2014 Crocus Blossom Rendezvous

The following is transcribed from my field journal. There are typos, misspellings and editings as there would be for transcriptions of other period journals. This entry is from the 2014 Crocus Blossom Rendezvous.

 2014 Crocus Blossom Rendezvous
May 2, 2014

This is the second camp with Kim & Garrick…I had mantied up our gear this time, with the exception of Garrick’s. He had his bedroll in a tumpline & carried an additional blanket. I ran saddle straps through the rope on mine to be able to wear it with should straps. Kim’s was smaller & ran a belt through the pack to wear it tumpline style.
            We arrived to see Dave F, Paul B, Pilgrim, Bob & Ms. Stone were already there. The area was along a creek, wooded & surrounded by hills.
            After selecting our campsite I went to chop on some deadfall for a front support for our shelter. While chopping in my usual fashion I saw a quick blur & then felt an impact against the left lense of my glasses that set them off kilter. Upon examining I found the lense had been ha[d] been hit with such force from the flying chip of wood that the lense pivoted in the frames & I had to set it aright. I have few things to be thankful for in regards to my failing eyesight, however, if it wasn’t for my glasses I would have lost or injured my eyes on numerous occasions. This incident would not have been good had I not been wearing my glasses.
            Paul assisted me while I set up my shelter in a diamond shape. Ms. Stone, our host,

had prepared a hearty soup for all present so we did not have to prepare our dinner this night.
            Time was spent around the campfire of Paul & Dave F.’s camp discussing a variety of topics & it was decided that Paul would accompany me the next day while I scouted the creek for beaver sign & a good place to set traps. Before retiring for the evening Ms. Stone informed me & Kim that if we needed anything for us or Garrick all we need to do was ask.
            The diamond shaped shelter I decided to make this time proved to work fairly well throughout the night as it would drizzle throughout it. An extra piece of ground cloth would be tossed over our heads & we would be kepts dry. Garrick would end up being placed between Kim & I. My 2 ½ year old is a little furnace that puts off a lot of heat. The temp for Friday night would be a low of 44 deg. F.

SAT. MAY 3, 2014 CROCUS BLOSSOM RENDEZVOUS
Early morning Kim & I would be disturbed by Garrick trying to burrow himself down by our feet. This would be an ongoing battle for about 20 minutes or so until he would finally settle down snuggling into my arms.
            Starting a fire this morning would prove difficult, but successful There was a bit of moisture in the air. I split wood down to get to the dry inside part & was use a little wax to help keep the initial flame going.
            Breakfast would be oatmeal with a little cinimon & brown sugar & raisins with bannock type bread made roasted on the side of a quartered log placed next to the fire. After camp chores were finished I set about to making some char cloth to replace what I had used.
            I cleared a spot at the edge of the fire & buried some cut cloth with a little dirt & ashes & then move some fire back on top of it. I would check it several hours later.
            Shortly before going to scout the creek, Pilgrim came up, holding the broken handle of my axe & apologizing for it. Upon inspection it was obvious that shoddy craftsmanship was a factor in my axe breaking. I assured him it was all right. There were more axes available throughout the rest of the group.
            Shortly thereafter with rifle ball pouch & powder horn in hand, Paul & I set out to

scout the creek. Along the way I found a small piece of petrified wood. I had remembered reading about petrified wood being used as a wet stone, so into my vest pocket it went. I also found the head end of an exoskeleton of a crawfish. Useful information to have. If needed to I could make some baskets to catch crawfish if we were to stay here for any length of time.
            Then we found a lots of sign. The beaver had done quite a numbe on an area we had come across, & it was all recent. I found a good spot where the level dropped to a four foot depth or so after about a foot of shelf. Deciding on this spot we hiked back to the main camp & I finished preparing the traps & gear.

