...Memory Lane...

[ManicManiac]

Okay, two blizzards in under 24 hours while hole-up in a barn.  Thank goodness the truck is here for a little added insulation.  I admit the situation is a bit demoralizing when I don't know exactly where I'm headed... and that I still have to watch out for Timberwolves too.

This blizzard just started this morning... and I'm already starting to get cold sitting in the truck.  Looks like I'll need another fire.  I'm not sure if I should follow the ridge line, the apparent trail that seems to lead down to the small ravine above the falls, or if I should get back to the bridge and explore in the other direction.  I suppose I have a few hours huddled next to the burn barrel to think about it. 🤔

You know I didn't notice it earlier... but there's a rabbit hopping around out there.
 What a Boss!  

Edited November 26, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

Those bunnies are a brave lot😁

[ManicManiac]

I think I've decided that when the storm breaks... I'll continue in the same direction, and keep working my way along between the ridgeline and the road.  I don't really recall what's where, but it seems better to keep pushing on rather than spend more time backtracking a second time.

If the temperature will lift just 2 more degrees... I'll be able to tank the blizzard without having to expend a match or firewood.

 

So close to equilibrium. 🥶 

As I was looking through my pack... I realized that I still have not yet even loaded the revolver.  Hopefully it will stay that way.  The thing that worries me a little is that the prybar is in poor condition.  I've had to use it quite a bit more than I would have expected already... and I feel like it's going to be an important tool to have here.  I kind of regret not switching it out for a new one at one of my other encampments before coming here.  Now I just have to hope I find another one. 🤭

 

Edited November 26, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

Don't you carry a knife or hatchet?

[ManicManiac]

@Leeanda
As a general rule, no.  I find I don't really have a need keep one in my pack.  I usually store the ones I find at one of my encampments... and if I feel like doing something that requires a specific tool, then I'll go pick one up.

I don't keep a knife on hand because I don't rend to get into struggles; nor have I been harvesting frozen carcasses.

I don't keep a hatchet on hand because I tend to get all the firewood I need by picking up sticks or breaking down branches by hand.  I don't tend to bother with limbs, found I generally don't need them.

[Leeanda]

13 minutes ago, ManicManiac said:

@Leeanda
As a general rule, no.  I find I don't really have a need keep one in my pack.  I usually store the ones I find at one of my encampments... and if I feel like doing something that requires a specific tool, then I'll go pick one up.

I don't keep a knife on hand because I don't rend to get into struggles; nor have I been harvesting frozen carcasses.

I don't keep a hatchet on hand because I tend to get all the firewood I need by picking up sticks or breaking down branches by hand.  I don't tend to bother with limbs, found I generally don't need them.

Oh I see..  I suppose there's not a lot of uses for it,except hrv and scrubs.

[ManicManiac]

 

🥳 Played chicken with a blizzard and won.  
I just got to the point where I'm starting to very slowly warm up without a need for a fire.  I'm still stuck in the truck... but at least I was able to wait out the brunt of it without using up more of the precious few sticks I have on hand.

Wow... just sitting in the truck isn't the most engaging thing, but don't often resort to just "passing time."  At least it's given me a lot of time to plan.  When the storm abaits... I'm going to have to make a break for it.  I'd rather not spend another night in this truck. 

Edited November 26, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

The storm finally let up... I wasted no time.

There are so many goating opportunities here in Blackrock... and clearly many side paths to take note of.  

Every little bit helps.  

 

Okay... here's a good shelter for the night.  A nice warm cave. 

Still not entirely sure how my clothes got so soaked the other day... but they held up much better (as generally expected) today.  Tomorrow, I'm not sure if I want to scout further up the road or take a peek at what up the climbing rope right outside the cave.   Either way, I get to sleep soundly tonight... nice and warm. 😄

Edited November 26, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

Weather permitting, I think I will take the long way around rather than climb the rope.  If nothing else, I'd like to scout the road ahead anyway.  Of course, if I do spot Timberwolves... I may double back and at which time I will take the rope climb. 🤭

You know... so far, I've not seen any sign of Timberwolves.  I'm hoping they behave the same as most of them in Bleak Inlet.  If so, I know I can evade and avoid.  However, it has occurred to me that they may also be like the Cannery Rush Timberwolves (in that if I just get to a certain spot an incursion is triggered - if that's the case it would greatly impact my opinion of the region).

I do remember getting blindsided in my last visit near a power station... but frankly I don't recall where that was, if I just hadn't spotted them, or if it was a scripted encounter.  It's been more than a year since I last visited Blackrock.  Oh well, I imagine I will find out soon.  I would go back and comb through my past chronicles... but I'm kind of enjoying not knowing and feeling a bit lost again.  

