...Memory Lane...

[ManicManiac]

@Leeanda

Turned out that the Timberwolves were skulking around on the slopes near the frozen pond.  It was a tense crawl to slip passed.  Especially sine I could only get eyes on one of them, and the others I had no good way to verify where exactly they were. 

[Leeanda]

4 minutes ago, ManicManiac said:

@Leeanda

Turned out that the Timberwolves were skulking around on the slopes near the frozen pond.  It was a tense crawl to slip passed.  Especially sine I could only get eyes on one of them, and the others I had no good way to verify where exactly they were. 

Typical they turn up during an aurora though...      

 

[ManicManiac]

I quickly rushed back outside to finish the hard push to get back up to the Summit at Ravine's End, and to hole-up in the Pensive Lookout for the remainder of the night.  However, by the time I'd gotten to back to the rope... I was already starting to freeze to death.  At this rate... I'd be frozen half dead by the time I reach the bed at the top of the tower.

Slept hard for the rest of the night... sneaking around through Timberwolf territory at night... and during an aurora without any weapons is stressful. 🤭😖

Edited September 27, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

The idea today is to spend one piece of charcoal to take advantage of the vista view from the Polaroid, and to search up the side-trail from the Echo One Radio Tower (kind of skipped it last time, so may as well see to it since I'm up here again).  The weather is a bit rough this morning... 🤔

The wind is bone chilling this morning...

Interesting... they are out in two separate packs this morning.🤔  I can only assume the two groups will merge when they meet; meaning I will have to contend with a pack of at least 3... but maybe 6.   
With it being so biting cold, I might just take the next couple of hours to observe them (hoping that it either warms up a little... or that wind at least dies down).

As the morning went on, it seems that the actual size of the combined pack is four.  I'm honestly a bit relieved it could have been much worse.🤭

As I made my way down to the Echo One Radio Tower, I was looking over my shoulder about every ten paces.  

I can see the next few short-term goals from up here.

Once I'm finished up here... I need to get to the Coastal Highway Terminus bridge (along with the trailer near there), and I also still need to get to the small island just there offshore.

Then last, but most dangerous: The Cannery Rush

 

Edited September 30, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I stepped into the Control Hut just long enough to warm up.  It was time head back up towards higher reaches of the falls.  When I first came into the region, there was a very dense fog and I think I passed by a couple of spots that I know deserve to be explored while I'm up here (plus I did forgo the back path last time... and I really should walk every trail, if I can).  However, that does come with a greater risk.  On this backtrail it isn't very easy to see Timberwolves coming... so I might be walking into an ambush.😖  I'll have to be cautious...

Thankfully, it's warmed up enough that I should be able to say out for the rest of the day (assuming the weather holds of course).

This time, it was time to head left, to the backtrail...

So far, the way ahead looks clear... I better get a move on.

Found them... good, for now they are not a problem.  However, when it comes time to get back to the Pensive Lookout or the climbing point, this might be a bit of an inconvenience.🤔 For now though, onward and upward.

 

I sprained a couple of things on the way up... but I was able to get back up to the top and really explore all the little nooks and crannies that I think I missed due to the fog the first time around.

Now, it's just a matter of getting back down safely... 🤔  I may have to stay up here overnight, and hope the Timberwolves decide to move on... or at least skulk over to another nearby territory.  Besides, with a sprained ankle it would be at least 4 hours before I could get on the rope again.  Also, it's no so crucial to get back down, that I feel the need to use a risky goating path to get down before dark.

 

Once again, I'd like to thank past me for leaving behind some clutch provisions.  

 

Also I did find this... but it was empty. 🤭

Edited September 30, 2023 by ManicManiac
Fixing errors

[ManicManiac]

Drat... I was kind of hoping the aurora might hold off for another day or two. 
It'll be just my luck that I will be stuck for a week when I do the Cannery Rush waiting on an aurora to open the door and being lulled to sleep night after night by snarling Timberwolves.   