            We headed back out again about a hour later with the addition of Dave F. Paul lent me the use of his axe.  I brought along bait & two of the 7 traps I had along. One of the 7 was a replica of a 5lb. St. Louis type trap that needed a bit of work to function as smoothly as I wanted. I used ti to compare between the historic & modern Bridger #5 traps I would be using in the creek today. The beaver made finding appropriate limbs to drive into the creek bed for trap stakes easy. There were several to choos from that the beaver had gnawed down & eaten all the bark off of. Paul & Dave F observed as I broke both of the unmodified #5 Bridgers over my knee (I haven’t had a chance yet to put a square pan on.) placed the traps, drove the stakes out in the water & placed bait sticks. My legs & feet seamed to adapt to the water relatively quickly today.
            After we got back from the creek I didn’t have a chance to change pants & mocs as

Ms. Stone had arranged a hunting game for the group. She & her folks had tied a number of red strips of cloth throughout the woods to go & find. Knowing that Garrick was going to be there they purposely tied ones lower for him to be able to find. It was a fun time in the woods with Kim & Garrick finding the red strips. Paul would find ones & then place them lower for Garrick to find.
            When we arrived back at the main camp there was a blanket set out for people to choose prizes from. When it came to our turn we let Garrick choose. He picked out a crockery jug. We would also get a pair of deer antlers.
            We had a later lunch today. Again, we ended up not having to prepare a meal. Pilgrim had made a bunch of meat, Tod F, who arrived today prepared a bunch of beans & Ms. Stone & her family prepared a bunch of fry bread and Dave F made a bunch of corn bread. It was an excellent lunch which everyone enjoyed.
            After lunch I went out into the woods again & set some snares. I had left my brass

wire behind, so I had to use my usually trapping wire instead to make some squirrel snares on a limb. I also made a noose snare on a game trail using sticks to make a funnel towards the noose & then a spring snare by pulling down a limb as there were no saplings near a trail.
            Dinner was light for me, Kim & Garrick due to the large late lunch we had. We each had an apple & some cheese…
            Out of consideration for Kim & Garrick, I took up the offer from Ms. Stone to have our family sleep her tent tonight as it can be completely closed to the weather…It’s one thing if I get cold, it’s another if they do. It got down to 36 deg. F.

SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2014 CROCUS BLOSSOM RENDEZVOUS
Woke up this morning to what I though was the sound of rain. Upon exiting the tent I was relieved it was only sleet, though it had rained some throughout the night.
            Breakfast was leftover beans, fresh oatmeal & cheese. Garrick was crnaky this morning & finally just wanted to lay down & nap later on.
            After camp chores were done, Tod F & I went & checked the traps. The traps had

not been disturbed & no evidence of further activity in the area of the traps was found. I pulled the traps & we headed back to the camp.
            I changed my pants & mocs as it was much cooler today & then began to manty up the gear. Kim watched me pack mine & assisted with the other two packs. Shoudering mine & grabbing my rifle, shooting bag & horn I headed through the wood to take my load to the truck. By the time I completed loading everything the sleet had gotten much larger & wetter. We woke Garrick & got him loaded in the truck. He was much happier now. We said our good-byes & headed out. It was a fun camp for Kim, Garrick & me. Good company, good food & some quality time out in the woods. Hat’s off to Ms. Stone. Fine doin’s, Miss.
-- Leif

2014 FUMLA Spring Fever Camp

The following is transcribed from my field journal. There are typos, misspellings and editings as there would be for transcriptions of other period journals. This entry is from the 2014 FUMLA Spring Fever Camp.

3/21/14 FRIDAY, SPRING FEVER CAMP
     I arrived the camp later than I wanted to but still with plenty of light to make camp. After presenting myself to Mssr. Lassey & the party I picked myself out a small area somewhat sheltered  by some small russian olives. It was a simple affair of a bedroll of canvas, six blankets, all wrapped up in my 10x10 canvas tarp.
     My supper consisted of beef, carrots, onion & some barley all tossed into my lidded copper kettle & brought to a boil over the flame. It was eaten straight from the kettle & washed down with some hot coffee. conversations & good natured humor ensued. This evening our party consisted of Messers. Jerry & Rod Lassey, our hosts … Messer. Finders, Messr. Brandon Delvo, who has recently served our great nation, & Messer. Aaron Nelson, a newer member to our party.
     When it was well dark & part way into our evening of frivolity & cribbage the was a knock on the door to the cabin. Upon it’s opening there appeared a great towering figure of a man with a red voyager’s cap, dark capote & full graying beard. “It’s Santa Claus!” I shouted as we welcomed in Messer. Monk (Mark Thorn) one of the canadien members of our party. It had been some time since we’ve seen him, being Rendezvous of the previous year. Then evening carried on with stories, laughing, cribbage & tasting of fine spirits. After one final game with Messrs. Finder & Delvo I retired for the evening in my secluded bedroll. I would toss & turn some throughout the night, realizing the errors of how I had compiled my blankets. I was cool mostly, cold partly, but none the worse for wear come morning. I was thankful to have my recently completed capot. Its dark blue with red welting, a collar & hood. The temperature would get down to 10 degrees F.

