Author Topic: in the woods for the first time this year Pic(pics added) (Read 3750 times)

Quebecnewf · « **on:** January 14, 2010, 04:29:07 pm »

Well we got in the woods today not much snow and we had to go across to the mainland by boat.

Started cutting my path for the coming season.

Here is a pic of the better half waiting for our boat ride back to Harrington.

Nice day

Quebecnewf

Kevin · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2010, 04:48:51 pm »

Is there a dock, or is it a small boat that picks you up?
Does the snow machine stay or go?

Magicman · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2010, 05:23:25 pm »

Loooooong shadow.....

Tom · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2010, 05:27:30 pm »

Do your woods have any trees? $:-\$

woodmills1 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2010, 06:19:41 pm »

except for the snow machine that picture looks like someone marroned. And I though I had it tough with cold and too many cylinders. Keep at it my friend......

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2010, 06:23:16 pm »

No dock its just a small open boat. The snowmobile stays. The trees are behind me.

Quebecnewf

stonebroke · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2010, 06:52:03 pm »

Hope it gets cold and freezes up soon. I don't think Southerners realize how much easier it is to log in the cold weather.

Stonebroke

Coon · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2010, 08:05:46 pm »

....think we are better off them not knowing either.

Down want em coming to cut all our timber now...

thecfarm · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2010, 08:32:10 am »

Keep the updates and pictures coming.I enjoy your thread.I may not be saying much,but I'm listening.

Stephen Alford · « **Reply #9 on:** January 15, 2010, 12:44:02 pm »

Hey Quebecnewf, great thread, if you end up on a floater head sw I will keep a watchfull eye for you in April.

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #10 on:** January 15, 2010, 04:32:48 pm »

I hope not to float away but if we don't soon get some cold we will be going in boat all winter. Not fun.

I had my snowmobile on an island closer to the mainland but it was still an island. I checked the ice and found I had a section to cross of only 4 inches of soft salt water ice. Me and the better half got on and lined it up for a straight shot. You start of a ways back on the good ice and by the time you hit the thin ice your up to speed and then you hope you don't have a motor problem at that time. We pushed a small wave ahead of us but nothing that I have not seen before. Salt water ice is flexible and will bend quite a bit before it breaks.
You have to now just how far to push the envelope.

Quebecnewf

Magicman · « **Reply #11 on:** January 15, 2010, 06:55:39 pm »

I could ask how deep it is, but I guess it really doesn't matter....

starr · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2010, 07:19:47 pm »

Hello Quebecnewf

Are you near Seven Islands (Sept Isles) or Port Cartier by chance? I worked on a railroad going from Seven Islands to Schefferville in Newfoundland back in the 70's. It was the Quebec North Shore Labrador RR I beleive, I can't remember the name of the RR out of Port Cartier $:-\$ . Just Curious. Scenery looks similar.

starr

Mooseherder · « **Reply #13 on:** January 16, 2010, 07:31:43 pm »

Quote from: Quebecnewf on January 15, 2010, 04:32:48 pm

I had a section to cross of only 4 inches of soft salt water ice. Me and the better half got on and lined it up for a straight shot. You start of a ways back on the good ice and by the time you hit the thin ice your up to speed and then you hope you don't have a motor problem at that time. We pushed a small wave ahead of us but nothing that I have not seen before. Salt water ice is flexible and will bend quite a bit before it breaks.
You have to now just how far to push the envelope.

Quebecnewf

Can your wife hold the video camera while crossing?

Sure would like to experience that through your eyes.

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2010, 05:13:51 pm »

Well we are still waiting for the ice to form but it is starting to freeze. Me and my brother in law took my small shelter in its took down form across in boat today. We hope to go in tomorrow and put it together.

My uncle sunk his machine today he went with out checking and lo and behold it was not thick enough. We spent over an hour with ropes and hooks dragging it back to shore. About 6 ft of water and when it stARTED to sink he bailed and ran to shore. He diden't get wet and was lucky that water can cause a heart attack just like that. Machine was completly submerged. Lots of work ahead to get it going again.

Pray for cold
Quebecnewf

Papa1stuff · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2010, 05:57:17 pm »

I have been praying for warm

I must say that sure is beautiful country up there!

Ron Scott · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2010, 06:16:27 pm »

Boy, that's risky business. Sure adds to the hazards of logging.

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2010, 06:51:05 pm »

Move to the mainland, cuts down on the risk a bit.

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2010, 06:57:12 pm »

If we move to the mainland what would we have to complain about.

Were hoping that if not tomorrow then maybe by the next day the ice will be thick enough to walk on. We then might (we have before) take in a couple of gas pumps on sleds and flood a trail across. Youve seen Ice Road Truckers this is our version of that process a little smaller scale.

