Sgt Socks

@Nick R Welcome Nick! Oh you're in for a treat with TLD! Be prepared to lose yourself in *many* a happy hour immersed in snow, blizzards and high wind and getting mauled by hostile wildlife. Plus freezing to death of course. Its bloody marvellous 😁 I've been playing TLD since 2016, and gaming since the early 80s. This is one of the most engaging, immersive and wide ranging games I've ever played. Have fun and don't be afraid to ask if you need help. Even us old hands need it from time to time 😊

Oh please don't worry MM, I know real life is encroaching on your time. You will be welcome anytime my friend, a hot cup of Hinterland Coffee will be waiting for you 😊 I would never have thought about chronicling my adventures, but @Leeanda gave me the confidence with her kind comments, and you and @conanjaguar inspired me. So I have to thank you sir! Plus I'm hatching up a side challenge to take on when I need a break from my epic long term quest. The plan is 50 days in Ash Canyon, settings yet to be decided upon. I'll never be able to undertake the level of your challenges or Conan's, but I certainly intend to make my learning the region a fresh and exciting journey while my other self dwells quietly in ML for a while.

In terms of this game (Northern Lights).... it does rather look like a TLD wanna be copy?

Having said that I will be watching @conanjaguarplay from behind my cushion! It really is a superb game.

I wish I could play Subnautica. I was excited because I could physically manage the controls (damaged left arm) but the game was so well done it genuinely terrified me! But then again I do have an old deep seated fear of the sea and dark forbidding waters with terrors unseen... There will never be a big enough boat.

I was carrying 65kg on the way out of PV. 20kg overweight 😵‍ @conanjaguarsuggested I needed a dump truck, which I think is a bloody marvellous idea! But I still want to join you in a Thelma & Louise trolley ride down the hill leaving a bear in our wake! There is something appealing about being the crazy old bird pushing her trolley full of "stuff" 😁 OK. Yes. You are weird 🤪😄 Streaker will never have problems with her reactions because of age. She is Grey Mother on Stims 😉

You're braver than me! I just run in and run out as quickly as possible! Normally the wolves don't scare me as much as the bears but that cave and that wolf... gulp... I'm *always* doing this in caves! I have taken to leaving piles of stones, sticks, left over food cans etc as a little Minotaur trail to try and prevent walking round in circles for so long I run out of light sources! (And that has happened many a time 🤦‍♀️) Oh my gosh! My heart was in my mouth reading this. It was like my second battle with the bear.... but you weren't stupidly Kamikaze like me. Nicely done 👍 That's my trick! Oh it's got to be done. Just think how much loot CH has for your shopping trolley....

I'm glad it's not just me who struggles to count past three 😁 (ooh that rhymes!) That's interesting, 6 days first and third. Lol 8 hours, bless you on that run. I'd be amazed to last half that! I can't add to the advice on how to proceed, much of this challenge is way above my head. But if it were me I'd be aiming to break the 6 day record seeing as it seems to be the mystical barrier put in your way by the ancients.

Hahahaaa! 🤣 Gotta love a snort laugh 😁 Thank you kind sir, I was nervous about documenting my adventure so it makes me happy to know you're enjoying it 🧡 I do try to make it engaging.

Oh no!!!!!!! Rest in Peace dear Native. Your storytelling is fabulous Conan! I'm with you on every step; you're funny and brilliant at describing the events and environment. I love the "Kamikaze Mode". I too suffer from that at times. And I usually end up in more of a pickle than gherkins. Thank you for such fantastic entertainment Conan. Its been a blast. What do you think you will undertake next on Great Bear? From your final comment I assume another stab at this challenge? Do you have at hand the length of time each Native has survived?

And the Stalker salesmen are really, really pushy! I absolutely *loathe* intrusion without invitation as you can see... .... I think you need a sign on your coat like I have in my front window! 😄

Ah, this makes sense. Yes that looting method definitely fits your speedy style. I'm glad you go through everything, don't want you missing out on any goodies, particularly with lower Stalker loot levels. Your clothing is great, it will definitely keep you warm and a bit more protected. The fluffy bunny additions will simply be icing on the cake 😊 🤞🤞 Fingers crossed for the perilous journey home! 🤞🤞

Omg what a weird experience! Your description actually made me feel motion sick, and I can imagine the whole strange feeling and disorientation. I've had deer run through me before but never a wolf (and thank god never a bear or moose either). Gives a whole new meaning to the word ghosting! 😳🙈 Well. I guess it's nothing if not entertaining! I hope those wolves that are supposed to be dead stay dead this time. How incredibly rude they are, sticking their head into your space! Damned salesmen are a blight on our existence.

WOW. Just... WOW. I've always been drawn to the beauty of wolves but seeing the "real thing" is something else. Thank you so much for posting these pictures!