3/22/14 SATURDAY, SPRING FEVER CAMP
     I woke this morning to the voice of Delvo talking. I threw back the canvas & blankets to find a thin

layer of frost and ice covering the bedding. The glass of my lantern & my glasses had frost on them as well. The Charbonneau Creek not 30 feet from me was also iced over. It has been free running water the day before.
     My breakfast was a simple one of hard cheese & flat bread & and apple, which had frozen during the night in my market wallet. I cut slices off with my knife. It’s texture & flavor was reminiscent of eating a pear. Conversations & coffee ensued.
     The morning was cool & all wore capotes, save Messer. Nelson who draped a blanket about his shoulders in an effective manner.
     Again inspired by Russel I assumed the roll of party cook. With flint, fire steel, char & grass, with a few bits of hard candle wax mixed in I soon had a fire going. I was able to procure a larger  portion of pork ribs, still unable to get beef ribs. I believe I shall try to prepare beef tongue, buffalo if I can find it, during our parties next venture.

     Maintaining a fire was much easier today as melting snow was not threatening the coals. This did pose a different problem of not allowing the fire to get too big.
     Our party was joined by several others today. MSSR. Evanson & the Swede, Messer. Todd Fossetta & his wife & Messer. Bauer. Rod was not with us today as his stomach was not tolerant of the thing that were in it. While keeping watch of the ribs some of our party partook in the firing of rifles & pistols, taking aim at targets both near and far.
     I had a later lunch. Stew again, some as lastnights Stew. Messr. Bauer, who originally intended to say for only awhile, decided instead to spend the evening in the company of the party. He left to get the rest of his gear for the evening. Messer. Fossetta & his wife would leave, hoping to make it back tomorrow.
     When the ribs were done, I put the limb & all into my large pan. Upon Messr. Bauer’s

return I heated them once more, & to my horror the bottom of the ribs caught ablaze! Being a man of large lungs I managed to quickly blow the flames out. Amidst laughter I shouted “Meats done boys!” Jerry had returned shortly before this to report on Rod. With the party assembled I drew my butcher knife & began to slice through the charred ribs. We saved one for Rod. I appologised to the men for having burned the ribs, assuring them that next time they would be better. The men assured me, there being much meat on the ribs, that the ribs were fine & tasted well. The ribs would end up feeding nine men. After they were consumed we engaged again in conversation, some spirits & cribbage.
     I had reassembled my bedding earlier today, to provide for maximum warmth. I slept much better, though still fealt cool on occasion. Temp down to 5 degrees F.

3/23/14 SUNDAY, SPRING FEVER CAMP
     I woke up to more pebbled ice & frost on the canvas tarp & blankets than yesterday. I didn’t notice anyone up yet so I checked the cabin & found everyone up with coffee in hand. I filled my tin cup & ate the rst of my stew from yesterday along with an apple, hard cheese & flat bread. Rod & Jerry [came out to the camp] mid-morning. Rod said he was feeling better but that his stomach was still churning. Delvo informed him that we had been calling what he had “The Pox”. Rod offered to spit in his palm & shake our hands. The party declined.

     After washing out my kettle & pan I heated water & prepared to shave. This proved to be entertaining to the party. I was equipped with my razor box, made by Mark Morrain, Joseph Elliot wedge strait razor, boar brush, lard/lye soap & small trade mirror. The soap lathered to an extent, no where near the same as modern shave soaps, however, was still rather slick. The shave felt good & sufficient for it’s purpose. No nicks or cuts or “blood letting” as Rod was referring to it earlier in the week.
     With the shave complete, I began to pack my gear along with everyone else.
     Before leaving I was able to see Rod’s collection of period traps, both original & reproduction.
     Shaking hands with Messer. Finders & Messers. Rod and Jerry Lassey, the remaining men, I left the camp. -- Leif

 

 

2014 FUMLA Winter Camp

The following is transcribed from my field journal. There are typos and misspellings and editings as there would be for transcriptions  of other period journals. This entry is from the 2014 FUMLA Winter Camp.