[ManicManiac]

With an aurora having just hit... it might be a day or two (depending on weather, perhaps longer) before another flares up.  Once the sun comes up... I need to head back down the climb and get to the Coastal Highway Terminus as quickly as possible.

[chrislacruz]

is your lovely avatar from the British Library series of vintage ghost and weird tales?  They a brilliant books!

[ManicManiac]

@chrislacruz

That's the Headache affliction icon from The Long Dark.
I did look up that publication series/collection you mentioned.
Some wonderful art there also.

Edited October 12, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I managed to wake up sometime midmorning.  This wasn't ideal for time I'd have to cover a lot of ground, but on the other hand perhaps I'd slept warmly through the likely most bone chilling part of the day.  

Timberwolves... and they are very likely going to be skulking near the climbing area (because of course they are 🤭).

And now they've turned back around and are heading right where I'm trying to get too.... too bad I can't crawl any faster.  

I didn't dare look over my shoulder again... it got to the point that I could hear their footsteps behind me, but I managed to slip down the rope undetected.

More Timberwolves off in the distance... may have to take the slightly longer way around.

Interesting... I could swear this wasn't here the last time I checked these vehicles... oh well.  I'll take it.

(also of note: the match condition exploit is still in play)

Not yet... but soon.

I did stop by my encampment at the Washed-Out Trailers.  It's nice to see these two... and even though I did find them within the region, but I going to leave them here until I'm ready to leave the region.
I'm still determined to take on the Cannery Rush with no weapons.  

Hmm... it's been at least a couple of years since I reported it... but I see the ice texture is still invading the hillside. 

Last stop...

Had a little bit of daylight left... so I hauled what I found throughout the day back to the Washed-Out Trailers to hunker down for the night.

Tomorrow, I start the Cannery Rush.
Here's hoping that tomorrow will be kind of enough to give me an aurora. 🤭

[ManicManiac]

I'll get started by scouting the Cannery...

With luck, the pack usually prowling inside the compound might also have a route wandering out.  
Ideally, I'd like to be able to hit the breakroom, the trailer, and the safe inside the compound... but that's only doable if the pack inside wanders out.  

If they don't... then I'll still try to stealth my way inside... but if I do get spotted, it will likely have to be a mad dash for the rope. 🤭

Regardless... I start the weaponless Cannery Rush, today.

[Leeanda]

Let the battle commence..😊

[ManicManiac]

Hmm... doesn't look like the weather is going to be kind.
Oh well, I'm starting the scouting phase anyway.

[ManicManiac]

I count four Timberwolves... I was going to sit a while and observe their route, but I was still losing warmth and getting close to freezing.  So, I did have to head back to the nearby trailer to warm up again.

Also one of the Timberwolves is stuck on terrain... in a very unfortunate spot.  I'm hoping that going back inside will reset it and let it roam around with the others again.  Having a Timberwolf standing around in the middle of the yard would make it impossible to stealth my way inside.

[ManicManiac]

After warming up for a little bit... I was determined to quickly set about the task at hand.

Confirmed four Timberwolves in this pack... and after a few more minutes observing them, it seemed clear that they were not likely going to be wondering out (as I've seen them do in the past).

For better or worse... I'm going to try and stealth my way in.

I can here their footsteps just on the other side of that semitrailer... 😖
I slipped inside the Conex Container they'd converted into a small bunk house trailer.

Very "homey" in here... I don't remember it being so nice in previous visits.

I kind of wish I could take that kettle with me.  

Sneaky crackers in the garbage can... thank you, that will help sustain me another day while I wait for an aurora.

As I was searching through the trailer... I heard the wind really kick up outside.
I might have a blizzard on my hands.
However, it occurs to me that this could be amazing luck.
If the blizzard clears out the initial pack that is prowling around... I can at least finish searching first floors of the compound and break room before heading for the rope to start the full incursion. 🤔

But first I have to poke my head out...
and hope there isn't a Timberwolf pacing around right in front of the stoop.

