Cache Don't Carry

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Finally, Jeff built a longer, better ladder to use when climbing to our storehouse. He simply lashed two tall spruce poles together at one end (the top) and then secured a series of progressively wider rungs between the two spars. The result was a very stable, broad-based inverted-V affair . . . similar to the ladders you see in many orchards. (By the way, I should mention that we always make sure to keep our portable "stairs" well away from our cache until we actually need to get something from it. Some creatures — including bears — can scramble right up such a device.)

UNDER WRAPS

Just before we left the cabin for the summer, we put all our relatively long-lasting edibles — rice, flour, sugar, and such — into glass jars and stored them in the cache . . . along with candles and any other items that we thought might be chewed up by mice if left behind in the cabin. Then Jeff carefully wrapped a large red tarp around the entire platform and its contents and wired the covering down . . . to produce a rain — and moisture — resistant, tent-shaped parcel that — we hoped — would also keep out inquisitive squirrels. In any event, the brightly colored material would be easy to spot from a plane, so we'd be able to fly over and check the condition of our supplies from time to time.

When we were satisfied that the "treetop pantry" was as securely battened down as we could make it, Jeff moved our ladder to a place where we — and only we — could find it easily. And then we headed for home . . . feeling as confident as possible that when we returned, the food rations and gear we'd need for our next trapping trip would be safely waiting.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Of course, in most areas one should cut treesonly on his or her own property . . . unless the owner of the woodlot gives specific permission.

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