Woodlife

Ok, so I’ve got to cut down on kit. Fine in theory, but what about practice?

This weekend’s 24 hours excursion was a tester to see if I could actually reduce kit and weight. I’m certainly not a minimalist, but I have to bear in mind that sometime in the future, I might be “running on the spoor” as Jon puts it. By the way, thanks for your comments about this. I’ve had a few emails as well as Jon’s comment.

So there I was on Friday lunchtime, scratching my head surrounded by kit. As the weather looked like it was going to be kind, I decided to revisit ground dwelling, thus a bivi bag was packed as well as the Thermarest and lightweight sleeping bag. I could have dispensed with the sleeping bag, but I figured the blanket was nearly as heavy and even more awkward to pack. The 14 cm billy came with me, but not the hobo stove which usually accompanies it. A small utility pouch with tinder, folding saw, paracord and a head torch finished off the kit. The SFA came along for the ride.

Feeling pretty chuffed as I put the 30 litre sack on, I suddenly realised I’d forgotten that I had to take water. Oh for a nearby river but this is East Anglia. One of the driest regions in the UK. I don’t normally weigh kit, but I was interested this time. 24lbs with water. I could probably shave another couple of lbs off, but at what price? I’d already left out tarp and poncho.

Outfield woods was the target of my excursion. I decided to build a quick lean-to shelter. I just wanted to keep the wind off me, so it wasn’t a full blown debris shelter. Down went the bivvi bag and I settled down for an early dinner of pre-cooked chilli over a small open fire.

When darkness fell, I went for a wander amongst the closed-in woods. I watched some deer at a distance but lost them. I found I was wandering too far from my site. I wasn’t really used too these woods and they are very dark even during the day. But it wasn’t too difficult to find my way back. Head east to the edge of the wood and follow it south until I hit a known fallen tree and then look for the green glow ring. Glow ring? Ah yes. A little purchase which I was trying out. I’ll review this another time.

I relit the fire (I managed to light it from some remaining embers which was a bit of a result) and settled down for a reduced measure of brandy. This travelling light is getting ridiculous! Reduced measures of brandy indeed!

The night was relatively comfortable but I wasn’t used to the hard ground even with a Thermarest and I woke up twice. I assumed that I would get used to this if necessary. I also wondered how much bad weather or colder weather would affect the trip. I would have to really build a more efficient shelter.

I woke at 6am in time to see a fox staring at me from about 40 feet away. It soon scooted away and I set to work making a cuppa and a bit of porridge. The benefit of the half shelter was that I could look through it but it still camouflaged me from behind and this is where the deer came from. I had positioned myself about 50 feet off a convergence of two trails. It was from one of these trails that the deer came from behind me. I only noticed them when I had a spoonful of porridge half way to my mouth. They crept past slowly browsing on the vegetation as they went. I couldn’t hold this position for ever so I just carried on eating. Even though they looked my way, I just kept eating my porridge! Quite a bizarre thing!

Well to sum it all up; I had to put my money where my mouth was. It’s not uncomfortable with less kit, but not that comfortable either. It will be a case of needs must. I could shave a few extra pounds off, but then I would have to think about the coming cold and wet weather. In the meantime, next week, I’ll be back in the hammock with a tarp over me. Ah, luxury!

Thanks for the visit, and by the way, happy autumn.

Pablo.