...Memory Lane...

[ManicManiac]

So far, at least in my experience, there's a bear for each den.  In most of my runs, I usually find three in Forlorn Muskeg.

Yesterday's route found two (the shallow cave near the Poacher's Camp, as well as there by the Low Blind), and out on the muskeg (in the snapshot we saw the bear on the rock formation) is where the third one rests.

Oh yes, the sleeping bear, had it suddenly woken up... I'd almost certainly have been ambushed.  Since I failed to notice it as I approached... there would have been no getting away. 

 

Edited May 10, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

I wasn't trying to contradict you,  this is my first run seeing two bears , no matter how high I put the spawns on.   I don't hang around on the ice much either ,not keen on cold baths😁 

They do look similar to rocks when they're curled up..   

[ManicManiac]

Not at all... I was only adding what I've experienced there in the past, and what's been found so far for this particular run.  It seems a wide variance in RNG tendency, which to my mind is nice.

[Leeanda]

It is ..  as long as you don't mind more bears on stalker😁

[ManicManiac]

I don't mind... so far, the bear population and I have a very good live and let live policy.  
Plus, should the day come I ever start hunting... I'll have already scouted all their dens for the run.

[Leeanda]

I just hope they stick to their end of the bargain then 🙂

[ManicManiac]

Trying to get to and finish the "Upper Shelf" today...  I'd like to get all the way from Low Blind then over to Hat Creek, then the Signal Tower, over to Marsh Ridge, and probably spend the night in the cave.  I'd like to get the quadrant more or less completed in one day.  I'm starting from Poacher's Camp today... but I still have a lot of ground to over just to get to the Low Blind.  I'll have to get a move on.

Okay there's the goal...

...And here's the starting marker.

I was tempted to get all the way over to the Tunnel leading to Broken Railroad... but I figured I'd get that on the way back down.  Besides I do still have some memento clues to hunt down.

As I made my way along the ridgeline... perhaps in the interest of making good time, I wasn't as careful as I might normally be.  I ended up attracting the attention of a wolf.  Sadly, it seems I was a bit out of practice throwing stones (without aiming in, I mean) because I just couldn't manage to run it off.  I'd have to make sure I could keep moving forward and look for some terrain to shake it off my trail.

This wolf would not give up... followed me all the way back to Hat Creek before I found a good spot to lose them.

As I made it up to the Waterfall, I was in the clear... however, it was likely that more wolves were up prowling around the tower.

Yep... two more of them. 🤭

And one of those wolves was just below the rock I was crouched on... so I had to make another route doubling back around the cliff face.

Managed to lose my pursuer again.  This time I had to make sure to give them a much wider berth. 

This depression up on the "Upper Shelf" is a great location for camping overnight out in the open.
I've always had good luck even on the windiest of nights, even tanking a blizzard here.  I don't know if it was just luck, good placement on my part, or if the area is low enough to be solid wind protection regardless of the weather conditions...   I've not tested it in a while. 

This was also the spot I was camped out in when I had that very close encounter with an Aurora charged wolf, all those years ago.

Moving on...

Over on Marsh Ridge side of the creek... a whole meal had been laid out and left behind.  I wonder where they could have gone off to.  🤔

This must have been their encampment... I can't imagine they're too far away.

Oh... I guess they won't be returning to the meal they prepared... or their campsite.  On the way back, I'll eat the venison and gather up the rest.

I eventually returned to the tower before dark... I did want to get a survey from the Vista.

The waterfall cave was the best spot in the area to hole-up for the night.  

Covered a fair bit of ground today.  

[ManicManiac]

I jolted awake sometime midmorning; another nightmare...

[conanjaguar]

 

1 hour ago, ManicManiac said:

This depression up on the "Upper Shelf" is a great location for camping overnight out in the open.
I've always had good luck even on the windiest of nights, even tanking a blizzard here.  I don't know if it was just luck, good placement on my part, or if the area is low enough to be solid wind protection regardless of the weather conditions...   I've not tested it in a while. 

I stumbled across that depression a while ago, quite by accident. At first I was very confused as to why the blizzard wasn’t blowing out my fire .

[ManicManiac]

Early the next morning, I set out to place the rope over at the climb... then goat down the cliffside to finish the last stretch of the region.

The way was more or less clear all the way over to the tunnel leading to Broken Railroad... I'll probably be back here in another day or so. 🤭  I do still want to track down the clues that were left behind for couple of stashes.

There were two wolves just over the slope on the left... but easy enough to avoid.  

Last time I'd spotted the bear skulking around on top of the rock formation... this time was able to get close enough to confirm the Den.  We do have three bears that call the Muskeg their home.  Duly noted...

I decided to head back to the Old Spence Place to sort and stow more of the gear and supplies I'd found along the way.  I'm not going to worry too much about consolidating.  What I left at the Poacher's Camp can stay there, I'm sure future me will appreciate it.

