The Ghosts of All That Was

[ManicManiac]

As soon as I'd gotten out of bed, I was already starting to get cold... I really needed to get a move on.

I sat and watched the Crystal Lake wolves for a moment or two... seemed like they were skulking around a bit too close to the mouth of the river.  I decided I would take the safer (but longer) way around to get up to the bluff.

As I was crawling my way up the slope, I head wolves howling uncomfortably close.  It turned out there were at least three prowling the area.  I'd need be stay slow and be cautious.  However, I was also very quickly losing warmth...

Nice... but I did also bring along a rusty hacksaw as well, so I think I will wear the lesser quality one down first and save this one for the summit.

I was interrupted by the sound of wolf paws lightly crunching the snow and seemed like they were getting closer.  As I backed off to a respectful distance from the Cargo Containers... I found I was correct to do so.

Just as I had finished gathering up the gear and supplies from the two Cargo Containers up on the Bluff, I spotted the River Bear making its way in my direction.  I quickly put on two of the (better quality) Old Fashioned Parkas and Ear Wraps that I'd managed to find in one of the containers (just enough that I was able to start warming up while still out in the open) and crept back towards the ledge.

Rather than take the time to either try to maneuver around both bear and wolves (knowing that wolves would also be likely to get scattered in any number of directions), I decided instead it was worth it to shimmy my way down the bluff.

I had found a nice little goating path... as long as I kept low, I'd be able to slip past the wolves at the mouth of the river and get back across Crystal Lake without any trouble.

Please and thank you.   A little mending should get this Balaclava fixed right up.

There was still some good daylight left... and I wasn't near enough to being tired to justify sitting around in the cabin to wait for nightfall.  I decided instead to go out and gather sticks (and hopefully a little Birch Bark too).

As I started gathering up sticks... it started to snow.  However, I was good and warm with the clothing I had now... so I decided to keep prospecting until it got suitably dark (or cold) to warrant heading back inside.

Good, I was hoping there would be a warren nearby.  Future me will most certainly appreciate it.

Also, Moose Scrapings... very nice.  This is a good spot to find one.  Future me will also very much appreciate that too.

So now, I know that I have rabbits on either side of Crystal Lake, Deer and Wolves on Crystal Lake itself (along with the Fishing Hut of course), two bears nearby that I could lure to the lake (the River Bear and the Echo Peak Bear), and Moose territory between the Mountaineer's Hut and the Landing Gear Wreckage.  This was as perfect a setup for Crystal Lake as one could hope for.  

I made my way up to the back trails behind the Mountaineer's Hut (coming up from the steep slope near the Landing Gear Wreckage), and I came across this very shallow nook.  It reminds me that I never did pick any Old Man's Beard Lichen.  At some point I really should collect some (in the very remote change I get ambushed by wolves), but not today.  Moving on.

The snowfall was getting really heavy.  I'd managed to goat up one of the ridgelines bounding the region.  In this exact spot is usually a rather beautiful view of what I've come to refer to as The Mountains of Madness...  However, this evening the rest of the outside world may as well not exist.  It all just looks like a snow filled void. 😖

The visibility had gotten really horrible... it was even hard to make out the Mountaineer's Hut that was just ahead.

Even though I didn't really need to... I spent a match, got a fire going, cooked up some canned goods, and bolstered my water supply a little more.  After a couple of hours, I was close enough to exhausted that I knew I could sleep soundly through most of the bitter cold morning that was surely to come.

Tomorrow, I'll start making my way towards the Summit of Timberwolf Mountain.

 

 

Edited May 9 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I'll get as far as I can reasonably safely in one day, and hole-up at a proven stop-over point.
 I won't be pushing my luck, this time... 🤭

It was fogy, but not so bad that I can't see the way ahead.  The upside is that at least there won't be much of a windchill to contend with as long as the fog bank lingers.

The Echo Peak Bear was on its way over to the Lower Wing Wreckage... but I had enough of a lead that I could stroll across the way without any trouble.

The fog felt like it was getting a bit denser... but I decided to press on.  I did however stop off at each cave along the way to drop off about 20 sticks in each one.  I imagine future me will appreciate it if I try to drop off stick each time I pass by one of these rather nice potential stop-over points. 

I couldn't even see across Deer Clearing.

Thankfully, by the time I was done in that cave (where I swapped 20 sticks for three pieces of coal that I found inside), the fog was starting to lift.

