The Ghosts of All That Was

[ManicManiac]

@Leeanda

This one was definitely from Crystal Lake.  I was sure of that.

I've gotten to see this once or twice before... I once had the good fortune of watching a wolf stalk and chase a deer from the orchard near the Pleasant Valley Farmstead, clear across both fields, and finally drop it behind the Church at Thompson's Crossing.

It was a WILD chase to watch and try to keep up with.  

Edited May 30 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

1 minute ago, ManicManiac said:

@Leeanda

This one was definitely from Crystal Lake.  I was sure of that.

I've gotten to see this once or twice before... I once had the good fortune of watching a wolf stalk and chase a deer from the orchard near the Pleasant Valley Farmstead, clear across both fields, and finally drop it behind the Church at Thompson's Crossing.

It was a WILD chase to watch and try to keep up with.  

I've not seen them go that far from their territory,  it must've been one hungry wolf😁

Lol... They are very hard to keep up with.

[ManicManiac]

Hmm... Perhaps wiser to wait for the fog to lift today.

[ThePancakeLady]

3 hours ago, ManicManiac said:

Hmm... Perhaps wiser to wait for the fog to lift today.

Time to go do a little fishing and gathering sticks from right around the MH, maybe? Keep CF risk down, get some Vitamin C, and add to the hoard of sticks (that I would have,- I have a stick obsession).

[ManicManiac]

I thought it over for a minute or two... and decided to risk it anyway.  

As I made my way across Crystal Lake... I had to follow the shoreline, carefully moving forward, and keep a sharp ear out for wolves and the Echo Peak Bear.

Thankfully, by the time I was getting close to Echo Ravine, the fog had started to lift.

I still had the hacksaw on hand... but today there were at least three wolves prowling around the Lower Engine Wreckage in the Echo Ravine Basin.  I decided to save these Cargo Containers for another day.  I had other priorities today.

First, I decided to head further along the way and check out Three-Way Cave.  Gathered up the gear and supplies and then backtracked towards the basin again to explore the Cave system.

Spoiler

At last!   

I'd finally found what I've stuck around in Timberwolf Mountain to find... but now I just had to make it back to Crystal Lake.

[ThePancakeLady]

Yay! Glad you finally got the Spelunker's Lantern! You earned it- that was quite a search for you! 

[ManicManiac]

I came out the other side of the Cave system near the Upper Engine Wreckage and Andre's Peak... I decided I would try to capitalize on the opportunity.  

I did make the short trek up to Andre's Peak... but I didn't find anything notable (except perhaps a flock Ptarmigans).

I also decided that since I was right next to a Cargo Container... that I would gather up what I could from that as well.

The three wolves nearby just meant I needed to be cautious.  It took a little while to crawl up to the container and crawl back to a respectable distance.  Ultimately, I felt like it was worth it for the extra food items.  

I went back to the Upper Engine Wreckage... because this was the route I was going to use to get back down to Crystal Lake.

Yes, there is a climb over on the right... but also a very nice "foot path" off to the left. 😁

Peeking from the ledge of the overlook of the bluff below... I only spotted one wolf skulking around in the fog.  That didn't mean there weren't more, but I could only get visual confirmation of one.  As I continued on along the path, I heard howls from that area that suggested at least two.  Never mind tough, with the route I've picked I won't have to worry about the wolves on the Bluff.

I kept low and crawled my way sticking close to the ridge line.  There was an uncomfortably loud howl very close by on my left... but I just had to keep crawling. 

It wasn't long before I was free and clear out on Crystal Lake.
I spent the rest of the day on a thorough sort & stow...

This was a very good day.   

[ManicManiac]

5 hours ago, ThePancakeLady said:

Yay! Glad you finally got the Spelunker's Lantern! You earned it- that was quite a search for you! 

Thank you.
I was beginning to think it was fated to be in only the last place I had to look (such as on the way to Blackrock - from either end).   

I was thrilled to find it in such a relatively convenient place. 

Edited June 2 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I've spent a long while thinking about it now, and I think for the very first expedition into the Far Territory... I'll opt to bring a rifle as an emergency defense measure.  I still plan on not using it at all, but it seemed foolish go exploring an area for the first time without something for an emergency.