1/24/14
Friday – Winter Camp

     I arrived at camp later than I had wanted to. A situation at school put a couple hours behind schedule & I arrived to the site in the dark. The first thing I did was to pull out my fire kit I get the candle in my lantern lit with char cloth & some dead grass. I was greeted by Rod Lassey, Paul Bauer & David Finders. Rod had been roasting ribs on the fire & told me to help myself once I had my camp made. My camp was simple. I did not make a shelter. I found a spot between sagebrush & a pile of downed timber. I had brought with me my 10x10 ground canvas, ground roll & 12 blankets. Rod graciously lent me the use of a buffalo robe to put on top of everything & two hair on deer hides to insulate against the frozen ground. Paul also brought a heavy canvas to lay out on the ground first to guard against melting snow. All of the bedding was encased by the canvas. I lay on the bluff of the South bank of the Charbonnue Creek.
     The roasted ribs tasted great. After thing settled down the bottle was passed & Dave, Paul & I enjoyed a game of cribbage while Rod enjoyed his pipe. We were serious, we were jovial, we were happy. When it was time I got into my canvas wrapped bedding. It was very heavy on me. I slept for several hours & woke up, compelled by the excessive warmth of my bedding to strip down to my drawers.

1/25/14
     It was a balance of positioning my body around the lumps on the ground that I couldn’t see in the

My camp. Bedding wrapped in canvas

snow when I put my bedding down & pulling the groundcloth back to get sufficient air to sleep well. I also had to shed most of my clothing. About 4am I heard six or so coyotes howling.
     Around 7:30 am or so I awoke to the sound of sirens. I searched the horizon around me & saw a fire truck going down the highway & saw a sheriff’s vehicle parked marking an accident. I quickly dressed & sprinted to my truck to respond…
     …Today I decided to assume the roll of party cook [and camp keeper], much like Osborn Russell’s first experience when with a trapping party for Wyeth in 1834. After I had eaten a breakfast of cheese, bread & a apple I set about keeping the fire going. I used Paul’s axe & later mine to chop wood throughout the day. I am pleased with my axe.
     I was unable to procure beef ribs before the camp so I had to go with pork ribs. I cut a hole in each

end  between the first two ribs bones & skewered it on a limb. I put a light sprinkle of what littler pepper and salt I had left. The ribs would roast all afternoon & into the evening. The ground being frozen the height & angle of the ribs to the fire was achieved by tying on[e] end of the limb with cord from the tripod above the fire.
     I had to keep doctoring the fire all day. Due to the warmer temperature the snow was melting & kept threatening the bottom hotter coals of the fire.
     I built a little dam of firewood around the fire & had to keep building the fire vertically so there would be enough hot coals to keep the fire sustained. This battle was fought all day long.
     Continued chopping wood. Dave Finders told me “Leif, you’re making me tired from watching you work this hard!”
     Dave Evanson & the Swede arrived later afternoon/early evening. Conversation picked up some as

David Finders

the evening carried on the wind began to build. I made some stew in my copper lidded kettle from rib meat, barley, potatos & a little seasoning. about the time we had all finished our suppers I found that the ribs ere still not quite done. The inconsistent fire all day had not aided us in this. It was well dark now. There was just enough for everyone to have some once the ribs were finally finished. Everyone seemed happy with them. I felt I had done my job with the assumed roll of “party cook” in regards to the fires & the ribs.
     It is my goal to not have my fire fall victim to the “rising waters” next time & have the ribs done sooner for the men in our party.
     After we finished the ribs we conversed for some time & then played team cribbage. It was an exciting game the second game. There was lots of laughing.
     When it was time for me to repose I found it to be much cooler.
     I slept fitfully throughout the night before some rest was had. It has been quite some time since claustrobia has been this bad. I believe the weight of the bedding may have spurred it on. I woke up several times in a sweat, gasping for air & frantically threw off the covers, exposing my head & bare chest to the open air. Breathing in & feeling the cold wind on my skin calmed me & maid me feel alive. I would eventually have a patch of restful sleep.

