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25 Mar 2023 16:41:50 UTC
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200 Pound Zercher Carry in Snow
Just a quickie from this evening's workout. Of course I carried the barbell there first, then took a breather before making the return trip. I also did suitcase carries, some time on the ski machine, and a kettlebell swing Tabata session all inside the barn, but this outdoor segment was all that I bothered to film.
The snow is melting fast now (though we got some fresh snow overnight and this morning), so it is very uneven and treacherous. Finding solid footing was actually harder than walking with the weight.
Carrying weight in front of the body really works the core muscles hard. It is also one of the most practical things to do for real-life applications. Of course, doing it in snow may not be the wisest thing to do, but I love getting outdoors.
The snow is melting fast now (though we got some fresh snow overnight and this morning), so it is very uneven and treacherous. Finding solid footing was actually harder than walking with the weight.
Carrying weight in front of the body really works the core muscles hard. It is also one of the most practical things to do for real-life applications. Of course, doing it in snow may not be the wisest thing to do, but I love getting outdoors.
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The weather was perfect and I needed to get out and stretch my legs! What better way to do that than snowshoeing and a little bit of winter woodcraft practice?
A little scrap of birchbark, a convenient bone-dry dead tree, and a ferro rod were the ingredients for a spontaneous fire, served up a cold layer of crunchy snow. It's been too long since I've started a fire that way, so I wanted to increase the challenge by not pre-cutting firewood from the tree and by building on top of the snow. Remember, all the internet "experts" say that you need to make a platform to build the fire on so that melting snow doesn't put it out! One small fragment of bark to set tinder on couldn't possibly do the job, right?
As a bonus, watch for the moment I jab a pointy stick into my thumb on camera. It bled fairly good for a bit (off camera) but I was able to eventually get it to stop simply by rubbing it in fresh snow repeatedly.
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3 weeks ago
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Enthusiastic puppy alert! Hopefully this isn't too dizzying to watch. I had to frequently rotate around or make other sudden movements to avoid leash tangles and keep Shasta on track. There was almost a foot of accumulated snow on the ground, and the temperature was hovering around 5-6 degrees. It was a glorious day for a hike in the woods! The end is a bit abrupt because my camera mount loosened up on its own and then my battery died due to the cold. Since I had said about everything I had planned, I didn't bother to film a new ending once my phone warmed up.
Feel free to share your thoughts about my observations or anything else you think we should expect in 2022.
My previous video about inflation, shortages, etc.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDtv0xThhRs
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Uncomfortable
This is more of my rambling thoughts regarding personal preparedness during my morning commute. I'm not a masochist, just someone who likes to do as much as possible to become more prepared for whatever discomforts I may face. Remember to be safe, but use this idea to become more mentally - and possibly physically - prepared to cope with discomfort during emergencies/disasters.
Note that there are many other possibilities for discomfort that I didn't mention. Some others include:
Carry a moderately heavy pack whenever you go for a walk. It's not only good exercise, it also builds capacity to carry weight for extended distances without undue discomfort when necessary.
Occasionally experiment with sleep deprivation for short periods. Adequate sleep is healthy and beneficial, but it can be useful for preparedness to practice concentration and complex tasks while extremely tired.
Stand (or sink into a deep squat) more often rather than immediately looking for a place to sit down. Aside from it being healthier, you never know when you could be in a situation where there is nothing available for comfortable seating.
When working out, occasionally do ultra-high rep sets. They have great physical benefits as well as requiring mental toughness. High-rep squats leave me sore for several days. The simple act of starting a set knowing the inevitable pain ahead requires one to mentally accept and commit to facing that challenge.
I could go on, but won't. Feel free to list additional ideas for deliberate discomfort, or discuss your thoughts on what I presented.
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updates
Some off-the-cuff rambling updates on life and this channel, offered up during my morning commute. This is just some of it; life has been very busy and very stressful lately. I'm cautiously optimistic that things will slow down soon and allow me a little more leisure time, but we'll see how that plays out.
Notice the traffic on my commute. That's just one of the many benefits of country living. The drive actually offers a chance to relax, enjoy the scenery, and get away from some of the daily stress. I'm so thankful that I don't have rush-hour traffic to deal with on top of everything else!
