Actually in truth I don't seek out challenges, just adventures. If I can go on an adventure and do it in comfort I'm all in. I don't need to suffer to enjoy myself but if I have to tuff it out to do something I want to do I'm willing to do so. But I must admit I sometimes question my sanity while out on a sheep hunt, until that one moment….


Don't Wake Me

I wake in the morning grey... and roll out of my sack
my neck is so stiff and I can feel every bone in my back

The clothes are still wet and my boots are feeling damp
no firewood to be found so it's one cold mountain camp

For a one fleeting moment I question myself and the chase
wondering what insanity drives a man to this lonely place

Then in one frozen moment of dawn's golden early rise
the beauty of life suddenly before my eyes lies

What had just been a grey sullen and lonely a scene
transforms to a painting so beautiful it must be a dream

Golden early light floods across the canvass of the slope
now beginning my day with warmth, good humour and hope

Have you ever slept in a bivy sack? kind of feels like a warm up for a coffin. I also don't like mummy sleeping bags. But I'm interested in light weight gear for hunting and have found a few items I'm going to check out.

This tarp shelter sets up with one trek pole and has a zip on front that keeps the wind and rain out, weighs under a pound.







I also am checking out their packs, under 2 lbs. company is hyperlite

Great thread Brian, thanks for taking the time to post. I was stuck in the house all day with two youngsters in 100+ degree temps. Vicarioulsy living your adventures was a fine way to pass the time! I especially liked the cabin build pics and bear tree scratching video! Keep 'em coming! Thanks--Mike

Thanks Jump


My boy and I were out for a couple days cleaning and fixing up trail.



Nice little moose shed in creek



But the wolves got this one

We cut 1/2 mile of new trail around a bad wet spot plus bridged three smaller creeks. I just trim out alongside my trail and cut a series of poles 8' long and throw them into the creek until I get the level I want. I finish off by throwing all the spruce boughs on top of the poles to smooth it out. I've had bridges like this last for years.




One of the bridges allowed us to bypass an area that is getting pretty washed out.

I have a few major river crossings that can cause grief. This spring my one crossing washed out so we had to build a new access. Took a winch to get up first time but we chewed away at it with a shovel and got a decent grade




We did 10 miles of trail but I'm heading back Friday for a week with horses. I'm hoping to cut an overland trail to my new cabin, as for right now I only have winter access via the frozen creek.

Just went and checked one of my trail cams. Look how puny the spike is compared to the bases on the one bull.

I'm thinking there is a lot of harvesters on this site. Who's doing the berries? I've been picking strawberries up until now but have moved onto blueberries. My wife put up a bunch of preserves this weekend and that jam is going to be good on the trapline this winter.

We just had a cougar attack locally. This attack happened about 30 miles from one of my lines. Here's the article:


A fisheries biologist is recovering after being attacked by a cougar late Tuesday evening south of Grande Prairie.

No information was available about the condition of the woman but Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development spokesperson Jamie Hanlon said the biologist, an ESRD employee, is able to communicate with hospital staff and her family.

Hanlon confirmed that a woman had been airlifted out of a camp that was compiling a fisheries sustainability index, south of Grande Prairie in the Nose Mountain area. There is no cellphone or radio reception at the camp, but calls for help were made by satellite phone.

There were seven ESRD employees in the camp at the time.

“We actually had a number of her staff or colleagues that were able to provide her with first aid until the STARS air ambulance was able to arrive on site,” Hanlon said. “On behalf of the ministry, our thoughts and best wishes are with her for a speedy recovery.”

The camp was set up solely for the indexing project, which has wrapped up, Hanlon said.

In the meantime, a team of four Fish and Wildlife officers and a houndsman are tracking the cougar. Brendan Cox, a spokesperson with the Justice and Solicitor General’s officer, said little is known about the cougar, but that it would be euthanized if found.

“They do this because it is a public safety concern. It’s established that this cougar doesn’t act in a way that we would like to see cougars act. Typically they are shy and will leave the area if a human is around.”

Cox said cougars are common in the area.

“Every situation is different but if a cougar does make contact with a human, the best thing to do is to fight back and don’t give up. Generally, people are able to fight a cougar off. Once the cougar realizes that the human isn’t a prey animal then they will likely turn away.”

Fight back allright = blow its pumpkin off.

Do most of the caribou get off the ice to land? or do they drown trying? I'm amazed at how many were on the short video.

I just returned from 8 days of bush wacking. Worked my poor wife like she was on contract. Luckily for me she'll do anything to open up new horse trails







I've had several burns go through my line over the last few years. Lots of raspberries growing

In 10 days I'll either be on top of that mountain sheep hunting or being medivaced by chopper

I had a bad section of trail where rocks and a year-round running spring caused me problems. In winter my snowmobile will spin out and in summer quads have to bounce up rock ledges. I decided to ramp it and the end result is very sweet

My main mission was to cut a quad trail to my latest trapline cabin, the one I built last winter.

terrible weather to clear trail +30 celsius or 85 F but had to be done.



BEFORE
Riverside areas are the worst




AFTER

But once a new trail is cut it's just a matter or staying on top every year

But once I hit the pine flats the going got better






And the view out my front window is worth the work to get there

Looks like the hard work payed off.

WOW!
couple questions: What did you use to cut the trail and how many miles.
My son and I cut trails here in Idaho into our elkie areas quite often and it kicks your butt big time in 85-100 degree temps.

I'm very impressed with your wife and you for "get'n it done"

Shall reap good benefits soon Brian. Good luck on the sheep hunt!