1/26/14
     I awoke early to find my canvas on top of my bedding covered with a light layer of snow. It had rained lightly  during the night & then turned to snow. Some of it had made its way inside of my bedding. Thanks to my tuque I was not bothered.
     The wind was blowing steadily at a stiff pace & [it] was difficult to dress. I[n] case the weather got like this I had borrowed a blanket pin from one of my daughters to wear a blanket like a match-coat as I don’t have a capote made yet. With the pin in place by the neck to make a hood & my belt wrapped around my waist to keep the blanket closed this worked rather well.
     It took several trips to pack my gear out. I discovered that the snow under my bedding had melted & had soaked thru the several layers of canvas but stopped at the deer hides. I need to make an oil cloth. After leaving the deer hides & buffalo robe for Rod I headed out.
     I had good conversations with friends, experienced life, learned some things for next time. What I left this camp appreciating the most was the friends who want to see me succeed at this. I am a blessed man.
-- Leif

Paul Bauer having dinner

The many layers of my bedding

2013 FUMLA Turkey Shoot

The following is transcribed from my field journal. There are typos and misspellings and editings as there would be for transcriptions of other period journals. This entree is from the 2013 FUMLA Turkey Shoot.

10/25/13 – Friday

I arrived at Rod’s cabin & was greeted by Dave Finders & Mike Schweitzer. I was originally to share a tent with Mike but it turned out that only us three would be here tonight. We were suprised that Rod didn’t come out. Since there would be ample room in the cabin I decided that I would make a shelter instead as Mike would be staying in the cabin. I made my shelter from my 10x10 ground cloth for tent. My shelter is slightly north and more west of the cabin, by the Charbonou Creek. It’s a leen to with the open side facing East. I’m wearing my tuque as it is rather cool outside right now. I have two extra shirts I’ll us as a pillow & 5 wool blankets [some thinner than others] to cover me. I’m writing by candle light from my lantern from Village Tinsmiths. My market wallet with rations is hanging in the tree above me that my shelter is built against. I also have a beaver trap hanging from a limb.
                After I got my shelter squared away I went to the cabin & ate cheese and thick whole grain crackers. Mike Dave & I shared some liquid cheer & enjoyed comraderie. Dave & I played cribbage. He taught me to play 2 years ago here at the cabin. Dave won. We spent several hours talking about Fur Trade, Indians wars & FT. UNION. [Another enterprise I’m involved with] was brought up some. The guys offered words of encouragement & congratulations on [my current status]. After we concluded Rod was not going to show tonight, it was time for sleep. I’m going to make a hot breakfast in the morning.

10/26/13 – Saturday

It got cold lastnight, even with the 5 blankets. It was comfortable to lay down however. Tonight I will try to arrange the blankets different. Am very thankful for my tuque. Woke up several times throughout the night & looked at the sky. The moon & stars were bright. Feet got cold. I need to fix that. REalizied that I took of without extra socks.
                When I woke up this morning I straightened out my bedroll, grabbed my hatchet & fire kit and prepped wood for a fire. As soon as I got flame I lit the candle stub I keep in the kit. That proved advantageous to getting the fire going.
                Sawyer Flynn arrived as I was getting a green limb of Russian Olive to roast my meant for breakfast. He brought his new rifle. I had an apple & roasted meat for breakfast. Schweitzer brought me a wheel cap. He knew I had been looking for one. It is Russet in color, is well made & he was more than fair in his price. We groused around the campfire I’d made for sever hours. I read some of “Journal of a Trapper.” Swede arrived. The conversation that was already comedic became more so. I had cheese & something like pilot bread for lunch. Tim Soyseth (SWEDE) brought my turkey from last year.

                After we had eaten we set up the steel targets for the turkey shoot, comprising of ones for pistol & muzzleloader. We were wondering if Rod Lassey was going to make it out. As we were walking back to the cabin we saw the familiar figure of Rod walking across the prairie, bedroll in tow, rifle in hand, & then cross the creek. “Impecable timing…” a Halvorson family expression J, as he was just in time to start the shoot.
                I did poorly, only hitting one target & nearly firing my new wiping stick from the muzzle of my loaded rifle. Rod won the turkey. Dave Finders & I tied for the SPAM.

                I made a stew for supper from carrots, potatoe, meant, pearl barly & salt & pepper in my copper lidded kettle. Rod’s father Jerry stopped by for a couple of hours to see how the shoot had gone & catch up with everyone. I played a game of cribbage with Dave again by candle & lantern light…I won this time. We sat talking for a couple more hours & then we decided to shut things down for the evening. I went back to my shelter by the light of my lantern & went to sleep.

