The Goal

Well, I got back to the Paleolithic all right. :)

Yesterday we went on the usual hike up the steep face of Mount Toby. I was wearing ordinary clothing for the most part, St. Hubert's Rangers T-shirt, canvas capri style pants, ankle socks, a straw hat. I also wore my shoe packs, elk hide shoulder bag, and bota. It was my first outing with soft footwear for the year.

We made the summit without difficulty, but once there found an essentially hidden path leading down the western slope that we had no idea was there. The main climb comes up the North slope. This new path is behind the Fire Tower and its attendant power block.

We chose to descend the new path to see where it went. Coming down the steepest portion of the slop we came at length to a 'T' in the trail. I suspect the South branch eventually hits Sugar Farm Trail and/or North Mountain Road, something I will have to confirm down the line. However, we chose the North branch, partly because the parking lot where our conveyance was is in that direction. After about 100 meters the trail petered out entirely. Instead of reversing course, we decided to 'break brush' and trekked along the flank of the Mountain for well over a mile before coming back to the main trail on the North side of the Mountain. We hadn't descended that far and were just above the junction with Upper Link Trail. 

My feet and legs never got tired until just before the end. The trek itself, with its starts and stops, workarounds and detours, was very Paleo in nature. It was fun, although I am incredibly stiff this morning. I am not surprised by it at all. 

I'm going out to the range today with my bow, atlatl, and sling. Practice, practice, practice. While I cannot hunt with the latter two..at least as things are...the time may come where I can and will have to, so being skilled with them is a good thing. They are the kind of weapons that can be made on the fly so efforts to confiscate or ban them are essentially unworkable.

Soon I should have some nice linen or hemp clothing to go with the leather pieces, and for Winter even some furs to use. Yes, very much Paleolithic. I am working with hand fire drills, bow drills, fire plows, fire pistons, flint & steel...all sorts of methods. Basket making, sling making, rope and line making. A complete set of 'primitive' (as in the archetypal) skills...to include knapping flint and its relatives.

When I can do these things as second nature, nothing that happens to me short of maiming or actual death can daunt me in the world. I will have everything I need to live, even thrive, and better my condition.

That's the goal.

Eledhwen