Edited October 14, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

Than answer is no... the blizzard won't clear out the initial pack at the cannery.

If I can get to the rope without being spotted... I'll try to get to the breakroom and stow a few things before making a break for the rope.  If I can just get to the second level without getting spotted... I would consider that an achievement.   but honestly, it's not likely.

With the pack out in force... I doubt I have a good opportunity to get to the nearby safe, but oh well.
Completing the Cannery Rush itself is the only real objective here this time around.  

Edited October 14, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I had to backpedal... and quickly.  It seems the pack fans out to cover every corner of the yard.

I may have to wait out the storm... I have to be able to see them better, if I have any hope of finding an opportunity to slip past. 🤔

Edited October 14, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

After waiting around in the trailer for a few hours... I got a little impatient and tried another run at getting to the rope undetected.

Managed to get inside and even managed to fine couple of minor items...  Since I seemed to be clear to ascend free and clear, I decided to see what I could find in the breakroom just around the corner.

Found a little more food... which is great.
I have no idea how many days I will be waiting for an aurora.  

So far so good... having gotten this far, I'll try to remain undetected.
Though, I tend to think it's unavoidable once I get up into the rafters... but we'll see.

Edited October 14, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

It took huddling up under the blanket on the floor for an hour to try and (mostly) warm up again.
Now I have to decide if I'm going to sleep here tonight... or try to sneak my way to the Workshop door to camp out there.

The more I think about it... the breakroom is probably a touch warmer.  I should probably just hole-up here for the night... but we'll have to see how I'm feeling as I wait around.  I may get impatient again (I'm nowhere near tired yet).

Edited October 14, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

Hmm... looks like the storm shows no sign of stopping.
I guess I will be staying here in the breakroom after all.

I will sleep in a series of short naps though... just in case the skies clear and an aurora hits.
If that happens, I'll hightail it to the Workshop door and deal with the consequences later. 

I'll have to take the next steps tomorrow.

Edited October 14, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

With the dawn, I take the next step... I have to get to the workshop door today.


I missed these two marine flares on the way in... since I don't have any weapons, it might be wise to pick up these extra too.   If I'm spotted (and it's probably going to be unavoidable today), I will likely need to run for my life on the way back out. 

 

As I made my up to the pipes that I needed to traverse to reach the next building... I stopped and counted now 12 Timberwolves in the yard.  The Cannery Rush is on, and the Timberwolf incursion has well and truly begun.

If the incursion continues at this rate... this pack might yet again double or triple in size.
And unlike Blackrock (where a pack might break off the chase when you leave their territory)... the Timberwolves of Bleak Inlet are more likely to just mercilessly hunt you down until you're dead... or they are. 🥶

Edited October 15, 2023 by ManicManiac
Fixed Errors

[ManicManiac]

 oof... made about halfway.  Still managed to not be noticed.
The only two places I had to stand up to make the leap are already done.
I might actually have a chance to slip by unnoticed all the way to the workshop door...

 

[ManicManiac]

😖  This leg was a really close call... I hadn't remembered that there was another gap to cross.
Some of the Timberwolves clearly smell something because they are trotting around looking... but so far I've still not been spotted!   

Almost there...

[ManicManiac]

Home stretch... just a little farther to go.
Stealth still intact.

[ManicManiac]

I've won the day... 
Not only have I defied the meme and did "Simply walk into Bleak Inlet" without any weapons of any kind, I've managed to explore the entire region undetected...   Now I've also successfully completed the Cannery Rush without getting spotted by any of the Timberwolves of the scripted incursion either.  🌞

Now it's a matter of camping out here and waiting for an Aurora.  


Now for the next challenge...  I have to try to search the Workshop itself and ideally not get into a struggle with Fluffy in the process.

Edited October 15, 2023 by ManicManiac