Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Devil's Lake Trip



This weekend myself and a small and select group of FIBs decided to jump the border to explore the beautifully evil landscape of Devil's Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin. For those of you that don't know, FIB stands for F---ing Illinois Bastards, and is a derogatory term Wisconsinites use to describe the Illinois residents that ignore their existence during the week only to invade their state on the weekends.
We drove up to Wisconsin Friday night after we all got out of work, and arrived at the Green Valley campground at about 9 PM. We quickly setup our tents and ignited a fire, around which we exchanged stories, memories and beers.

The next morning, after a quick breakfast we headed for the hills. We drove to the South Beach of Devil's Lake and began our ascent into the park's Eastern Bluffs. Once there, Curt expertly lead climbed a face, allowing the rest of us to safely top-rope the climb. After we broke down this line up the face, we set up another route on an adjacent face. As I was preparing to repel down the cliff, it began to rain really hard. Due to the fact that climbing is difficult, and that climbing wet granite is nearly impossible, we decided to quit climbing for the day. We hiked and bluff-cracked our way toward the lake. Once there, we followed some train tracks to a semi-secluded location which allowed us the luxury of cannon-balling into the frigid water from large boulders rather than having to slowly wade in from the beach. At this point, the rain had subsided, and the sun was blazing, and it was a great day for baptising in the cold water.

That night we grilled, had a camp fire, drank more beer, and told more stories.

On Sunday morning we awoke early, and again hiked the CCC(Civilian Conservation Corps) trail to the East Bluffs, and did more climbing. While we were finishing up climbing, an older gentleman that had been watching us climb asked if he could try out our rope. Adam belayed him while he made easy and efficient work of a climb that had really challenged us. Upon his safe return to Earth, Curt asked him how long he had been climbing, to which he replied 57 years. The man was 67 years old and was in better shape than any one of us, he was a climbing machine. He went on to tell us about the horrible gear he used when he started climbing and that he gave up mountaineering because most of his mountaineering friends were dead from mountaineering. This included his brother that had died 12 years earlier in Japan, when they were both buried in an avalanche. This man whose name was Ed said that he is currently working on a few climbing projects that include a 5.13 A climb, which is ridiculous. What an interesting old dude to talk to. You know when you see an old man with a shirt that says "Old Guys Rock!". Generally speaking they do not rock, and in fact they suck. Ed broke the stereotype, and really did rock.

When we finished talking with Ed, we hiked back to our swimming spot, and did a few dives. Afterward, we decided to do more hiking. We adventured to the Devil's door, and Balance Rock, then hiked back to our car to grill in the main park before hitting the open road back to our more civilized state.

This was a really good weekend, and was a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends, and to explore the magnificent Devil's Lake. We will definitely be back at some point this summer.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Memorial Day Weekend


It is Memorial Day weekend, and it is time to get together with family and friends to honor those brave men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and the freedoms that we enjoy. 

Besides attending my local Memorial Day parade on Monday, I will also be tagging along with a few friends to Devil's Lake, Wisconsin for a few days of hiking, camping, adventuring, and rock climbing. There may also be a chance for the more adventurous of the group to be dared into cannon-balling polar bear style into the frigid fiftyish degree water. It should also be a great weekend to take time to reflect upon those that we have lost in wars long ago, as well as in current wars. It will also be a good weekend to take mother nature on a date, and connect with some old friends. 
 
In other news, Jeff is going to be going to Bear Valley California to honor fallen heroes by drinking mass quantities of alcohol with his friends. Although he will be staying in a top of the line Cabin, the opportunity to rope swing into an iceberged lake may also present itself if anyone in his crew has what it takes. 

More updates to come. 

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Survival Shelter Tune-up


It is getting nicer in the midwest, and my nephew and neice wanted to camp in their backyard. So, last Friday, I helped them setup their tent for the night, which is the tent  Ibought used at the REI Garage sale in Chicago. I then constructed a shelter for myself using two medium sized tarps, a little bit of rope, a few stakes a ski pole, and the bottom half of a Chicago Cubs "W" flag pole. 

According to the weather report that I had read several hours earlier, it was supposed to rain torrentially--this I was prepared for. I think my shelter was ideally suited for rain. 

After I made cobbler in a dutch oven on the campfire, we went to our seperate shelters. After a few minutes of lightning, my sister brought in her kids for safety. But even though there was lighting cthunder crashing around the neighborhood, I felt warm, dry and safe under the protecting arms of a few old maple trees(see. Dangerous sleeping habits)

After a few drops of rain, the storm was blown away. It was blown away by a weather system with wind gusts of 40+ miles per hour, and it seemed to be coming from both the north and south of my shelter. Unfortunately, I had not had time to test my shelter in a wind tunnel. It was not meant to endure these winds. My shelter was in a state of constant flap. I was essentially sleeping in a windsock. I barely slept. At one point I had to remove some supports and create what resembled a bivvy shelter or tarp cacoon(I am currently copywriting/patenting the tarp cacoon, so do not steal my idea.) 

Shortly after this, I began to hear the old maple trees above me begin to groan, creak, and crack. I began to worry a little about my safety. If a tree limb fell on me, what would they say at my funeral? "What an idiot!" 
What had I accomplished with my life? ......not much. 
What would the newspaper say? 
 "Pretend Survival Situation turns deadly"
 "Local Idiot crushed while sleeping in tarp cacoon"

This was unacceptable. At 4:30 AM, I brought my mummy bag and thermarest inside and slept on the couch. 
When I awoke, I went outside to take a picture of my shelter, and to gather the rest of my gear. The trees were still intact. But the tarp cocoon had been ravaged by the winds. It didn't survive the night, pictures would be too gruesome to show, just imaging what a yard sale looks like. 

I learned a few things about weather reports, and shelter placement, and that wind is the main enemy of bootleg survival shelters. 

Thursday, May 7, 2009

REI Fresno Garage Sale


we got an email from an adventurer in Fresno wondering when their local Fresno REI was having its garage sale. Although it is easily googleable, I decided to post the answer for them. 

REI Fresno Garage Sale

When: 6/27/2009 9:00 AM

Where: REI Fresno

More specifically 36° 50.922' N 119° 47.406' W

The details: Members only sale. Will have great used and out of stock camping, hiking, and adventuring equipment items. Arrive early (a few hours early) for best (any) selection. 


The shot at acquiring excellent gear at rock bottom prices is definitely enticing. I highly recommend checking out this sale. 

Happy brawling!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

REI Anniverary Sale


The time is upon us to stock up on adventuring gear. REI is currently in the midst of their anniversary sale. The sale includes 15% off of bikes, 20% off of some racks and boxes, and a good amount of items up for clearance. This sale ends May 10th. 

I am contemplating purchasing the GSI dualist lightweight cook system to go with my new single burner camp stove. Also, I may buy some Mountain House freeze dried food.

This is not a commercial for REI, but it happens to be my favorite store, and in a recession or not, it is always a good time to stock up on adventuring gear.