10/27/13 – Sunday

Slept much better lastnight. I arranged the blankets in a much better fashion. What was an annoyance the night before was that parts of my body were warm & parts were cold. My shoulder, knee & feet would be cold but the rest of me was warm. There was no frost on the glass of my lantern this morning. I have no idea if that was because it was warmer or because I’d waken up later. I do not have a watch. 

          When I opened my fire tin this morning I realized I had one piece of char cloth left. I found a few small sections of dead juniper to use in starting my fire this morning in addition to the usual tinder & kindling to make sure I’d get a fire going. There were no coals left from the previous night’s fire to assist in getting a fire going. It was a good thing this was my last day here. How foolish I was to not check my fire tin before I left for the camp. It took a lot of work this morning but was able to finally start & keep the fire going with that one small piece of char cloth. I will refill the tine when I get home.
                Ate an apple & roasted my last piece of meat for breakfast. Had some good conversation with Dave this morning…
                Knowing that coming home smelling smoky & dirty I decided to shave. This was an item of interest for all. I washed out my lidded kettle & heated water. The heated water was poured into my tin pan & allowed to cool a little while my brush soaked in it & I stropped my razor. The strop is on the back of my razor box. It was made by Mark Morain of Kootenai River Traders. It’s lid slides open to reveal an open oval cavity, the

bottom of which is lined with what I believe is red wool flannel. The razor rests inside. I was able to fit both my modern hollow ground DOVO straight razor & my 1830s Joseph Elliot wedge style straight razor in it. I used my DOVO as I haven’t sterilized or hat had it [my Joseph Elliot razor] honed yet. I used a modern badger hair brush & my modern 1911 shave soap made by Wm. Newmann & Co. I used a small trade mirror reproduction of an original found near Mandan, ND, dated to 1800-1850. I performed a 3-PASS shave, rinsing between each pass. I did not use any after shave or balm. We talked about shaving & hygien while I shaved. My EMT kit was up at the truck & I had an extra large handkerchief with me just in case problems arose. Shortly after my shave we began to break camp.
                During the daylight hours the top red blanket of my bedroll became a location for hundreds of the remaining box elder bugs to sun themselves. Despite trying my best to flap them off my bedroll gear, Signe, Brynja & I still removed about 20 of them from my bedroll & ground cloth after I got home.
                Just before the rest of us departed, Ben Gjorven arrived to say high & show us his Browning 30 cal….
                It was getting pretty cold at that point & we all headed out. I enjoy the Lassey cabin site along the Charbanue Creek. Fond memories of comraderie, conversations of history & getting to experience a little bit of the life of the men we portray. This camp was a nice change of pace to everyday life.
--Leif 

 

The Little Trek That Failed: Part 2

And It Starts To Fall Apart
It was at this point that I realized how pathetic my thin veg tanned mocs were against the rocks. I felt every bump, every sharp edge, every painful step. When I reached a driftwood log that was at the waters edged I rapidly dumped my gear, after carefully resting my rifle against the log. I was thirsty, I was over heating, it was so hot. “Ok, you need water and you need to cool down.”  Looking around me and listening I couldn’t detect any sign of anyone about on this part of the river, aside from the mooing of cows on the other side. I stripped down to my shorts, pulled out the filter straw from my market wallet and slowly began to wade out into the water.

The water wasn’t nearly as cool as I was hoping for and I managed to find every painful rock with my bare feet until I was about fifteen yards out. Down the straw went into the water. I drew the water fiercely through the filter, sucking as hard as I could. I spit out the first several mouthfuls of water that was made black by the charcoal section of the filter back into the river. The moisture felt refreshing in my mouth. It was a relief to be taking in fluids for the first time in a couple of hours. I’d hiked about three and half miles through the woods, a good chunk through thick, waist high grass.

The relief, however, quickly changed as I began to notice a change in the draw of the filter. Things began to

slow, which isn’t all that unusual with a filter straw, but then things rapidly came to a grinding halt. “Crap.” I stood there in the water staring at my straw with disgust. “I know there’s always a number of these things that will fail, but, come on man…” I would try again. For the moment I would stand in the water allowing it to cool me down some. The water was luke-warm. 

