Winter Approaches

Winter is coming, indeed it is. I can feel Skađi's breath in the morning breezes and chills. She is waking, and the Winter that is coming will be enough to test the mettle of even the toughest. A challenge, then, and a worthy one.

To that end I am going over all Winter and Mountain kit and gear. Winterizing my instruments is also a high priority, or at least, the cases they are carried in. Since one has to have heavier clothing and gear in the Winter, the instruments will be lighter and simpler during that time.

This year I'll be out there more often in Norse style clothing, and proper womens' clothing at that (if there is such a thing). Partly to see how that works (I've hunted in a dress before, but not apron dress and the rest of it), partly because I love the look, and partly because my 'medieval' hunting has gone more Norse of late...call it 11th century (St. Huberts runs from the 10th to the 15th centuries.).

From a Middle Earth perspective, no, not Rohirim. Rather the folk of the far North, more like those from Forochel and other wild Northern places. Peoples who never left the North after Arnor collapsed and the smaller kingdoms were overrun. Icy, cold, tough, self-sufficient. Works for me.

From a historic standpoint, yes, the longbow is used, but because the Norse also traveled to places like Byzantium and Anatolia, the 'Turkish' bow is also available. That means composite bow. :) Woot!

All this also means furry hats, furred cloaks and mantles. Very, very nice stuff.

I have my scramasax, a good Norse 'kitchen' knife, my sunstones, whetstone, whistle, arrows, bow....even my axe. Of course I have snowshoes. I have skis too, but they are telemarks and not like those used by the Norse....I'll have to make some like those at some point. New snowshoes are in the offing as well....solid stuff made from wood and wood fiber. New mid-calf boots....although I may keep the mukluks since adding a bit of removable fur around the top will make them look much like the sealskin boots some of the Norse wore, or some of the fur lined boots. It works.

With me also will go the pocket sized books; Havamal & Voluspa, Elder Edda, and Younger Edda. I'll take my runes too. With my Native America flutes I can make music to go with the Winter winds. ;)

This year we can hunt bear during the whitetail season. I'm not specifically aiming to hunt bear, but if one shows up while I am out there and I have a good shot, I'll take it.

I journeyed to the South, to Far Harad, where the stars are strange. Now I am in the far North, where the nights last for months, and the days also. Adventure is meat and drink to a Ranger, aye....and even more so for a Bard.