...Memory Lane...

[Leeanda]

4 minutes ago, ManicManiac said:

@Leeanda

The biggest concern turned out to be the mistake I made early after getting into the region.  Since I almost never use the hatchet... and I forgot a hatchet was a little necessary for scrub brush at times; I left it to save weight in the cave near Stairsteps Lake.  

Now I have to decide whether to risk it and head down to the lowest stretch of Hushed River anyway (trusting that I can goat around the brush), or route back down the river from Quarreling Falls... and hope I can get back down to Stairsteps Lake (without also getting stuck) to retrieve the Hatchet I'd left behind.

I made a mistake... and now I have to hope it's not fatal. 🤭

There's the possibility of goating somewhere if needed isn't there?   I'm not remotely familiar with where you are ..  might be better than losing the run .

Edited August 1, 2023 by Leeanda

[ManicManiac]

@Leeanda

Yes, that's a possibility.  I've run into so many instant kill-walls that I've been conditioned to generally not be so inclined (which is why I refer to it as risky goating).  It's a lot to consider... 

Though, I suppose the safest way is to just head back down the long climb I came up to get to Monolith Lake to begin with... but I'm trying to avoid backtracking if I can.  I'd like to keep pushing for progress.

I find that risks on Great Bear Island are usually either very rewarding... or devastating.  
 

Funny enough, the bad weather I was worried about the night before... might be what is going to save my life.
The blizzard buys me more time to mull it over.

Edited August 1, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

3 minutes ago, ManicManiac said:

@Leeanda

Yes, that's a possibility.  I've run into so many instant kill-walls that I've been conditioned to generally not be so inclined (which is why I refer to it as risky goating).  It's a lot to consider... 

Though, I suppose the safest way is to just head back down the long climb I came up to get to Monolith Lake to begin with... but I'm trying to avoid backtracking if I can.  I'd like to keep pushing for progress.

I find that risks on Great Bear Island are usually either very rewarding... or devastating.  
 

Funny enough, the bad weather I was worried about the night before... might be what is going to save my life.
The blizzard buys me more time to mull it over.

You have had a few unlucky situations In  the past so I  can understand the reluctance .. goating is risky enough anyway.. 

Grateful for a blizzard? Not many feel that way 😁

[ManicManiac]

A strange nightmare... but in its own odd way, also soothing.

Even in the dream... part of me remembered some terrible tragedies... but that all feels like a much farther, distant dream... now it all just feels calm... numb...  part of me knows I'm trapped... but another part of me never wants to leave.

Somehow it was emotionally painful to wake up from this one.

[ManicManiac]

I made up my mind... I'm pressing on ahead.
True that does mean I might end up stuck on ledge... but I've gotten myself out of worse scrapes. 

I'll chance it. 🤭

[ManicManiac]

[Accompaniment]
Doki Doki Literature Club! (Main Theme)

Early in the morning, I left a couple of recycled cans behind (for future me to use) and made my way down to the first climb from Pensive Vista.

Very nearly fell off the ledge... but I was able to goat around the scrub brush. 

Oh... this will create a problem.  My pack is already rather heavy.  I won't be able to carry the riffle and everything else.  I'd have to make two trips.  Not idea, but I'm not likely to be coming by this way again in a long while.  So I'll have to manage a way to get everything I want from the bottom of Hushed River back up the cliffs on the other side.

 Great... more stuff to carry.  🤭
Oh well, not complaining... as far as problems go, this is a nice problem to have. 

I did end up leaving the riffle with found ammo and a bottle of lantern fuel.

The fog was getting denser rather fast.

There's a very shallow cave right near the climb... I think I will bed down here for the night.  It'll give me a chance eat (lightening my pack a little more) and rest.  I do have Go! Energy... push comes to shove; I can make this climb twice.  However, I'd like to avoid that if at all possible.  I'd managed to make it up the last rope twice to get the rifle down here with me.  Just above, I'm not too far from the cave near Stairsteps Lake.  Which means I can stow all this stuff and get that hatchet, so I can tidy up those "hard-to-reach places."  

