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View Full Version : Heading out. (Pic Heavy)



NCO
10-24-2010, 10:17 AM
I'm heading to family land in Ähtäri this Monday, with my girlfriend. It's about 10 hectare piece of bad forest in terms of monetary value. The terrain is mostly difficult and most of the trees are only about 30 to 40 years old. But the scenery is great! We will be staying for 3 days.

My goals for this trip is to test out some ideas, the new internal frame pack, some tools and generally to have fun. I'm taking my two guns there too in case I see some Black Grouse or Hazel Grouse.

What I have to keep in mind is that the area is bear country, so keeping a fire going in the camp is important.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Medved_mzoo.jpg/250px-Medved_mzoo.jpg

The kit I'm taking is heavy, for two main reasons. Firstly I want to test out the packs and my own carrying capability. Second, I'm taking extra gear to make my girlfriend feel more comfy...:tongue_smilie:

PICTURES:

The guns. A 12gauge Valmet and a .22cal Toz-8.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMQxV5t_ihI/AAAAAAAAAb0/gbPNzBi-Trs/s912/IMAG0121.jpg
Both of them have trigger locks on and the rifle has the bolt off cause of the law.

Layered clothing, including a camo top layer, wool, fleece and moisture mover...
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMQxX25vvBI/AAAAAAAAAb4/47PztEG5S_I/s640/IMAG0126.jpg
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMQxl7ZHldI/AAAAAAAAAcY/6T665QPlT2M/s640/IMAG0137.jpg
Same goes with bottom end, two sock layers, and from two to three layers of pants, depending of weather. Well worn leather boots.

Other clothing, woolen hat, light hunters hat, bandanna, work gloves and leather gloves.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMQxdtCDWkI/AAAAAAAAAcA/g856x4jIGAk/s912/IMAG0128.jpg

First aid.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMQxZtE4PRI/AAAAAAAAAb8/-3savawvFHA/s640/IMAG0127.jpg

Food, eating utils, deck of cards, xylitol chewing gum and coffee. We'll also be hauling in 20l of water..
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMQxnHU5OTI/AAAAAAAAAcc/vbCGnP2QIdc/s640/IMAG0139.jpg

Fire making, cordage, space blanket, turtleneck...
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMQxiuPj5XI/AAAAAAAAAcM/yCr6M9k7q7Q/s912/IMAG0131.jpg

Blades, pot and hanger, fishing kits, day pack... I love my new walking stick tomahawk! Thank you Rick for the idea.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMQxjslJuwI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/Y-QLXp1InYo/s912/IMAG0133.jpg

Sleeping bag(comfy at -15C), targets for getting my scope right, ammo, personal camo net for stalking.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMQxlFeolrI/AAAAAAAAAcU/mgFIY3lqKxk/s912/IMAG0134.jpg

Maps of the AO and writing stuff.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMQxgScAsoI/AAAAAAAAAcE/f7ecK-7_rbE/s912/IMAG0129.jpghttp://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMQxhU2emtI/AAAAAAAAAcI/XCcxAuNYj_c/s912/IMAG0130.jpg

Fully packed. There is another sleeping bag for my better half and a tent.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMQxobnIieI/AAAAAAAAAcg/4KZRkobNzjA/s640/IMAG0149.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMQxqoLHHII/AAAAAAAAAck/XyvH9xtiQDk/s640/IMAG0150.jpg

And yes, that is a fox skin hanging on the wall...

I will post more stuff here after the trip. I'm having a camera with me for some photos. Perhaps I even write an essay on the trip.

Batch
10-24-2010, 10:24 AM
You going to be driving in?

Have fum and I look forward to the pictures!

hunter63
10-24-2010, 10:56 AM
Looks like you got your bases coverd, let us know
Big pack though..........Weight?

NCO
10-24-2010, 12:02 PM
Yes, ill be driving in. Ite about 6 hour drive. the pack weights about 30kg/60lbs. It has camping gear and food for two people.

hunter63
10-24-2010, 07:05 PM
Ah, love, ain't it grand?
You are a nice guy..........
Thanks for sharing.

kyratshooter
10-24-2010, 07:56 PM
You are short one knife. You need to add a good mora to that gear!