I had to wait for the Eric's Falls Bear to amble down the path and head around the rock formation (a bit hard to make it out... but is there just towards the base of the rock formation, making its way off towards the right).  After watching it clear the trail off to the left, I knew the way would be clear (otherwise I would have spotted wolves sprinting around in a panic).

Verified the Bear's Den near Eric's Falls.

 

Thankfully the wolf skulking near the rope was preoccupied with a rabbit... I was really tired by the time I'd reached the rope, but I managed to make it up without losing my grip (despite being completely exhausted by the time I'd made it only halfway up.  😖  (It was a very tense and agonizingly long climb for such a short distance)

As the sun was setting, I found a rather nice overlook of Eric's Falls.

Spoiler

Ha ha... very funny.  I suppose I have been running around Timberwolf Mountain like a walking can of dog food, so I guess it was fitting that I found some in the shallow cave just below the Summit. 🤭

"Bad moon on the rise..."

After getting the climbing rope deployed (so I could maybe bypass Eric's Falls on future trips), I returned to this cave system for the night.  Blizzard or no blizzard, I'd be warm enough and could sleep soundly without worry.

Tomorrow... the Summit, and to see about gathering most of the gear I want for an expedition into The Far Territory.

[ManicManiac]

Today, the Summit.

I knew I'd be at least spending the day here... probably one night as well.  I had enough food on hand already, so I was prepared to take my time.

Now it was time to head into the Tail Section to see what I could find.

Spoiler

As I was opening up Cargo Containers and conducting a thorough sort and stow with each one... a blizzard hit.  So far, my clothing (both what I brough up with me and what I found up here) has been warm enough that I could stay comfortable as long as I stayed sheltered in the Tail Section.  I'd have to do some mending to get things in top condition... but for now it will do.  

Thankfully, the storm blew itself out after only five or six hours.  I still have one container left to prospect... but that could wait until morning.

I decided I'd rather check to see what was in the nearby cave, and hole-up there for the night (rather than bed down in the Tail Section overnight).

Spoiler

I spent the rest of the evening on a few mending tasks, filled up on soda and tomato soup... and I'd nap in short stretches until first light.

The best of what I found would be swapped out and/or packed in... but I'd estimate that about 90% of the gear and supplies I found was going to remain stashed up here for me to come back for later.

Spoiler

So far, I ended up with one Expedition Parka (that had to be mended), and one pair of Snow Pants (that still need more mending).  I do now have more than I need of Wool Toques, Ear Wraps, Insulated Boots.  The Combat Pants and Wool Longjohns were a very welcome upgrade though.

All-in-all, the Summit was much kinder this time... but perhaps not too generous either. 

Edited May 13 by ManicManiac

[Pyroxene]

What beautiful pictures! I like this thread a lot.

[ManicManiac]

@Pyroxene
Thank you, I'm very glad folks enjoy it.
I also occasionally will cross-post some of my favorites over on Screenshot for Screenshot Saturday as well.

Edited May 13 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I spent a good part of the morning doing a final sort and stow here on the summit.  I decided I was just going to take the most essential things with me and leave all the rest behind for future visits.  Essentially, I'd just be taking some more food (the lesser quality stuff) and the better clothing items.

Snow fall was already getting heavy... perhaps threatening a blizzard, but I decided to start making the trek back to Crystal Lake.

I'm always glad when I take the time to bring/deploy a rope at this particular climb.  The only problem with taking this route back... is that there are admittedly a lot of blind slopes and corners before making it free and clear to the Deer Clearing.

I made it to the Deer Clearing without a problem... but I have also been picking up every stick I could reasonably grab along the way.  I was already encumbered, so I'd have to risk ducking a wolf to find an alternate route down the next climb.

The good news is that it wouldn't be a problem.  I've trekked up and down Timberwolf Mountain many times over the years.  This region is my favorite place on Great Bear Island to live, and I'd like to think I've learned it well.

I'd only just very faintly heard the sound of this wolve ravaging a deer carcass (over the gusts of wind) as I was nearing the Lower Wing Wreckage.  I quickly got low... but fortunately the kill was fresh enough that I was able to get up and walk on (that is as soon as I was able to get sight of it).  

That small dark spot that might look like a stump... well, it was moving.  The Echo Peak Bear had plans to go visit Crystal Lake today, because of course it did.  

I took a bit of harder route around... but still more direct a path than the bear was ambling along.  I'd managed to get ahead of it from the higher ground.