I have easily 8 hours' worth of coal... and sticks are reasonably plentiful.  I'll go gather up what I can find before dark.  I shouldn't have anything to worry about (should a blizzard kick up during the night).

 

On the second decent down this rope I did notice the note... Now I can open up the memento cache up at Peak Cave.  

Edited August 5, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

Surprisingly, the fog lifted not too long after I'd decided to settle in... so I went out for another look around (and to gather sticks in case of bad weather overnight.

There's the signal fire up there... 
Though there's not likely going to be the needed second rope there, so I'll still have to get there the long way.

Tonight should be pretty comfortable.

[ManicManiac]

It's really turning into a beautiful evening here at the bottom of Hushed River Valley.

Edited August 5, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

I'm surprised at the lack of wildlife , I'd have expected more for a stalker run..

[ManicManiac]

@Leeanda
There is one wolf prowling around right now... usually I'd find 3-5 in total, but not today I guess.  I suppose that I've covered enough ground since the last time the packs drifted... and I imagine that right now it's just that they are off prowling elsewhere.  By tomorrow morning, I'd be willing to bet that the basin down will be swarming with wolves.  

Edited August 5, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

3 minutes ago, ManicManiac said:

@Leeanda
There is one wolf prowling around right now... usually I'd find 3-5 in total, but not today I guess.  I suppose that I've covered enough ground since the last time the packs drifted... and I imagine that right now it's just that they are off prowling elsewhere.  By tomorrow morning, I'd be willing to bed the basin down here will be swarming with wolves.  

That sounds about right😁

[ManicManiac]

Early the next morning... I decided to leave behind nearly all the water I have left on hand (2 liters) in order to drop the weight I needed to haul everything up the rope in one trip. 

I did also opt for a quick clothing repair... but by the time I was finished fixing up one of my sweaters, a very dense fog had rolled in.

The view back down over the Hushed River was absolutely opaque... and I wasn't able to see much more than a couple of meters ahead in any direction.  I'd have to stay low and crawl if I was going to keep going but still avoid threats in this fog.

I checked on the climb that would have led up to the Mysterious Signal Fire... but of course, no rope.

As I slowly and carefully make my back way towards the cave near Stairsteps Lake, I could only barely see the way ahead... I'd have to keep a sharp ear out.

As I was getting close to the arch overhead, the fog thankfully lifted... and just in time.  There was a wolf prowling just ahead.

And as I'd soon come to realize, both a wolf and a bear.

I had to be careful and head to some higher ground, but managed to slip by unnoticed.

I had thought of perhaps trying to get back to the climb that would lead me up to the Mysterious Signal Fire... but I was already pretty thoroughly knackered from the climb up this morning... so I decided to stick close to the area and bed down here for the night.

Further back behind the cave, I found this downed tree that lead down to the Hushed River.

And there just below, was Reclusive Falls... there's an Ice Cave entrance just behind the waterfall, but I decided to save that for later on.  Kept exploring the more of the surrounding area.

I found another hidden cache nearby.

Just a little way further ahead... I found this abandoned camp, with a surprising amount of gear and supplies left behind.

The venison turned out to be ruined... but the rest was a real treat to find.

I made my way back to my cave.  I took some time to do a proper sort and stow.  Spent a couple of hours tending a fire, cooking a couple of cans of food, and eight liters of water (most of which I would be leaving here for future me).

A lot of good finds today, but it was close to midnight before I finally bedded down.
It would probably close to noon before I'd be getting up tomorrow.  I'll have to take that into account when I decide on the route I'd try to take on next. 

[Leeanda]

Unusual to see a lot of loot in hrv...  

Not the wildlife though😁

[ManicManiac]

With half the day already gone, I wouldn't be able to cover as much ground... I think I will head up to the Mysterious Signal Fire, rather than work on the more expansive area around this level of the region.

