...Memory Lane...

[ManicManiac]

While I didn't expect the additional climbs yesterday... but I am glad I'd found that Polaroid (at least in the interest of fully exploring before eventually heading out to the Far Territory).

The bass and coho last night were a real treat.  It's been a while since my stomach was so full.  

Now I have to decide on what to take with me when I go to Blackrock.  I don't have as much experience with Blackrock... so for that one I will take a weapon with me for defense (but will do my very best not to have to use it).

Debating whether to take Woodwright's Bow, Forester's Revolver, or Barb's Rifle.  Leaning towards Forester's Revolver, just because it's relatively light and so is the ammo.  Again, though... my plan is to not to have to use it. 🤭  So far, I've still not used any weapon... and managed to avoid any wildlife struggles... and even managed not to get spotted by the Timberwolves of Bleak Inlet.  Keeper's Pass and Blackrock may be a different story though... we'll have to see.

I did go back and page through the chronicle... I don't remember if I had already dropped off Forester's Revolver at the Community Hall at Thompson's Crossing (I'll check of course).  If not, then I guess I'll be hiking back to Mystery Lake to get it.  I suppose I will take the opportunity to gather up what ammo I might want to take with me also. 

...

Keeper's Pass and then Blackrock.
The last region (and transition zone), for me to visit on this rather lengthy trip down Memory Lane...

Edited November 22, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

And a few personal achievements on the way... hopefully including the feat badge after BlackRock 😊

[ManicManiac]

@Leeanda
I think I have just 5-6 does of coffee or Go! Energy to go before I do finally get my "Straight to the Heart" merit badge. 🤭 

I just realized... I've gone the whole run without any antiseptic.  I do have one bit of old man's beard lichen (from beachcombing), but not the three I'd need to make a wound dressing.  I refuse to lug around a bottle of antiseptic, so it good that I've manage to avoid any maulings up to this point.  

It feels nice to be on the last stretch of this journey.  After this, I will need to actual spend time on getting to know the new features... fishing, cooking, etc...

I still have yet to even make a fire-hardened arrow. 🤭  So many new things, I've not experimented with yet.

Edited November 22, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

18 minutes ago, ManicManiac said:

@Leeanda
I think I have just 5-6 does of coffee or Go! Energy to go before I do finally get my "Straight to the Heart" merit badge. 🤭 

I just realized... I've gone the whole run without any antiseptic.  I do have one bit of old man's beard lichen (from beachcombing), but no the three I'd need to make a wound dressing.  I refuse to lug around a bottle of antiseptic, so it good that I've manage to avoid any maulings up to this point.  

It feels nice to be on the last stretch of this journey.  After this, I will need to actual spend time on getting to know the new features... fishing, cooking, etc...

I still have yet to even make a fire-hardened arrow. 🤭  So many new things, I've not experimented with yet.

Hopefully there's plenty to find  in BlackRock..  the warden should've needed plenty of caffeine in his job😁  

I don't carry antiseptic either,way too heavy to bother with, but you might need to get some omb for BlackRock,just in case..the twolves do like sneaking up on you in some parts. 

You've got a lot to look forward to..  and a chance to use the new bows on those pesky birds😁

 

[ManicManiac]

The fish I had on hand were all relatively light, so I ended up eating all five of them.  

Early the next morning, I did do some mending got ready to go.  I did take on a few extra provisions, but just so that I won't have to pick over my reserves at my other encampments.  

At the very least, I will get to the Mountaineer's Hut at the base of Timberwolf Mountain.  Ideally, I'll make it all the way back to the Community Hall at Thompsons Crossing in Pleasant Valley.

Made it back to the Community Hall before dark...
Thankfully I had indeed had the foresight to bring Forester's Revolver (and ammunition) with me when I was on the way out to Ash Canyon.  All told... I now have the revolver I want and 231 rounds for it.  Although I'm not bringing all that... not for just one region.

Not sure how many revolver cartridges I want to bring... I mean, 90 would be enough for 15 reloads, and even that seems... excessive.

I will have to think about it some more. 🤔
For now though, it's time to bed down for the night.

At least the weather cleared.

Edited November 23, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I decided on just brining 60 revolver cartridges (or 10 reloads)... that ought to still be more than plenty.  Also found another recipe for later, so that's nice.  I think I have five special recipes now.

An early start heading towards Keeper's Pass South.

Despite the fog, the temperature is bitterly cold.  I may have to stop off at the Pleasant Valley Farmstead, just to warm up.

I wasn't intending to stop by the actual farmhouse... the small barn is more than warm enough and closer to the road.