@conanjaguar Oh my goodness, talk about a succession of close calls! I can feel the swaying and sense of impending doom that takes over; your screenshots illustrate it perfectly. I snort laughed at "I was technically dead" 🤣🤣 Strangely it's making me want to have a go, but unfortunately I cannot. I can't do anything useful with the bow. I'd only be able to fish. But I'm keeping the basic premise in mind to adapt for a Socks version of Neo Native in the future. Can't wait for the next instalment! 👍

This one cracks me up (please forgive the HUD, I took it for my "Encumbered Diaries" thread but had to show you guys). I'd already had a close call with this wolf on Skeeter's Ridge. I threw the flare, he ignored it and charged, I dived into the basement. I decided to go straight back out new flare at the ready hoping he had wandered off as a load screen sometimes does. However, I burst out laughing. He was there, right in front of me, back to me... pawing the ground like a puppy! 😂😂 I almost forgot myself and reached out to stroke him! One of the most surreal and funny experiences I've had since starting to play in 2016!

Hi guys, I've only just been told about this thread so I hope you will forgive the first few not being in "screenshot mode" (I actually like seeing my HUD but have taken them off the later ones as I know that's the 'rule' of this thread). I wouldn't have included the non screenshot ones but they were such a rare capture of a stunning aurora in TWM I had to include them. The rest are of Pleasant Valley.

@piddy3825 I LOVE these shots!

Once inside the cave I dumped half of what I was carrying and did three very quick runs back and forth, inspired by @Leeandaaka Grey Mother on Stims aka Streaker. I decided it was time to get some rest before gathering up the whole lot again for another slow, but thankfully much shorter, walk through Winding River up to the dam. After a couple hours of reading Advanced Guns I slept soundly for a good 10 hours. The next day was beautiful and bright and I once again trudged as slowly as a tortoise in treacle and felt elated as I saw the dam looming in the distance. Finally I was here! THE NEXT PART OF MY ADVENTURE AWAITS.... (but oh how I loathe that walk across the dam, I know the likelihood of falling off is virtually nil but it is so bloody high!). Don't look down Socks, don't look down....

So I gathered all this up and despite my extending inventory space I was, surprise surprise, encumbered again! It wasn't too bad though so I wandered over to Pensive Pond for a quick look and to gather some natural resources. I saw many rubbings but no Moose. I seem to be missing most of them this time round. I'm so glad that awkward one was in Ash Canyon. Returning home I put everything away and spent a bit of time organising my little hidey hole at the farm, knowing that the time for leaving PV was now upon me with all loot places cleared out. I will return to PV at some point, I use it as a mid way staging point for when I need to go to Bleak Inlet, or when I just need a change of scenery. Feeling a bit sad because the farm was starting to feel comfortable, I knew I had to get going. The promise of more loot and my most permanent dwelling place in ML was calling to me. After going through the cupboards and my food stash outside in the snow, I had worked out what needed to be left. I always leave everything for ammo crafting and a good range of everything else - weapons, tools, materials, spare clothing. I was not shocked to realise I was *heavily* encumbered and knew it was going to be an incredibly slow walk to the Carter/ML Caves. I would rather do this in one slow journey than several quicker runs, mostly in case I run into hostile wildlife. I know it is counter intuitive, being far too heavy to move quickly, but I would rather try and take an animal down once than have to do it several times. Oh....my...gosh. Even I regretted the amount I was carrying! I NEED A SHOPPING TROLLEY! By the time I convinced myself I'd made a mistake I was already halfway there so I just put on autowalk and trudged along, knowing I would get there eventually. After what seemed like forever the cave loomed, and I realised with great delight there was no bear here this time. That bear really did scare me every single time I came back and forth!

The next day was a bit foggy but acceptable so I took the revolver and again attempted my plane and Misty Falls loot run. Skeeter Wolf wanted to play again but this time when he stood growling, I aimed and as he charged and got close enough I took one shot and BOOM. Dead wolf. Hah! I'm on a predator roll! (Don't get cocky Socks, you know what happens when you do....). I looted the plane for lots of airline food and other bits. Burned ridge cave also yielded some food and Advanced Guns book which would come in handy for when I was kept inside by the PV weather. I made my way to Misty Falls via Disagreement Point (where I found more revolver ammo). The cave was hugely disappointing, there was another revolver but at 28% it wasn't worth picking up, even as a spare. Unusually there wasn't anything behind the waterfall either. I settled down for the night to a roaring fire inside the cave, snug and warm. I would then be ready to return home, repair my new jumper and set out on my Prepper Cache hunt. BINGO! After getting back to the farm, repairing my new Cowichan and having a good sleep, I was ready for my Prepper Cache hunt. I usually struggle with the PV cache, they seem to hide from me more effectively than ML. I made sure I had plenty of water and food, fully anticipating a very long walk round the whole map. I decided to cross the road to check for the cache near the rope and bear cave (thankfully no bear there this time) then work my way round via Pensive, Keeper's Pass and so on. I climbed up the little hill to the side of the rope and exclaimed "Well eff me!". Sitting there plain as day was the Hunting Cache!!! First place I looked and the best cache of all. I was soooooo excited the mad spaniel in me returned!!! 😁😁 OH WHAT LOOT! Two rifles, ridiculous amounts of ammo, dusting sulfur, whetstone, hunting knife, fishing line and some food. I felt like I'd stumbled on Loot Goblin Heaven!