Edited November 28, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

Hmm... not sure if it's better to sit here and wait for sunup or get an early start.  It is a bit cold... but as long as the wind doesn't kick up it should be manageable.  🤔  I spend a few more minutes in the warm cave, monitor the weather, think on the risk/reward of trying to prospect for the next shelter this early... or whether to just stay put another hour or two.

I did decide that I will double back eventually to prospect all the more remote nooks.  That first day, really emphasized that I need to take care, and more generally familiar with the region again before venturing off into the more out of the way places.

So I won't be heading down that foot path back to the river behind the Barn just yet.. I realize I need to get a better idea of where the caves and shelters are first. 

[ManicManiac]

Took a peek out... but the visibility wasn't good enough for me to want to risk it.

Couldn't sit in the truck to warm up and wait (just slightly too cold)... so I went 'back to the cave for a nap.

Cold or not... time to start the day in earnest.

Edited December 2, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I couldn't get very far again today... found some Timberwolves though.

Foreman's Clearcut...

I definitely have enough coffee to get my last merit badge now.   

 

Up near the climb I saw yesterday... found another revolver. 

Finally caught sight of Timberwolves... so at least we know there are out and about (and not just scripted incisions).  It seems these ones have a pretty wide detection radius... the one on the left was with the other three on the right.  This one broke off to take down a deer from rather far off.  Not sure if that means these one's are keener or if just being in their territory triggers detection.  I imagine we'll find out tomorrow... for now, I want to continue observing a while and looking around.

From the other side (the road just next to Foreman's Clearcut)... they look like they are most interested in prowling along the road.  

More side trails to look into...

Ah... this is what I was hoping to find.  I have a feeling this is where I'll hunker down for the evening.  I do have 81 sticks on hand so, if need be, I could have a 12-hour fire build up in short order.

Good advice. 🤭

I still had some daylight... it was time to test the Timberwolves a bit more.

The Timberwolf do appear manageable... so far, not any trickier than they are in Bleak Inlet. 

Hard to seem in this shot... but the four/five of them are down there skulking about.  Might be able to get to that car without being spotted, but I'll deal with that tomorrow. 

Looks like the cave system that would lead me out to Timberwolf Mountain.  I think instead of that cave near the Farm... I'll be staying here for the night instead.

I may take a walk and search through the cave, but for now... just going to get situated to bed down for the night.

Edited December 2, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

In the cave:

There's a surprising amount of standing water in this cave.  I decided it was a better idea to take my shoes and socks off until I was done sloshing around through pools of water. 🤭

There wasn't much to speak of in this cave.  Mostly just coal and a few flares to be found.

On the way back through, I did find one campsite that I had missed before:

it did provide one night's worth of food... so the cave kind of "paid for itself."

Edited December 2, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

Even in pilgrim I've never found much in there, but I do like the cave..it's so different from the rest. 

[ManicManiac]

It was about midmorning when I got up.  When I went to sleep, I could hear the beginnings of a blizzard kicking up outside.  Thankfully, it had blown over while I slept.  I quickly scouted the road below; I was curious to see if I could get to the abandoned car without getting spotted.

Hmm... the car should be far enough away for me to prospect it without any problems... but I'll still proceed with caution.  These packs can prowl a pretty large area.

I've got a good goat path to get down there, but there doesn't seem to be a convenient way back up... so it looks like I'm committed now. 🤭

Nope... it looks like I will have to come back for this car another time.  It's probably better for me to just look for the next shelter anyway.

 I mean, I appreciate the warning... but honestly, right now I think falling rocks is the least of the hazards around that particular corner.

Moving on... it looks like there might be a promising foot path just ahead.

Looks like the road ahead is clear... also perhaps a frozen lake there to the right?  I'd say that warrant's a moment's consideration. 🤔

Very nice... reminds me of the Mountaineer's Hut, rabbits nearby... I think this will be a nice spot to setup an encampment here.

While looking around just to make sure the area was clear... the weather took a turn.  In case another storm blows in... I should probably get to work gathering sticks and getting settled.  Hopefully that won't happen, but I have a feeling future me might appreciate it if I get this place set to wait out a blizzard.  

There's not much here... but then, I don't need much. 

"This will come in handy..." 
Nice, water purification tablets... always a good as gold in my book.  

It hadn't even occurred to me to check around the outside when I first approached.  This place will definitely do nicely.

The weather seems like it's not getting any worse... at least for now, but I still feel like I should concentrate more on gathering sticks and scouting around.