If we do I will post pics of the process

Quebecnewf

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2010, 07:01:16 pm »

Quote from: starr on January 16, 2010, 07:19:47 pm

Hello Quebecnewf

Are you near Seven Islands (Sept Isles) or Port Cartier by chance? I worked on a railroad going from Seven Islands to Schefferville in Newfoundland back in the 70's. It was the Quebec North Shore Labrador RR I beleive, I can't remember the name of the RR out of Port Cartier $:-\$ . Just Curious. Scenery looks similar.

starr

My uncle worked in Wabush putting in a rail line and setting up an iron ore smelter. He said the ore was so rich you just stuck a magnet in the sand and it would be covered with iron. All they had was canvas tents to stay in with a barrel stove. Those next to the stove were too hot, those by the tent flap near froze to death. The floor turned to ice as the condensation ran down the inside of the tent on frozen ground. I think they even had wooden crates on the tent floor.

Also worked in Baie Comeau setting up a mill there to, flew across from Ramouski. Actually, met Brian Mulrooney there, future Canadian Prime Minister.

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #20 on:** January 20, 2010, 05:45:54 pm »

Well we went back in the woods today the harbour is starting to freeze over and we have ice between the island and the mainland. Still not strong enough to walk on and it will take a few more days to freeze up thick enough to cross

View leaving the harbour in the early morning light

Arrival at the mainland as you can see the bay is frozen over but only about 1" thick

Hitched up and ready to tow

we make it to the woods about 1 hour later very little snow and rough going over the marshes

construction begins

roof half on

1 hour later building is up fire is lit and were cooking up moose and having a quick lunch before heading back to catch a boat ride back home.
Great day "on the water(ice) and in the woods all in one day you got to love it

Quebecnewf

stonebroke · « **Reply #21 on:** January 20, 2010, 06:59:22 pm »

This year I think you need a hovercraft.

Stonebroke

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #22 on:** January 20, 2010, 07:06:05 pm »

Newf, I hate to break it to ya, but it's going mild by the first of the week. Up in the 40's. Bad news for snow sledding to.

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #23 on:** January 20, 2010, 08:22:16 pm »

Our forcast here is for cold right up until Sunday after that it may get a little warmer and maybe some snow. For what we need a little snow would be ok. When snow falls on thin ice it drives it down with its weight and then more water pours on top of the ice and is absorbed by the snow and then when it turns cold you make 6" of ice overnight

Were hoping

Quebecnewf

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #24 on:** January 31, 2010, 03:41:18 pm »

Well its now Jan 31st and we have been in cutting logs of and on for the last week. We have very very little snow. No possibility of hauling any logs yet . We have 100 cut and piled in the woods. We will keep cutting and waiting for snow. Supposed to be cold and clear here all week. I will take the camera tomorrow and post a few pics.

Hope for snow

Quebecnewf

critter · « **Reply #25 on:** January 31, 2010, 04:39:54 pm »

If you was to sorta fall off your boat while trying to get ashore
then maybe run over your chainsaw a little later cuss your brother
in law out and probley should fall a tree on your shelter. You mlght
be able to get a ten week spot on the history chanel .

YukonJon · « **Reply #26 on:** January 31, 2010, 08:27:43 pm »

How does this year compare to previous years? In the Yukon here we have very little snow in the woods, its very warm also for January.

Jon

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #27 on:** February 01, 2010, 06:13:10 am »

We have a lot less snow this year than last year at this time. The sea ice bridge frose up about one week later than it did last year. A few years back we did not cross on the ice until middle of snowshow season 7th. It varies from year to year. Approx 12 years ago we had little to no snow all winter but it was cold enough to freeze up the ice. It does seem that things are slowly getting warmer overall but who knows.

Cold all this week by the forcast and no snow to be seen

Quebecnewf

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #28 on:** February 01, 2010, 06:33:27 am »

Tonight is going to be real cold here, not severe, but Dang cold. Around -15 F, plus 2 F now.

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #29 on:** February 02, 2010, 06:50:51 am »

-23 here this morn and with the windchill factored in it is -36C. For those of you on the imperial system -40C is the same as -40F.

Staying home today have work to do around the business. Still little to no snow. We have been cutting and now have 140 logs piled along our "paths" in the woods. Still not near enough snow to haul any logs . We have been cutting and walking around the woods wiith no snowshoes which is unheard of in this region in middle of snowshow season.

Quebecnewf

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #30 on:** February 02, 2010, 07:02:49 am »

Not as cold as predicted for here, -11 F. Cold enough though, but the house is warm.

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #31 on:** February 05, 2010, 08:51:21 pm »

We have been logging and have now cut around 180 logs. We have piled them next to the path but we have no path as we have no snow. It has been fairly cold here but tonght it is snowing which we need .Sunday we are supposed to get rain which we do not need.