So I rummaged around in the basement and was really pleased with the loot. I found some food, another hatchet, coffee, quality tools and.... FINALLY... I found a decent jumper, the best jumper! Hoorah! I was a bit worn out after the climb and wolf adventures so I thought I'd take a two hour nap, hopefully long enough for the wolf to disappear. I decided it would be a good idea to return to the Farm and get the revolver; I wanted to be able to carry on to Misty Falls and go through the cave because this would mean my looting in PV was complete, bar my prepper cache search which often takes a lot of time and even then isn't always successful. I slept, left the basement to a thankfully wolf free zone and went home for the night.

.... I left the basement expecting the wolf to be elsewhere yet nearby. I stopped dead as the wolf was *right in front of me*, back to me. He was pawing the ground like a puppy! I burst out laughing at the ridiculousness of it! 😂😂 It was so cute I almost forgot myself and reached out to stroke him! Still laughing I fortunately came to my senses and decided it would be wise to spend some time in the basement, even though I badly wanted to get to the plane. This wolf was quite clearly scenting Socks and wanting a good rough play. Not today wolfie, not today. (this is still making me laugh as I type, I wish I could put into words how comical and surreal it was!)

PLEASANT VALLEY CONTINUED.... What a busy, productive and (unusually) lucky few days! After crafting my precious and essential Moose satchel the next day I intended to head up to the plane via Dodger's, but on leaving the Farm I saw the bear sauntering cockily across my land. Still annoyed about my last encounter, I quickly retrieved my rifle. This time I was careful (ish). I shot him from a distance while crouching in the porch, ready to leap through the door as he began charging. I wasn't about to go out into the field to get closer, this time he would come to me while I had an escape available. It only took me another two shots this time. Hah! Take that Yogi! The next couple of days were spent harvesting in 0.5kg increments (again so I could boost my cooking skill more quickly) and cooking each piece. Once I get to level 5 I often leave a lot uncooked, but until then I make sure each piece is taken care of. Once this was complete and I had a good long sleep, I again wanted to go up to the plane. This time I went very light (well, light for me!) anticipating the two rope climbs and airline food. Plus any other possible loot along the way. The day started beautifully, I left very early - it was cold but clear so I made the most of it, my Expedition Parka making all the difference. I'd meant to bring along my revolver, knowing there could be some tricky wolves about. Unfortunately, as I got to the top of the rope climb I realised I had forgotten it. LUPINE ENTERTAINMENT Flare out, I entered Skeeter's Ridge. I tried to sneak along the top left rocks to avoid the wolf guaranteed here but he was having none of it. What ensued became unexpectedly highly entertaining! I managed to get round to the house with the basement with the flare burning and not having to throw it. Unfortunately the little bugger was having none of it!I I threw the flare. He looked at it, looked at me and told me in no uncertain terms he thought I was taking the piss. And he charged. Giving me no opportunity to retrieve my flare and try again. I shrieked and ran as fast as I could round the side of the house and dived into the basement, heart pounding. I was impatiently wanting to get on so I thought I'd see if the game was being kind and the wolf had gone straight away as they sometimes do on entering a building or safe space. I took out another flare ready to pull and throw if necessary. I had things to do! What happened next is possibly one of the most hilarious experiences of my entire TLD playing time since 2016! .....

😄😄 SHOPPING TROLLEY!!! Let's discard our bags for life idea, shopping trollies!!! 👍😁 Oh that is an encumbered loot goblin's dream... You are absolutely right about the correct position to get this bear. I found that spot a long time ago, but it's been ages since I came across this bear in this place. I completely forgot. Plus I had such a bee in my bonnet about him frightening me earlier the red mist descended and all sense departed 🙈 It is much more sensible to be a "coward" about the bears, you are far less likely to end up in an almost deadly pickle as I dropped myself into! Socks, you idiot *rolls eyes at self* I always seem to come across wolves on this top stretch of road, one is usually by the road entrance to the CH cave and one by the derelict cabins. Be wary on your Stalker run chick in case they do indeed spawn there too; with the Stalker settings these ones often ruined my day. And my clothes 🤧