Looked like a reasonable goating opportunity, and hopefully a decent vantage.

Turned out there was a decent footpath up to this vantage point anyway... no risky goating needed.  The area looks clear, but there's a lot I can't make out through the trees.  I'll still need to becareful as I make way to back towards the road.  I still think I'm going to be staying here at Bricklayer's Retreat for the night... but we'll see.

Hmm... is that the road ahead?  Moving on.

For some reason, it seemed like the road was a bit farther away.  I figured I'd follow along the road a little way before heading back around.

No Timberwolves on this stretch... at least not today.  In Bleak Inlet, packs would migrate from place to place... I should probably watch out for that here as well.

Another good vantage point let me see the back behind one of the archways I looked at the other day... also, spotted my first bear in the region.  Which means at some point, I need to locate the den.

The weather cleared while I was out scouting, but it's late enough in the day that I'm content to stay put for the night.

I see Foreman's Clearcut below... good to know I have a good route to get back there quickly if need be.

I don't really need fire this evening...  Still though, any chance to make "free" fire, I do try to take advantage of.

I'd thought perhaps the wind was gusting a bit too hard... but I gave it a shot anyway.
I have 15 pieces of coal and more than 80 sticks gathered, so I have plenty of fuel for a couple of nights.  For now, I just want to bolster my water supply (done more quickly thanks to the Water Purification Tablets) and get that coffee brewed up.  I do also have a few canned food items I can prep for later.

I'd like to explore more of the back paths tomorrow.  I'm not sure if I could keep heading towards the mine, or if I should perhaps find way towards a power distribution tower (electricity pylon).  I'm not sure yet... I'll have to think on it some more. 🤔

[ManicManiac]

You know... I've not spent nearly enough time getting to know Blackrock.  Perhaps this last leg of my trip down Memory Lane is a good time to do just that.  Progress is likely going continue to be a bit slow, but I suppose that's the cost of trying to seek out all the ways to get around and the assorted out of the way nooks.  

Edited December 4, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I got up sometime midmorning, but it was still a bit too cold and the weather was feeling a bit threatening.

I laid back down for an hour or so... the wind had died down some and it felt like a much better time to venture out.

So many blind hills and corners.

I was starting to lose track of where I was while picking up sticks and trying to get familiar with the area... almost got myself turned around (not the ideal thing when there are Timberwolves about).  I would have like to get back to the ridge, keep track of the river... but I'd wandered a back trail near to Foreman's Clearcut.  

Ended up doubling back to make sure I kept my bearing.

After that, I decided to keep to the road until I got a bit further ahead.  Besides, I do need to focus on finding the next shelter.  There will be time walk all the foot trails after I get a good fix on more of the area's landmarks.

It's tense being on the road though.  The Timberwolf pack I'd spotted the other day was prowling the roadway... and there was no reason to think there might be more ahead.  The good news was that it was warm enough outside that I was able to keep warm on my own... so I had the time to take it slow.

The careful pace seemed to have paid off... I think I see a cave here just off the road.

Most definitely a cave... and perhaps a way up to a nice vantage point.

I dropped off the sticks I'd managed to collect along the way... only 33 of them, but that would do (I also kept two pieces of coal with me from Bricklayer's Retreat).  This would be a good spot to fall back to... but I did also want to at least search around on the other side of the road.  I'd like to get eyes on the river again too.

However, it seemed as though weather had other plans.  The wind was kicking up again, and I was starting to get cold.  I decided I was still going to go out... if for nothing else than to try and gather more sticks.  The closer I can get the count to 60, the better I'd feel about holing-up for the night.

As I crept up over the slope and rocks, I spotted a Hunter's Blind.  That was definitely worth prospecting... and I knew I can safely get back to Wedge Cave relatively quickly if I had to. 

I continued to crawl up the slopes, better take it slow until I got a better idea of what was around.  I heard hooves and rooting around just over the hill.  I already felt better about the area... live deer at least meant no wolves.  
I felt much better about picking up the pace to get to the Hunter's Blind.

Deer and Ptarmigans... duly noted.

Whistling Perch... not a bad spot.  I think I see a Rabbitskin Hat some poor soul left behind.  "I hope nobody needs this anymore..." 🤭 because I will certainly make good use of it.

Hmm, I'll have to keep an eye out for this spot.

Oh yes... this will do very nicely, and replace this Aviator Cap. 

Now... part of me wanted to continue pressing on and exploring the trail.  The other part wanted to heed the weather and just get back to Wedge Cave.  Though by now, I suppose it's not surprising which of those internal voices I listened to. 🤭

Interesting... I thought that was a solid rockface, but there is a trail back there. 🤔 Later... I had to stay focused.