So, I think the routes ahead will be for:
Coastal Highway... so I can track down Barb's Rifle.
Hushed River Valley... so I can track down Moose Hide Satchel, Woodwright's Bow, and the Ranger Stew recipe (may as well while I'm there anyway).

Edited June 2 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I've gotten ready and pared down to bare essentials (as well as starting to collect up rifle ammunition as I start to prepare for the new expedition).  After a good night's sleep and was ready to hit the trail.

Spoiler

Going over my gear... I'm still lacking a few top tier items.  While traveling, I'm going to be on the lookout for a second Expedition Parka and Snowpants.  I would like to find a pair of leather Gauntlets.  I'd also really appreciate a couple of Cowichan Sweaters to replace the Fisherman Sweaters I have now.

I do have an extra Wool Touque and Climbers Socks (just in case the ones I have ever get soaked).
I don't really ever plan on using the Crampons... so I may end up dropping those off at a convenient location.  Admittedly, I will have to think on that some more.

Hmm... the wind is gusting really hard, and the snow fall is heady enough that it feels to me like it's threatening a blizzard.  So, I'd bet my life that it's probably a blizzard (or will be) in Pleasant Valley by the time I get there.  Since I am indeed betting my life  I decided to bide my time and wait to see what the weather was going to do.

Edited June 2 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

Several hours later... the wind is still gusting hard and the snowfall still really heavy.
This day may just be a wash.  That's fine though, I have plenty of supplies.
I can afford a down day.  

Yes, I could tank this weather well enough.  And even if a whiteout hit in Pleasant Valley, it wouldn't be difficult to push through.  I'm really more concerned about keeping my outer layers from getting to beaten up... I'd kind of like to save on cloth and leather for now.

 

Edited June 2 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

The weather finally cleared... but it's already late afternoon.
So, we'll just have to see how far I want to push before bedding down for the night.

[ManicManiac]

Moose on the loose... duly noted.

Dropped off the bundle of sticks I'd gathered up along the way.

Spoiler

Since I've settled on tracking down Barb's Rifle for my eventual first expedition into the Far Territory... I decided I would start to gather up rifle ammunition along the way as well.  I don't have a lot on hand yet, but I've also stashed quite a bit as I've gone along hunting for the gear I wanted.

My caution this morning was indeed justified.  Just as I was getting close to the Hunter's Blind... a blizzard hit.  

I double backed to take shelter at the Abandoned Prepper's Cache.

I guess I'll be spending the night here then.  

Edited June 3 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I stayed hunkered down in the Abandoned Prepper's Cache for the rest of the night, and eventually fell asleep.

I managed to wake up just as the storm was ending.  After a few more minutes (after the wind fell silent outside), and even though it was at least an hour before sunrise I was determined to back on the route. 

Spoiler

Sunrise on a clear day in Pleasant Valley is just gorgeous.  

I did stop off briefly to warm up at the Draft Dodger's Cabin.

I also stopped off at the Old Red Barn.  I was looking for the Gas Mask Cannisters I remember finding there.  However, I didn't find them stowed away.  I must have moved them. 🤔 ...moving on.

The weather seemed to be shifting rapidly.  Just the walk across the backfield it had gone from sunny, to overcast, and then a fog started rolling in.

Spoiler

Ah... I found my Gasmask Cannisters.  Also took the opportunity to grab more rifle ammunition.

I spent a little time to re-inventory... but I wasn't content with just making it to Thompson's Crossing.  I was determined to make it out of Pleasant Valley before the end of the day.

Edited June 5 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

Since the weather was already being a bit fickle today... I tried to keep my visit to the Community Hall as short as possible.

You know what?  Sunset on a clear evening in Pleasant Valley is gorgeous too.  

I ended up picking up a lot of things that would certainly come in handy later (including 46 pieces of coal)... but rather than leave it all right here, there is a trailer just down the hill from where the Cinder Hills Mine opens out into Coastal Highway.  I'll stash most of my nearly 50kg pack there tomorrow.  

