saxonaxe
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I've been tottering around the countryside with a Day pack since I managed to injure myself 11 months ago, and I've made a few car and bike camping trips, but the target was a proper overnight wild camp before the 12 month deadline arrived.
A new Pack and fine weather was all the excuse I needed, so yesterday afternoon I left home carrying 35 Lbs total weight in my recently acquired Berghaus Centurio 45. I also bought the two side pouches each of 10 litres, a very generous 10 litres too, so all up 65 litres. Being a tea-a-holic I carried 3 litres+of water which cranks up the weight by close on 7 Lbs. I carried extra warm kit too, probably judged unnecessary by roughty toughty Bush Crafters in this weather, but I was taking precautions against a possible leg failure and spending a few nights out, before I could crawl to somewhere helpful..
It's that time of year when the man in his little Reed eating boat spends a few days clearing the Lake of the Summer growth.
It's long arm gropes about under water cutting the Reeds off at Lake bed level.
My destination is the wood at the end of the track.
This track is on level ground but the rough track up the hill from the lake and carrying the loaded Pack was...interesting. The wood is mostly Field Maple, Ash, Oak and a few Hazel and Holly.
Part of the pack load was the rather hefty Dutch Hooped Bivvy that I was planning to use together with a German Army Flectarn Basher as top cover. Not strictly necessary I know but The weather forecast was possible showers and it's nice to have somewhere to sit in the dry.
Proverb learned a long time ago from a wise Instructor... " Any fool can be uncomfortable "
A view from the accommodation....
Without showing off...I have enough Packs, Bergans and other load carrying kit to equip a Battalion, but almost all of them have a feature that I don't care for or could change to suit me. Civvy Packs with mesh pockets that don't comfortably accept the surplus water bottles I use. Military Packs that are too big for simple overnight trips or with buckles and fittings that I'd like to change but have refrained because it would spoil an original pack.
I like the big 'Rocket Pocket' side pouches and in the new Pack I found a happy medium...45 Litre main body that I could increase with side pouches if I chose.
It is an extremely comfortable Pack to carry, the air flow padding system actually works and the straps fit/ spacing seem Tailor made for my build.
I much prefer exterior frame packs for heavy load carry, but 35 Lbs is not heavy, so I am really happy with the new Pack. I have just added an additional surplus ammo pouch containing my First Aid Kit
I am not a Bush Craft Chef...so meal time is not exciting for the food fanciers.
The sunlight is fading and it's that time when the wood seems to settle down for the coming night.
It was a quiet, still night. Owls talking to each other after Sun Set and then just the scurrying of the woodand small folk and the continual patter of the steady leaf fall on the tarp.
Morning. Another beautiful Autumn day. I awoke about 07.00 and just lay listening for a while and then..First job of the day? Of course Tea..
I struck camp about 09.00. Knowing the woodland floor is soft and lightweight pegs are ineffective, and not wishing to cut pegs, I took these..
They may look a bit Sea View Happy Camper Site kit, but they are excellent in soft ground and easy to find amongst the fallen leaves.
Plenty of Funghi in the wood, some obviously munched by beasties..
I am very pleased with the new pack and the trip in general. Physical/ mental doubts resolved as my load carry capability for simple overnighters is proven. A bit achey and stiff but as the man said.." You shouldn't have joined if you can't take a joke"......
A new Pack and fine weather was all the excuse I needed, so yesterday afternoon I left home carrying 35 Lbs total weight in my recently acquired Berghaus Centurio 45. I also bought the two side pouches each of 10 litres, a very generous 10 litres too, so all up 65 litres. Being a tea-a-holic I carried 3 litres+of water which cranks up the weight by close on 7 Lbs. I carried extra warm kit too, probably judged unnecessary by roughty toughty Bush Crafters in this weather, but I was taking precautions against a possible leg failure and spending a few nights out, before I could crawl to somewhere helpful..
It's that time of year when the man in his little Reed eating boat spends a few days clearing the Lake of the Summer growth.
It's long arm gropes about under water cutting the Reeds off at Lake bed level.
My destination is the wood at the end of the track.
Part of the pack load was the rather hefty Dutch Hooped Bivvy that I was planning to use together with a German Army Flectarn Basher as top cover. Not strictly necessary I know but The weather forecast was possible showers and it's nice to have somewhere to sit in the dry.
Proverb learned a long time ago from a wise Instructor... " Any fool can be uncomfortable "
A view from the accommodation....
Without showing off...I have enough Packs, Bergans and other load carrying kit to equip a Battalion, but almost all of them have a feature that I don't care for or could change to suit me. Civvy Packs with mesh pockets that don't comfortably accept the surplus water bottles I use. Military Packs that are too big for simple overnight trips or with buckles and fittings that I'd like to change but have refrained because it would spoil an original pack.
I like the big 'Rocket Pocket' side pouches and in the new Pack I found a happy medium...45 Litre main body that I could increase with side pouches if I chose.
It is an extremely comfortable Pack to carry, the air flow padding system actually works and the straps fit/ spacing seem Tailor made for my build.
I much prefer exterior frame packs for heavy load carry, but 35 Lbs is not heavy, so I am really happy with the new Pack. I have just added an additional surplus ammo pouch containing my First Aid Kit
I am not a Bush Craft Chef...so meal time is not exciting for the food fanciers.
The sunlight is fading and it's that time when the wood seems to settle down for the coming night.
It was a quiet, still night. Owls talking to each other after Sun Set and then just the scurrying of the woodand small folk and the continual patter of the steady leaf fall on the tarp.
I struck camp about 09.00. Knowing the woodland floor is soft and lightweight pegs are ineffective, and not wishing to cut pegs, I took these..
They may look a bit Sea View Happy Camper Site kit, but they are excellent in soft ground and easy to find amongst the fallen leaves.
Plenty of Funghi in the wood, some obviously munched by beasties..
I am very pleased with the new pack and the trip in general. Physical/ mental doubts resolved as my load carry capability for simple overnighters is proven. A bit achey and stiff but as the man said.." You shouldn't have joined if you can't take a joke"...
...
Nice bit of woodland you have there 
)
