Alone - kind of Les Stroud 2.0

"I went to the woods because

I wished to live deliberately...

and see if I could not learn

what it had to teach."

-- Henry David Thoreau

History channel just started broadcasting this new show called Alone , a survival show - 10 guys placed on various remote location on the North West Corner of Vancouver Island, just as the rains are approaching and temperatures are dropping in amoungst the cougars, bears and wolves. Each are allowed to bring up to ten items from a list provided by the producers, and have to film themselves using an array of camera's, and yes they are alone. This is something that really appeals to me, I think I would do great at it, but without the cameras. Each has an emergency Satellite phone if they want to "Tap-out", Don't want to give too much away, but it's interesting to see who taps out and for what, as well as seeing how each of them handle both the environment, getting the daily needs taken care of and the emotional separation (lonesomeness).Last man standing gets $500.000 US. and while the cash would be good, I think the bigger prize coming out of it is what you would learn about yourself. I'd love to try it, but again without the requirement to film myself.

Worth checking the show out if like the Les Stroud type of shows.

EOF -- LC

and we're back!

Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, back to avenge the wrongs, so is my Blog, well without the drama of a Bird rising from the ashes on a mission but otherwise identical.

Decided to come back put some thoughts down, perhaps only for myself or for reflection at a much later date - ah who knows. Maybe it's just the fact that I have a bit of cabin fever (although wish I was in a cabin in the middle of the wilderness) been primarily home-bound for the past 4 + weeks with a torn Calf muscle, about halfway through the expected full recovery - just gave up the walking stix, am now much more mobile. It was a workplace injury - but of course WorksafeBC (WCB) does not wish to cover it, so I am having to fight them. I understand this is just the way they work, deny first (even though they never received the Doctor's reports). Thankfully I have enough banked sick time that it is covering this for the moment - I will have to repay the employer if I can get a reversal of Worksafe's decision. Anyways healing...and predicted to have a full recovery, that's what is important.

Beginning planning and training for a escape to the woods with a friend this fall, unsure yet of the actual destination, maybe Mt Albert Edward in Strathcona Park here on the Island or maybe Garibaldi near Whistler and Pemberton? Perhaps somewhere else? Wherever it is I am sure it is going to be a blast. Been a long while since I have hiked in for a multiple day hike way off the beaten path. Have of course done many day hikes (3-8 hours), but really forgot how heavy a pack is until the last couple of days when I started a basic load on it. It's 36 pounds without food, water, fuel bottles, clothing and some other incidentals. I've only got about 7 weeks to train/gather/plan, kind of unusual for me as I am a planner and like lots of time to do this, but as long as the safety-health issues are covered it might be cool to go outside my comfort zone.

I am going to plan some serious day hikes around here with the pack - work out the bugs while exploring some new turf. MEC offers some refresher courses for free so will be attending some of them as well. Glad we have one locally. I wish REI was up here to, as they have a great selection too. Robinson's also has some great gear, and staff and are local.

I am looking forward to getting back into this, with a couple of places I want to see eventually or revisit again, places like NWT, Yukon, Northern BC, Jasper, Wells Gray, Waterton Lakes-Glacier....No shortage of places to see.

EOF - LC

2013 a different year

Ok honestly forgot about this Blog, ended up working on some others. So lets see the last entry was back in May of 2011, two and a half years back. Since then there has been a lot of change as you would expect. I mean life would be dull without it. No longer working with Telus, T.G! That place was killing me inside, took a lot of months to get well. Now working for the Municipal Government of Esquimalt. Big difference here, very positive people, warm environment, a place where they want you to become the best you can and help you to achieve it. I have been here for 1 Year on the 21st of this month. Wow.

House Reno's continue but almost there, have to get the final inspection by March 2014. Be nice to have it done and be able to take a break from it for a while. Kind of burnt out about reno'ing. The kitchen will need done but perhaps we can hold off for a while and pay our bills down first.

June of this year I started to focus on reducing my portion size, then in July/August I started working weights and the treadmill. I am down about 30 pounds, almost lost that gut of mine, saw a picture the other day, and it really surprised me how fat I had gotten. Still a ways to go, but heading in the right direction. I would like to work towards a hike in camping trip for next year. One of my goals.

The past 7 weeks I have been eating Vegan (only exception is cream in the morning coffee and little yogurt in my morning protein shake.). I have been enjoying trying new recipes and dishes. So far have no craving to return to eating as I was. Will this be permanent? I don't know, but I am enjoying it.

I have also installed an 80 pound heavy bag and a chin-up bar, and combined with weights, crunches, planks, curls etc...keeping me honest.  

We have had a brilliant summer and now midway into October and it is still 15 degrees, and the door is open in our lunch room. Wow!

More to come....