Greetings All;
You missed an excellent mid winter trek put on by Jim and Christine Jacobs(Blue heron mercantile). It was in the Hoosier national forest jan.14th/15th.I had Friday off so I went in Friday using the map that Jim provided. After arriving at the parking place I donned my gear and headed out. By the map I could follow the ridge line to the camp that was along the river.
The river was frozen but being alone I didn't want to chance it so I went up the steep slope to the top of the ridge line (took a few breaks along the way real steep) After a short break at the top I proceeded on along the ridge checking my map and surveying the surroundings. Picture a wooded ridge covered in snow the temp. was just above freezing so my mocks were getting a little soggy by the time I got to the place I thought the camp was near. After casting about looking for it I found a set of tracks and followed them right into the camp. It was a dead fall with a number of cut poles leaning on it. After a short break I started to gather a sizeable wood supply for the night it was suppose to get down in the low 20's.Then I gathered as many leaves as I could find to make a nice little bed I put logs around three sides to hold the leaves in and to keep me from rolling out the sides (it was a good pile). Next I built the fire to brew a pot of coffee and have supper. After supper I started to dry and repair my shoe pacs they were very wet and one had blown a seam. I used sinew for the repair by the time I was finished it was starting to get dark so I laid out my oil tarp over the leaves and put my buffalo blanket over it. I had folded my blanket into thirds to add two layers on top and tied the bottom with a thong.
That night I was serenaded by coyotes and a few owls the sky was clear so I did a little star gazing as I laid by the fire in my blankets and drifted off to sleep. Upon awakening a few times during the night to add wood to my fire and just to listen to the night noises I passed
a comfortable night. In the morning after breakfast I went along the rivers edge back to the parking spot to meet my fellow scouts and adventurers. After a long wait they arrived all 23 of them! I greeted them all and told them of the ways I went being that some had sleds it was decided to proceed down the river. We started out strung out about fifteen feet apart with flankers out on the bank to protect the party on the ice. At one point we had to go onto the bank to avoid a spot of thin ice. The cooperation was excellent everyone pulling together and lending a hand to anyone who needed it. All were dressed impeccably. after an easier trek back to camp than the ones I had taken before. We all pitched camp it went up quickly we had two shelters put up no time a great store of wood. We then broke up into small parities and went hunting. I was with Mitch Iles, Thom Osborne, and Jeff (sorry I can't remember your last name) Jeff had brought along some traps (there was much beaver sign) so him and Mitch went along the river to see of they could set a few. Thom and I went along a finger up the ridge looking for game. we didn't see any game but we did spot a couple of hostiles they had a dog with them one man and a women. We kept tabs on them for a while but they were moving away from camp and posed no threat not being near enough to notice the camp. So we proceeded on our hunt
Circling back to the camp to once again dry mocks by the fire. Various other small parties straggled back into camp that afternoon.
We were in for a treat that night from Jerry (forgot last name again sorry)who had brought in a deer quarter and made a fine soup for all! After our feast we sat around our various fires and told stories of the day and joked and kidded each other. Most as the night grew on drifted off to there shelters except for a few of us Mitch, a friendly Indian (name again sorry!), and myself who camped out in the open. That night was rather interesting due to the amount and the loudness of the snoring that took place. In my opinion Tom (last name lost again sorry) was the winner of being the loudest. It rained of and on through the night but Mitch and I kept warm and dry through it.
  In the morning it was decided to break camp due to the rain and the long drive a few of us had to make so we started off after a fine stew prepared by Jerry.
 We started out down the river again with the flankers out it was a little slippery but what a grand site the group on the river strung out in the early morning fog moving slowly and quietly on the ice.
After arriving back at the parking spot we said our fare wells and some proposed to meet at an eating spot to rehash and critique the trek. I having a long drive decided to proceed home.
I would like to thank Jim and his wife Christine for the fine trek. It was a lot of fun and a great learning experience!
                                                                                                                    Bill Miller