I came upon some relatively safe goating opportunities.  Managed to get up there without spraining anything. 🤭
There ahead, was most of the area of back trails I wanted to cover.  I know I spotted a bear down there somewhere when I was up on the other vantage point facing back this way.  However, I don't see it now... maybe I'll come back tomorrow.  I now know I have a reasonably safe route back there.

Now it was time I got back to Wedge Cave before dark... I was starting to run out of daylight and the weather didn't seem like it was going to let up.

Of course, no sooner than I had thought that... it stopped snowing.  
I decided to slide down the slope on to the back trails... sure enough, saw a familiar landmark right away.

It would be smooth sailing back to Wedge Cave now... though I was still going to keep my head on a swivel.

As I walked by this rock formation again... I thought it looked like there might be an interesting nook in the middle there.

I was right.  A nice little out of the way nook... but there was nothing there to be found. 

As I got closer to Wedge Cave a deadly dense fog started rolling in.  I wasn't very tired yet... but I was just going to have to spend the rest of the evening in the cave.

It's home... for now.
I did manage to gather 31 more sticks, so now I have more than I could need for warmth or water.
And safe for the night.

[ManicManiac]

The rest of the evening was spent hoping the fog would lift... 

I was eventually able to sit up on a good vantage point to scout the road ahead.
I caught a glimpse of at least two (maybe three) Timberwolves prowling up the road and the area near the shoulder on the left side. 🤔

Even though I still wasn't very tired, I went to bed down anyway.
However, what I woke to was a blizzard.

I suppose that means I'll be waiting a bit longer...

[Leeanda]

That's just like BlackRock...blizzards when you least want them...  .I always come out of the prepper cache to one.

[ManicManiac]

Given that the blizzard hit early this morning... I doubt there will be much progress made today.  I'll spend most of my time mending and maybe sorting through my pack again to see if there's more that I might leave behind.  It'll also give me more time to consider the next route.  🤔

[ManicManiac]

The storm raged for a while... but not nearly so long as I'd mentally prepared for.  I didn't have much to mend (at least not without it being wasteful of cloth), so for the most part I just sat and thought more about how to deal with the Timberwolves that were prowling just up the road.  I knew of course I'd need to give them a wide berth (I mean unless I wanted to have to load my revolver - which I didn't), but the question remained about which side of the road would be better. 🤔 I supposed that I would just have to wait and see.

Much to my delight, the storm broke sometime around noon.  Half a day is better than a wasted day.  

A bit hard to them out... but there ahead were at least four Timberwolves.  Here I had to decide, my first inclination was to break right and keep to the ridge line.

As I got a little closer and spent a little more time observing, it seemed that their roaming today tended towards the right-side of the road.  With that in mind, I decided to reroute and approach from the left-side of the road instead.

I spent some time watching and waiting.  It seemed bit of a path leading from the road, and the Timberwolves didn't seem interested in wandering this far from the road.

It turned out that I had made a good choice.  I'd both found a cave, and there was a bit of a goating opportunity (there to the right of the cave) that seemed to promise a way to continue on past the Timberwolves.  Perhaps if the opportunity presents itself, I'll head back around along the ridge line... but for now, better to find and secure a place I can fall back to for the night (or if the weather turns on me again). 

No Road Cave turned out to be pretty desolate.  While I did find an abandoned campfire... there was nothing to find except two sticks and piece of cedar nearby.

I goated up on the rocks just outside the cave... There are the four Timberwolves just ahead through the trees.  This cave seems a risky place to hole up, but I can make it work if need be.

Just on the other side of the rock formation I was just on, I see the road continuing on (I'd presume closer to the mine if the signs were to be believed).

As I looked around a little bit more... I saw what looked like a promising looking back path as well.  I figured, if nothing else... it might loop me back around again and I might either have double backed near Wedge Cave.  There was also the possibility that through that narrow pass, might be something really significant.

There were at least a few hours left of daylight... naturally I was going to press on (at least a little further). 🤭

The horrible crag of Blackrock itself.  This can't be an easy way to the prison.  I can't believe that would be the case.

Ha! Nope.  Looks light a tight corner, or dead... either way there's a wolf prowling right down middle.

Now at this point I had a choice to make.  Do I turn around... or do I try to stealth this wolf?
 

Naturally I was going to press the initiative.  

The good news is that it's not a dead end.

The bad news is that this is Fool's Corner.  I vaguely remember this spot.  I wasn't sure that I wanted to head down the climb... so I decided to try to make it through the pass.  If nothing else, I'd come out close to one of the other nearby Caves.

