Southern Arizona is pretty damn nice, too. Been in the mid to high 60's, no wind, and dry. I was in Manhattan and NJ 10 days ago for Christmas and escaped just before the storms. The wife stayed an extra week and it was 2 degrees F one morning with big wind chill. No thanks....
-
As of today ICMag has his own Discord server. In this Discord server you can chat, talk with eachother, listen to music, share stories and pictures...and much more. Join now and let's grow together! Join ICMag Discord here! More details in this thread here: here.
true true..AZ is looking good as well. We have a warming trend on the way...no signs of rain/snow...sky is clear and blue this morning. Under 30 degrees at the moment...but it'll be another 60-65 degree day.
I've been to Buffalo/Toronto in the winter..and Wisconsin....fuck that man. Not for me. It's too cold here for me. I need tropics...eternal summer..
peeps here complain about summer heat..triple digit days...but never once will you hear me bitch. Especially now..that my body fat is way down (I'm a consistent 136 pounds)...I'm no fan of the cold.
im not even sure if my furnace has come on this winter....still havent felt the need for pants yet this winter,leg warmers for riding sure,but aside from that it just hasnt gotten that cold out...the weather has been just perfect for riding aside from the stray windy day...thats about to end...the spring winds they are a comin....yeah,summer/winter...kinda a six of one half a dozen of the other situation for me,i either need more water or more insulation,they both end up weighing about the same...we really only get the heat for about 3 weeks and then the monsoon generally breaks that pattern....i agree,the heat doesnt bother me anywhere near as much,i still sweat like a mofo but that has more to do with being six foot six...larger internal volume to keep cool and all...
At the Watering Hole
At the Watering Hole
Let's see: I keep my mature vegging female plants in 1.7 gal squares of coco. They stay in these pots...for however long it takes..until they are selected (either single..but mostly in pairs) to get transplanted into their 5 gal flowering smart pots..where they continue to veg for another week+
they are not kept in trays while in their 1.7's..it's not until the 5's that they get their own trays...so
everyday I pull them out...and line them up in a single tray to feed...depending on how many plants there are..it doesn't happen all at once
^ Getting you dudes programmed on the Thrill Kill run. The picture shows part of the herd...after being taken out of the feed tray...lining up to go back into the veg studio.
* Yeah it's extra work to feed outside the room..but it saves a lot of space and aggravation...keeps me consistent...and allows me to handle/observe each plant..each session.
** As I feed...I also prune. Extended vegging means extreme pruning..daily
^ This another Hell Hound IX1 expression..flushing day 51. Didn't pollinate this one....as..like I've been saying...I've already hit a couple plants..that represent like this one. Nothing wrong with her...thumbs up...good one
* In the background you can see a Mox Mox IX1 (day 68)...that will soon be coming down
>>>Changing gears: the Hell Mox project is all in flower...Thrill Kill now setting up to run. I've got my plants...I'm collecting pollens...sunshiny blue skies
** taking advantage of this weather. I have the time to cut wood again today. Going for more limb wood for the firebox..and also..as there is a small uprooted green oak down alongside the skid trail..I'm going to cut for some landscaping pieces.
At the Watering Hole
Let's see: I keep my mature vegging female plants in 1.7 gal squares of coco. They stay in these pots...for however long it takes..until they are selected (either single..but mostly in pairs) to get transplanted into their 5 gal flowering smart pots..where they continue to veg for another week+
they are not kept in trays while in their 1.7's..it's not until the 5's that they get their own trays...so
everyday I pull them out...and line them up in a single tray to feed...depending on how many plants there are..it doesn't happen all at once
^ Getting you dudes programmed on the Thrill Kill run. The picture shows part of the herd...after being taken out of the feed tray...lining up to go back into the veg studio.
* Yeah it's extra work to feed outside the room..but it saves a lot of space and aggravation...keeps me consistent...and allows me to handle/observe each plant..each session.
** As I feed...I also prune. Extended vegging means extreme pruning..daily
^ This another Hell Hound IX1 expression..flushing day 51. Didn't pollinate this one....as..like I've been saying...I've already hit a couple plants..that represent like this one. Nothing wrong with her...thumbs up...good one
* In the background you can see a Mox Mox IX1 (day 68)...that will soon be coming down
>>>Changing gears: the Hell Mox project is all in flower...Thrill Kill now setting up to run. I've got my plants...I'm collecting pollens...sunshiny blue skies
** taking advantage of this weather. I have the time to cut wood again today. Going for more limb wood for the firebox..and also..as there is a small uprooted green oak down alongside the skid trail..I'm going to cut for some landscaping pieces.