A nearby wolf took down a deer... so I decided to capitalize on the opportunity.

A belly full of venison really hit the spot.  

Tomorrow, I think I'll see about tracking down the other small cache, and then work on getting ready to head out to Broken Railroad.

 

[Leeanda]

Halfway through the list already🙂 still without damaging the zero stats👍😊

[ManicManiac]

The key thing (at least to my mind) is that it wasn't necessary for me to scavenge a carcass (let alone steal a kill from a wolf)...  but it was an opportunity for some convenient calories (most of which I'd be sleeping off and walking off the next day).  As a result, my animal harvesting stats will increment of course... just as my plant harvesting status incremented when I decided to try looking for some acorns (just to get an idea of those might fit into to future runs for me).  In both cases they weren't necessary actions for my survival, so I don't really count it against my specific goals.

Not harvesting plants: no picking cattails, lichen, mushrooms, rosehips, saplings, etc... 
*(all of these kinds of things I have, I could only pickup via Beachcombing)

No hunting.
*(at least not until after I'm done with the walk down Memory Lane... once the regions pre-TFTFT are "done" then I'm loose to take on The Far Territory in whatever way I need)

Edited May 15, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

Well even I've harvested one or two deer carcasses but only out of necessity. I know there's a lot less ready food on stalker  so it's understandable you'll need something else . But your stats are still pretty impressive considering how far into the maps you've gotten to.

[ManicManiac]

Starting the morning with a tummy full of venison.  I think I'll find that last little hidden cache and start prepping to head out to Broken Railroad next...

[ManicManiac]

I started out sometime midmorning.  Took a long look around from the clue I'd found, and eventually found what I the hidden cache (won't spoil where or what I found there... but I did find it).

I did also do a bit of surveying from the cliffside but haven't found any additional polaroids.

Weather started taking a turn for the worse, so I made my way back to the Old Spence Place for the night.  I'll start getting ready to leave for Broken Railroad in the morning.

Also, a very minor tip for anyone interested. 

 

We don't have to break the crates to get at the safe.... just have "reach" through the whole in the wall from the other side.

Edited May 20, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

Plenty of wolves I see...... But something's missing🙂🐻

[ManicManiac]

Another strange dream... I guess when we struggle day in and day out, it shouldn't be surprising to have these kinds of anxiety dreams.  🤔

I suppose I'd better start getting ready to move on soon.  

[ManicManiac]

If I'm being honest with myself, I'm not really looking forward to going to Broken Railroad.  It feels a bit like the Old Island Connector.  The area itself is fine enough... it's just that the routes are very tight and few alternative options.  All the narrow passes make for a tense hike, with several wolves and a bear in the mix.

Edited May 24, 2023 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

Very early the next morning I started out for Broken Railroad...  However, along the way I accidentally found a good reason to put it off for another day.  🤭

Somehow, I'd missed picking this up the last time I was here at this den.  It was tucked all the way towards the back, stuck to be base of a den wall.  Seeing as how I found another Polaroid, may as well go survey from the Vista (...again).

Hmm... there's the pack of five wolves, but I know I took down that snow shelter.  Why is there another one down at the abandoned campsite? 

Sure enough, another snow shelter.  I didn't see anyone else around, and I could honestly use the cloth.
🤔"I hope nobody needs this anymore..." 🤭

A heavy fog rolled in while I was on the way back to the Old Spence Place.  Had to shelter in place until I could gain my bearings.

I was finally able to make my way just a little after dark.  All in all, with the little bit I found along the way... the extra day was spent here was worth it.

[Leeanda]

A Polaroid in the bear den??   I thought there used to be two but I've only found one in a while.

Good old forlorn weather,always foggy when you least want it.😊

[ManicManiac]

I was a bit surprised to find two more snow shelters at the Abandoned Campsite... but I welcomed the extra cloth.
I was also surprised to find that Polaroid in the cave.  I've been used to finding Polaroids in backpacks/containers/pockets... this time it was a lone Polaroid on the ground (or in this case stuck to the bottom most part of the wall of the den).

That fog was certainly no joke... that solid wall of grey was snapped while I was looking forward. 🤭

Edited May 24, 2023 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

That seems to be a known bug ..  I've found one or two shelters the same.  

I did go and check for the polaroid after reading your post ,and it is odd finding it stuck on the cave wall like that.    It's a bit mean for it to be in a bear cave too.

[ManicManiac]

It's not the first time I've found one in a den.  I recall finding having a good chance of finding one in the bear den on Mystery Lake (but that one was also inside a backpack rather than stuck to the wall/on the "floor").

[Leeanda]

Oh yes I forgot about that one, I hardly ever had that one.

[ManicManiac]

I went back through pervious posts to the last time I was at that particular den.  I'm not surprised I missed it the first time.  🤔