Was out for a tarp overnighter in the woods just over the Belgium border. Weather forecast gave off loads of rain so prepared for the worst. Packed my 'new to me' backpack, a surplus Alpine Sting. This thing has so many adjustment points it's a perfect fit to me. Had a very heavy load, about 22kg, a proper test for the buckle I repaired with a Sea2summit field repair buckle. (It held up just fine). Also brought a new sleeping bag, rated to 0 degrees Celsius / 32 F. The night was going to be around 5c so I should be nice and warm. On my way there the weather was fine, even a bit o sun every now and then. Brought my buddy grim for good company. First cut some pegs and toggles to setup my tarp with the Fiskars X5 The little hatchet came in handy to hammer the pegs into the ground as well. Setup my tarp as a tent without poles underneath, but a ridgeline over the top with 2 connecting guylines to lift it from the ground. Did't want to take the chance Grim would bump a pole in the middle of the night First time I've tried this tarp setup, loads of protection from all sides an roomy inside. I enjoyed sleeping in it. Didn't manage to get the entrance as right as I'd like, but it was functional, not flapping in the wind.... and most important, Grim approved Next up... firewood.... finding dry wood was a challenge... just about everything was soaked, even on the inside. After a long search I managed to get a few semi dry sticks, cut to pieces with the Silky Super Accel. Then split into thinner pieces with my Esee 5. Still feels safer in my hands than using the hatchet Time to put the kettle on for a cup of tea. A little piece of fatwood helped to get the damp firewood burning. The Trangia 0.9l kettle fits my MSP Core 4 stove like it was made for it. I enjoy this combo alot. Kettles... I love 'm And tea is ready We did a little walk before dinner. The time for dinner, getting dark soon and it looked like the rain was coming. Use my Optimus stove for a bit quicker cooking. Rice, green pepper, red onion, garlic and chorizo sausage was on the menu. The Spyderco Manix 2 lw did all cutting chores. Great folder! Dinner's ready Just in time because it started drizzling... had to eat it inside The rain wans't much so had a little fire and a beer before going to bed. Goodnight
Morning! During the night it rained quite a bit. Stayed perfectly dry, yay, that was a relief. The wind did make it a bit chilly... pulled a blanket over Grim during the night to keep the the wind of him... looks like he enjoyed it and slept like a baby had to keep my new sleepingbag closed of around my neck as I noticed getting a bit cold when that wasn't super snug there. Some water gathered on the bottom outside... need to pay some attention to that next time I make this tarp setup. A short walk before breakfast... enjoyed blue sky for as long as it lasts. Won't be long before the forrests are green again Prepared dough for bannock... a little too much water so couldn't shape it much But first... coffee Then fried my bannocks And some eggs ready to eat Nothing tastes better than fresh baked bannock out in the woods Time to pack up and hike back to the car. We did get rain just before reached the car but it's was a great trip and a reminder not to let the forecast let you back out of going for a trip. Great fun!