After I made it back to the log I began putting my clothes back on, but only after I was sure I had removed all of the ticks. Shirt: 8 ticks. Pants: 13 ticks. “Swell.” Out came my little kettle and I filled it up with water. Into the kettle went the straw. No dice. “You piece of…” Out came a flour sack wash drying towel. I folded it over on itself until I had a thick square of material. I put it over the top of my kettle and filtered the river water through it into my tin cup. The water felt good going down until the third large gulp. My mouth finally recognized that this dish drying towel had gone through the dryer with a dryer cloth. “Ok, screw it.” I took a few swigs straight from the kettle to rinse the awful soap taste from my mouth and spit out the water. “Time to boil water, momma’s havin’ a baby.”

Leaving my gear against a downed tree where I decided I was going to make camp I began to search for wood for a tripod and a fire. I was being rather selective as I was feeling drained and wasn’t all that up to swinging a hatchet too much.  I was beginning to search aimlessly for deadfall. I wasn’t happy with what I was finding. I dragged a small pile of sticks to the camp and lay down, hat over my eyes. “Man it’s hot.”  I was thirsty again. The EMT inside my head started connecting the dots. “Leif, call Jeff.” “I just need to get the water boiling.” “Leif, this is onset of heat exhaustion.” “I’ve got this, I can make it work.” “Yes you can, but you should call Jeff.” “I’ll feel better if I just lay here awhile.” “Leif, make the call.” Forty five minutes later Jeff pulled up to my camp with a four-wheeler. He hopped off, smiled and threw a bottle of ice cold Gatorade at me. “You read my mind.”

The Assement
So the trek failed. I was pretty irritated with myself. I had followed the plan, resorted to backup plans and it still fell apart. The plan was partly broken. What would have changed things?

K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid): I wanted to accomplish too many things, and as a result I was lugging around too much gear for the conditions. This wore me out quicker. Even one trap would have sufficed for what I wanted to do.

Location, Location, Location: I ended up hiking about 3 ½ miles to the site. A location 1 mile in would have been sufficient for my needs.

Know Your Limitations: I had pushed too far, too hard. Though I have what I consider better than average outdoor skills, I’m not 23 anymore, nor and I in the same shape I was in at the age of 23. I’m 32 and fat. For a trek like this it’s perfectly acceptable to pace yourself. I didn’t do that. I shouldn’t have gone as far down river, full speed ahead, as what I did. I could have called Jeff and updated him of the new location.

Know Your Gear: It should be noted that it was not my period gear that failed me, it was the modern stuff. You should always test your gear under safe conditions before it needs to be used “for real.” Other options for the water that I could have used could have been drops and purification tablets. I also could have used the handkerchief around my neck to filter out the large sediments. A canteen would have been good as well. If this would have been an actual survival situation, would I have drank the river water? Given the conditions as they were during my trek, yes, I would have drank the water. Since this was not a survival situation I opted not to. I didn’t think it prudent to risk getting sick at that point.  As a result of this experience I now have a different filter system and purification tablets. Also, I take care of the washing of any the gear I use…no more dryer sheets for me.

Keep An Eye On The Weather: Ironically, that particular day ended up being the hottest day all week. It got to be 93 that day. If I would have looked at the weather info I likely would have done things differently. Possibly even brought along a plastic canteen of water just to play it safe and made camp sooner.

The Outcome
Despite the fact that my trek came to an untimely end, it wasn't a complete failure.  I was able to recognize the signs and call a spade a spade. I got out when I needed to. Sometimes knowing when to call a thing for what it is an important part of your survival skill set. Also, I know to take the above five mentioned things listed in my assessment into consideration for the next time I go out on a trek by myself.

On a slightly humorous note, about a week after my little adventure a man stopped by my friend’s house to show him a picture on his cell phone that was from one of his trail cams. He asked Jeff what he knew anything about a mountain man living in the area. Jeff looked at the picture on the man’s phone. (It was a picture of me…where I’d gone on the wrong trail.) Jeff shook his head and said “Nope. I’m not aware of any mountain man living in the woods.”

- Leif

The Little Trek That Failed: Part 1

I’m an Eagle Scout, a farm kid, a teacher, and husband and father of 3 young kids…I’m used to having a plan and backup plans and sometimes backups to the backups. If you make a plan and stick to the plan usually things work out, for the most part. Sometimes, however, you quickly discover that the plan might not have been the best plan.

