The weather Saturday was actually quite nice and wolud have been ideal, at least weather-wise, for a trip to the Beta Site. But, dang it, I just didnt have all my ducks in a row in terms of having my gear together and ready for the trip. The biggest thing is that I have no idea what the conditions up there are like because, man, they can change fast. For example, this was Thursday:
And this was yesterday:
Which seems to support that the conditions up there can change and change fast. So, I’ll get my gear lined up and ready for next weekend, and if the weather is as nice during the week I am hoping that the conditions will be better.
I welcome the bit of extra time because on the next trip, in addition to the long-delayed deployment of additional cameras, I’ll be laying out the first of what will probably at least two or three stashes of gear and supplies.
Getting stuck up there last week and having to spend the night up there wouldn’t have been the end of the world since I made sure to bring a certain amount of gear with me ‘just in case’. However, one of the whole points of the Beta Site was to have enough gear up there to allow me to show up with basically just the clothes on my back, in virtually any weather condition, and be able to be safe and secure. Turns out, thats not an inconsequential amount of gear. And, most importantly, packaging it for long-term hiding in a container that is impervious to the environment….well, thats some work.
Naturally, there’s an argument that “Well, you don’t need to store away all that stuff…you won’t be coming up there empty handed.” Really? You know that for a fact? If I ever have to run for my life and my salvation is my hideyhole, I will, of course, try to bring as much gear as I can but ‘best case scenarios’ are not part of my planning. I mean, yeah, it would be awesome if I was able to have the luxury of loading up all my gear at my leisure and hit the road. But I can’t be certain of that…no one can. So…prepare for the worst case.
In this particular scenario, I work off the ‘worst case’ situation which is me showing up with just the clothes on my back in the middle of the night in the worst weather conditions possible. And in that circumstance I want to be able to open up my bomb-proof storage container, pull out a change of clothes, a tent to shelter in, a coldweather sleepingbag to crawl into, and a stash of food to get myself back to an even keel. After that, its addressing all the other little issues…medical, communications, weapons, fuel, water, tools, navigation, and all the other little details.
Is there a high likelihood that will ever happen…that such a desperate and hopeless circumstance will befall me? Nope. But is there a more-than-zero-percent chance it might? Well..yes. And, if there’s that possibility, then clearly its to my advantage to prepare against it.
So, I’ll use this coming week to get everything together for next weekend. So, next trip’s agenda:
- Install additional cameras
- Add solar panel for one camera as a test platform
- Stash some gear
- Walk the property a bit and take pictures of winter(ish) conditions
To sum up – not this weekend, unfortunately. But if the weather is as good next weekend as it was this weekend, then yes.
As of 8:30 eastern time on Easter Sunday, the weather forecast is looking pretty good for Missoula. Lows in mid 30’s to low 40’s. Highs in the 60’s. Not sure of the elevation change to the Beta Site or how that will effect the tems. Good luck.
It’s a beautiful Easter Sunday in Montana.
Still not too late to sell the Beta Site before you dump some serious $$$ and still have very limited access. When conditions are ideal, can a cement truck, well rig or lumber delivery truck make it up that ‘road’ ?
There are houses about a mile away that had to have utilized the same roads, so I’m going to say that while challenging, they aren’t impossible.
Difficult access has its tradeoffs…it makes getting things in there challenging, but it increases the level of privacy.
Keep in mind, any access issued I may be experiencing are being experienced now, thats not to say that in, say, six months, I won’t have more suitable transport that makes access for me easier.
A lot of folks who comment here and aren’t from here really don’t understand access in Montana. I can maybe get to my gold claim (at 8,000 feet) from the end of May until mid-October. Sometimes earlier, sometimes later. You can stage a bunch of stuff out there-especially once you know the neighbors and are proven cool and helpful to them. And then, like you said, you can take less and less with you, and know you’ll be okay getting in.
Right now it’s disappointing because you’re itching to get going, but weather has other plans. You’re doing fine, just be patient. And learn to ski. 🙂
There’s a lot to learn. I was expecting that, just annoying how little I am discovering I know.
Everyone has a first time at anything they do. Learning today is better than learning tomorrow…
Best thing to learn is having Tribe is the greatest asset you can have and the more Tribe the more assets you have access to…Like if Berg needed an excavator, dump trailer, crane, etc etc all be would have to do is call and he could borrow it or I would come help with whatever he needed…
Give a goodly amount of thought to waste removal, personal and commercial. It existence is a Godsend to those you do not wish to attract.
The solar panel and a properly designed battery/case work fine I have several. Heat and cold are hard on batteries, but you know that I am certain; have backups for them.
I have a couple of these (https://www.amazon.com/HME-Camera-Waterproof-Auxiliary-Battery/dp/B07HNHJ59T/ref=sr_1_18?sr=8-18) that have the solar panel integrated – not as fond of those. I prefer those where the solar is a separate item (seems more robust/flexible)
DGM
Being that high up, eventually you will need a snow machine to go along with your UTV. Just the facts of the Rocky Mountains. So cool you got your place.
maybe this summer drag a small camper up there for a temporary shelter if necessary. remove the tongue and carry it home with you so that someone cant just back up to it and drive off with it. most are just bolted on. get a GOOD 4wd truck!
i have been living this lifestyle for 40yrs and it it is not a cheap or easy initial investment, you wont get it done for years, if ever but it does get better with time. its a lifestyle that comes with many benefits, peace of mind being one of them.
but ya just GOTTA start- and stop looking for excuses.
CZ, delays can be discouraging, but you spent a long time stashing money & looking for a good site. You now have a site, and an active plan for its improvement. You’re ahead of the game.
I guess..but I see another birthday barrelling towards me and I feel like time is more scarce and fleeting. Intellectually, I know that some things have to be done at their own pace, but dang if I don’t wanna just call in sick for a week at work, grab as much gear as I can, head out there, and Start Doing Things.
Just a thought, but do you have a steep hill or mountain (I’m sure you do) that you could turn into a dugout/badger hole?
It would take care of shelter or storage and not stand out so much.
Not sure how you’re stashing gear, but from the pictures, below grade won’t be a walk in the park, dependant on rocks and frost depth. Prepare accordingly.
Also, while hand saws are nice and full chainsaw very nice, the middle is a dewalt 12″ battery operated one. Charge off the side by side and used motor oil for lube.+ spare chain.
Your arm, shoulder will thank you.
I’m thinking that maybe plastic barrels might make a good cache. Several, used and beat up, and arranged like an illegal dumpsite, would get you started.
Maybe even the 4 triangle hazard tag partly visible.
No one I know is going to want to open a barrel and find toxic waste or a decaying body.
The top two could even have something nasty in them, because who’d open all three if the first two were mystery chemicals?
The same technique can apply to 5 gallon buckets. A small pile, with a couple in front or on top with hardened paint and a barely closed lid, while all the others just have paint on the outside. Could be stacked in the corner of a garage or basement, for that matter…
I see plenty of decoy buckets on the streets for ‘big trash’ day.
Pelican cases under a bush are gonna get investigated…
n