Dartmoor Meet 1st to 3rd April

[jonajuna]

i'm thinking that rabbits dont take that much cleverness to catch and are rather nice to eat, if no one has any objections to that sort of bush activity of course? will need a hand on the butchering front, only done it the once and that was 26 years ago!

shelter building is always a fun and family friendly activity, no way my girl would want to slepp overnight in it without me beside her, which then makes for difficulties (or a HUGE shelter) if other kids want to stay over and with their parent too. only option then i guess is multiple shelters, lots of time and resources just for the one, let alone 4!

as for other suggestions, i really want (and as yet have failed miserably) to build up some wild foods knowledge, i have a couple of little field guides but if anyone fancies a walk and chat about whats around (i know not that great this time of year) im sure we will be up for it

Nova and Pinky, likewise, camera and binos!

 

[ex member mick sturbs]

Providing everyone is ok with the rabbit thing , we can snare and or air rifle etc. the shelter thing can be a fun excersise, and as regards the wild food thing im up for that , and i have a couple of really good books on the subject, but with a bit of luck somebody in the group will be knowledgeable !! Is it April the first yet ?

 

[jonajuna]

mmm april the first

not some big tease on the part of you and freddiefish is it!

any birch on your land? it will be just inside the window to tap

 

[Retired Member southey]

If he happy to do a little basic map an compass refresher/instruction and route planning if any one's interested? I intend to go for a little jaunt towards dartmeet too if any one wants to join.

 

[FreddyFish]

mmm april the first

not some big tease on the part of you and freddiefish is it!

any birch on your land? it will be just inside the window to tap

Don't have a pop at me... the date was picked by the people via poll

Southey, how far is your proposed route?

Oh and as for the shelter if there is enough material, I've been wanting to make a five person shelter, It's five open fronted leanto's that form a circle, so you can have a small fire in the middle.

 

[ex member mick sturbs]

Although it seems a chin stroker , its genuinely April 1st, picked at random by our studio audience, and ive never met Freddie before in my life , other queries ,being a 1000 feet above sea level and harsh snowbound winter , where nature was asleep for a while the birch tap should still be fine . As regards the shelter many hands make light work , bring it on as big as you like.

starting to get excited ......

 

[ex member mick sturbs]

Oh yeah, literally scores of birch on site various ages /sizes and we are usually a week or two behind being up so high. so tap away sir .and if you are worried about the fool thing catch me out and come a day early. Ivan

 

[Retired Member southey]

Don't have a pop at me... the date was picked by the people via poll

Southey, how far is your proposed route?

Oh and as for the shelter if there is enough material, I've been wanting to make a five person shelter, It's five open fronted leanto's that form a circle, so you can have a small fire in the middle.

Hi Freddie! Approx 14kilometer round trip, definatly up for a five man shelter build! I shall being a few extra tarps to if guys haven't tried one before and like the look, also a selection of cutting tools for chaps to try, been playing with leukus lately. Also plenty of rope for knots practise too. Very excited!

 

[Nova & Pinky]

Yay at rabbiting ( and happy to try out butchering and camp cooking! Pinky has a Black Widow if we are okay to bring it?)
Yay at mahussive shelter building ( although we will be testing out our new DD XL and bringing the Alpkit Rig 7)
Yay at wild food gathering ( also have guides but know a few bits, and more than happy to cook it)
Yay at wildlife spotting and must remember my binocs... (/me goes to chuck them in the 'equipment pile')

Personally, i LOVE cooking, so def want to try out more camp style stuff, esp with fresh bunnies.
Also, just bought myself a mora 106 so would love to learn some techniques from anyone who whittles!

 

[ex member mick sturbs]

Well people , i only have one concern , sorry to bring it up but its the toilet dept. especially with children and the fairer sex attending, as you know its new to me aswell, so i am happy to fund and deliver (sounded a bit adam and the ants sorry ) but have been looking at tree bogs, seems the way to go but even if we were able to get away with it this time it certainly needs sorting for the future , so any help/ advice would be much appreciated. hopefully i can get it organised for this meet.

 

[Nova & Pinky]

Tree bogs?

In the longer term ( and more permanent), composting loo?

I have no probs doing my business outside, but perhaps designate a kids/female 'tree' if there are a few of us?

Edit, just googled tree bog - good idea!

 

[ex member mick sturbs]

Yeah i didnt know about them either, google it ,even forestry comission ,churches etc going down that route !

 

[FreddyFish]

Composting toilet is simply a framework bolted together to make a strong & portable stand that accommodates a proper toilet seat. A 2′ hole is then dug.
Covering any deposits with a covering of soil or ash (much better) from the fire or a layer of plant material (not as good for odour suppression).
When it's full, you just dig another hole, move your portable stand over it.
If you just need a wee go behind a bush as urine slows the composting process.
If you burn the loo paper this will allow the same area to be re-used in as little as 6 weeks. If you don't burn the paper it could be 6+ months before you could use the same spot.

Don't forget to site it away from the stream.

If it was me I would be happy to wait 6 months before digging up the same spot.
Also ideally I would suggest a bowl of water and a bar of soap.

 

[Nova & Pinky]

Preferably eco soap

 

[jonajuna]

happy to help with the tree bog prep

with the relative few of us for the relative short time, would a simple pit latrine do the job (no pun intended) for this weekend and then allow time for the prep of the tree bog? a couple of poly tarps strung up as walls ensures dignity is maintained, should only take us a couple of hours to dig a nice 4 foot pit which allows for a good 3 foot of backfill at the end of the weekend. of course, need to keep this away from, and downhill from any water course (as we would need to do with the tree bog)

a couple of short planks across some logs makes for a "seat" to ensure no-one ends up as a "poo gollum"

cant speak for the others here, but i too have no probs with getting a like a bear, and my kin are used to the delights of festivals, so happily cope with a hole in the ground (although its already been raised here with instructions that i am on pit duty if it was an individual effort! lol)

 

[Nova & Pinky]

not quite bushcraft, but something like this over a pit may do temporarily until the treebog is done?
http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/s...nts/new-gelert-green-brook-shower-769295.html

 

[FreddyFish]

Here's a good link
http://www.stewardwood.org/resources/howto/treebog.ghtml

Also here's the scout way.
http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs315072.pdf

 

[ex member mick sturbs]

Cheers for the advice and pics/links , think as jon said we will wing it this time, woodland drop ,pit /seat/tarp affair, so used to doing it on my own aaaah, will be great to have some help with siting/digging etc . Now what else can i start to worry about ?

 

[ex member mick sturbs]

Oh good found something, because its a 15 walk to the site, everybody is expected to carry their own gear, but in saying that i have a quad for heavy/awkward items or a lift for anybody who may be in the shadows wishing to come but is concerned about the trek etc,dont worry put your name down it can be sorted.Obviously i dont want to be whizzing up and down like a blue bottomed fly , but we can pack the old mule up to make life a little easier

 

[Bushwhacker]

Anyone fancy doing their bit to save the planet and some money by giving me a lift if they're travelling past my way?
We're a one car family now and the mrs is going to need it.
I'm not carrying much, will split fuel costs and promise not to say "Are we there yet?" every 5 minutes.