Preparations

The summer of 2013 I decided I was going on a three day two night solo trek. This was going to be an “aux alimentes du pays” trek, or one that was going to be “off the nourishment of the land”. I was going to a familiar place, a place I’ve hunted a number of times with my brother and a close friend. I knew just the spot I was going to go to. I knew there would be squirrels, rabbits and coons in the area that I could snare or shoot with my trusty 1790s contract rifle and there were cattails in abundance. This was a place on the Yellowston River bottoms so I would have plenty of access to water and be able to fish. 

Several days before I left I started to put together my list of items that I would bring along and list of things I wanted to accomplish. My items list was fairly long and though my list of things I wanted to accomplish wasn’t, they required additional gear.  Part of my gear was rolled up into my bedroll, which consisted of my cotton duck ground cloth, a 10x10 cotton duck fly and a red striped blanket which was tied up with 1/2 inch manila rope. My non-period correct hatchet was attached to the out of it. It has no sheath. More 1/2 inch rope would be used like a tumpline to carry the bedroll in the woods.  (I wish I would have known what I know about tumplines now. I would not have just the 1/2 inch rope to wear across my shoulders. Check out this 3 part series on tumplines by Isaac Walters.) The rest of the gear went into my Russian drab market wallet and my Russian sheeting belt market wallet.

My market wallet was heavy. One of the things I wanted to accomplish was to set some snares, both from brass wire and from natural materials in the woods, as well as set some traps. Into the Russian drab market wallet went several 1 ½ duke coilsprings, snare wire, bait and lure. In also went my small lidded copper trade kettle, tin cup, sewing kit, period pliers, rope, hemp cord and some addition assortment of little gear. Into the Russian sheeting belt market wallet went my fishing kit, fire kite, pocketknife, camera, beefy straw type water filter, additional hemp cord and a few other random pieces of gear. 

I was wearing a blue check shirt, my drab felt hat, fall-front pants, side-seam mocs, vest, belt, butcher knife in its sheath tucked and tied to the inside of the back of my belt.  I also had my shooting pouch, horn and rifle. I did not have a canteen.

Heading Out

The start of “day one” I pull up to my friend’s house, hop out of my truck and start tossing gear into the back of his truck. He then gave me a ride to our usual “trail head”. I let him know that I would be hiking in a fair bit and the spot that I would make my camp. If anything came up I’d call him on my cell, which would be off unless something happened. I’d be checking the phone each evening. After shaking hands I headed in to the woods and began hike to “the spot”. 

Things started wonderfully…lots of vegetation changed the way things looked, enabling me to second guess myself…I end up on the wrong trail. I came across a tree stand that I recognized and realized I had gone about 100 yards into the woods the wrong direction. A deer jumped out suddenly about 15 yards away from me and out of instinct I raise my rifle, quickly lowering it when I realized that in late July we weren't quite into the October rifle season for deer. It would have been a great shot. 

Back tracking, I got back onto the main trail and this time made took the correct fork in the path.  The branches and leaves had grown quite a bit since the previous fall and masked much of the path that I usually go on. By fall, the lush leaves are gone from this part of the trail. I finally made it to the first big turn and paused. The rope that I was using like a tumpline was cutting into my shoulders and it was necessary for me to switch the market wallet onto the other shoulder. I was now standing in a big opening that I’d hunted. I paused for several minutes here to rest my shoulders. 

Further into the woods I went, following the remains of decades old trails, parts of which were still used, other which we no longer used. There was lots of deadfall all around.  I was starting to get a bit winded and really wished I had a canteen along. I don’t actually own a period correct canteen so I didn’t bring one. On and on I trudged through the woods. My stops were becoming more frequent. I would shift gear, rub my shoulders where the rope was really beginning to bite into my skin. It was hot and muggy and I was getting very thirsty. “I’m getting wore out and I really need water.” I said out loud to myself.  Finally I found and took a right at the proverbial “big cotton wood tree” in the woods, which is otherwise useless information unless you know which big cotton wood tree you’re talking about. “Almost there.”  

Down a big dip that the river had cut out years before and then onto a sandy finger which led to a rocky

sandbar.  I was starting to allow my frustration to make decisions and decided to make a cut straight for it instead of taking the usual path. It didn’t realize it until it was too late. My hands and legs were stinging. I was standing in the middle of a Canada thistle patch. “Crap.” Raising my rifle above my head I made a final push through and then down the four foot drop to the rocky sandbar.  

- Leif