Edited August 8, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

[Accompaniment]
Friendships - Pascal Letoublon

It was indeed nearly noon before I managed to get up out of my bedroll.
I was going to make it to the Mysterious Signal Fire today... no excuses and I'm not stopping till I get there.
That is to say, if a blizzard pops up today... I'm going to tank it and continue on.  I lost have the day... have to make it up somehow.

A beautiful sunny day... if it weren't for all the claws and teeth skulking around out there, I'd say it was perfectly bucolic. 🤭

Ice Cave entrance... as mentioned before; I'll save that for later. 😏

I think I'll head for the high ground first, then I'll worry about slipping past this wolf to get to the source of that smoke column we've tracked here.

Nothing at all here this time... I mean, sure there are rosehips and maple saplings, but those don't mean anything to me (at least not on this trek).

Always important to check the nooks and crannies...  Hmm, I remember being able to wiggle my way through there in the past... not any more apparently. 🤔

Slipped by the wolf... the Mysterious Signal Fire should be just further along this trail.  I could easily enough goat around the scrub brush here... but then I would need to clear it to get back out (assuming I don't find a rope back there).  Figured I may as well just clear a corner of it now.

I enjoy watching the ptarmigans, it occurs to me I've never caught one yet.   Hmm, for now I'm still not hunting unless there's dire need... they (and the rabbits) are all still safe; for now.

This will be my haven for the night.

A surprisingly rich spot... ptarmigans and rabbits.  (noted, for later)

I gathered up what I found useful.
A moose hide satchel, a couple of stims, revolver cartridges, another hatchet (in very decent condition as well), and a note.  The cooked moose steak was already spoiled... but honestly, that's to be expected. 

Maybe it was a relatively short day... but it was a really good day. 😏
Tomorrow, I think I'm going to explore the rest of this "shelf."  There was a long stretch still out past the Ice Cave entrance.

 

[ManicManiac]

Today I wanted to finish exploring this "Upper Shelf," and hopefully back my primary encampment near Stairsteps Lake.

I had to get low and track this wolf... I haven't been able to get my hands on any more rocks since I made the climb up to this area.  Having no way to defend myself... I have to remain undetected.

Thankfully, I was again able to find a path to pass by while keeping the wolf at a respectful distance.  

Going up before continuing on around...

Snow fall was getting heavier... felt as though it might be threatening a blizzard.

This would be the way I'll want to head back later.

Surprisingly, the weather began to clear.
At this point (for reasons I'll get into later), I was running really heavy (a little over 59 kg).  Once I goated down to the path below... I decided to stash about 15 kg worth of stuff that I'll have to come back for.  In the meantime, I just wanted to back to my primary encampment before dark.

By the time I'd gotten back to the Cave near Stairsteps Lake and got everything sorted and stowed... it had gotten dark (and also started snowing again - further limiting visibility).  It got too dark really for me to risk heading back for the rest of the haul.  It will have to wait until tomorrow.

What made the pack so heavy today, was finding this...

[ManicManiac]

The weather held up rather well through the night... I was able to risk sleeping really soundly.
Early the next morning, I went back out to gather up the rest of the haul from yesterday.

Naturally, the bear was an early riser too.  I'd have to carefully follow...

On the way back up, I decided to take one quick excursion to get to the top of the rock arch.

After gathering up what I could from the Hidden Cache, I went on to pick up the rest of the haul I left behind yesterday.

I quickly gathered up the 15 kg of gear and supplies... and made haste back to my primary encampment.  It was only just past noon, but rather than make another hard push.  I decided to spend the rest of the day organizing and using the Water Purification Tablets to continue bolstering my water supply.

The Weather was starting to take a turn... perhaps again threatening a blizzard.

An easy day... so (all things considered) a very good day.   

Edited August 13, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

5 hours ago, ManicManiac said:

The weather held up rather well through the night... I was able to risk sleeping really soundly.
Early the next morning, I went back out to gather up the rest of the haul from yesterday.

