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Arctic Adventure Diary: The Comforts of Home on Great Bear
April 05, 2011
Arctic Adventure Diary: The Comforts of Home on Great Bear
Sometimes there’s a cabin…
It was late in the evening. The sun had dipped below the horizon as we were making our way across Great Bear. A storm was moving in, and we kept our eye on the dark clouds looming. We were making our way around an island, looking for a sheltered bay to make camp, when we came across a couple of cabins. It was a beautiful sight. When we checked one of them out, the door was open and snow had blown in. We swept it out and got a fire going in the stove, which quickly sucked the cold out of us.
The cabin had a lot of character, and it reminded me of what some theme restaurants are trying to emulate--only this was the real thing. We could tell it is used as a remote fly-in fishing camp in the summer. Lake trout spoons hung on the walls, as did caribou and moose racks.
Daily logbooks of catches were written in notebooks on the bedside tables. The three beds had mosquito nets hung over them, which reminded me of one good thing about winter travel: no bugs. It was nice to be able to use the stove to fry fish and brew some coffee. I cherished the chance to get truly warm for the first time in several days.
Ted and I thought about taking a day off at the cabin, but decided against it since we still had a lot of miles to cover. We got going late the next morning after frying up a couple days worth of bannock. We also sawed and split a standing dead tree I towed from the bush with one of the machines. (It’s an unwritten rule to leave more wood than you burned before you leave. Plus, it’s an important safety measure in the event of a severe storm.) We left the cabin and began another large crossing on Great Bear, traveling into an abyss of thick fog.
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Comments (5)
Sounds like fun. Stuck in the office reading this reminds me of similar adventures, always restock the wood and clean out the mice.
Well said MaxPower! Don't forget the reading material.
The sense of adventure coupled with the treasured find of a santuary in the bowels of the wilderness, are what memories are made of!
Not only did the cabin have a lot of character, but you and Ted certainly add to the equation of this noteworthy occasion.
"... abyss of thick fog", causes me to speculate curiously with anticipation of what looms beyond the veil of fog.
Did you leave a fishing report in the log book?
Super for you boys to have found some unexpected but very welcome santuary for the night, complete with a good stove, bunks, and ready wood to get an immediate fire going. And that slab of lake trout sizzling in the pan sure looks tasty too. Personally, my favorite catching and eating fish.
Nothing like a crackling fire, hot and nutritious food in the belly and a good night's rest to make a fellow ready for the new day forthcoming. I especially like to hear how you and your brother left the cabin in better condition than you found it. Good show, real good show..!!!
As sportsmen/women it's very important to think of the next users, who just may be in more dire circumstances than you men were in when they find those same cabins.
It's surprising that a bear or two hadn't made prior visits to the cabins since these were last occupied. Those bruins, of whatever species can sure make a mess of vacant bush lodging's I've often found. From long experience the only thing I'd have done a bit differently is to brace the door with a log for the overnight, and keep a loaded smokepole handy beside my bunk for late evening callers, like Blackie, Griz, or Nanook who have a nack of showing up when the smell of grub is wafting long distances in the crisp night air.
Thanks for a great outdoors adventure story.
Outstanding! Esp. your observance of wilderness etiquette! Again, another terrific post and added level of envy(my flaw)to my rapidly growing "wish I were there" catalog! Keep 'em coming and stay frosty Guys!
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Sounds like fun. Stuck in the office reading this reminds me of similar adventures, always restock the wood and clean out the mice.
Well said MaxPower! Don't forget the reading material.
The sense of adventure coupled with the treasured find of a santuary in the bowels of the wilderness, are what memories are made of!
Not only did the cabin have a lot of character, but you and Ted certainly add to the equation of this noteworthy occasion.
"... abyss of thick fog", causes me to speculate curiously with anticipation of what looms beyond the veil of fog.
Did you leave a fishing report in the log book?
Super for you boys to have found some unexpected but very welcome santuary for the night, complete with a good stove, bunks, and ready wood to get an immediate fire going. And that slab of lake trout sizzling in the pan sure looks tasty too. Personally, my favorite catching and eating fish.
Nothing like a crackling fire, hot and nutritious food in the belly and a good night's rest to make a fellow ready for the new day forthcoming. I especially like to hear how you and your brother left the cabin in better condition than you found it. Good show, real good show..!!!
As sportsmen/women it's very important to think of the next users, who just may be in more dire circumstances than you men were in when they find those same cabins.
It's surprising that a bear or two hadn't made prior visits to the cabins since these were last occupied. Those bruins, of whatever species can sure make a mess of vacant bush lodging's I've often found. From long experience the only thing I'd have done a bit differently is to brace the door with a log for the overnight, and keep a loaded smokepole handy beside my bunk for late evening callers, like Blackie, Griz, or Nanook who have a nack of showing up when the smell of grub is wafting long distances in the crisp night air.
Thanks for a great outdoors adventure story.
Outstanding! Esp. your observance of wilderness etiquette! Again, another terrific post and added level of envy(my flaw)to my rapidly growing "wish I were there" catalog! Keep 'em coming and stay frosty Guys!
Post a Comment