More Recon

As I have explained before, access can be very tough on projects like this. Normally, our only option to identify access points and trails is low resolution aerial photography or satellite imagery. We look at the imagery and try to identify possible trials. We then take our vehicles and ATV's to see where the trails lead us. Sometimes they take us where we want to go, sometimes they dead end at an impassible swamp and sometimes we can't even find them.

The best way to look for new trails and access points is by flying over the project at a low altitude. Unfortunately, surveyors normally can't afford a plane and a pilot.

Working under a contract with the forest service does have some advantages.

Today we did a low altitude flyover of the project in a USFS Beaver plane. It is a single engine 6 seat plane. We went up in the air around 9 this morning, and by 10 we had figured out how to access some points of the project that were previously very difficult to access.

Elephant Lake

Our house is down there somewhere

Daily Grind

People have been telling me that I don't update the blog enough. When the job first started everything was new and exciting and I had a lot to say and share. Now we have reached the point where the job has become routine.


A a daily routine is very important, since on any given day we may be a 3 mile hike from our vehicles. If we forget anything back at the house, the day is bassically shot. By the time you go back to the house and get back into the woods, the day would be over.

Most days go like this

6-7: AM            Wake up and make breakfast

7-7:30 AM:       Pack equipment and gear for the day.

7:30 AM:          Hit the road and get to work

7:30-10 AM:     Work
10-10:15 AM:   Coffee break

10:15 AM:        Back to work

11, 12, 1 or 2:   Eat lunch when we can

6 PM:                Hopefully we are back at the house

6-7 PM:            Unload equipment and make a plan for the next day

7-8 PM:            Get gear ready for the next day.

8-9:30:              Eat dinner, call home, etc.

10 PM:             Get some sleep 

I was home this weekend and my wife and I went to a hip cafe for breakfast. I struck up a conversation with the trendy barista dude and he started telling me how he had to work through the weekend and go to school, etc, etc.

I started to think about my situation. Like the barista dude, I am really busy during the week and I don't really get a lot of time to rest. We are planning on working the 10 days without a break in hopes of beating the next major snowfall.

I guess the main difference is in location. I could be working in the Twin Cities or in the great northwoods.

The job may be coming routine, but I wouldn't trade it for any other job in the world right now.

(Come back later in the week, and we'll see how I feel with 4 inches of snow) 

Chainsaw Pack

On typical day we pack in a lot of stuff. Fence posts, signs, GPS equipment, food, water, etc. One of the most important pieces of equipment is our chainsaw.

The saw is needed for many reasons. We clear downed trees that block our path on our way to set a corner. When we set the corner we may need the saw to clear out enough area to get a good GPS signal. We also use the saw to clear line to bearing trees.

Initially we would bring the saw with us by carrying it in one hand. This works well enough, but it does make trudging though the woods and swamps difficult. Wayne told us about a chainsaw backpack that he has been using, and we decided to give it a try.

McKenziepackcompany.com

This pack is amazing. It fully replaced another backpack while allowing us to carry the chainsaw on our backs.

As always, the pictures don't do it justice. On the left you can see our old pack. It was an heavy, old military issue pack.

On the right, you can see the new chainsaw pack. It carries the same amount of stuff, along with one more important piece of equipment, the chainsaw.

This pack has made our lives (especiialy Wally's since he carries the saw) much easier. If you ever need a chainsaw backpack, look this company up, you will not be disappointed.