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3 weeks ago
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This is a quick overview of some of the fairly inexpensive gear I have for camping, EDC, and/or emergencies. Some are items I carry in my SAR pack, a couple I carry on my person every day, and a couple reside in my vehicle. If interested, see item links below. I do not receive any commission; these are simply items that I use and think are reasonable options.
Grabber emergency blanket: https://www.amazon.com/Grabber-Outdoors-Original-Weather-Blanket/dp/B002CQUA28 (this one is green instead of red)
Cold Steel Bushman: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BD4W3ZM/
Finn Wolf: https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-Folding-Camping-Knives/dp/B07CKV3FX8/
Fiskars folding saw: https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Power-Softgrip-Folding-Pruning/dp/B00QITRIR0
Sure Strips fire starters: https://www.amazon.com/SURE-STRIPS-Genuine-Military-Tinder/dp/B0765ZS9ZL
painting dropcloths: https://www.amazon.com/Piece-Plastic-Roller-9x12Feet-Repair/dp/B077NXS8DF
Wowtac flashlight/headlamp: https://www.amazon.com/WOWTAC-Rechargeable-Detachable-Waterproof-Flashlight-CW/dp/B07YJLKGN2
drop leg platform: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005OL72RO/ (currently unavailable – see similar options such as Condor or OneTigris)
inflatable pillow: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XCYYWX3 (currently unavailable - see similar options suggested on the product page)
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This is a brief look at some of the gear that I carry daily, as well as my reasoning for doing so. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive or definitive list, nor is it a recommendation for everyone. I DO suggest that everyone get in the habit of daily carrying at least some items of use on their person, suitable for their unique environment and possible needs. If you don't already do so, use this video as a starting point to assess what you might want to carry as well as how best to do so. As always, any questions, comments, or suggestions are welcome.
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This was an overnight campout on our upper acreage just to get out in the woods and practice shelter-building and fire-starting skills. It was unusually warm for the end of January, but it snowed steadily all night and everything was covered in wet snow. Gathering firewood by the light of a headlamp and getting the fire established when the wood was all soaked made for an interesting challenge. It was also good practice setting up the tarp shelter and building my raised bed. All in all it was a fun and comfortable - but very physically tiring - overnight expedition.
Sorry about the sound quality. I'm still trying to figure out audio issues in my videos. Turn up the volume, or just ignore my rambling commentary and enjoy the scenery.
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Here are some realities that many people probably never hear before venturing out on snowshoes for the first time. Snowshoeing is fun and it's an awesome way to get to places that are otherwise unreachable during the winter in snowy regions, but you need to have reasonable expectations. I hope some beginners will be able to benefit from this advice and get into snowshoeing safely and with maximum enjoyment.
Also, I forgot to mention it, but it is best to snowshoe with others, especially if you are going into backcountry or on a difficult trail. Companions will be able to assist regaining one's feet, and can greatly improve the odds in case of emergency or extreme weather.
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3 weeks ago
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This is a more-detailed explanation regarding a couple of statements I've made in previous videos about my training philosophy for fitness to complement preparedness. My thoughts and training style have gradually evolved over time, and will probably change slightly as I continue to age, but this summarizes where I'm at right now.
Also, I left out my thoughts on training environment, as the video was getting rather long. Obviously my sessions are either in a metal pole barn without heating or cooling (or flooring), or sometimes outdoors in the elements on our property. It is frequently not comfortable, yet it fits my training philosophy perfectly. Depending on time of year, I have worked out at below zero Fahrenheit all the way up to a little over one hundred degrees. I've also experienced rain, snow, wind, etc. when working out outdoors. There's no better way to prepare for physical action in uncomfortable environmental conditions than to actually do it regularly during training sessions.
Finally, I regularly incorporate low-tech manual labor as a scheduled or impromptu workout. Depending on the season I may plan sessions splitting firewood with an axe, mowing with an old-school reel-type push mower and weed whacking with a scythe, or moving dirt or rocks with a wheelbarrow and shovel. If we get heavy snowfall I'll swap out my planned workout for a couple hours with a shovel.
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3 weeks ago
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