@conanjaguar

When it's come to regions I didn't initially like very much, or didn't feel sure of...  I've found that when I really force myself to do some extensive dwell time, I came to appreciate those regions so much more.  Many times, they become favorites (especially when there's a little more struggle involved). 

[ManicManiac]

(a few shots from the Radio Control Hut I'd forgotten to add from the other day)


(Afterward, snuck back to the lookout tower - had to be very careful... just about everything was a blind hill/corner going back up )

I spent a little time sorting through everything in my pack... but decided to get the rope in place before dusk.  I wanted to be able to get an early start in the morning, and I didn't want to waste a half an hour getting the rope set up in the morning.  However, the pack of timber wolves had started milling around a little too close to the tie off... I had to be patient and keep an eye on them.  Eventually I was able to sneak the rest of the way to the climbing point, secure the rope, and creep back up into the lookout tower without getting spotted.

For the rest of the evening, I was getting everything reorganized.  At some point while I did this, a blizzard had rolled in.  Not being able to hear it... I didn't really notice it until I was just about finished packing things away there in the tower.  I wasn't quite ready to go to bed, and I had toyed with the idea of slipping down the rope and heading to the cabin before it got too late... that idea was right out the window now.  

The storm cleared sometime before morning.  I was able to get back down to the climb without an issue (the pack was far off nearer the cave near the ridgeline).  I quickly made my way down the rope, got low, and took a quick look around the immediate area.

I was really surprised I didn't find a pack of timber wolves skulking all over the far side of that slope... but I will not question providence. 🤭

I did take a quick look around inside the cabin, and the nearby picnic area by the falls (didn't find a lot but did come away with some canned food and some more cartridges).  I decided to press my luck and go from the landslide all the way to the Fallen Lighthouse.

(I also found a third flare gun... but just like the last couple, I'll leave that for another survivor looking for a Hopeless Rescue... They'll need it more than I do).

From there I passed by the Cannery Worker Residences, and onward back to the cannery.

(This fella was the last surviving member of the last pack... real skittish without their back up - took me this long just to get a decent snapshot.  He'll likely join up with the next pack... too bad I won't be able to keep track, I wouldn't mind letting this one be the sole survivor when this is all said and done.)

I got situated back in the Cannery Breakroom, ate, and bedded down for the night.  The following morning, I got back to work. 🤭

By the time I was able to sneak back down to ground level and back into the yard... these two were gone.  I spotted some tracks leading back towards the trailers.  I may just let those ones go.  I'm not keen on trying to take them on when they likely will have the high ground.  

Worst case scenario, they join the next pack... but if they stay back on the slope, I'll happily leave them be.  I don't have any plans on going back out that way.

I spent the rest of the day waiting to see if they'd wander back to the yard.  They didn't, so I'll bed down again and see what tomorrow brings.

Edited July 19, 2022 by ManicManiac
One of the pictures refused to upload, had to run it through MS Paint to get it to work.