took the kid and "THE BIG ONE" into the Adirondak Mtns for the night.the same wilderness and stomping grounds as the famous and revered NESSMUK.

the weather was damp with sprinkles and the entire forest was soaked which we where soon to be as well.the leaf color was in its peak and was stunning.down state the leaves are still green.

we were hoping to see a bear or moose but didnt see crap.not even the big 'ole bear prints and dropping that usually litter the trails up here.this was my first time on this particular set of trails which probably go for 20 miles or so.

the access road i saw on the map turned out to be private property so a planned 2 mile hike on the way in turned into 4.i cant expect an 8 year old to carry too much so i carried most of both of ours gear,around 60 pounds.

except for the first 3 pics all of these where taken on the way out since the majority of our hike in was in the dark.

here's a pic of my nightmare.this kifaru pack thats supposed to be so comfortable absolutely killed me.i gotta give them a call.


here's my comrad


the first 1/8 of a mile are up a murderous incline where you have to use hands and feet to climb.here's the top.


someone beat us to the lean-to we where hoping for but i brought the tent in case and we found a nice spot right on the lake.this is untouched wilderness and i was thinking that as i stood there on that lake that i had the same exact view some indian had 200,300 years ago and more.





NMFBM,S6,ZT 301,GB 20"


some of these boulders are bigger then 2 story houses and my camera really cant give you a fell for their size.these boulders here go up about 200ft and are full of caves perfect for the healthy bear population.


[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image10-12.jpg[/img]
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small beaver dam
[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image12-9.jpg[/img]

the trail
[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image16-7.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image17-8.jpg[/img]
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[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image22-2-1.jpg[/img]

me after about 3.75 miles on the way out hunched over and hurting.my lower back was rubbed raw and is all red from the pack and my shoulders are killing me from where the straps bit into them for the 8 total miles.its not my most flattering picture.
[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image19-4.jpg[/img]

i put a little "dent" in "THE BIG ONE" and got it looking like a user.the metal underneath looks black instead of the usual flat gray for those interested in stripping one.
[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image24-2.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/dave9431/image25-2.jpg[/img]

this thing is so sweet and is the only knife i have the actually digs deeper into the wood than my GB 20in hatchet.i just threw the hatchet back in the pack and let it take it easy for once.i did a lot of batoning with the S6 as well.

Looks like a great hike. Man you look miserable with that pack, which is disappointing to hear since Kifaru is suppose the thing! Well now I know I don't have to spend so much on one.

How does that tops knives whistle work in the wet? It got good reviews in BF, but I don't think anyone mentioned how well it worked in worst conditions.

Good to hear the NMFBM chop better then your GB! Looks like it got a lot of use.

That NMFBM is supposed to stay in a drawer and not be out and about where it can be exposed to the elements!

oops....lol.

i wasnt exactly miserable.i'm not a real smiley guy but mostly i was exhausted and literally in agony.my shoulders and lower back felt exactly like i was getting a shot from the doctor that just never ended and it got old after a few hours.i adjusted that pack every which way to no evail and was cursing it out loud the whole entire time.i will talk to them on the phone before i completely give up on all $300 worth of it.

a 4 mile hike is nothing but this one was a complete monster.then when i get to camp i need to chop half the night to get enough fire wood to last all night and instead of going to bed i stayed up till 3AM and drank once the kid was a sleep...oops.

my surefire G2 LED also gave me problems and barely put out any light even with new batteries in it.i'm sick of stuff thats supposed to be top of the line and double the price that works like ---- when you need it.i'm pissed.

my COUNTY COMM little emergency radio that i always bring so i can listen to something when i'm drinking by the fire wouldnt work either.i'm so sick of people making junk.

i thank the busse brothers though.i nailed my "BIG ONE" on a rock and the ding on the blade is barely visible and i hit it hard.

kifaru piised me off.the packs are very versatile and state of the art but mine was super uncomfortable when loaded down.they custom tailor them according to your size and it feels like they made mine too small/short.

while it was a lot of work i did have fun.i told my son on the trail that all the hard work hiking in would have a pay off and the view on that lake and staring into that fire in the middle of the mountains was worth it for me.

the kids strong as an ox from football and didnt have any problems.we should've switched packs...lol.i was trying to keep up with him.he's the best.he never whines,cries or complains.does what i say when i say it and i've never put a hand on him.some kids do all that out of fear.he's just naturally good.

we see these kids screaming,crying and kicking their parents at his school and i'll look at him and tell him "dont you ever act like that."he's 8 but acts like he's 40.

nice pics & looks like a very nice area.
bummer on the kifaru. thats alota money for it to not be "right"

Awesome pics!!! The Adirondacks are my favorite stomping grounds. Its the most beautiful country I have seen. You ever do any hunting or fishing up there?

Thanks for the pics northern1,that is a beautiful area.

Congrats on raising a great kid!

Terrific pics Dave! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> Did you try your luck fishing? Looks like you guys really had a beautiful hike - well done! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Nice pics! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Nice area/nice colors, thanks for sharing.

WOW, Bad2TheBone my family and I really enjoyed the trip with you two.

Only problem I have is The Kid. When he was born did you pick out a name for him? It seems every story I read with the joy and sunshine of your life in it he is always referred to as the kid. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />
We would love to know his name so next time we read along with a trip involving him we can insert his name in our minds. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

He seems like he would have a prankster kind of sense of humor,playing little tricks and jokes on you.He has the sweetest eyes too like M&M's you know the color. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

And as far as not being a smiley guy you sure were all smiles at the Blade show eh? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Funny how a little steel can change your whole outlook on things. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

GREAT pictures Dave. The trip was wonderful! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />



Peace.