More than 20 of us had a great time at the Finger Lakes this weekend. Special thanks goes to SB Raider who put the whole thing together. Among other activities, Marty Simon and his wife Aggie, owners of Wilderness Learning Center, took us out on plant identification tours each day. One of his instructors, Bob Plude, showed some of the participants how to make a bowl out of a short length of log, using coals from the fire and pine pitch. Sorry I didn’t get some photos of that. In addition L.T. Wright and Dan Coppin, of Blind Horse Knives, were on hand to share knowledge about knives and how to use them in various situations.

The event was so successful that DW (who thinks sipping wine on the deck is outdoor living) now wants to go to Cabella’s with me. It probably didn’t hurt that we each won one of the Bark River Knife and Tool Co. knives the company donated to be raffled off.

Here are some photos:

A general view of the campsite.


Jerry and Marcello on one of the hikes.


Bob demonstrating fire making skills using cattails.


Finger Lakes area is beautiful during fall foliage season.


A local game warden gave the group a bear talk. That’s Marty on the right.

Sweet!

-Blast

Sounds great. We should do that in Tx.

Wonderful--some real life skills --better than some of the fun but kind of off-the-wall survival posts..

That looks like a great time!

I have two words concerning this post!!!!

Uncontrollable Drooling

The field right next to camp.


L.T. trying on Jerry's Bivanorak by Hilleberg


L.T. batoning some wood with his Bushcrafter while Scaatylobo and Dan saw some wood in the background.

One of Marty and Aggie Simon's plant walks. They know their stuff and knowledge just pours out of them.


Friday night got down to below freezing. No problem, wrap the sleeping bag in a wool blanket and throw a Nalgene bottle with hot water in it in the bottom and I'm warm and toasty.


Saturday morning. Cold.

Fighting the cold with hot calories. Can't think of a better way.


Bob is teaching Dan how to start a Kuksa.


Dan is getting the first couple of coals worked in pretty well.

It doesn't take Dan long to open up that hole. You just have to watch for cracks in the block.


Hey, it's a new woods hookah!


Marcelo here is using a leather strop that is under development by JRE Enterprises, with a ring on one end and a rat tail on the other, to work his knife to shaving sharp. It really took no time at all.


Hope you enjoyed these pics, wish I had more.

Rob--looks like someone had a Kelly Kettle--how did it work out???..i have heard some folks say they are great and others that a pot over a fire is just as good and easy to pour while the Kelly is tricky to use--

The Bear facts
Scott Gossman trip 2008
Scott Gossman trip 2008
Scott Gossman trip 2008
Scott Gossman trip 2008
Scott Gossman trip 2008
Scott Gossman trip 2008
Scott Gossman trip 2008
Scott Gossman trip 2008

[IMG]http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee164/akab
IMG]http://i232.photobucket.

It belongs to another camper while I didn't see it used, I listened to the feedback and gave it a look over.

I'll admit from the start I'm a little biassed against it.

With that, here is what I've noticed:

Pros:
-The chimney design allows you to use very little fuel to accomplish its mission. The camper in question started with a Trioxane bar and switched to twigs.
-The pour spout is small enough to allow a controlled amount of water to flow out.
-The handle and cork are placed such that it allows you to lift and tilt the kettle to easily pour out the water.
-You can purchase an attchment to allow cooking on top of the chimney.
-It comes in three sizes, 1 pint, 1.75 pint, and 2.5 pint.
-It is self contained.

Cons:
-Without the seperate attachment, it is a one trick pony, it is meant to boil water and only water. There is no real way to clean the inside (unless you want to add water and boil away).
-I feel it's a bit big for what it does. A GSI kettle with an Esbit Stove will get you to the same place. I have safely used twigs and wood chips in my Esbit and surplus Esbit style stove with no ill effects.

Overall:
It boils water and does an outsantding job of it. I only saw the attachment to allow cooking on top, which is essentially a tab/plug like affair that rests in the top of the chimney (I did not see it in use). This was the 2.5 pint version and my first thought was, "My that's large." Perhaps the 1 pint version would be much more compact, though you do lose the capacity. I used a Swedish Army Trangia to good effect and did not mind it.

All about the personality.

Hope these observations helped some.

Sorry it has taken me so long to post, I went directly from the Finger Lakes Rendezvous to a event in Lynchburg, Tennessee, and am just getting on line.

This was our 3rd rendezvous. These are rally a lot of fun, with fantastic information exchanged. It's a short walk in, about 200 yards. We have a nice covered pavilion, with 4 large picnic tables for chow time. 2 forest service SST toilets that were very clean.

Some fine stories were shared around the campfire, and fantastic meals were enjoyed by all.
More later

Thanks. That looks like a awful lot of fun. I wonder if there would be enough interest to do a Hawaii Rendezvous.

Well, I have the interest, but no $$$$ in this ecconomy to spare on a trip like that. Trying to conserve as much $$ as I can, just in case.

The trip was a total blast.

Aloha, see who has interest, but not fun in the rainy season :{ so more than one site.

Spread the word on more than one forum too. We had about an equal number of ETSers and Knifeforum members. Of course, there is a lot of overlap.

30-30 seemed to be a long firearm of choice at the event, I know of at least 3 there. I think .357mag was the handgun of chioce there, I know of at least 5 handguns, and 1 Marlin .357 mag carbine there.

Gary, how do you like your prise Barkies?

AR-7 in the tent...

Shouldn't that be a "VINTAGE" AR-7 in the tent? I had the slightly larger Marlin Papoose in my pack, just in case we were attacked by marauding squirrels, like the famed "McSquizzy" of the movie Open Season.

One of the guys brought a very old and well cared for Winchester 94 in 40 WCF that was used to guard mines against attacks by Poncho Villa. That was a treat to see.

Thanks for the compliment SB Raider. Glad you enjoyed the passaround. But you made a typo. It's a 30 WCF Winchester. I'm still trying to verify the lineage. The Winchester company doesn't research firearms history anymore. They pawned me off on a couple of museums.

The vintage AR-7 was appropriate, since it was carried by a "vintage" US infantryman.

In the interest of full disclosure, it was DD who insisted that I attend the Rendezvous packing long guns, since I was going camping with a bunch of people I met on the INTERNET. But seriously, we had a blast and learned a lot. Anyone who can attend next year should make the effort. They won't be disappointed.

Crap. Yes I did make a typo, it was a 30 WCF.


"The vintage AR-7 was appropriate, since it was carried by a "vintage" US infantryman. "
That Marine is like a fine wine, gets better with age.