I'm planning a 2 day over nighter to the peak of Overlook Mountain (near Woodstock, NY). There's parking at the trail head, across from the Buddhist Monastery, and last I knew, low risk of car break-ins. It's a 2 mile hike up the mountain, give or take a bit, with a not too-intense grade, and the trail is an old brick paved road, so it stays pretty clear.
Here's the part that will either turn you on, or off- I'm going to do this with a medieval mind set. Simple gear, and low-tech. Modern equivalents to medieval tech are ok, we're not filming a documentary, so a modern hunting knife instead of a dagger would be fine. I don't have woolen leggings, so I'm going with my synthetic ones, with longjohns under them, to simulate the warmth of wool. I have a denim vest with a sheepskin lining that I wear sheepskin side out- it's not period accurate, and I don't care- it does the job of keeping me warm while looking the part. This is not a period-nazi friendly trip- if you have experience with them you know what I mean. This will likely make their head explode
Here's what I'm planning on taking, so you can get an idea:
cotton shirt, long sleeve, rather loose, with a LJ shirt under it (maybe- again, I don't have the wool to make it accurate)
synthetic tights, with LJ under layer
wool socks
tall moccasins
wool cloak
leather belt, pouch, purse, knife
pack basket containing a canvas tarp (USGI shelter half), food (jerky, cheese, bread, pemmican, that sort of primitive ration food), water skin, metal cup.
Modern equivalents could be:
water skin- 2 liter soft canteen
cloak-wool blanket ( I may pack an extra, just in case, or as ground cover)
tarp- something modern, but canvas would be better, even tho it's heavier
flint & steel- firesteel and knife (my "flint" is a magbar)
Use your imagination, with an eye toward keeping it primitive, in function if not form. The only thing really required is a total lack of a sense of shame
If I can be seen in public in tights, you probably have nothing to worry about. I want to do this in the Spring, when it's still cold at night. Anyone interested, post here, along with when works best for you, so everyone can see what timeframe it's shaping up to be. I may be bringing a student or two of mine from my youth group, so this may not be a ZS only affair, but the students I've asked about it are prepping friendly, so we may get some new ZS'ers out of it. Firearms, aside from EDC CCW are discouraged, please, but that's only for a time period reason. Substitute a crossbow or bow if you like.
Being that it's a rather short hike, there will be plenty of daylight on both days for bushcraft, target practice with the bow, or, if you want, there's a nice lake nearby for fishing, season and licensing allowing. One of the branches of the Red Trail runs right through the area we'd be camping, so a day hike further in is an option, too.
Also, I'm leaving MY sword home, I'd appreciate it if you did, too. We don't need to be THAT accurate, and if wights and bugbears attack in the night, you can throw me at them as a diversion while you make a getaway.