:angel:

rwc1969
10-24-2010, 09:06 PM
Wow! looks like you're set up for a good time.

finallyME
10-25-2010, 12:31 AM
Is she carrying anything? When I was young and dating, I would take girls on hikes all the time. I would make sure they carried something (20 lbs max). If they complained, I did take them again. The reasoning was if they complain on a date, what will they do when they are married? Luckily my wife never complains (as I look over my shoulder :) ).

crashdive123
10-25-2010, 12:18 PM
Looking forward to pics of the trip. I hope you do OK - I have my doubts though, as I too did not see a Mora in the pictures.:innocent:

hunter63
10-25-2010, 01:08 PM
Luckily my wife never complains (as I look over my shoulder :) ).

Wise man, LOL........

Rick
10-25-2010, 01:10 PM
Have fun and stay safe. Pics or it didn't happen.

NCO
10-29-2010, 07:34 AM
Back, after some hassle.

To answer to you all:

@all-you-mora-lovers: Do I have to say anything?

@finallyME: I'd be beaten to death if I tried to keep her from carrying stuff. She is a paramedic and in a voulentary fire brigade too. She carried her extra clothing and one of the 10 liter (20lbs) water tanks.

@Rick: Pics coming right up!

Justin Case
10-29-2010, 09:01 AM
Hassle ???

Rick
10-29-2010, 09:01 AM
You folks sure do stuff in a funny way over there.

1. No Mora = No Knife. 'nuff said.
2. She doesn't need extra clothes. THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE FOR! (sheesh)
3. 60lbs?! That kind of weight goes in the truck! "By the livin' Gawd that made you, You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din."

The good news is since she's a paramedic if she beats you to death she can fix you right up! Looking forward to the pics.

EdD270
10-29-2010, 11:22 PM
Forgive my ignorance, but why carry so much water? Aren't there streams, lakes, snow, something to get water from? Seems to me it would be much easier to carry purification tablets or filters than all that water.
Sounds like you're all set for a great outing. Looking forward to the pics and after action report.

pete lynch
10-30-2010, 06:07 AM
The kit I'm taking is heavy, for two main reasons. Firstly I want to test out the packs and my own carrying capability

Carrying water as dead weight to test your "carrying capability" is the way to go, I think: if the weight is too much, pour the water out.
Makes sense.

Asger
10-30-2010, 07:11 AM
Cant wait for the pictures!

NCO
10-30-2010, 07:46 AM
Why so much water, if there was snow or not wasn't sure. There is a lake, but that was slightly too far away from the family land we were staying. Also, water is cheaper than purification tabs or filters. We are young and stupid, hence carrying stuff makes sense.. lol.

Hassle was some extra visits to relatives, sauna and beer.

Pics are coming, some trouble with uploading.

Mora doesn't not equal to a knife, it is dead weight.

60lbs is 20lbs less than the FDF ranger kit weights, and those guys can go hundreds of kilometers in few days with it, on foot.

And, good point on extra clothing Rick, gotta remember that next time.

NCO
10-30-2010, 08:33 AM
Starting from the beginning, the night before leaving, everything was packed and checked. Except, as I would later learn, toilet paper. The car was fueled and all basic things on it checked too. Basically everything was set.

Next morning I woke up at 4:30 am. I was a zombie till about 5:00. Then I drank two cups of coffee, ate some bread, smoked one, carried my pack in the car and by 5:45 I was hitting the road. The drive went nicely, even though the wet snow on the roads made driving a bit hazardous here and there.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMqVMpj9gSI/AAAAAAAAArU/40usLrARpE0/s720/IMAG0151.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMqVpZoE8QI/AAAAAAAAArk/hZlDtx_r8mo/s512/IMAG0154.jpg
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyFMDhgXhI/AAAAAAAAA-o/G_onKtofOlc/s720/IMAG0159.jpg

I drove through one municipality at a time and as the sun started to rise I had my first stop, just to take a photo.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyFZ3lLh_I/AAAAAAAAA-o/04m80qfnDYE/s720/IMAG0160.jpg

After three hours of driving my the views were still great and with good music coming from the radio (weirdly) I soldiered on. I did stop for a leak though...

