Trips Past - Casparis Mine 2014

"I've made an odd discovery. Every time I talk to a savant I feel quite sure that happiness is no longer a possibility. Yet when I talk with my gardener, I'm convinced of the opposite."

-Bertrand Russell

 Casparis Mine 2014

This trip I meant to explore the mines for the majority of the time. However it seems due to instability of the mine and the presence of an endangered species the mine was sealed (right). There was supposed to be a natural cave nearby to enter into the same system, I searched but never found it. 

                                                            This was a little bit of a let down but the count is beautiful there. I still explored the area and enjoyed my self thoroughly.

The nearby train tracks were very active and I found lot of beautiful scenery.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              


A scenic overlook where i ran into a local hunter.   









 I got a bit frosty (left)

All the colors of Autumn on one branch (right).



Some oddities found out there. Somebody lost a tail light on this boulder, I don't know what the ladder was doing out there, the cart i assume was a hunter, and someone some where had a bad day to lose a boot out here.           

Wish List - Greater Allegheny Passage Pittsburgh to DC

"I remember a hundred lovely lakes, and recall the fragrant breath of pine and fir and cedar and poplar trees.
The trail has strung upon it, as upon a thread of silk, opalescent dawns and saffron sunsets."

-Hamlin Garland

Wish List - Pittsburgh to D.C. via The GAP 

     The GAP, or Greater Allegheny Passage, is another rail-trail project that's 150 miles between Cumberland, MD, and Pittsburgh, PA. It joins up with C&O Canal Towpath In Cumberland giving you a 335 mile long trail to Washington, DC. For more information click on the links above.

    This will be a little different as I plan to bike it. Ill use a lot of the same gear, making camp along the way, trip shouldn't be more than three weeks round trip with time to check out DC.I have biked 100 miles in a single day.

Gear Review - Wood Cutting

Gear Review - Wood Cutting

The Hand Chain Saw

This is basically a chainsaw blade with handles on both ends of it. Below you'll see a demonstration of it in action. The branch in the photo is about 3 inches in diameter. Simply wrap it around the branch and start to alternate pulling on the handles.I personally don't carry this anymore because it just is not as good as an axe.

Pros 

    - Light and compact

    - Works very well when it works

Cons

    - Tendency to "bind up" within wood.

    - Really no good for anything beyond a 3-4 inch diameter. 

    - Very difficult to cut down a standing tree.

Smith and Wesson Tomahawk

This axe is modeled after a combat military axe. Its 15.9 inches long and just a hair under 3 lbs. The handle is full tang with a pick end opposite the cutting edge. Not a bad axe but I expected the pick to be more useful than it turned out.  Make no mistake, it will flatten tires, break glass  and doors, but not much use on the trail. Also, I expected more weight at the head of the axe but its all in the handle. This matters because more weight in the head, combined with leverage from the length of the handle, the greater the force the cutting edge comes down.

Pros                                                                            Cons

    - Good length                                                             -Poor weight distribution

    - Solid construction (you WILL NOT break it)         -Rounded cutting edge not ideal

   

Gerber Camp Axe

A pretty simple axe with a polymer handle. Its about 16 inches and 2 lbs 7 oz. This has become my favorite axe, the overall length and weight is good, and since almost all the weight is at the head it gives you a boost in chopping force. Not as intimidating as the tomahawk, but its practical.

Pros
    - Overall weight good                                       
    - good length                                    Cons
    - ideal weight distribution                   - Guessing the handle wont hold up to a lot of abuse (mishits)

Gerber Hand Axe

This axe is almost identical to the Camp Axe just a shorter handle, making it easier to pack. You wont honestly see a lot of difference except maybe a little less power per swing than the larger axe.

Pros

    - Overall weight good                                       

    - ideal weight distribution

Cons
    - A little short