A Quick Dip into the Honey Hole
A Quick Dip into the Honey Hole
...sawed for only a 1/2 hr..loaded for an hr...taking a lunch break..then unloading. The trials and tribulations of a wood cutting Jeep Jeep
^ Current Honey Hole (jackpot)...as seen from a distance zoomed in..and not from where I access it. She was a big old Interior California Live Oak..but her time has become her past. Now she's collapsing...becoming a hazard to anything under her...like the walls of an ancient city. Imagine the things she's seen
^ Zoomed in a bit closer. I have dipped into this well a few times now..so most her grade A woods...I've already harvested.
^ Chainsaw and a dolmar of gas/oil. This kind of sawing is hard on the chain and cutters. I always cut the best stuff 1st if possible..but often I have to cut my way through shit..to get into the prime. When the logs are this cured..there are no chips...it's all dust/powder shooting out of the saw...sinuses take a beat down. There's all kinds of dirt and shit in the bark..in anything hollow..there is almost always some sort of nest...so yeah...hard on the cutters. They get rocked up quick if you are not paying attention...or even if you are. You have to plan your cuts to be proficient on these logs...otherwise..you'll beat yourself up pushing a dull chain.
^ About as big a round as I wanted to cut today. Not after big rounds on this tree...way too heavy to get up a hill. Much of this old tree has a lot of punk/rot in her bole woods anyway. Stood too long..or has been on the ground too long...
Cutting into old trees is like being a detective. There is much you can read from the cut rounds. You can see age grooves...lean years..flush years...lightening strikes..wildfires..and sometimes..exactly what killed it. This one lived long and well..down in her drainage..most likely it was bark beetles that finished her off. Completed her cycle..a mature tree.
^ my work shoes have seen better days. I can't stand wearing work boots anymore
A Quick Dip into the Honey Hole
...sawed for only a 1/2 hr..loaded for an hr...taking a lunch break..then unloading. The trials and tribulations of a wood cutting Jeep Jeep
^ Current Honey Hole (jackpot)...as seen from a distance zoomed in..and not from where I access it. She was a big old Interior California Live Oak..but her time has become her past. Now she's collapsing...becoming a hazard to anything under her...like the walls of an ancient city. Imagine the things she's seen
^ Zoomed in a bit closer. I have dipped into this well a few times now..so most her grade A woods...I've already harvested.
^ Chainsaw and a dolmar of gas/oil. This kind of sawing is hard on the chain and cutters. I always cut the best stuff 1st if possible..but often I have to cut my way through shit..to get into the prime. When the logs are this cured..there are no chips...it's all dust/powder shooting out of the saw...sinuses take a beat down. There's all kinds of dirt and shit in the bark..in anything hollow..there is almost always some sort of nest...so yeah...hard on the cutters. They get rocked up quick if you are not paying attention...or even if you are. You have to plan your cuts to be proficient on these logs...otherwise..you'll beat yourself up pushing a dull chain.
^ About as big a round as I wanted to cut today. Not after big rounds on this tree...way too heavy to get up a hill. Much of this old tree has a lot of punk/rot in her bole woods anyway. Stood too long..or has been on the ground too long...
Cutting into old trees is like being a detective. There is much you can read from the cut rounds. You can see age grooves...lean years..flush years...lightening strikes..wildfires..and sometimes..exactly what killed it. This one lived long and well..down in her drainage..most likely it was bark beetles that finished her off. Completed her cycle..a mature tree.