It's been threatening a blizzard all day long... but I'm so close to home now that I didn't care.  If I can find the shores of Crystal Lake... I could never be lost.  

Much to my delight... as I was getting closer to the Mountaineer's Hut, the weather was letting up.  I'd be able to relax and tend to my gear and supplies for the rest of the evening.

I have a sizable pile of found food... perhaps too much to keep hauling along with me.  I decided I would drop off anything 40% or above (condition/quality wise).  I easily have weeks' worth of food still up on the summit that I will no doubt to back for another time.

Since I really didn't bring much back down with me at all... I don't have much to sort and stow.  I did however get the snow pants repaired some more, and the pack pared down to just below 23kg again.  I ate till my heart was content and drank soda until I was ready to go to bed.  

I need to decide where I was going to go next.  I'm still not fully kitted out yet... I have to really decide what I'm willing to forgo and still feel ready to launch the planned expedition. 🤔

I'll have to think on it some more...

[ManicManiac]

I've spent a good amount of time last night thinking about what to do next.
I think it is indeed time put the cold weather gear I have to the test (even though I know it's not going to be completely sufficient). 🤭

I'm right here next to Ash Canyon... but it might seem like a wasted trip if I don't attempt to make a trek up to the Abandoned Gold Mine (only to just end up coming back to do it later).

Perhaps the same for a trip to Hushed River Valley... however, that's a question for future me to deal with.  

[ManicManiac]

I did a quick mending job on a pair of Wool Longjohns and set out for Ash Canyon...

The Echo Peak Bear happened to be on its way home for a nap as the morning fog was lifting. 🤭 Moving on...

Spoiler

I spent most of the day inventorying and sorting through the gear and supplies I found in the Prepper Cache.  However, I wasn't about to let the day entire go to waste... so I decided to continue on for a night hike.  

 

I was hoping to find the Spelunker's Lantern... but only found a flare instead.

I was still just glad to be able to save on lantern fuel. 🤭

Onward to Ash Canyon...

Spoiler

I see that birch bark the size of a Hylian Sheild can still be found in Ash Canyon.  

Spoiler

I decided to hole-up in Climber's Cave for the rest of the night.  The abandoned campsite inside came complete with a nice meal of cooked venison, cattail stalks, and herbal tea.  Made for a nice fully belly and a good 8 hours of sleep.

I'm hoping to make it as far as Wolf's Jaw tomorrow... if not all the way to the abandoned Gold Mine.  However, I'll have to see how the weather is going to treat me.  

[Leeanda]

Some lovely pics 💗.    

The giant birch bark was supposed to have been fixed

[ManicManiac]

I did a quick search through my pack to make sure I leave behand as much as I could here at Climber's Cave.  As always, I was betting that future me will appreciate it.  It perhaps wasn't as early as I'd hoped, but it was still midmorning.  I was delighted to find that my current clothing was warm enough to keep warm despite the inclement weather.

I did have a cold cup of coffee between the first and second climbs.  It went a long way to counterbalance having to make two consecutive climbs (without a need for a more powerful boost like Go! Energy).

The route to and through High Meadow is probably my preferred method for getting to Wolf's Jaw (and the Abandoned Gold Mine just beyond).

There to the right... is the path down to the Fire Overlook (and Homesteader's Respite).  However, that's going to have to wait for another time.  Right now, I need to focus on getting to Miner's Folly.

I'd made it to Miner's Folly... but I wanted to quickly stop by the Foreman's Retreat first.

Spoiler

At this point, I'm leaving everything except lower quality food behind.  I need to save on weight.

As always, the bear must be given due respect and consideration.  

While the bear was taking the longer way around the rock formation from Miner's Folly... it gave me the chance to head to and through its den well ahead of it.

 

I generally don't like to stop and look down on these bridges... but I just couldn't resist taking a good long look when I came upon this unsettling gap.

 

Just ahead, Wolf's Jaw Overlook.

 

The breath-taking views from Wolf's Jaw... 

I wasn't able to find a rope nearby... so tomorrow I'll have to hike back near Miner's Folly to go pick one up.  The nearby cave was going to be the ideal spot to bed down in for the night.

Managed to stay warm all day... and the weather was surprisingly kind.
I'm happy for a relatively easy day, but I'm not about to let my guard down.  

[ManicManiac]

Time to back track and get a rope...

Edited Sunday at 09:11 PM by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

Oh!  Fortune smiles.  
On the way back, I found something I'd missed on the way in.

