Week of Wet

The weather last week, left a little something to be desired. Granted, it could have been a lot worse. But, it wasn't exactly the best for starting out. Sure, you can't tell by the pictures. But, it's a little uninspiring to take pictures in the big wet. The above picture is at dusk looking down an old jeep trail.


Our first hike had a rare fire tower at the top. I imagine the view would have been pretty stellar. We were told there would be a nice international view (looking into Canada). However, the recent wildfires that occurred in Southern Quebec left a smokey haze which allowed for limited visibility as far South as Connecticut I heard. We knew something was going on, but with my tiny radio only able to pick up stations in French, we didn't learn that the haze was due to wildfires until days later. We found an entry in a logbook in a lean-to that filled us in. Here are a few pictures from the top of the tower. I of course smacked my head climbing into the top of the tower. Don't worry, only my pride was wounded.



The morning of my first point count for birds started clear, I swear it did. Then, slowly, the clouds came in, the wind picked up, and somewhere up the steep rock infested trail I was kicking myself for not putting the rainfly on my tent. By the time I had finished my point counts it was cold and nasty. The fire tower was scarcely visible from 100m away, lost in the clouds that were literally sitting on top of us. By the time I had returned to my tent it was a grim sight. Everything was soaked. I could wring out my sleeping bag, my tent was holding water. It was a bit of a morale crusher. With the dropped temperature I wondered what I might do that night in a completely soaked sleeping bag. I was glad to know that tucked away in my gear I had two emergency blankets that could save my butt if it needed saving.


Once back in the car, we headed to our next mountain, and stumbled across this rare gem. I wish I had taken a picture of the whole building. I think I was too busy drying everything I owned and waiting for spontaneous combustion to occur. The building consisted of this laundromat, the redemption center on the other side of the wall (which created a peculiar aroma of stale booze and snuggle), a car wash on the other side, which was literally a garage door that you put up, and of course the archery-center/convenience store. Don't let all of it's functions fool you, it was a postage stamp sized establishment that really left a lot to be desired. Yet, at the time, it was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen.


Finn dried off and warmed up too. I tested the limits of what is safe and smart to put in the drier. Things mostly dried to a light damp. With the exception of my sleeping pad. I didn't bring it up the mountain this night, which proved to be a mistake. The ground was cold and wet. And, even though I was inside my tent and sleeping bag, I really could have used another damp layer to have between myself and the cold ground which sucked the heat out of me. That night I had restless dreams of trying to locate objects for work in the dark, I was shivering in my dream, and woke up to the same real-life shiver. I through on as many clothes I had and checked to make sure I wasn't hypothermic with my mom's voice echoing in my head. I wasn't but I took my emergency blanket out of my pack, just to have it nearby should I reach that level of cold.


Somewhere between the moose tracks, the wet weather, the swarms of black flies, the miles of rocky trail, the stands of balsam fir, and the brilliant singing birds, I tweaked my ankle. It's really not a big deal. And, in any regular situation it wouldn't be. But with forty extra pounds on your back, steep slippery trails, and daily intense hiking, there's always the potential for "nothing" to turn into "something". We spent our most recent morning at this lean-to. When we arrived it was clear and you could see across the small pond. I even caught a quick glimpse of a beaver. Yet, the rain came back for a visit and brought with it a fog thicker than your grandmother's pea soup.


An unstable ankle is a bit of a problem child. You may feel okay enough to keep hiking, as I did. Only to continue to tweak it a few more times as it protests the abuse. Knowing that I would only be asking for something more extreme if I ignored it, I have chosen to seek some medical attention. The doctor says it's a sprain, and that I should baby it, let it heal. And, I will listen, because I really don't need a long-term medical issue. So I will be laid up dreaming of singing Bicknell's Thrush and the close-up visit I received from a Black-throated Blue Warbler while I ice my ankle and hope for recovery. In the meantime, I will add milk and butter to all Kraft Macaroni and Cheese that I eat. Unlike last weeks meal of the week which was lacking both, but did include a smattering of unintentional black flies...protein.



Until next time,

-Cal of the Wild

Into the thick of it... literally.

Training began this week, to give us all a taste of what we had gotten ourselves into. I am one of ten individuals that will be working on the project known as Mountain Birdwatch 2.0. I have been given the okay to tell you who I work for. The project is one of a few run by Vermont Center for Ecostudies. Training was held at the office location in Norwich, VT and later on in the Green Mountains and part of the Long Trail. The photo is of the window of the "lodge" we stayed in while we were there. Pretty cushy if you ask me. But, no, there was no electricity or running water. But, four walls, a roof, a door, and two sleeping platforms are pretty sweet.


View from the porch of the lodge which looked out over a small pond and in the great distance, the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The vegetation was incredibly thick in spots just feet off the trail, which we discovered while taking data sampling at points along our route. There were places where the young Balsam Fir were so thick that I couldn't even see my feet beneath me!


Now, you may be wondering who this guy is. Allow me to introduce you to Finneus Fitz Callie-Callie (Finn for short). The brilliant custom Callie-Callie creation made by Vermont Urban Farmgirl artist Erinn Simon. The tough guy bear-tamer with a big heart will be accompanying me on my journey through the wilderness. I promised Erinn I'd try to keep him out of trouble, but there's just no telling. But here, he poses in front of the scenic pond in front of the lodge.


We spotted some Ruffed Grouse eggs on the hike up. Though the lady of the nest was nowhere to be found. Unfortunately, when we passed the nest again on the way back down, the nest had been predated. No eggs left, and no evidence left behind. Bummer. Some of the other birds I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing were: Bicknell's Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, White-throated Sparrow, Blackpoll Warbler, Black Capped Chickadee, Winter Wren, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (all target species for Mountain Birdwatch), Dark-eyed Junco, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Raven to name more than a few.

Finally, I'll try to include an insight to my eating habits while I'm out. So, here you go!

Dinner of the week: Chicken Ramen Noodles with Tuna. This was WAY better than anticipated.

Until the next time I have Internet,

-Cal of the Wild

An Introduction

Not a spoof of "Call of the Wild" (though the name may be), Cal of the Wild will follow the short journey of one mountain hopping, bird watching, field technician. For roughly two months I, Cal of the Wild, will attempt to document my experiences through a written and photo journal style blog. My hopes are that the blog will allow friends, family, and stalking strangers to see the following:

A- What exactly it is that I'm doing in the woods for so long.
B- The score is still Cal of the Wild -1 / Ominous wilderness -0.

C- That I was born to do this.

And, maybe even will encourage some conservation type education and love in the process. But hey, let's not have too many expectations.

A bit about the job. I will be working for a non-profit (which shall remain nameless for the time being) that will be sending myself and a number of other field technicians into the mountainous regions of the North Eastern US for approximately two months. During this time we will be working to survey populations of high elevation songbirds. These include ten target species of birds and one target mammalian species.

The journey begins May 26th. So follow along. I double dog dare you.

-Cal of the Wild