^ my work shoes have seen better days. I can't stand wearing work boots anymore
Peace Saw
Peace Saw
^ My old saw "Wednesday" (because the best stuff is made on that day of the week..the assembly line has its shit together)...is a Stihl 46 mag...modified with a bigger aftermarket air filter...2 port exhaust instead of 1...8 tooth sprocket instead of 7 (for higher chain speed)...aftermarket dogs..28" Oregon bar...usually running a full skip chain. Many hrs on her...but she still screams at 13,000 RPM
You can really go nuts with chainsaws....it's a lot of fun..and a lot of power. I've cut myself in and out of many holes. This saw has paid for itself many times over
^ Passed by this hill...one of my training hills. If you look you can see the hand line (made by crews with saws and hand tools ) along the ridge. Steep hill...that line runs all the way over and down the other side (couple miles).....it's a fuel break line...not a trail..and access on both ends hidden..so I never see anyone else on it. Great view from up there
^ About 1/2 of what I took out today. Some grade A stuff..some grade B stuff..but all nice cured...cut to fit and carry. I had to take it uphill about 50' along my skid trail...to get it to the truck. It's ready for the fireplace
Peace Saw
^ My old saw "Wednesday" (because the best stuff is made on that day of the week..the assembly line has its shit together)...is a Stihl 46 mag...modified with a bigger aftermarket air filter...2 port exhaust instead of 1...8 tooth sprocket instead of 7 (for higher chain speed)...aftermarket dogs..28" Oregon bar...usually running a full skip chain. Many hrs on her...but she still screams at 13,000 RPM
You can really go nuts with chainsaws....it's a lot of fun..and a lot of power. I've cut myself in and out of many holes. This saw has paid for itself many times over
^ Passed by this hill...one of my training hills. If you look you can see the hand line (made by crews with saws and hand tools ) along the ridge. Steep hill...that line runs all the way over and down the other side (couple miles).....it's a fuel break line...not a trail..and access on both ends hidden..so I never see anyone else on it. Great view from up there
^ About 1/2 of what I took out today. Some grade A stuff..some grade B stuff..but all nice cured...cut to fit and carry. I had to take it uphill about 50' along my skid trail...to get it to the truck. It's ready for the fireplace
My Life in a Thrill Kill Kult
My Life in a Thrill Kill Kult
^ Collecting pollen grains from the 2 Thrill Kill run males. They started kicking out a couple days ago...but today..they started dumping. Next couple days of collecting...will be more than a enough...then they too...will have completed their life cycle
My Life in a Thrill Kill Kult
^ Collecting pollen grains from the 2 Thrill Kill run males. They started kicking out a couple days ago...but today..they started dumping. Next couple days of collecting...will be more than a enough...then they too...will have completed their life cycle
another Mox Mox IX1 harvest in the bag
another Mox Mox IX1 harvest in the bag
^ Day 69...this "typical" Mox came down. Not a huge plant..none of these typical(s) are..but they put out nice sticky/stanky flowers..on the tight side...smelling very much like the Chem DD genetics involved..but also sharing a bit of Flo(ness) in their deep green non fading leaves..some deep red/maroon stalk blushing (not so much on this one though)...and maybe a bit..in the flower structure (that could be debated)...really good vapor...but kind of ho hum cultivation wise
* lacking sleep today..was up hrs before the sun..don't know why. drifting through this morning...organizing things for the weekend. Might get me in a nap..then hopefully..find some time to run
another Mox Mox IX1 harvest in the bag
^ Day 69...this "typical" Mox came down. Not a huge plant..none of these typical(s) are..but they put out nice sticky/stanky flowers..on the tight side...smelling very much like the Chem DD genetics involved..but also sharing a bit of Flo(ness) in their deep green non fading leaves..some deep red/maroon stalk blushing (not so much on this one though)...and maybe a bit..in the flower structure (that could be debated)...really good vapor...but kind of ho hum cultivation wise
* lacking sleep today..was up hrs before the sun..don't know why. drifting through this morning...organizing things for the weekend. Might get me in a nap..then hopefully..find some time to run
all that pollen pic needs is a rolled up 100 dollar bill! has anyone done that? snorted a bunch of pollen? i cant imagine it would do anything aside from make you sneeze...
been a pretty slack week riding wise,a couple of trim days,then a tcb day,just a lot of puttering around riding and farting around with getting the racks right on the bike and fitting the panniers and such...i dont know jack about the touring stuff really,and this particular bike is sort of odd to fit with racks since its a fat tire 29'er with disc brakes so theres lots of clearance issues....anyway,like everything on the bike i try something,take the bike out and beat the shit out of it to see if it fails or just plain pisses me off...getting it dialed in...its the living in alaska thats my problem now....i have a tendency to carry way too much gear in the breakdown kit...but then again considering what i want to do and where i want to go maybe its not a bad idea having spare tubes and cables and a pump and zip ties and gorilla tape and a first aid kit and space blanket,multi tool,flashlight,food bag,toilet paper.....one of these days im going to be glad to have all that stuff...
been a pretty slack week riding wise,a couple of trim days,then a tcb day,just a lot of puttering around riding and farting around with getting the racks right on the bike and fitting the panniers and such...i dont know jack about the touring stuff really,and this particular bike is sort of odd to fit with racks since its a fat tire 29'er with disc brakes so theres lots of clearance issues....anyway,like everything on the bike i try something,take the bike out and beat the shit out of it to see if it fails or just plain pisses me off...getting it dialed in...its the living in alaska thats my problem now....i have a tendency to carry way too much gear in the breakdown kit...but then again considering what i want to do and where i want to go maybe its not a bad idea having spare tubes and cables and a pump and zip ties and gorilla tape and a first aid kit and space blanket,multi tool,flashlight,food bag,toilet paper.....one of these days im going to be glad to have all that stuff...
