The last training for the year turned into a lesson about weight management/discipline, or should I say the lack thereof. We arrived after dark about 9 o’clock Friday night. The ground was covered in about 18 inches of fresh snow and the road back to the range was completely impassable via vehicle. So, we began to organize our gear for the 1/3 mile hike across the field to the range.

After getting everything loaded on our backs, about 70 pounds later, the great crossing began. With no snowshoes or skis, the snow turtle (that would be me) made it a whole twenty steps before almost collapsing from exhaustion. I realized then that this was going to be a very long trip. I rested and continued on. Every step I took I sank knee deep in snow, I think I managed about ten steps this time before I had to rest. And, so went the remainder of the great crossing. (My gear is much lighter now, I assure you!)

Upon arriving at the range, we found the Griffin's Den still standing, but very much covered in snow; totally exhausted, we started shoveling the snow off the roof. Having accomplished this, it was now time to collect some firewood. Now, by this point it was well after midnight, the temperature near 0 degrees, the water in our canteens is almost frozen solid, I’m exhausted, approaching dehydration - and did I mention it was bloody cold. So cold, that any exposed skin would surely get frost bitten if left exposed for any length of time. On top of all this, we had to find firewood buried in 18 inches of snow. Well, let's just say a few choice words were grumbled on more than one occasion, and I had just about convinced myself that Denis was truly out to get me. We none the less accomplished this task and got a much needed fire going, rested up, and ate some dinner.

After which, we got settled in for a night of non-sleep, at least for me (you know, I had to keep at least one eye on Denis…). My sleeping bag being an intermediate bag, I froze. It got down to 7 below, and I was wearing was my M65, wrapped up in a poncho liner inside a lousy sleeping bag, and like the hike, the night was very long. This was of course Denis's fault - this was his idea and he was trying to take me out, I just knew it. Oh, by the way, I now have a real sleeping bag. Anyway, we survived without anything needing amputated.

Saturday morning arrived, a beautiful cold and crisp winter morning. We did some shooting, hiked back across the field to the truck to get some more stuff, needless to say, this was a whole lot easier not carrying 70 pounds of crap. With afternoon rolling around, more folks showed up and Frank came out with the tractor, Frank needed some firewood for his house so we all got a lesson on being a lumberjack. I am convinced that he looked for - and found - the biggest, tallest tree on his property so that we all could get the full effect of this lovely experience. After contemplating the amount of work involved, I attempted to explain that Sequoias did not normally grow in Michigan, and we really should conduct an environmental impact study before proceeding. My appeals however, fell on deaf ears - sorry EPA. This cutting wood stuff is a lot of work when doing it by hand.

We finished cutting up the monster and did a few other things, and we decided it was getting about time to head out. I decided it would be a lot easier to let the tractor carry my gear out and proceeded to throw it on the back. Well, it must have been a darned good idea, because everyone else started loading his or her gear on the tractor, too. We headed out at dusk, and closed out another good training, and another good year. See you next time!