Bedford Ridge 2003
Fall @ Bedford Ridge has become a tradition for us, just as snow during this "Fall" trip has become a regularity. In 2002, the first year that Steinbach had a Venture Company in a while, an early snowfall caught us off guard. What a shocking thing to go to sleep in a dry grassy clearing and wake up to a frigid and soundless landscape of white.
Snow came as no suprise on this year's trip, as there was snow on the ground long before we arrived at our campspot in early November. We planned to hike in, since an old trail leading into this year's spot was deemed impassable by vehicle in slippery conditions. Our journey in was a bit longer than expected - 45 minutes longer - due to a wee map reading error at the trailhead. In due time we reached our desired location and set up camp. We had to wear blaze orange toques, vests, etc. because muzzleloading season was open in the area and rifle season opened the day following our departure.
As always, this camp was filled with fun, both planned and unplanned. Some highlights were:
Bushsledding down Bedford Ridge at high speeds, cooking delicious foil wrapped food on coals...and under a drying sock, making fresh coffee with a (supposedly clean) sock, coffee gounds, water, and a pot, and building a dry sauna.
We realized the futility of trying to use a tent heater in a full four-man tent. We also learned once again that some brands of instant gruau (french for oatmeal) are significantly better than others.
bravenet.com