I'm getting there......

[Shari]

Sometime shortly before Christmas hubby & I responded to a CraigsList ad for free wood. When we got there it was a mess - down hill, huge rounds (24-30" dia.) all dropped on top of each other. Weather wasn't great either as it had recently snowed and then we had sleet.

Since we really needed to get some wood going I told the guy I'd only take the smaller dia. rounds. Hubby can't help much in uneven terrain so it was up to me to roll the rounds off each other, sort out the size I wanted/could handle and then load them on our dolly and drag the load uphill. Ugh!

We were told it was elm and box elder. Well, box elder is not my favorite wood so I tried to guess which rounds were elm vs which were box elder. The wood had been down a while, ends were all dark, covered with crusty snow/ice so it was interesting to try to determine which rounds were elm.

I guess I did pretty good sorting out the box elder. We loaded up about 1/2 cord of slippery, icy, snow covered rounds and when we split them up only one was box elder.

 

[TimJ]

way to do what ya gotta do Shari

 

[Jags]

Thats what you call "gettin' it done". Nice job.

 

[Woody Stover]

load them on our dolly and drag the load uphill. Ugh!

Look on the bright side; That kind of work builds character.

I tried to guess which rounds were elm...loaded up about 1/2 cord of slippery

Slippery Elm...I get as much of that as I can. Great score!

 

[Paulywalnut]

If its red elm that is even better. Funny, I think its also called "slippery" elm. perfectly named.

 

[Blue2ndaries]

Nice work Shari, way to go!

 

[Ralphie Boy]

Was it slippery elm, a.k.a. red elm, or was it elm that was just slippery from snow and ice?

 

[BobUrban]

You will not even remember the effort when you are enjoying those BTU's on a cold night.

Pain is weakness leaving your body - At least that is what I tell my wrestlers I coach!! Way to get it done - that was a commitment hauling wood uphill!!

 

[Shari]

It was slippery with ice/snow on it. I can't tell one species of elm from another but I've seen horrendous photos here of stringy elm (what a mess to split!) & yes, some of what we split was like that but most of it split fine.

It sure bummed me out that I couldn't get more rounds out of that pile - but I know my weight/strength limits when it comes to hauling out 30"+ rounds - and an uphill haul told me I wasn't getting the big ones out.

 

[Ralphie Boy]

but I know my weight/strength limits when it comes to hauling out 30"+ rounds

I don't mean to sound like a commercial, but may I suggest a set of Lockhart firewood grippers? I've a set of the 18" - 21" inch grippers and they are great See http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=1821 ORG&catID=
And NO! I don't work for onyone or any company that has anything to do with Lockhart or Bailey's.

 

[keninmich]

I have those grippers and they really do make it easier to move wood.

The problem i have is i always forget to grab them and end up bending over 30 times till i remember to get them!

 

[Ralphie Boy]

The problem i have is i always forget to grab them and end up bending over 30 times till i remember to get them!

I've got a small backback with my chaps, grippers, felling wedegs, sharpner, gloves and some other junk I probably forgot I have in there. If I forget the backpack I can't cut.

 

[keninmich]

I also got wise and bought some old catchers shin guards i found at an antique store near me. I was so darn tired of my shins getting all cut up and bruised when i was C/S/S wood. I never forget to put those on. I just wish i had thought of it years ago!

 

[TimJ]

I've got a small backback with my chaps, grippers, felling wedegs, sharpner, gloves and some other junk I probably forgot I have in there. If I forget the backpack I can't cut.

What about a stick of beef jerkey

 

[Ralphie Boy]

What about a stick of beef jerkey

Thanks for reminding me! I think its that green slimy thing wraped in plastic in the bottom right corner of the outside pocket!