The old stories say that Barb used to spend a lot of time in town... Hopefully I'll be able to find where she'd last set her rifle down before she disappeared. 🤔

For now though... it was time to set down the pack and get some rest.

Edited June 6 by ManicManiac

[Leeanda]

Pv is indeed beautiful on a clear day...  Not that that happens very often😄 

I see you had a different bear show up too.. that's the only other one besides the birch bear I've seen since the last update.

[ManicManiac]

Unfortunately... when I woke up, I'd found that the Pleasant Valley weather had followed me to Coastal Highway.

I turned right around to wait out the storm in the Cinder Hills Mine.

Thankfully, I only had to wait around for a couple of hours.

I had to trail a bear a little way... but I kept a respectful distance, so there was no problem.  

I only had to duck one wolf to get inside the Quonset Hut.

I spent the rest of the evening cleaning out the Quonset, and a through sort & stow.
I wasn't particularly tired... but I opted to bed down for the night anyway.

Tomorrow I'll have to get out onto the ice and make my way around to the Fishing Camp.

Edited June 6 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I ended up waking rather early... but thought it best to tidy up a few things and head out for the day.

The snow fall was still rather heavy, but I ducked into one of the houses in town and felt around in the dark for a little while until sunup (which thankfully wasn't far behind).

I decided I would spend the first half of the day prospecting the houses in town.

Spoiler

 

A lucky treat... whenever I find something cooked left behind, I tend to eat it straight away.  Especially when it's still relatively fresh.  This Whitefish was excellent!  

This would be the last house I'd prospect... from here it was time to head out on the ice.

However, when I was done searching this house on the outskirts... I had to be careful.  One of the neighbors was out and about.

I took this as a sign that it was time to head out on the ice.  

It wasn't long before a fog started rolling in.

You know, it's funny... even after all this time and all the good gear and supplies I've gathered and stowed away, just a simple thing like a door on a fishing hut still feels like the height of luxury.  

The fog wasn't bad... the visibility was still very good... but now it was starting to snow. 🤔

No sooner had I ducked into this Fishing Hut... a blizzard struck.  I'm still inclined to try and preserve the condition of my outer layers... so I was going to have to try and tank the blizzard, and shelter in place.

For several hours, I sit huddled in that Fishing Hut near the edge of the ice between Misanthrope's Island and Jackrabbit Island.  I was getting very cold... but I've managed to keep my feels like from dropping below -4*C.  The cold weather gear I've got seems to be holding up fairly well.

After nightfall the storm finally abated.

I did my best to find my way in the heavy snowfall.  (also... a dead wolf washed up)

Eventually the weather cleared... and I found this rowboat washed up on the edge of the ice.

Another fog rolled in as I was getting to the next Fishing Hut.  It was getting deadly dark... so I decided I would take another 4-hour nap... 

[ManicManiac]

Tomorrow I need to get to the Fishing Camp to unload.
...and I need to track down Barb's Rifle. 🤔

[ManicManiac]

Still out on the ice... thankfully the weather was good for the rest of the night.

I counted at least six wolves out on this part of the ice today... but I should be able "thread the needle" (as they say) and get to the Fishing Hut just ahead.

In the Fishing Hut closest to the Fishing Camp... I started to drop off of the cooking and fishing implements that I've picked up along the way (i.e. fishing tackle, matches, sticks, pot & skillet).

 

I'm not used to finding people washed up on the edge of the ice... makes beachcombing a little disconcerting. 🤭

This was the last Fishing Hut... still nothing.  I mean, I've been finding some decent gear and supplies... but not what I'm really looking for.

Spoiler

A wonderful... I managed to track down where Barb had last set down her rifle before she disappeared.  I'm glad it wasn't lost to time and that I was able to recover it.

Spoiler

It was time to head back down the road... it won't be much longer before sundown, and I have a 51 kg pack to haul back to the Fishing Camp.  It was going to be slow going... I'd also need to watch out for a bear.

I would end up spending the rest of the evening to a full sort & stow to empty out my pack.

Spoiler

As it turned out, even after I stowed all the food items 40% condition or better... I still had way too much food in my pack to reasonably carry around with me...  I decided to eat all of the absolute worst of what I had on hand.