Naturally, the bear was an early riser too.  I'd have to carefully follow...

On the way back up, I decided to take one quick excursion to get to the top of the rock arch.

After gathering up what I could from the Hidden Cache, I went on to pick up the rest of the haul I left behind yesterday.

I quickly gathered up the 15 kg of gear and supplies... and made haste back to my primary encampment.  It was only just past noon, but rather than make another hard push.  I decided to spend the rest of the day organizing and using the Water Purification Tablets to continue bolstering my water supply.

The Weather was starting to take a turn... perhaps again threatening a blizzard.

An easy day... so (all things considered) a very good day.   

That looked a little too close for comfort.. 

[ManicManiac]

When I woke up this morning, I realized that all I had left above ground is finishing up the area around Valley View Point, then work my way back up the path above Longshot Falls, and then further upriver (nearing Monolith Lake once again) to get back to the other Signal Fire location where I'd first realized I needed a hatchet after all.

After that... It'll be just a matter of exploring the Ice Cave systems. 

[ManicManiac]

I got a relatively early start.  However, Hushed River Valley had plans to slow me down.

As I was making my way towards Valley View Point, I found this unfortunate soul.
I did opt to return to my primary encampment to drop off what I found here.  Seemed wiser than hauling it for the the rest of the day when I'm close by right now.

However, this is where Hushed River Valley decided to get cute with me.  

A dense fog was rolling in quickly... I decided to continue feeling my way along the cliff's edge.

It may not be wise continence pushing forward through this.  I'm not sure whether to find a spot to whole up and wait... or head back to my primary encampment.  

[ManicManiac]

I knew it was risky... but I decided to push on ahead.
Thankfully I was able to hear the pitter-patter of wolf paws ahead.  I was able to spot them in the fog, before there was an unavoidable problem.

At first only one emerged from the fog into view, but while patiently watching... I was able to make out a second.
This is precisely why I was considering waiting out the fog... (and why it's generally a very good idea not to go wandering out when the visibility is so poor).

However, by waiting and watching.  I was able to keep low and find an opportunity to stick close to the edge of the cliff and crawl past them.   The sound of the paws coming towards me while I slowly crawled along, coupled with howling that sounded like the wolves were always just right over my shoulder was both tense and frankly terrifying.

But I was able to slip by without detection.  I just had to keep my head and keep crawling forward... centimeter by centimeter.

[ManicManiac]

I crawled up to Valley View Point (because I could still hear the wovles... but I couldn't get a fix on them).

Unfortunately, this was the view of the valley. 

Just as I was considering what to do next... the fog lifted as suddenly as it had rolled in.

Now at least I could see the way ahead.

There's a bear coming in from the lower left... but I do want to check out that rock formation in case of any hidden nooks or hidden caches.

At it turns out it was not worth it... now I have too many sticks and a bear dangerously close by.  It looks like I'm stuck here for the moment.

There's not much daylight left.  I may just make the trek back to my primary encampment.  At least then I can off load.

[ManicManiac]

Turned out that was the right call...
I was able to make a break for my main encampment.  Turned out I was closer to it then I'd originally thought.

Just as I was getting things sorted and stowed... a blizzard struck.

That's it for today then... I'm defiantly waiting it out here.  
The path leading back up towards Monolith Lake and Pensive Visa will have to wait for tomorrow.

[ManicManiac]

I clearly went to bed too early last night... I woke up well before sunrise.
I may have to just use a tree for a wind break and wait a bit before trying to get back to the trail that I believe will lead me back up towards Monolith Lake.

Once I can spot the wolf ahead (or the bear for that matter), then I'll know I have the visibility I'll want for the rest of the day's route.   

[ManicManiac]

Hmm... never mind.
The weather turned, now the snow is making things "deadly dark."
I guess I'll go back to the cave and try to nap another hour, and hope for light.