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance
Adding Ligaments
Adding Ligaments
went out and ran for 1:37...the 1st run I've done without the wife since I rolled that ankle. Didn't run all out..but ran harder than I did on the two previous runs. I say I'm at 86% now...still hurts at the joint..but the bruising and the swelling are almost gone. Flexibility/Confidence in it...there...but not quite...so 86% sounds right.
^ Cut some pieces of parachute cord the other day..took out the inner strings so they lay flat and knot tight..then tie them above my ankle joint..right where I envision the tip/fib connecting. Keeping them snug..gives me that extra bit..like an artificial ligament. Figure..it doesn't hurt to have the extra security (even if false) in that crucial junction.
Adding Ligaments
went out and ran for 1:37...the 1st run I've done without the wife since I rolled that ankle. Didn't run all out..but ran harder than I did on the two previous runs. I say I'm at 86% now...still hurts at the joint..but the bruising and the swelling are almost gone. Flexibility/Confidence in it...there...but not quite...so 86% sounds right.
^ Cut some pieces of parachute cord the other day..took out the inner strings so they lay flat and knot tight..then tie them above my ankle joint..right where I envision the tip/fib connecting. Keeping them snug..gives me that extra bit..like an artificial ligament. Figure..it doesn't hurt to have the extra security (even if false) in that crucial junction.
point of pride to not call pickup truck! i would rather carry all the extra parts than endure the humiliation of having to call and be rescued....ok,humiliation might be a little strong,but you get my meaning here....and if i got injured someplace in the backcountry im going to do my damnedest to self rescue,and failing that at least have the tools to survive till i can be rescued...they aint gonna find me huddled under a tree like a dumb tourist...i'll have a fire going and a shelter built and be tooting like mad on my rescue whistle....been through both sides of the coin on this one before,both why the hell did i forget item x to thank god i bought a full overnight kit with me...
Yeah man...I don't know if it's my ego or what...but in my way of looking at things..if I got myself in...I'll get myself out. To this I never question...it's just the way it is. That's the mindset I have.
It's like when people tell me I need to be careful. No. I don't need to be anything...that's the freedom they don't understand. I swear...if I listened to everything that's thrown at me...I'd never leave the house.
It's a different time. People believe they deserve to be safe and secure. But..that's all construed bullshit..things they've been indoctrinated to believe. I have no time for fearing people...push them right out of my way.
Appreciate the wood-gathering photos. 
We had a catapiller outbreak '05-'08 that killed off a lot of oaks around here. I lost 2/3rds of mine. You can see swaths all over of dead oak. Now that they're 6-8 yrs. dead, they're real messy to deal with, most beyond wanting to deal w/ for firewood.
Now we're having a new critter, the gall wasp, doing in black oaks the last few yrs.
Ever notice ants going up trees w/ a grain of sand? WTF? That's
how my chain get's trashed, buggers!
I'm a pussy now, I went out and bought a Stihl "easy-start" last yr. for my bum shoulder. An MS 251C, a plastic homeowner's saw.
Seems up to the task of cutting 4 cords a yr. so be it.
Watch yer toes!
We had a catapiller outbreak '05-'08 that killed off a lot of oaks around here. I lost 2/3rds of mine. You can see swaths all over of dead oak. Now that they're 6-8 yrs. dead, they're real messy to deal with, most beyond wanting to deal w/ for firewood.
Now we're having a new critter, the gall wasp, doing in black oaks the last few yrs.
Ever notice ants going up trees w/ a grain of sand? WTF? That's
how my chain get's trashed, buggers!
I'm a pussy now, I went out and bought a Stihl "easy-start" last yr. for my bum shoulder. An MS 251C, a plastic homeowner's saw.
Seems up to the task of cutting 4 cords a yr. so be it.
Watch yer toes!
Appreciate the wood-gathering photos.
We had a catapiller outbreak '05-'08 that killed off a lot of oaks around here. I lost 2/3rds of mine. You can see swaths all over of dead oak. Now that they're 6-8 yrs. dead, they're real messy to deal with, most beyond wanting to deal w/ for firewood.
Now we're having a new critter, the gall wasp, doing in black oaks the last few yrs.
Ever notice ants going up trees w/ a grain of sand? WTF? That's
how my chain get's trashed, buggers!
I'm a pussy now, I went out and bought a Stihl "easy-start" last yr. for my bum shoulder. An MS 251C, a plastic homeowner's saw.
