Backpack Camping & Hiking
After months of planning from the last hike along the Housatonic, Dave and I finally got down to basics for arranging the trip. We booked the Great Hollows State Park camp shelter for the night. The trip was something like this. Dave, myself and a friend camp and hike in the Great Hollows State Park. After a overnight stay, I along with my friend return, while Dave continues on a trail for the next several days. Week before was really hectic, only returning from work to sleep. :) So all the preparations were made from my side only on Saturday. Off we go to Walmart and pack sleeping bags, jackets, gloves, basic supplies. I am always ready with my Ka-Bar and Maglite mini for any eventualities. Off on the Mustang for a camp we'd never forget.
The place was cool, with fall starting and the cold wave sweeping in. Possibly one of the few weekends before the hunting season starts. After a light snack we go on a hike along a lake. Scenic beauty, aging bones :P - they really make a great combo. An hour later people huffing, panting reach the parking place and setup the gear to spend the night in the lap of nature. And begins a 2 mile hike to the camp site. We got s shelter booked for us, to keep light, above all Dave needed to travel light since he had to do a multi-day hike after we left.
The shelter was lake facing, we expect a cold night. We got a fireplace nearby, gathered our bit of firewood for the night. Then Dave teaches us: the old way of lighting a fire. Wood shavings, courtesy the Ka-Bar, fire starter and patience: Whoa, we got our fire... :) Cooking beside the campfire with mobile tools, having our supper enjoying the stars lighting up the sky, a glass of wine... priceless eh... ;) Too cold a night, we knew. Well prepared, we were. My experience in the uniform had taught me several things, and with a veteran like Dave the knowledge is polished. Simple tactics from hiking, setting up camp to settling down in a sleeping bag for the night. Everything was so perfect that day. And with the wild in mind, my faithful Ka-Bar beside me secure, keeping everyone safe.
Morning was really cold. Time for a early hike into the woods. The freezing air forming a mild numbness in the nostrils, making you breathless. With distance, body regenerates lost heat. Basics of any survival in cold weather. Keep moving. Heat lost is time lost. Watching the sunrise from the shore. The dew over the lake evaporating into a light fog before finally diluting into the surroundings. Crossing Connecticut border into Massachusetts; a few snaps and enjoying the cool breeze with the sunlight. Couple of hours by the lake and we're back at the camp. Breakfast and then back to the parking. We help Dave to spot his car at the end of the trail, some 30 miles off the camp site. Then we drop him back at the camp, where he starts his hiking alone for the next 5 days.
And yeah: I forgot to mention. Dave hikes barefoot. :)
The place was cool, with fall starting and the cold wave sweeping in. Possibly one of the few weekends before the hunting season starts. After a light snack we go on a hike along a lake. Scenic beauty, aging bones :P - they really make a great combo. An hour later people huffing, panting reach the parking place and setup the gear to spend the night in the lap of nature. And begins a 2 mile hike to the camp site. We got s shelter booked for us, to keep light, above all Dave needed to travel light since he had to do a multi-day hike after we left.
The shelter was lake facing, we expect a cold night. We got a fireplace nearby, gathered our bit of firewood for the night. Then Dave teaches us: the old way of lighting a fire. Wood shavings, courtesy the Ka-Bar, fire starter and patience: Whoa, we got our fire... :) Cooking beside the campfire with mobile tools, having our supper enjoying the stars lighting up the sky, a glass of wine... priceless eh... ;) Too cold a night, we knew. Well prepared, we were. My experience in the uniform had taught me several things, and with a veteran like Dave the knowledge is polished. Simple tactics from hiking, setting up camp to settling down in a sleeping bag for the night. Everything was so perfect that day. And with the wild in mind, my faithful Ka-Bar beside me secure, keeping everyone safe.
Morning was really cold. Time for a early hike into the woods. The freezing air forming a mild numbness in the nostrils, making you breathless. With distance, body regenerates lost heat. Basics of any survival in cold weather. Keep moving. Heat lost is time lost. Watching the sunrise from the shore. The dew over the lake evaporating into a light fog before finally diluting into the surroundings. Crossing Connecticut border into Massachusetts; a few snaps and enjoying the cool breeze with the sunlight. Couple of hours by the lake and we're back at the camp. Breakfast and then back to the parking. We help Dave to spot his car at the end of the trail, some 30 miles off the camp site. Then we drop him back at the camp, where he starts his hiking alone for the next 5 days.
And yeah: I forgot to mention. Dave hikes barefoot. :)
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