Thread: A trip report, (well sort of)

A trip report, (well sort of)

After turning down several offers from a certain forum member. Mainly because I was not confident I would actually make it up and back as my shape is not really conducive to climbing hills. Not to mention I thought my fitness was not up to it.

Anyway on Friday I finally gave in and accepted the invitation.
I mention when I accepted the fact that it has been 20 years since I last went hunting and had exactly zero gear, apart from me and a rifle (well a rattle gun really) and my work boots. “No Worries, I’ll bring everything” was the reply followed by “pick you up at 2am”.

Rest of the evening was spent finding out just how much stuff I didn’t have. I did have a knife in my fishing gear so assuming one can “fillet” a deer or goat then all should be good. Found a small pack, threw in the PLB, a box of ammo, Jacket and spare top. Raided the fridge for some chocholate bars left over from Xmas then off to be.

Up early the next morning in an attempt to be ready, ride arrived on time and off we went. Once we arrived at the car park spot. I got my stuff out and my guide (I’ll call him Cam for the purposes of this report) instructed me to pass me my rifle and promptly shoved it into his pack, (this pack was large enough to house a small Ethiopian family by the way), said “let’s go” and turned around and buggered off up the track.
This was about 3am. Much walking then ensued (via headlamp) up and down dale with many rest stops along the way and daylight found us high up in the tops. After a good look around the area and a careful sneek up to “the most likely area “ all drew blank on the deer front.
More sidling and looking still without a result except it was a magnificent view. About 7am we stopped for another rest and I was thrown a Bacon and Egg Sandwich.

More sidling and looking and then it was time to head down. Once we got back to the car and I look at where we had been I was bloody shocked. In fact if we had arrived in daylight and my guide had said “we are going to be hunting over behind that fucken massive hill”, I would have said “you’re fucking joking”



Mr Hunting Guide!! Not far to the top.

So, Cam you make a bloody good guide and hunting mate. Thank you so much for the invite, hope I didn’t slow you down too much. I owe you one

Next time I'll try to have more of my own gear

Next morning I felt really great after the day before until I tried to get out of bed.