Onward, to the old Abandoned Gold Mine.

Edited Sunday at 10:39 PM by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I was glad to get an early start... I want to make it out of the region this evening, but that's a hard push.  I'll just have to see how it goes.  

After getting the rope I found this morning situated, I made the descent to look around what's left of the old mining operation.

The hatch could prove to be a nice place to stash gear and supplies...  However, the area's so remote and accessible only via some lengthy climes.  So, unless I'd be willing to try to live on just Ptarmigan and/or rabbits, it's not likely to be one of my top picks for an extended day.  At least, not beyond the extent of the food I have on hand at any rate.

This flare, on the other hand... will come in handy almost immediately.  

Spoiler

Just one entry per day has been getting rather lengthy... going to try shorter entries. 

[ManicManiac]

I tried to make quick work of searching through the mine, but I did end up having to burn some lantern fuel.

Spoiler

I had found what I'd come here looking for.  However, I decided to leave one set behind... as well as the Jerry Can (with 3.2 liters of lantern fuel), a hatchet, hunting knife, all the coal I'd picked up along the way, and an assortment of clothing items I didn't really need.  The real goal today was of course the Technical Backpack.

While I have also heard tales of the Curator's Rifle being lost somewhere in this region... that's not really a priority for me. 

The rifle I want to find... is Barb's Rifle.
In my considered option, when it comes to what makes for the best gear... I strongly believe that durability is paramount.

[ManicManiac]

There wasn't a great deal of daylight left, and I knew I'd have to decide far I wanted to press on before finding a place to bed-down... 🤔

It took me taking a nap and a Go! Energy drink for me to keep my energy up enough to make it down with my very near to capacity backpack (though honestly, it's mostly just all the sketchy food that I've been hauling around with me for most of the run now).

Moose on the loose... duly noted.

I did make a stop off to check out Stone Shelf Cave... but I had no intentions of staying there.  I also had no intentions of returning to the same cave that I'd entered the region in.  Having decided that... I knew I wanted to return to Timberwolf Mountain via Echo Ravine.

That's also a much farther and riskier trek.

And of course, the wolves were the risks I was referring to.  
Staying low, watchful, and patient... I was able to slip by undetected.

Ash Canyon really is hauntingly beautiful... assuming you don't become one of the ghosts that inhabit it.

Spoiler

I decided that this was probably the best place to hole-up for the night.  I still have more food on hand than I should be carrying around... so I can easily afford to spend the night in a warm shelter.  Besides, if the howls are anything to go by... there is likely to be at least 3-5 more wolves that I will have to get past to make it out of Ash Canyon onward to Echo Ravine at the base of Timberwolf Mountain.

Probably wiser to take that on after a good night's rest.

...That's what I get for eating that can of very very sketchy dog food...
Part of me knew I should have just thrown that can away, but the part of me that doesn't like to waste things won the argument.  Thankfully, I have more than enough antibiotics.   

[ManicManiac]

A long hard think...
Lying in bed (wrestling with trying to get a good night's sleep despite the ravages of food poisoning), I find myself again mulling over my plan to mount my first expedition into the Far Territory.

Ultimately, I know I'd want to find Barb's Rifle, Forester's Revolver, Woodwright's Bow... as well as the Spelunker's Lantern.  However, the lantern seems to be the most elusive of that list.  Compared to other Variants... there is such a wide range of places it could be. 🤔  It may require me to spend a lot more time on Timberwolf Mountain, than I was really planning on.

With the rest, at least I have just general region to prospect... With the Spelunker's Lantern I've already searched a good deal of Pleasant Valley, Timberwolf Mountain, and Ash Canyon looking for it.  However, if the stories are true... I may have to start searching through caves all the way back up the mountain.  I do have enough supplies for that... so I guess really the most expensive cost would be time. 🤔

For the rest, I will need to pass through Coastal Highway, Desolation Point, and Hushed River Valley for what I'm after.
Along the way, hopefully I will find the other top tier clothing items I'd like to find.

However, as I think more about it... If I can settle on what weapon I want to bring as my safety net ahead of time.  I could potentially save a lot of time by not going to two of those locations.  I suppose I will have to think on it some more.

Anyway... first things first I suppose.  I still have to make it out of Ash Canyon Alive.  

 

Edited yesterday at 04:45 PM by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

After a rough night's sleep, I decided to head out immediately to try and cover as much ground as possible.  Though I was feeling better, I'm certainly not in peak condition.  I'd likely need to snack a little and keep hydrated to keep my strength up.