Following the Long Curve... I head onward to Keeper's Pass South.

I went to go search the car in front of the trailer.
However, when I stepped out... I was all most ambushed!

A wolf had been stalking a rabbit... and just as I stepped out of the car, the wolf started a charge.  I was momentarily panicked... but the wolf bolted right past me disappeared on the far side of the truck.  That's when I heard the rabbit scream.  🥶  That was truly a close call.   

It's also a sobering reminder that I don't have as much experience here, and I will need to be especially careful on this last let of my journey. 

The wolf was defending its kill... so I didn't bother to get any closer.  I just slipped inside the trailer, to let the wolf finish its meal.

The process here is slow... I'm having to keep crouched nearly everywhere I want to go.  I may end up spending the night here... but I at least would like to make to the cave leading to Keeper's Pass North.

It's just a matter now of slipping past one wolf prowling near the bridge... the problem is that I can't really get eyes on from here.  I have to try to listen for "footsteps" and howls to try and guess where it is relative to my position.  

I decided I need to it slow and get a better vantage... now that I can see it, it will be a much easier thing to evade and avoid. 

There are four wolves down on the frozen river... over by the Toe, I seem to be alright.  However, I know I have a fishing hut to prospect, but I'll have to get to that in a moment.  In the meantime, I just needed to head to the cave. 

And the river wolves had definitely been up this way... still have to keep low.

I'll step in here to warm up... then go back for the Fishing Hut.

Also it was time for the holiday family gathering... so I just have to leave it here for the time being.

[Leeanda]

Sneaky wolf... lucky you though😊

[ManicManiac]

Went back out to get to the far end of the river, and ideally get back to the cave before nightfall.

Nice, I have enough caffeine now to get my final Merit Badge...

The pockets of this unfortunate soul were empty... and I'd found nothing else in the fishing hut.  For the most part, this excursion was not very profitable, but for the sake of complete exploration, I'm still glad that I went to look.

Returning to the cave was a slow process... I had to wait and watch the wolves to look for the best time to crawl forward and slip past and back up the bank.  

I wanted to at least get to the far end of the cave before bedding down the night.

This will likely come in handy.  

This cave was surprisingly timely considering what I'd found.  However, it's getting late... so I may just make do with 10 hours of rest, and then tomorrow it will be Keeper's Pass South.

[ManicManiac]

5 hours ago, ManicManiac said:

tomorrow it will be Keeper's Pass South.

😖... North... I meant Keeper's Pass North.

Edited November 24, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

Just after sunup... it's time to get moving.

 

I don't remember if I've dealt with wolves ahead or not... after nearly getting ambushed yesterday, I'm going to assume there are and proceed with caution.  

Honestly, this looks like a decent goating opportunity... but for now, I'll just make note and come back to check on it later.

These rabbits are alive and well... so there's a good chance that there is not a wolf too close nearby.  
It's actually a bit unnerving how quiet it is (compared to most other areas on Great Bear Island).

I remembered the way as far as this clearing... beyond here, I don't remember that well.  I do need to warm up a bit, so I opted to drop off the sticks I've collected through Keeper's Pass so far and set up a little stop over point.  The stove provided a good opportunity to brew some tea and coffee while I warm my bones.

Crows were making a ruckus outside... I decided to check it out while I left 2L of snow to melt & boil.

The fog was getting denser... once the cooking pot of melted snow is done, I will need to decide if it's worth it to press on, or if I hole-up here for now. 🤔

Once I got the birch bark tea and coffee brewed (along with replenishing the water used for it), I decided it was time to at least scout the route ahead.  If at any point it feels sketchy... then I can always fall back to Forester's Hermitage.

I heard a wolf howl out there in the mist.  This warrants a moments consideration.  🤔

I decided to try and wait out the fog.  Thankfully, the fog began to lift about 45 minutes later.  I continued to hear distant wolf howls... but so far, the coast was clear.

That small black spot just ahead is the wolf that I'd been trying to get a fix on.  
That direction also leads to that climbing point I spotted earlier, but I'll follow the road in the other direction first.

Wait... hold on a minute.  If this way leads to Blackrock... then where the heck does that climb down the ravine go?  I'm finding that I really don't remember much about Keeper's Pass North at all.  
I guess the pressing question is, do I want to fuss with trying to slip past that wolf (twice) in order to find out?

...I think it's apparent by now that the answer is almost always going to be: YES! 😋

I ended up having to juggle between deflection/distraction and running it off (by pelting the wolf with stones) in order to get by without getting into a struggle. 🤭

I'm a bit exhausted... but once again, this is exactly what I save the Go! Energy drinks for.

