First scrounge of 2014 yesterday, let the games (and rants) begin

I had a deal secured for this year. One log truck of tamarack/pine/fir delivered to my house for $1300 total. Estimated at 12-13 cords, I figured it would last me 4-5 years plus allow me to sell some extra to recoup some of the expense.

NOPE. Wife decided new floors were a better idea, so my spring and summer this year will be spent gathering wood and laying floors. I was bitter at first, but anyway, I digress. My first trip into the forest yesterday netted me a full truckload of decent dry wood...and a few nice views....

http://i.imgur.com/kFachE1.jpg


Bonus pics

Almost kayak time...
http://i.imgur.com/xwavsuS.jpg

Lunch break view from scrounging area...
http://i.imgur.com/sjiyePR.jpg

Last bit of snow on top of the peak..
http://i.imgur.com/V8rFDXD.jpg

Yeah, i didn't fight too much. I was hoping to get a lot more hiking/kayaking in this year but spending time scrounging isn't bad. Plus it gave me an excuse to order a new table saw so i'm happy

The internet here SUCKS so bad, but it's worth it. Until days like today where i have to log in to work and it's slower than molasses.

Razo said:

Wow those views are just astounding

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It's amazing here. The best part, i spent about 4 hours up there total and didn't see a single other person anywhere. I did see a few elk, couldn't get pics. I always take my gun though since this place is crawling with bears and cougars and i don't feel like being an appetizer.

Razo said:

Man, I definitely envy you. The Pennsylvania woods can be extremely beautiful but nothing compared to scenery like that!

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I know, i spent the first 30 years of my life in the philly suburbs, love the poconos but it doesn't compare to the millions of acres of nothing here

Seanm said:

Looks nice! It feels good to get out in the woods again eh? I was thinking of heading into the woods as well yesterday but we barely got over freezing and had 6 inches of fresh snow and lots of wind. I didn't fancy the idea of having slush land on the back of my neck! We had nice weather last week so got three truck loads very similar to your picture.

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I'm lucky i squeezed this load in, wind blew in when i got home with load #1 and it's been cold and rainy since then. Really need to get back up there and get a jump on this though, i try to only scrounge dead wood and i always worry i won't find enough

Seanm said:

Yeah Im with you there, standing dead lodgepole or blow downs, same with the Larch but I will take green Larch blow downs as well since its such good wood. There are certain areas here that is easy pickings at least until someone else finds it! I like to have it c,s,s by summer so I can do other things instead of sweat in the bush with a chainsaw.

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The area i scrounge is a national forest, so i guess the federal forest employees have to comb over all of those trails and clear the fallen stuff on a routine basis. That's why you see some big pieces in my pile. I normally can just follow the trails/roads and pick up what i need and cut it later lol. Occasionally i'll find an entire fallen tree that i take or have to buck some large pieces but that's pretty rare.