I knew full well I was getting food poisoning, but I have more than enough antibiotics to cope.  Even I ended feeling sick for a while... it seemed worth it to put the extra calories in me.  

Also of note... I did impulsively take antibiotics right away which resulted in me having to dose twice.  What I should have done is just power eat all the nasty stuff and would have just had to dose once at the end. 

But again... I had more than enough antibiotics, I didn't mind being a little bit wasteful.  

 

Edited June 8 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I spend the first half of the day working on fixing up Barb's Rifle.  The rifle was in rough shape and will still need more work to get it in top shape again.  For the time being though, I stowed the half worn out cleaning kit and did a little bit of last-minute tidying up before heading out.

I dropped off another pack of matches, three sets of fishing tackle, and a handful of coal as well... I feel like future me will appreciate it.  

I ended up having to trail this bear up beyond the Campground.

After getting scared off by the bear... this little one got surprisingly close.  It was a nice moment... but I really had to be moving on.

I did make one slightly out of the way stop at the cabin at Rabbit Grove.

Unfortunately, as I was prospecting inside the cabin... a blizzard hit.😖

I wasn't really tired... but I opted to try and sleep through the storm anyway.

[ManicManiac]

Though I didn't end up sleeping through the night... thankfully, the storm had passed by the time I did wake up.  I decided I'd make a night hike to the Camp Office on Mystery Lake.

As I made my way past a couple of aurora-charged wolves near the Carter Dam... I got to witness a rare sight indeed; an aurora burning in the sky while a snowstorm rolled in.

By the time I'd made it into the woods (taking the backtrail over to the lake)... the sun was starting to rise.

I took a quick peek inside the cave at the Mystery Lake Overlook... however, there wasn't much of note to be found.  Also, a small lockbox inside... though I don't have the key for it just yet.  That's something for another day... moving on.

I dropped off a few items I'd picked up along the way, and decided to take a short nap.

I didn't want to through off my sleep schedule too much, so when I get up in a couple of hours... I'll head for the Trapper's Homestead.  From there I plan on making my way to Hushed River Valley by way of Mountain Town.

Edited June 10 by ManicManiac

[ManicManiac]

I spent the first half of the day (again) working on getting Barb's Rifle up to spec.

Spoiler

With my chosen rifle fixed up and loaded... I was determined to get to Mountain Town today.

I took it as a good sign that the Prince of the Forest was there today to see me off.  

Very soon after, I had a rather close call.

I was going to check on Max's Last Stand, but wolves were already sniffing around... moving on.

I decided I'd stop by the Trapper's Homestead before continuing on to Mountain Town.

Spoiler

 

A pleasant surprise... another handful of ammunition to put toward the upcoming expedition.

[ManicManiac]

There wasn't a lot of daylight left... I really needed to get a move on.

I'd managed to get into Mountain Town before sundown.  I was already running heavy (mostly coal) by the time I'd reached the other side of the cave system.

I was determined to get down the nearby cave below.  I didn't want to leave behind the gear and supplies I'd picked up throughout the day, so I decided I'd try to find a reasonable opportunity to goat my way down rather than use the climbing rope just ahead.

I made it to the cave without issue... this would be home for the night.

[ManicManiac]

Today was a rather relaxing day (all things considered)... I took my time today, careful and deliberate.  

I spent a little time looking through my pack to make sure I had dropped off as many non-essentials as I could.

While I was heading for the next climb up to Milton Park, I took a look out over the Milton Basin.

Off in the distance, I could see the Paradise Meadows Farm, as well as the long climb down to the Basin.

Spoiler

As I was milling around in the Wood Lots... the clouds parted, and the sun was shining again.  I decided to take advantage and got a fire going.  Both to prepare some water (the many purification tablets I had on hand would make quick work of that), as well as cooking up some of the canned goods I'd be hauling around with me.

I ended up spending more time than I had intended to inside the Orca Gas Station... but it was worth it to get everything sorted and stowed.

Since it was still sunny out... I set up a campfire at the at the park office at Milton Park as well.

Moving on, I decided to spend the evening at the Cabin on the Hill.

I'll do a proper search of the place in the morning.  

Edited June 15 by ManicManiac