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMwGMVtaJmI/AAAAAAAAA1k/XgkIainEeGM/s720/IMAG0163.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMwGTDKrVWI/AAAAAAAAA2c/MMURz46pm_Y/s720/IMAG0162.jpg

Me and my prettier half met up at Alavus (she lives in a different city than I), lifted my stuff in her car, dropped my car to my brother and headed on for Ähtäri. Finally after total of six and a half hour of driving we reached the place we were going to leave the car.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyJgZeo9UI/AAAAAAAABBI/vj6MYC4-qiE/s720/IMAG0195.jpg
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyJnv4W3VI/AAAAAAAABBI/tnWwzvKQuNQ/s720/IMAG0196.jpg

We got our packs and headed on a logging trail towards the intended camp site.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyJbP7zbXI/AAAAAAAABBI/ZiwOwxfe6GI/s720/IMAG0194.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyI4cQcXoI/AAAAAAAABBI/R6pPJ1Q_iq8/s720/IMAG0189.jpg

After total of one hour of walking we were there. We managed to find a good spot for the tent under some spruce trees. Even though everything was damp we got the fire going and as she started to gather more firewood I pitched the tent.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyF86_cL6I/AAAAAAAAA-o/-cP5gzZUWWM/s720/IMAG0166.jpg

To be continued...

hunter63
10-30-2010, 11:02 AM
........ She is a paramedic and in a voulentary fire brigade too. She carried her extra clothing and one of the 10 liter (20lbs) water tanks.......

Good companion!
I have been known to carry 20 of "water" myself from time to time, 'course it was "krausened" and in alumium cans........as I haven't found instant beer tablets, yet.

Sounds like a good time, but pic's didn't come out, just X's in boxes?????

Scaru
10-30-2010, 03:28 PM
yh pics didnt work

NCO
10-30-2010, 04:48 PM
Sorry about the pics. My first try with using google buzz to upload stuff in picasa.. I'm sorting it now. Pictures should be visible within 30 mins. About...

EDIT: They should be visible NOW.

rwc1969
10-30-2010, 10:39 PM
Looks good, can't wait to see more. That trail looked like it was a joy to walk down.

finallyME
11-01-2010, 11:49 AM
You don't need toilet paper if you have snow. :)

Asger
11-01-2010, 12:02 PM
You don't need toilet paper if you have snow. :)

Makes me think of the movie tropic thunder, the scene where Jack Black screams ''My ***!!!!'' in pain.

Rick
11-01-2010, 12:17 PM
You don't need toilet paper if you have snow. :)

Yes, you do. 'nuff said.

NCO
11-03-2010, 05:49 PM
Continuing the saga of epic toilet paper failure.

So the tent was set up and firewood gathered. We had placed a good amount of spruce twigs under the tent for insulation and comfort. Then it was the time to eat. My better half began to prepare a meal on the fire while I started figuring some extra things for the camp.

First, a lean-to for gear we didn't want in the tent. And for dried firewood.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyGlzBvBBI/AAAAAAAABAQ/F5Cz6s16mxY/s912/IMAG0170.jpg

And a reflector for the fire. I used a space blanket. Worked wonderfully.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyGRFqIyaI/AAAAAAAAA-o/p4mq-AMB4vw/s912/IMAG0168.jpg

I also figured a way for us to have "running" water. And threw the camo net on it just because it was nostalgic from the army times...
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyG3lb4LFI/AAAAAAAABAQ/rcyshL-ctPI/s640/IMAG0172.jpg

A picture of the spruce twigs under the tent:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyHAFNrjuI/AAAAAAAABAQ/FAhpVPfOUJQ/s912/IMAG0173.jpg

The dark arrived pretty quickly, hence the hurry to get the camp set.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyKNUN1wYI/AAAAAAAABEY/3oojddRtGu8/s912/IMAG0201.jpg

