Well,made it up to the Beta Site.
First thing was to get the platform I built finished up, on its blocks, and leveled. (Why isn’t it spelled ‘levelled’? Seems like it would have the double L…) It worked out pretty fair if I do say so myself:
That thing is 4’x8′ so it should accommodate rather handily one of the individual combat tents I picked up a little while back. Additionally, the prefabrication-in-town, transport-in-the-truck, and assemble-on-site aspect is good practice for when something bigger gets put up. And, gy the way, when that happens, this chunk o’ wood and it’s twin (which is going up there next weekend) will be repurposed as creek-crossing bridges. Speaking of the creek:
Pretty placid, huh? We’ll see what the water flow is like in August.
Also on tap for this trip was a bit of exploring along an edge of the property I havent really spent much time on. It runs along the border of the state land and, wow, it is thick thick thick with blowdown, snags, and deadfall. There is literally a lifetime of firewood laying out there. At some point I’m going to have to clean up some of the more egregious tangles that have pulled down the fence between my place and the state land.
To my surprise, it turns out that if you head off the edge of my property and hop two ridges over on the state land….strong cell signal. Too far from my anticipated habitat to really make a difference, but good to know its there. Speaking of communications, the Starlink setup will, supposedly, be here Friday. This means that, maybe, next weekends posting about the Beta Site might actually be from the Beta Site. We’ll see…gotta iron out a few bugs first.
So…progress being made. Forward movement is being made, just need a lot more of it.
how do you get photos from the game cameras without cell coverage?
Data requires less signal strength than voice, and sometimes the conditions seem to permit a signal to reach the area. Its not predictable, but usually several times a week I get pics sent.
Looks like the start time of log cabin
Nice platform to keep you out of the mud. Yes, a lifetime of firewood for sure, almost makes you want to build a log cabin up there… I like the updates.
Don’t write off all that blow-down as firewood. There is a massive amount of free building material there.
Excellent start!
Have you looked into generating your own hydro or is that a lot further down the line?
Even a small unit would let you recharge batteries in the near future.
Whatever you decide, I’m sure you will get it right –
Or at least close enough!
Ceejay
I need to see what the water flow is like throughout the year before I commit the $ to such a project.
https://www.tva.com/About-TVA/Our-History/Built-for-the-People/The-Little-Dam-That-Could
Interesting read about a TVA hydroelectric plant in Tenn. Might be some thoughts for getting more out of your stream.
Solar panels and a battery Bank might be a way to get started to get energy to the site. And it can be expanded as time goes on Just got a clear little land to get good sunlight
Yo, Commander Z, check out the Amazon listing for SureCall Fusion 3.0 RV for a 12 volt cell phone booster antenna (would work installed on a tall tree)(put a GMRS antenna up as well) and transmitter (to your cell phone) that maybe will hill hit that cell tower you mentioned. A lot cheaper than Star Link! Just power it up off your vehicle battery (or an auxiliary deep cycle battery in the box) when you are on site.
Hoping the bulk of dried wood is uphill of your camp location. Much easier dragging downhill than up hill. Don’t eat all of the easy close wood – drag the more distant, leaving the closer wood for Bad Times.
Maybe some time spent to clear water gathering without it becoming too obvious from air.
Some good progress made – Congratulations.
I wish we had a stream flowing like that at our place year around. The water, the utility it affords and the sound. Nothing like that sound. If you are getting sometimes adequate connections for your game cameras you might want to look into Wilson Electronics cellular gear. We have terrible cell signal strength in our shop (unintentional Faraday Cage), but installation of an Amazon branded Wilson unit similar to this (https://a.co/d/07Qvzl4V) cured it. No bar increases on the phone screen, but performance is the measure and it works.
Maybe a good spot for stand alone water storage tanks? If flow is constant, is there low head/low volume generators available? Seems to me I ran across something of that nature several years back on the web. Looks like a tranquil place to kick the feet up. Congrats!
Commander, although I have had no need to try it, But my T-mobile account has free Satellite service where there is no cell.
just a thought, perhaps some reader has used it.
all that beautiful straight timber just begging to be put up and have some corrugated tin put on it!
Is there a reason you did make the platform 8X8?
I didnt make the platform 8×8, I made it 4×8. I’ll make another platform of similar dimensions, bring it up ther enext weekend,. bolt it to the first, and create an 8×8 platform that will be large enough to accommodate a tent. When I no longer need the platform, they will be unbolted to creat two 4×8 platforms that will be used for bridging the creek.
Shirley you’re worried about the fire danger? That’s all I’d be thinking about.
Im not that worried, and don’t call me Shirley.
Theres some concern of potential fire dnager but I’ll mitigate it as best I can with fireproof materials, defensive landscaping, etc.
lol he teed that one right up for you. Well played.
Used motor oil is a traditional wood finish for extreme conditions. The farm wagons I saw that used it had no run off. Some mix with ATF or diesel. Would extend the life of those platforms but works best on a hot day for drying.
We made it out to our new site this weekend also . Saw two griz on property in 48 hours .
One extremely large and one smaller .
No more walking around with just the 357 on.
A bear at 60 yards when you are only carrying a handgun gets your heart pumping .and that was the small one .
I watched the large one from a 1/4 mile through a 20x night-force.
What does your State say about harvesting dead trees on their property?
You are aware the alternate spelling for “firewood” is “dead tree”? Absolutely forbidden to remove same from any .gov land in CA. Which explains the horrendous wild fires they have. Seems the “fire fighting businesses” got that rule instituted to make big fires which makes lots of money and jobs for them.
Theres no real controls over removing dead wood from your oen property…can’t imagine there would be. As for state land, you can get a firewood permit to remove a certain amount, but I already have plenty on my property so I’ve no real interest in moving any off the state land.
The secret big firefighting doesn’t want you to know. lol
Make sure you coat the underside of the deck. A lot of those rot from underneath due to moisture from the ground/creek.
We coat our windmill towers with diesel and oil . I wouldn’t do it on any application you will be sleeping on . It interacts with your skin ( like when you climb the tower a year later to service the windmill )
If you used treated wood it will last quite a while . If you didn’t check out penofin stains . The penofin is as good as diesel and oil and when it’s dry you can have it against your skin .
Couldn’t think of a better PLACE!! the whispering sounds of that water fall make it!!!
skybill