Author: leaddog

Mmmmm Hotdogs!

Leaddog Grillin’

Saturday

Once again a crew of 12 assembles at the happy hunting grounds to “pick up where we left off” from last year. The day turns out dry, with a threat of rain, according to “triple lying doppler radar” which is to begin promptly at 5:00. The woods were perfectly damp from the previous days rains, which led to perfect hunting conditions, which led the crew to perfectly hunt where there were no mules. The first hunt of the year resulted in a nice 8 to 10 mile walk in the backcountry for the crew, which is usually done in the following weeks. A baseline has been set, so every hunt hereafter will be similar or shorter – but probably not!

No mules were encountered, it appears that no one had informed the mules it was time to play. Rubs and scrapes were observed, so they did leave a calling card to bait the crew for next time. Steven finds remnants of a camp up in Beaver Valley, where and why it was located at this spot is still to be determined. The rain did indeed fall, a little later than predicted but still close to the set time. A feast of mule steaks was consumed in fine fashion, with beer of course to wash it all down.

Sunday

Waking up to the rain from the previous day, the now aching crew is slow to disperse to the wilds. A “shorter” hunt is planned due to the rain, and all head out to perform several shorter drives which led to some actually seeing mules! Robba sees the smallest deer ever without spots, which upon seeing Robba started to shake, cry and wail for it’s mommy like a liberal that just got lost off the trial.

Lake effect rains were encountered throughout the day, which kept the crew somewhat in proximity to camp. The last drive sends one lone mule right between Robba and Leaddog, which of course was never heard of or seen. A good crew will be on staff this coming Friday for the first FAMHC sanctioned adventure!

Where does one start?

A gang of 15 assembles to perform various work duties, drink beer and eat fine camp fare.

Three of the 15 almost didn’t make it back in time for Saturday’s dinner of Chicken and Ribs.

Five trailmen heads to the hills, Polecat, Toucher, and Chip (Team 1) heads of in one direction while Leaddog and Digger (Team 2) heads in the opposite direction in hopes to meet with Team 1, which would have been some distant five miles away. A nice walk up the hill by Team 2 results in several required hydration stops, where the filter pump is deployed, water bottles filled, GPS’s fired up checked and rechecked, compasses compared and knives donned as required.

Meanwhile in the depths of the primeval forest Team 1 decides to go “Indian”. Leaving all aforementioned gear that Team 2 deployed left at camp or home, Team 1 soon finds itself in a “predicament”. As Team 2 reaches the point of no return, (well hydrated and location known) a radio call was made to verify Team 1’s progress, or as we would soon find out – lack thereof.

It appears that in an effort to impress the crew of Team 1, Polecat’s navigation skills were put into play, or in fact they decided to play with Polecat. Overshooting the objective by one valley and a hill, they were at a place where they shouldn’t have been. Lucky enough to even find THAT point of interest, they soon decided to find the original route or target, which they did. BUT – in an effort to work their wayout they once again got themselves lost….

To sum it up – here’s some of the radio exchange:

Leaddog – “Polecat, where are you?”
Polecat – “Well…it’s a long story” (sound of hiss and scratchy transmission)
Leaddog – “Where shall we meet?”
Polecat – “I don’t know – because I don’t know where I am!” (which was followed by several expletives)
Leaddog – “Stay there – we’ll come hoot you out”
Polecat – “Do you have your pump? We’re -beeping- dehydrated, and -beeping- lost!”
Leaddog – “he he he – don’t panic, sit still and don’t be afraid – we’ll come save you!”
Polecat – “beepety beep beep you beep beep………”

So now Team 2 has to reverse direction, climb back UP the mountain and cut the old trial in an effort to rescue Team 1. After two miles of clearing, Team 2 is finally at the proper waypoint, obviously due to the proper use of technology which was of course brought along, and finds Team 1 hunkered down only 120 feet from said well know waypoint.

It must be mentioned that Team 2 heard a noise that sounded like a flock of woodpeckers pecking on a tree, but it was determined it was the sound of several knocking knees from Team 1.

Lessons learned

Bring your stuff!

Afterthoughts

We’ve all been there at one time or another, the conditions present at the time (leaves still on the trees) will prevent using views to navigate. But there is no excuse for not being prepared!

Upon the return and subsequent ribbing by the rest of the gang, Team 1 realizes that the bigwoods will eat you up in a heart beat. Several cords of wood was cut, split, and stacked by the remaining gang .

Two Rangers earn the newly created “Rescue Ranger Badge”

From sources it was told that the probability of the Lodge opening again is in the works! Polecat, along with righty and lefty in tow will now have a place to go after a long day in the woods. Beer futures looks like they will be up as well!

Will a direct trail to the Lodge be cut this coming work weekend?

Stay tuned for updates!

Meanwhile -from the same source it was conveyed that the Polecat was caught “like a mouse in a bucket” at the beer tent at the local fair – not once but twice!

The season is coming fast – time to get in shape boys!

Trailhugger has announced that he is now retired, and will not have to go to work anymore! It looks as if there will be plenty of open weekends now, that he can attend camp and chase mules all the way to the barrel!

It also has been reported that ducks now fly in fear – will steel shot be raining down all over the place?

In other news Wendy’s will have to close at least three restaurants, and lay off several senior staff.

Congrats Trailhugger, enjoy it before the Mighty Pharaoh Oblama finds out and takes it all away and gives it to those who are less fortunate!

Chip – it appears you lost your new bunk!

UPDATE! – All traffic on USrt20 now diverted by DOT to repair recurring “anomaly” that bewildered locals for years. It was thought that it was from a fault, but appeared to be akin to a snowmobile crossing. Yet another mystery to be solved!

HH v5.0

HH v5.0 II

Snow in da woods!

Yikes!

Nice Sign!

Really Nice Sign!!

Pinky’s up Girls!

AHHHH!Chip wit a saw!!!

Polcat Keeps Fixing it, Bears keep eating it!

Based on a lack of interest, and plans already in place – only four dildos arrive at camp. Two are newbies looking for membership in this elite club – as with the FAMHC.

Four FTrooper’s show up to camp to keep the tradition of almost 10 years alive. Only ONE member, who just so happens to be one of the original four charter members of the Spring Hiking Club, and of course the FAMHC; sets off for alpine adventures! Going solo up the hill, Leaddog leaves the trio on level ground (which incidentally was not too far from the beer), and heads initially for the Scenic Vista. Finding the Hilton in a pile of fire wood, yet another rebuild was in order. V5.0 of the Hilton now stands, and awaits those seeking refuge in storm conditions. No visit to the vista this time!

Back below, the gang of three cuts and moves firewood about. One “certain” member in good health of said gang conveniently leaves his trekking gear at home, thereby making him not eligible to hike. The future of the Spring Hiking Club may be in peril if this keeps up!

If Polecat doesn’t erase the pictures, or lose his camera – Digger will post the remainder of the photos!