This is a continuation of a thread I posted earlier

 Chop Wood Haul Water
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000dyG
 

This is a continuation of posts concerning the potential of social breakdown during the winter of Y2k. Indications are that weather patterns are getting more severe, it is wise to be prudent. Although freezing to death is the easiest way to go.
 

It has been a topic for many posters, the idea of leaving the city and getting back to nature.This is getting to be more the message as time goes on. It is like triage for our personal lives and developing contingency plans. This I would like to elaborate on but just pointing it out now. Where will you go? Local? Far away? Strange? Back to the family farm? Think about this seriously. Deciding on Dec. 31 1999 is to late. This is the same way we got into this mess, procrastination.

So on this note I thought a discussion on camp is in order. How are you going to access your site. My choice would be boat. Isolated by water is very secure. This requires more logistics if there is no road and you have a small boat. An alternate is boat and ice road for the winter. Even better if there is a road close by and you can use trails for horses, bikes or hiking in. The gear could be hauled in on the ice this winter and boat across in the summer. It would be wise to have an alternate way to at least be able to walk out. This of course is a real bush type alternative. A sympathetic family member or friend with spare land for work or improvements is a better bet. This is going to be a good point to mention that when you retreat do it with family members first and friends second. You are going to know whoever intimately and better the devil you know that those you dont. Plus blood runs thicker.

When you decide a location then set up camp. You can use sheds on skids, portable trailers, containers (as has been mention here) small cabins. Have one as the main cabin with water and kitchen, wringer washer to. Water freezing creates problems so having your water in one continuity heated cabin reducing energy needes. Other cabins could be heated when needed, bedrooms, workshop, kids rooms ect. Maybe a oil stove could be used or a combo wood stove / oil stove in the main cabin. Oh ya dont forget a outhouse. Dont worry about heating it. If there is concerns about cold seats just bring the seat inside to preheat. Or use a porapotty and dump it in the outhouse after the function. As the contents are frozen there is no sanitary hazard. Pick a location further from camp and have a garbage pit dug out

A diesel generator would be an advantage. If one has road access then having a bunch of 45 gallon drums of home fuel (no road tax Canada) filled up by a local fuel company would be the ticket. You then could ditch the drums safely from prying eyes. They are easy to move. Do not trust on gas as it is highly flammable and the risk out wieghs the use. Just have one or two possibly for a chainsaw and vehicle. Use all power sparingly and each according to the specific advantage. As noted before propane is good to but is best for cooking. The generation of electrical power could be done in the evening for a hour or three to wash clothes, power up 12 volt batteries, heat water for a bath, power tools, air compressor, computer, radio, what ever needs power. This could be the highlight of the day :o)

Build a greenhouse to. A material called tenplast/koroplast is good as it lets in light and insulates. Apparently growing plants in 0 F. (mountian, southern exposure) is possible but not in my personal experience. A green thumb is not my gift. Having a barn in mind to grow pigs, chickens and what not would be a forward thought. Chickens and pigs are low maintance and you can eat them. We used to feed the pigs fish guts. They will eat anything. Goats are great to but they have more attitude and can cause trouble. Being a farmer will be left for others more inclined than me.

Your storage should be very secure. Never underestimate the ingenuity of animals to get a food. The last thing you need is to leave bear bait hanging around. Bears are the most likely pest but others are just as persistent. Bears can smell pineapple over beans in a can. Tooth paste, soap, perfume ect. will also attract them. Most bears are easily scared but it is better to be bear aware. This is one of the best uses of dogs as they will prevent stray animals for the most part. Even birds can be a problem. Ravens are specially smart and persistent.

So here are some thoughts on a camp. I have missed much no doubt but hopefully it will be covered on other posts. Now some personal commentary on camp life. It is a culture shock. The tales I have heard and witnessed are not for the weak of spirit. Months in isolation can take its toll on folks sanity. And that is with people that are in a culture where isolation is the rule of life. Being bushed is reaching the point that social integration is regressing. You lose the ability to be a social animal. There are different levels and strengths in being isolated, namely having your manure together when taking the plunge. I can not stress how much mental flexibility is needed. Going to the bush should not be a first choice if the commitment is not 110%. I would recommend a small aware community over the isolation.

Oh ya! Make sure it is a dry camp! no Booze! So if the mystery of getting away interests you try a dry run and practice isolation, figure out the needs. This is no joke. It may mean your life.

Before enlightenment chop wood and haul water

After enlightenment chop wood and haul water

Brian

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-- Brian (imager@ampsc.com), March 28, 1999

Answers

Thanks, Brian.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), March 28, 1999.

Brian, I now live on a remote farm I would recomend some good reading materials and games for the long nights.The encylopedia of country living and the Bible should be on the top of your list.I have done everything you have mentioned one way or another and your advice is great.A small rural comunity is better than isolation because you can help one another.We all should get back to the earth and reality I think the y2k problem is just a warning.I also recomend raising sheep they are easy and provide food and fiber for clothing goats go well with sheep and are good milkers.I hope this will help someone in the future.

Joe

-- Joe (joer@epix.com), March 28, 1999.

Joe

Yes, in no particular order must haves in my life in isolation was, good books, music, a meaningful hobby - occupation and tools are important for sanity. Games up there were Crib, and backgammon. It was amazing the amount of time folks can spent playing cards when there was little else to do. TV amounted to one station. When the generator was on. Same with the radio. And nothing is as strange in broadcasting than Inuit radio :o)

Brian

-- Brian (imager@ampsc.com), March 29, 1999.