Hmm... I was starting to get the feeling this wasn't really going to be leading anywhere.

I was correct... this was pretty much the end of the line.  However, at there is a decent place down here to whole up for the night.  Interesting case... perhaps another Distress Pistol?

Nice, correct again.  What's more, it's a fully packed case.  I don't remember the last time I found a distress pistol set that was fully complete. 

The shallow cave isn't going to provide any warmth... but I can have a fire shielded from the wind at least (if need be).  The pine bough bed will also help save some wear and tear on my bedroll.  In the morning, I'll look to make the climb back up... deal with the wolf again... and finally head into Black Rock proper.

[ManicManiac]

I knew such a shallow cave was not a safe place to sleep deeply... so I started by taking a 4-hour nap.  My concern was well founded, during the night... a blizzard hit.

 

I do have about 40 sticks on hand.  Hopefully that's enough, or this excursion could be the death of me.

Edited November 24, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

You could coffee or stim your way out of there..  the exit isn't too far away.🤔

[ManicManiac]

@Leeanda
If I can stay warm and get fully rested... I should be able to make the long climb in one go.
I never carry stims anymore these days.  I do have Coffee (which I did just brew yesterday), as well as more Go! Energy.  The climb isn't an issue... the more pressing threat is if the blizzard doesn't break before I run out of firewood. 

True though, I can certainly tank the blizzard if push comes to shove.

Edited November 24, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

Just now, ManicManiac said:

@Leeanda
If I can stay warm and get fully rested... I should be able to make the long climb in one go.
I never carry stims anymore these days.  I do have Coffee (which I did just brew yesterday), as well as more Go! Energy.  The climb isn't an issue... the more pressing threat is if the blizzard doesn't break before I run out of firewood. 

True though, I can certainly tank the blizzard if push comes to shove.

Oh I see.. there's usually quite a few sticks down there but I guess you already got them..

[ManicManiac]

@Leeanda
I had been collecting as I've been walking though Keeper's Pass.  I did drop off about 40 sticks back at Forester's Hermitage... and managed to bring 40 more down the climb with me.  I imagine that's more than enough... unless it's one of those 24-hour blizzards.  If it's that kind of brutal storm... then I will probably have to try and tank it and find some real shelter before freezing to death.

I suppose I we'll all know which way it goes pretty soon.   

[Leeanda]

6 minutes ago, ManicManiac said:

@Leeanda
I had been collecting as I've been walking though Keeper's Pass.  I did drop off about 40 sticks back at Forester's Hermitage... and managed to bring 40 more down the climb with me.  I imagine that's more than enough... unless it's one of those 24-hour blizzards.  If it's that kind of brutal storm... then I will probably have to try and tank it and find some real shelter before freezing to death.

I suppose I we'll all know which way it goes pretty soon.   

The good way hopefully 😊.  

[ManicManiac]

Thankfully the storm blew itself out overnight.

Sleeping in one-hour intervals made sure I could keep an eye on the fire... and make sure I stayed warm.  Thankfully, the blizzard was relatively short.  Now there's just the matter of making the climb and getting past the wolf prowling round the bend.  

The wind is brutally cold this morning... still has the bite of the blizzard that preceded it.

It took a handful of rocks... but I was able to keep the wolf distracted enough this time to slip past undetected.

Solid Snake would be proud.

I decided to take a short nap in this truck... when I wake, I'll head into Blackrock.

[ManicManiac]

I have less than half the day to try to find shelter in Blackrock... I remember almost nothing about it, so this will definitely feel like a new struggle rather quickly.  

First order of business is going to have to be to look for a shallow cave or something... 

Off to the right is a dead end... but the bridge looks like it might be promising.  I'm not wild about going down in this this little ravine/chasm.  

Over to the left is clearly the way down into the small ravine... but I kind of want to look around some more first.

This little cubby hole is nice... but not protected enough to serve as good shelter.  At least not without significant risk.  Moving on.

Near the bridge itself is this truck trapped under boulders.  This is honestly a fairly viable option for shelter.  While perhaps not perfect, it is work able.

 

If one is patient/persistent... there is just one specific spot where we can manage to build a campfire in the truck bed.  From there, we can sleep in the cab rather comfortably. 

However, there's still a few hours of daylight left... so I want to keep pressing on.  If push comes to shove, I'll come back here to hole-up for the night, but I'd like to try to go find something better.

This looks like a goating opportunity... 