Seems up to the task of cutting 4 cords a yr. so be it.
Watch yer toes!
Oaks are tricky. Sometimes they'll look real good for wood quality...but then I dog in and start butchering them up...only to find hollowed out rot in their hearts. I've spent a great deal of time slabbing them for projects (I have a jig for my saw)...and been dismayed plenty of times. Just finding a good size length that stays straight is difficult enough..then to find one that is straight and solid even more a challenge.
Cutting/Slabbing oak with the grain is a slow process..that beats the hell out of saws. It also wears me out...as everything is heavy, labor intensive, and the saw dust will have me sneezing for hrs on end. Black oaks are terrible for slabbing..even the wood lacks color..but the Live oaks are better quality and show a red hued wood. Last stuff I slabbed was Incense Cedar..which is pretty easy to work with.
The feared bark beetle came through much of the west more than a decade ago. Some stands of oak and pine were over 70% mortality rates...entire mountains with nothing but dead trees on them. Drought + Beetle then fires....whoosh..bye bye..entire stands obliterated. Changed the landscape for my lifetime.
I've got such an eye for trees that are on their way out...can take a quick glance at them..and say...yup..be seeing you soon enough.
Tomorrow morning I'll be pollinating..
Tomorrow morning I'll be pollinating..
...for some juju
^ on day 30..this is that Thrill Kill run plant which I am partially pollinating with the pollens from the Hell Mox build...so the session could be creating:
A. Killer Chem IX1 X Mox Mox IX1 or Hell Hound IX1
B. Killer Chem IX2 X Mox Mox IX1 or Hell Hound IX1
C. Cindy Kill Dog F1 X Mox Mox IX1 or Hell Hound IX1
but anyway...this plant is gnarly
she's a beast of a grower (over 6') and I do well believe I can waft on some grapefruit aroma...which helps lead me to believe...that I may have seen this expression before...where?
In H3ad's C99BX...I had a very fluffy sativa looking plant...which reeked of grapefruit. As it were..I happened to use her and her better Pineapple expression(ed) sister in the reception of Killer Chemdog pollens...
that's how I'm envisioning this girl...we'll see how off I am...but if she sets up with those fluffy flowers...I'll be pretty confident..she is indeed..mothered by a C99 grapefruit
I'm running a rubber band ensemble...all bounce...no stick
* Moving this plant tomorrow...basically requires several permits. It's going to be a motherfucker
Tomorrow morning I'll be pollinating..
...for some juju
^ on day 30..this is that Thrill Kill run plant which I am partially pollinating with the pollens from the Hell Mox build...so the session could be creating:
A. Killer Chem IX1 X Mox Mox IX1 or Hell Hound IX1
B. Killer Chem IX2 X Mox Mox IX1 or Hell Hound IX1
C. Cindy Kill Dog F1 X Mox Mox IX1 or Hell Hound IX1
but anyway...this plant is gnarly
she's a beast of a grower (over 6') and I do well believe I can waft on some grapefruit aroma...which helps lead me to believe...that I may have seen this expression before...where?
In H3ad's C99BX...I had a very fluffy sativa looking plant...which reeked of grapefruit. As it were..I happened to use her and her better Pineapple expression(ed) sister in the reception of Killer Chemdog pollens...
that's how I'm envisioning this girl...we'll see how off I am...but if she sets up with those fluffy flowers...I'll be pretty confident..she is indeed..mothered by a C99 grapefruit
I'm running a rubber band ensemble...all bounce...no stick
* Moving this plant tomorrow...basically requires several permits. It's going to be a motherfucker
Run of Reckoning
Run of Reckoning
Been running the last few days..putting in the hrs...but not at 100%..feeling slow and winded at times..catering to my ankle at other times...recovery runs
Not this morning. The power/confidence in my right ankle and leg came back...what a rush..seriously...ran for 1:20...full out..on and off trail...about the best I could run..maximum effort...everything was working like magic
Dedicated that magical run to a my beloved San Diego Chargers....I ran as hard as I could boys...please win
Run of Reckoning
Been running the last few days..putting in the hrs...but not at 100%..feeling slow and winded at times..catering to my ankle at other times...recovery runs
Not this morning. The power/confidence in my right ankle and leg came back...what a rush..seriously...ran for 1:20...full out..on and off trail...about the best I could run..maximum effort...everything was working like magic
Dedicated that magical run to a my beloved San Diego Chargers....I ran as hard as I could boys...please win
O well...
im guessing they didnt win...
thought you might appreciate this and admire the dedication/insanity
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[/FONT]
thought you might appreciate this and admire the dedication/insanity
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
