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Lower Buffalo WildernessStormy overnight backpacking in the Lower Buffalo Wilderness with bluff action
11/30/18
A storm is a coming...let us flee from the storm. Upon further evaluation, let us go towards it. Friday night of this day had something for me. It was rain. The setup included a decent day with mild temperatures with an unsettled night filled with storminess. To be fully prepared for this, my body must be fully topped off with master nutrients. Foodstuffs of such high quality can only be obtained at the Huddle House in Clinton. At 5:00 a.m. on Friday, this requirement was satisfied. From here, my bullet shaped Subaru Crosstrek carried me northward. By 8:10 I penetrated the forest of death. The temp was 46° and there was fog...some rising and some just sitting idle. Sunlight came and went as the airborne moisture pushed the brightness in many directions...and also hid the light creating a feeling of scariness. I could only carry on and do my best to ignore the oppression. My path had me wandering the ridges of the wilderness in a hook shaped track...a track that would eventually lead to danger. But that's what I crave...that's why I was here.
Close to noon my first bluff was mounted with a fine view down the valley of the Buffalo. Lunch was had here while observing the many fine aspects of the region. This bluff was not the one...it was not good enough, so I pressed on and passed more bluffs of inferior quality. It seemed that a bluff familiar to my ass was to be the one. The view from this bluff is without equal...well, so it seemed at the time. Camp was made. Preparations for the rain were prepared. The temp was probably near 68°or so. Dark clouds moved in from the south. No rain fell but lightning soon became evident in the far distance. Dinner was had and the night eased in. My vantage afforded an excellent seat for waiting. By 6:00 the rain began...very slowly. My tent was occupied and the rain came with variable intensity. Thunder...with the lighting...was observed as waves of the storm crossed through. Around 12:30, the winds hit hard. For nearly an hour, gusts near 50 mph pummeled my shelter. My expensive tarp was ripped free of three out of six tie locations. I feared the tent would collapse, but did not, thanks to its high cost. By 1:30 the worst was over. Rain continued till 3:00 or so. I slept some, but not much. The sky was now starry with a slightly less than half moon providing some light. I rose at 5:30 and gathered my wet gear and waited for sunrise. It was lovely, but the wind was crap. The low was 55°.
Close to 8:00 I struggled to the top of the ridge. A large pine lay on the ground...a casualty of the the fierce wind. It was good that my morning did not end as this old friend's did. Onward ho towards my entry point. I continued on encountering many large trees with similar outcomes to my giant pine. This morning was sunny and contained winds of the 15-20 mph variety. These velocities were quite welcome compared to last night's variants. At 10:40 with 63°, my trusty vehicular device was before me. The round trip distance was 12 miles. I then made great haste to Cotter where a fine breakfast was had at the White Sands Cafe near the White River. It was very refreshing. I motored home at high rates of speed evading all law enforcement on the way.