I am going to keep cutting hopefully the snow will come soon if not I will have no choice but to stack these logs in the woods and wait for next year.

Quebecnewf

Ron Scott · « **Reply #32 on:** February 06, 2010, 05:44:54 pm »

Interesting job!

stonebroke · « **Reply #33 on:** February 06, 2010, 06:13:45 pm »

If it doesn't snow you will have to think about getting a atv and a log arch.

Stonebroke

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #34 on:** February 06, 2010, 06:41:49 pm »

A log arch and a ATV are not an option. These logs are approx 15 klm from the mill. Some of that distance is over sea ice, its by snowmobile or nothing. If things do not get better soon I may try to haul them to the salt water a distance of about 3.5 klm. I would pile them near the shore and raft them home to the mill with my boat when the ice melts. I can pull at least 400 logs per trip by boat and we would say one day to make the raft and tow. Then another day to pull them ashore and pile them on the rack or land near the mill.

Time and weather will tell

Quebecnewf

Kevin · « **Reply #35 on:** February 06, 2010, 11:11:22 pm »

newf, do you have any trouble starting that Honda engine on the portable winch if it sits more than a couple of weeks?

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #36 on:** February 07, 2010, 06:25:32 am »

No I must say it works very well. Even in the summer when it has been sitting for a month it is just a couple of pulls and away it goes.

We had a temp of -23 here a few days back and that engine was sitting in the woods in its box frozen like a popsicle . It took a few extra pulls to get it to go but it ran fine. On really cold days we take it to the cabin and warm it up next to the stove while were having lunch and then we pull logs in the afternoon.

I've said before this was the best money I ever spent. It is a little pricy but it works great and is a very versatile tool. I used it this fall to haul baskets of stone up a ramp and then dump them in a crib that sits under my workshop.

Quebecnewf

bushmechanic · « **Reply #37 on:** February 07, 2010, 06:33:59 pm »

Nice log piles but what about the rest of the tree? Do you use it for firewood or pulpwood?

Mooseherder · « **Reply #38 on:** February 07, 2010, 10:53:28 pm »

I'm gonna put the Honda portable winch on my want list.

Rick Alger · « **Reply #39 on:** February 08, 2010, 07:36:53 am »

Looks like ahorse job back in the day.

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #40 on:** February 08, 2010, 10:06:52 am »

I usually have someone in with me cutting firewood of the tops but not this year. I wish I could talk someone in to doing that . I hate to waste wood but no choice on this job.

Quebecnewf

justintimemoto · « **Reply #41 on:** February 08, 2010, 08:50:39 pm »

off topic but going through the ice sucs me my dad and uncle broke through and went under the other weekend and the wheelers and everything went under includeing us

SwampDonkey · « **Reply #42 on:** February 09, 2010, 06:50:23 am »

One of my rules is stay off the ice if there is over a foot of water under it. And that's a pond I know the depth on.

Going under ice, especially with current involved is scary stuff even for a guy that never went through it.

Glad you guys made it out.

justintimemoto · « **Reply #43 on:** February 09, 2010, 08:09:28 am »

thanks you always think it wont happen to me but it does and it happens when you least expect it

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #44 on:** February 09, 2010, 07:29:56 pm »

The main thing with all ice travel is

"If you don't know don't go!!!!!!"

Quebecnewf

Here is a pic I took in the early morning . Were walking scross from the island to the mainland. The ice is about 4" and very smooth as you can see in the pic. You will also see if you look closely a section of rope on the ice this rope is fastened around my waste. Wife is carrying day bag and also a section of wood about 8' long. This would be a rescue strip if you go through. I am carrying a axe and checking with that every few dz steps.

Quebecnewf

justintimemoto · « **Reply #45 on:** February 09, 2010, 08:50:25 pm »

yea the thing is that there was a foot of ice on the lake and a car went throught the water about a hour before we did and the state troopers and dec knew but no one ever blocked the spot off to warm any one . also there was a hufe ice fishing tournnament on the lake also and we were heading home. no one ever bothered to block it off!!!!!!!! someone could of died

bunch of bs

Quebecnewf · « **Reply #46 on:** February 12, 2010, 11:39:41 am »

Well the weather here is not working for us at all. We have had a week of mild weather and temps above freezing. We have no snow to speak of I took this pic yesterday coming out across one of the marshs we cross as you can see we are driving on mud.

Today it is mild and windy. The ice bridge between the village and the mainland is melting and first job this morning was to take the snowmobile across to the mainland before the ice gets any thinner. We are hoping after this mild passes and we get some snow to get back in the woods again. We will be crossing by boat I would imagine.

It sucks I have about 200 logs cut and stacked in the woods . If snow conditions improve I will haul them to the shoreline pile them there and raft them home by boat in the spring.

Quebecnewf

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Author Topic: in the woods for the first time this year Pic(pics added) (Read 3750 times)