My last three days at Hawk Circle were spent on the survival trek part of their Winter Intensive program. I had the choice to spend the time solo or as part of a group. My decision was based on the quality of snow on the property. I hadn’t used my cross country skis yet this winter.
So, with a good quality sleeping bag, my day pack, eight Larabars, two acorn burgers, three liters of water, two sets of warm clothes, my knife, a compass, a clock, my digital camera, a lighter and my skis, I set off solo for three days. Here are some of my journal notes:
January 16, 2008
Coyotes called at 9:44 PM, 5:14 AM and 7:02 AM. Thanks to grass mats and a lean-to, I slept soundly. Getting up and moving was a challenge. It’s bitter cold. I struggled into my clothes and ate a Larabar.
My shoe laces and backpack were soaked from yesterday’s muddy wet snow near the group shelter. The laces and zippers froze. The sun finally popped up over the mountain at around 10:00 AM. Movement and solar power have kept me warm and focused on tracking. This has been a fun day.
I spent yesterday afternoon and most of today tracking bobcat, fox, rodent, bird and the the resident Manx cat, Dylan. I’ll have to figure out who the rodent and bird tracks belong to.
With four inches of snow on the ground and an extended ski pole arm, I had frozen fruit for lunch, thanks to the wild grapes and apples still clinging to their vines and branches. My hands are stained purple.
The snow is the perfect texture to enjoy the gentle downhill slopes. I love the sound of my skis against the snow. It’s one of those sensations that make me feel joyous. The sun and snow, while warm and comforting, could cause snow blindness. Snow goggles made from bark felt stiff against my face. I used my balaclava instead.
January 17, 2008
I woke up in the middle of the night hungry, so I ate a Larabar and fell back asleep. I got up early only to discover that my ski trails were glazed and icy. I should have expected that. After a day of full sun, the snow melted and refroze.
I could ski flat trails, but conditions on the hills are reminiscent of how I sprained my hand. I spent a lot of time traveling perpendicular to the trail. It’s not sunny and I’m moving more slowly. I ate my acorn burgers. I eat a Larabar every time I feel chilled.
I did see a perfect bobcat track with frozen crystal toe prints. If I were a better tracker, I’d know whether there are lots of bobcats here or one very busy individual. The parallel bobcat and rodent tracks are a clue that this predator and prey did not pass through this area at the same time.
I’m feeling a little goofy and scatter-brained. If I had more energy, I might set up a bait line with bits of Larabar or wild foods, just to see which animals walk by.
My large water bottle froze. I should have taken it into the sleeping bag with me. Luckily the smaller water bottle didn’t freeze. Since I’m on the move, I’ve made it a point to ski past the classroom and tie a string on the doorknob once a day. This way, the staff know I’m fine. En route, I placed my frozen water bottle on the shelf just inside the door of the infirmary, the only heated room on the school grounds.
The sky is murky. Maybe we’ll get fresh snow. This will be my last night before we return to the farmhouse. I plan to get up before dawn for a night-time ski, to see if there are any fresh tracks.
January 18, 2008
I did get up around 5:45 AM and walked carefully on my skis until daybreak. I checked the infirmary and while most of my water bottle defrosted, I was amazed to see a substantial chunk of ice. It never did snow, so it’s time for a shower and a hot drink.