I did opt for a closer look over the edge... Finally, I have eyes on this stretch of the river again.  Still though, it doesn't feel like the right time to make this climb.  There's more to explore up here before I head down there.  Besides, I feel like I remember there being another way down further up the road.  If that's the case, then I could run this trench from end to end if I hold off for now.  

I did admittedly use a stone to distract the wolf and draw it off... but I was able to slip past unnoticed.

By the time I made it to the end of the pass... it looked very familiar.  I think this is the trail I'd come across when I was exploring around Whistling Perch.  I knew where I was!  Which meant I knew safe routes to at least two caves and even a primary encampment at the Bricklayer's Retreat.  

The only question that remained was how much time was I willing to spend exploring these back trails... and how far was I willing to back track. 🤔

The answer was not at all... not right now.  I got the feeling that I didn't have that much further to do before reaching the mine.  I'd have time later to really dig into the out of the way places (after I get my bearings vising more of the major locations).

There was everyone... right where I'd left them.   

Wedge Cave there below... but I rathered trying to get back to No Road Cave.  

It feels dangerous trying to stop over at No Road Cave for the night.  It's like these Timberwolves are right on the doorstep.  However, I'm going to press it... I've learned that the way I most improve, is by testing the limits of what I think I'm capable of.   

It was a tense few minutes... but I made it back to the cave.
I can hear the Timberwolves outside pawing and rooting around out the snow.  Very disconcerting.

I'm not especially tired, but I stop over here for the evening.
I've only got 14 sticks on hand... but I do also have a few pieces of coal.
That should be enough to weather a storm (assuming it's not a Pleasant Valley style 18-24 hour blizzard). 🤭

Edited December 9, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I decided that there was enough daylight to risk taking a look at what was further up the road.

Oh no.  I was mistaken... about a lot.

I was much closer to the end of the road than I thought.
I thought I might be able to reach the mine.
I also thought perhaps I might bet another opportunity to get down the river below.

 I should have known Great Bear Island wasn't going to make it that easy.  
Well, I was already there, so I figured I may as well look around before heading back for shelter.

Looked like a good vantage point...

Hmm... definitely no good way to get down or across.  It looks like Fool's Corner was the right spot to get down after all. 🤔

Following the train tracks backwards, I came across this.

Hmm... if Hushed River Valley taught me anything... it's to check out around scrub brush.  There's usually a path or out of the way nook to check out.

Spoiler

 I was correct.

That's a substantial number of arrows.

Oh, this will be nice mated with the other pot over at Bricklayer's Retreat. 

Nice find... but unless it's more durable than Forester's Revolver; it will be a nice trophy, but not much more than that.

Ah... now here is the gem I've really been hoping for.  A new Great Bear Island Skeleton Key. 🤭

The trickier question now, is getting it all back to Bricklayer's Retreat safely.  

 

[ManicManiac]

With everything I'd found along the way...  my pack was now weighing in a little over 66 kg. and I could barely move.  I decided I it was time to haul some the gear and supplies back to Bricklayer's Retreat.  I knew I'd be making two trips... but I only dropped weight of the pack down to 55 kg.  This gave me enough mobility while being crouched that I figured coming back for just 10 kgs would make for a much faster second trip.  

All was pretty much going as expected.  However, it looked like the Timberwolves that were prowling in front of No Road Cave... were gone.  As I was crawling past (just to be on the safe side)... a blizzard hit.

For now, I'm going to have to hole-up here.  At least until the storm passes anyway.  😒

Edited December 10, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

While waiting out the storm in No Road Cave... I've had awhile to think about the next route.

Since I'm already backtracking all the way to Bricklayer's Retreat, I figure I'll take the opportunity to finish up exploring the back trails between Cook's Farm all the way up to Fool's Corner.

From there... I think I'll use the Fool's Corner climb to get down and explore along that stretch of the river.

If neither of those routes seem profitable... then I suppose I'll just go back to following the road (but of course in the opposite direction).  

Now, I just have to wait for the storm to break.

Edited December 10, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

Once the storm abated... I didn't have much time to make it back to Bricklayer's Retreat before nightfall.

Those treacherous Timberwolves... so they don't just roam between different territories like they sometimes do in Bleak Inlet... it seems this is the same pack... but now they are prowling on the curve right near Bricklayer's Retreat.  Had I not been keeping a keen eye out; they would have certainly ambushed me.  

I'd managed to get back just as the sun set.

I am debating a night hike to finish the task, now that I know where the Timberwolves are (and aren't).