Two wolves were out in force... but I expected that.

What I did not expect, however, was for a blizzard to hit just as I was making headway towards reaching Bitter Marsh.

I decided to backtrack to this very shallow cave.  It's not deep enough to find warmth, but at least I'm sheltered from the wind.  I will try to tank the storm here... but if push comes to shove, I may have to fall back to the Angler's Den again.  I have to hope that the blizzard with blow itself out in a couple of hours, but if it turns out to be an all-day affair... then any hope for making progress today might be crushed. 

Edited yesterday at 05:56 PM by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

The gamble seems to be paying off...

In spite of the storm... they day seems to have warmed up just enough that I've stopped hemorrhaging warmth.  I think I will be able to tank the storm here without giving up the progress after all.

However, I know that can change at a moment's notice... but for now I think I'm alright.

Edited yesterday at 05:51 PM by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

Thankfully, the storm abated after about 4 hours or so... now it's a matter of getting out of Ash Canyon.  All throughout the storm, the nearby wolves were still out prowling.  There howls were defining each time they were lurking close by... very disconcerting.  The wolves can just tank the storms out in the open, as though they don't even feel it.  That still kind of terrifies me.

 

Spoiler

There were also two more wolves to be mindful just ahead out on the marsh.

Confirmed... at least two of them.  However, I don't plan to go near that side of the marsh... so I should be fine as long as I keep low as I pass by.

It may be hard to make out in these shots... but there's a Moose out milling around there near Bitter Marsh.
Wait... are their two Moose in this region?  Just yesterday I noted a Moose on the loose near Stone Shelf Cave.  Is this the same one, and it just moved overnight?  Or has the moose population really been increasing?  I mean, I've heard stories... but I'm still not sure.

Spoiler

I made it to Bitter Marsh without any undue attention.  I took the time to have a look around but didn't find much.

Seeing a Deer alive and well back here gave a pretty good indication that the way ahead was likely clear.

Hmm... I don't recall ever finding a backpack over this way.  Nothing in it but a can of spray paint though... moving on. 🤭

Not much daylight left... it was time to head back to Timberwolf Mountain (by way of Echo Ravine).

[Leeanda]

Definitely two moose.. I've seen  both within an hour or so ,game time.

[ManicManiac]

@Leeanda

I do remember maybe a year or two ago, that I'd spotted something like three or four Moose over a stretch of three regions in one day before.  I am glad to see Moose have been thriving.  I know for the longest time we only had maybe two moose active in all of Great Bear Island.  I suppose that just goes to show that nature rebounds very well in the absence of humans.  

[Leeanda]

1 minute ago, ManicManiac said:

@Leeanda

I do remember maybe a year or two ago, that I'd spotted something like three or four Moose over a stretch of three regions in one day before.  I am glad to see Moose have been thriving.  I know for the longest time we only had maybe two moose active in all of Great Bear Island.  I suppose that just goes to show that nature rebounds very well in the absence of humans.  

Lol...  I've had three in bleak in one day before but only once..

They don't thrive on my runs.. they're an endangered species😁

[ManicManiac]

All that's left to do today, is to make it back to the Mountaineer's Hut on Crystal Lake so I can bed down for the night.

Before making the hike back to Crystal Lake (off to the left), I thought I might make a quick trip and peek inside of Chasm Cave (off to the right).

It's a shame that I don't have a hacksaw with me.  It seems like the basin just ahead is clear of wolves.  Might have been nice to gather up some gear and supplies from the Cargo Containers over near the Lower Engine Wreckage.  Oh well, that can wait for another day.

Found a hatchet, a bed roll, and a bit of food in Chasm Cave.  I did also leave behind a large bundle of sticks.  I did contemplate heading up to check out Echo Peak East & West... but I feel like I've pushed my luck far enough today.

I could hear the grunts and growls of the Echo Peak Bear ambling around somewhere nearby... but couldn't catch sight of it.  Best to get moving... all this could wait for another day.

Crystal Lake was just ahead.  The way looked clear, but I'd still make sure to be cautious.

It was nice to see the Mountaineer's Hut, it always feels like home coming back here.

I spent the needed time for a quick sort & stow.  Then I spent an hour or so out on the porch just enjoying the beauty of Crystal Lake and Timberwolf Mountain before heading to bed.

Edited yesterday at 08:12 PM by ManicManiac