And I was correct.  However, it's possibly a one-way trip up... so I'll come back to test it out more later.  

Turns out the bridge is as blocked as the name suggests.  I don't see a conventional way to get across.  Perhaps that coating opportunity might be a way across, but I'd like to see it from the other side first.  The last thing I need now (so close to the end of my trip down Memory Lane) is to get myself stuck someplace.  

From the bridge the way off to the right in the small ravine... looks like a dead end, but I'll still want to go see for myself.  One never knows, there might be a nice cave down there. 🤭

Sure enough... dead-end and no cave for shelter.  Moving on.

To the left is another nice little cubbyhole... and even (albeit a tight squeeze) way continue on along the river.

However, it's getting close to evening now, and I'm not sure if I'd find a place to rest down here in the small ravine.  Perhaps for now, I'll backtrack and try the way up the slope.

Halfway up the slope... found another decent cubbyhole.

Moving on...

Ah... the other end of the road.  To my right ought to the be bridge.  Not sure which direction I should go. 🤔  Since I do have at least some frame of reference to the bridge, I guess I'll start there and hunt for shelter that way.

Heading to the right... I do indeed find the other side of the bridge.

Inside that overturned semi-trailer is also a good spot for a stopover.  Easy place to put down and maintain a campfire.  It would do in a pinch.

Continuing along the ridgeline... I see the remanence of what looks like a farm.  I think I even see a barn that has survived.

I know there are Timberwolves out there somewhere... but I don't really know where.  I have to be cautious, but I'm also running out of daylight.  🤔

The weather has been getting more threatening... I think I have enough sticks on hand to keep a fire going through most of a night if I had to.  I want to at least look around what looks like a ruined farmhouse and barn before I decided where to try and hole-up for the evening.

Looks like perhaps the inmates exacted some revenge on what I came to find out was the "Jailer's Residence." 

Though, their credit... they left the doghouse alone. 🤭

...a covered shelter and a car for a little insulation, AND a burn barrel right next to the car?!
Yes.  I think this is going to be where I hunker down for the night.  

Edited November 25, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

Worth noting:

As I got situated for the evening... I began to think that this place is ideal enough that perhaps I can use it as an encampment where I can stash things for later.  It's close enough to an exit... so far seems a relatively safe area.

My pack is already getting a bit heavy... so lightening the burden may be a good idea at this point anyway.

I have the sticks and coal stashed in the suitcase there in the truck bed.  At least for tonight the cooking pot.  If I need a fire to keep warm, I'll likely also use it to bolster my water supply.

[Leeanda]

22 minutes ago, ManicManiac said:

I have less than half the day to try to find shelter in Blackrock... I remember almost nothing about it, so this will definitely feel like a new struggle rather quickly.  

First order of business is going to have to be to look for a shallow cave or something... 

Off to the right is a dead end... but the bridge looks like it might be promising.  I'm not wild about going down in this this little ravine/chasm.  

Over to the left is clearly the way down into the small ravine... but I kind of want to look around some more first.

This little cubby hole is nice... but not protected enough to serve as good shelter.  At least not without significant risk.  Moving on.

Near the bridge itself is this truck trapped under boulders.  This is honestly a fairly viable option for shelter.  While perhaps not perfect, it is work able.

  Reveal hidden contents

If one is patient/persistent... there is just one specific spot where we can manage to build a campfire in the truck bed.  From there, we can sleep in the cab rather comfortably. 

However, there's still a few hours of daylight left... so I want to keep pressing on.  If push comes to shove, I'll come back here to hole-up for the night, but I'd like to try to go find something better.

This looks like a goating opportunity... 

And I was correct.  However, it's possibly a one-way trip up... so I'll come back to test it out more later.  

Turns out the bridge is as blocked as the name suggests.  I don't see a conventional way to get across.  Perhaps that coating opportunity might be a way across, but I'd like to see it from the other side first.  The last thing I need now (so close to the end of my trip down Memory Lane) is to get myself stuck someplace.  

From the bridge the way off to the right in the small ravine... looks like a dead end, but I'll still want to go see for myself.  One never knows, there might be a nice cave down there. 🤭

Sure enough... dead-end and no cave for shelter.  Moving on.

To the left is another nice little cubbyhole... and even (albeit a tight squeeze) way continue on along the river.

However, it's getting close to evening now, and I'm not sure if I'd find a place to rest down here in the small ravine.  Perhaps for now, I'll backtrack and try the way up the slope.

Halfway up the slope... found another decent cubbyhole.

Moving on...