That little red dot is where our camp was. That's a lantern with a red candle in it. Burned for 12h. It was there just in case neither of us had to go out for a leak and couldn't find back. That's easy to spot from a good distance.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyKmq7n7bI/AAAAAAAABEY/Fs_Ls416uQI/s912/IMAG0205.jpg

Later we made some tea and went to bed. We didn't have the fire burning through the night cause of the lack of good firewood. We used two more space blankets in the tent to give us extra warmth and everything worked well. It wasn't hot in the tent, but neither was it freezing.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMnREsJsDgI/AAAAAAAAAeE/Vrt6UH4hRKY/s640/IMAG0219.jpg

The next morning was beautiful. We woke up around 8:30am, at sunrise. We made breakfast and some tea. Then I grabbed my .22 and she her camera and we went for a tour around the land.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMnRfx4f-eI/AAAAAAAAAeU/h8_-ZE_8bjQ/s912/IMAG0222.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyMEf7gnNI/AAAAAAAABEY/S8NsEbTotKU/s912/IMAG0223.jpg

There wasn't any snow under the spruces but on the rocky hills and more open land there was.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyH4PndA0I/AAAAAAAABAQ/mcp_wo9d8gw/s912/IMAG0181.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyIFpvX9YI/AAAAAAAABAQ/3aOM-raO218/s912/IMAG0182.jpg

Picture my Prettier half took of me with my cell. I can tell you, the bandanna was pretty good headgear!
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyJATSYaUI/AAAAAAAABBI/3rekJ7c2rcA/s640/IMAG0190.jpg

We found dog tracks.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyJKhkRAqI/AAAAAAAABBI/rPbOFOfwaoM/s640/IMAG0192.jpg

Food tracks (some Grouse, dunno which species)
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyKDi6fYOI/AAAAAAAABEY/TVWrYSAPwQs/s912/IMAG0200.jpg

And old bear climb marks on trees.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyH1abFyWI/AAAAAAAABAQ/AC1490NEYT8/s640/IMAG0180.jpg


When the tour was over she urged me to create us a functioning toilet solution. I reminded her of our lack of toilet paper. She pulled full pack of napkins out of her pocket and told me to just get it done. Which I did.
It was extremely nostalgic to do this. So back in the army days. I even sent this photo to one of my mates in the forces just for the fun of it... I must tell you, this solution was really comfy!
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ZLDsoqZPBAg/TMyIwNG_dUI/AAAAAAAABBI/bs_-yajBWgE/s912/IMAG0187.jpg

To be continued...

hunter63
11-03-2010, 05:55 PM
Cool, and even a little cold looking Pic's!
Thanks!

Rick
11-03-2010, 06:12 PM
Nice pics! Glad you both had a good time. Thanks for taking us along.

crashdive123
11-03-2010, 06:15 PM
Nice pics. Thanks for the views.

NCO
11-03-2010, 06:16 PM
You are welcome. Btw, do you think there is anything more refreshing than to sit on a good sh*t lath (direct translation by wiki) in sub-zero temps?

crashdive123
11-03-2010, 06:18 PM
Ummmmm - I can think of several things that might be more refreshing. A cold beer comes to mind.

Rick
11-03-2010, 06:29 PM
Walking in the house with your pants down and a tree limb frozen to your *** is bound to cause some questions to be asked. Yeah, and I can think of a lot of things better.

NCO
11-03-2010, 06:42 PM
Rick you have to tie the branch on the place you want it to stay, just for that....

DOGMAN
11-04-2010, 12:12 AM
awesome...thanks for sharing

finallyME
11-04-2010, 10:54 AM
I would call it a crap stick, or crap pole. Latrine is good as well. Obviously you didn't tell your girlfriend to use snow. Now that is refreshing. :eek:

I loved the pictures. Reminds me of the forests in Poland with all the small pine trees close together.

rwc1969
11-05-2010, 01:01 AM
Sh*t lath, I'll have to remember that, nice pics and it looks like a good time.