Ah... the other end of the road.  To my right ought to the be bridge.  Not sure which direction I should go. 🤔  Since I do have at least some frame of reference to the bridge, I guess I'll start there and hunt for shelter that way.

Heading to the right... I do indeed find the other side of the bridge.

Inside that overturned semi-trailer is also a good spot for a stopover.  Easy place to put down and maintain a campfire.  It would do in a pinch.

Continuing along the ridgeline... I see the remanence of what looks like a farm.  I think I even see a barn that has survived.

I know there are Timberwolves out there somewhere... but I don't really know where.  I have to be cautious, but I'm also running out of daylight.  🤔

The weather has been getting more threatening... I think I have enough sticks on hand to keep a fire going through most of a night if I had to.  I want to at least look around what looks like a ruined farmhouse and barn before I decided where to try and hole-up for the evening.

Looks like perhaps the inmates exacted some revenge on what I came to find out was the "Jailer's Residence." 

Though, their credit... they left the doghouse alone. 🤭

...a covered shelter and a car for a little insulation, AND a burn barrel right next to the car?!
Yes.  I think this is going to be where I hunker down for the night.  

It's been ages since I started a fire in a truck , I forgot you could do that😁

[ManicManiac]

@Leeanda

It was really satisfying to find some of those little out of the way spots that are workable as shelters.  

[Leeanda]

7 minutes ago, ManicManiac said:

@Leeanda

It was really satisfying to find some of those little out of the way spots that are workable as shelters.  

I missed that truck and the two ways through the cracks for quite some time if I'm honest..

But I agree, it's nice finding little safe cosy spots.😊

[ManicManiac]

I think tomorrow, I'll spend the day searching the bottom of that ravine... and explore beyond that tight crawlspace.  As far as I could see the coast was clear... and I have enough supplies on hand to burn a day or two down there, even if I don't find anything at all.

[ManicManiac]

My first morning in Blackrock.

I did a bit of a sort and stow... which kept me in the barn until about midmorning.  However... apparently it's bitterly cold in Blackrock until past noon.  I managed to get back to the Blocked Bridge, but then I needed to sit in a car to try and recover a little warmth.  This is also when I found out my outer layer was also soaking wet.  I hadn't been out that long.  Granted the snow was heavy... or didn't my clothing dry out at all overnight?  I will have to check on this later.

 

I managed to get back down to the bottom of the small ravine... but I'm perpetually in danger of freezing.  I would have thought that it might have warmed up by afternoon.  Apparently, I was mistaken.  Between the heavy snow fall and having soaking wet clothing... there's just no getting warm.

Okay... so the end of the small ravine (at least this far) is another dead-end.

On the way back out... I got a bit of a surprise.  I didn't know wolves and timberwolves would occupy the same area.  So now I know for certain that I have both to worry about.

As I was making my way back up the slope... a blizzard hit.  I'd already lost condition due to the cold; this was not helpful.

I essentially made a beeline to try to get back to the barn.  Thankfully, I was able to keep my bearings.  I stood there freezing trying to get the fire barrel going (failed four consecutive times).  I've got a little bit of coal and about 50-60 sticks on hand.  If the weather is going to be this bad... my current choice of encampment is going to be untenable.

For now, I just have to survive the blizzard and another night.  Tomorrow... I have to find a real shelter where I can get warm without having to "burn" through resources.

I need to figure out how my clothing apparently got so wet, so quickly... 
I have a feeling that they didn't dry at all while I was sleeping in the truck last night.  I just wasn't out long enough in the snowfall for account for how soaked through my outer layer was (at least not in such a short time being out in the snowfall).

I'll also have to use the fire to make sure they dry this time.

I admit, this first full day in Blackrock has me a bit shaken.
At this point, I'd assumed I was pretty well armored against the cold... but the day's weather just cut right through it.  I have to think more about why... so I can adapt. 🤔

Edited November 26, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

Managed to get everything dried out, and after the storm passed... I was able to look around the area a little bit more (mostly looking to find more sticks).

I found a good goating opportunity... but I was not sure it would really lead anywhere.  It was a nice view though.

 

I managed a decent night's sleep in the truck... I was hoping that the next morning would make for a better day to go out and explore...

Instead, another blizzard struck. 😖
I'm already starting to get cold inside the truck.

I can't let myself get pinned down for too much longer... but I don't know the area well enough to tank the blizzard for the sake of finding a better shelter.  I might have enough coal and sticks to weather this blizzard, but after that... I'll have no way to keep warm.  When the storm breaks, I will have to make a move or risk a slow death by exposure.