I wrapped up my 4 day solo at site 845 on Alton Lake this Tuesday. It's a pretty well-used site, as expected but I found a curious "structure" leaned up against an erratic between that site and the other on the peninsula.

Someone had cut a pretty phenomenal amount of spruce, likely in the past month or two, to create a natural lean-to. To be honest, coming around the rock and seeing the dark entrance and the piles of unused fresh-cut spruce made me a little wary about what I'd find inside. Luckily it was empty, but I was disappointed to see that somebody did this. There are plenty of places to practice "bushcraft" elsewhere. End of PSA.

At least it looks like nearly all the green is balsam rather than spruce.Some consolation.

Banksiana: "At least it looks like nearly all the green is balsam rather than spruce.Some consolation."

Not seeing the consolation in that...

People play-acting at being survivalists. Not surprised this is on Alton.

Came across something similar at site 1011 on Kawishiwi last Spring. Was obvious someone set up shop there over the winter and then just left everything. Lots of fresh trees cut and balsam branches on the ground where a hot tent clearly was.

Really annoying to see that, though I've just come to expect it now on any lake close to entry point. People suck. And far too many of them think that "leave no trace" just means you should pick up your trash before you go.

Are you sure it was the bushcraft people doing this behavior? To me that looks like someone tossed a bunch of pine branches over the rock after they used them in the winter for a hot tent floor. There even was an article written about this.

Savage Voyageur: "Are you sure it was the bushcraft people doing this behavior? To me that looks like someone tossed a bunch of pine branches over the rock after they used them in the winter for a hot tent floor. There even was an article written about this. "

Either way… back in the day that wasn’t such an issue. Now with the numbers of winter campers growing it will definitely be an issue. I hope that practice is curtailed…
50 years ago you saw more of that with soft water campers. Picnic tables were common. Boy Scouts we’re the ones I witnessed doing it. Old Dorothy turned in some while I was visiting back in 1977 I believe it was…

Agree it’s most likely boughs for a hot tent floor.

Savage Voyageur: "Are you sure it was the bushcraft people doing this behavior? To me that looks like someone tossed a bunch of pine branches over the rock after they used them in the winter for a hot tent floor. There even was an article written about this. "

If it was a winter tent camper, that brings to mind this 10 year old discussion: Tent Floor of Pine Boughs? A real classic.

Either way, winter camper or survivalist cosplayer, unnecessary.

I've been camping 2 to 3 weeks per year for many years. We do loops, constantly moving from site to site, so lots and lots of campsites. Only twice have I seen real damage to live trees. That actually encourages me. One of those times was last year on Brule, site #943 - several downed trees 6 inches thick with all their green branches laying everywhere. I don't often camp on an entry lake, so maybe that's why I don't see as much damage.

bobbernumber3: "

Banksiana: "At least it looks like nearly all the green is balsam rather than spruce.Some consolation."

Not seeing the consolation in that..."

I think it has to do with tension amongst the conifer species. The pines currently reign at the top and let everyone know, the spruce are subordinate to the pine, but the fir get no respect from anyone. Meanwhile, cedar, tamarack and hemlock are quietly forming a syndicate to reign over them all.

bobbernumber3: "

Banksiana: "At least it looks like nearly all the green is balsam rather than spruce.Some consolation."

Not seeing the consolation in that..."

I think it has to do with tension amongst the conifer species. The pines currently reign at the top and let everyone know, the spruce are subordinate to the pine, but the fir get no respect from anyone. Meanwhile, cedar, tamarack and hemlock are quietly forming a syndicate to reign over them all.

nctry: "

Savage Voyageur: "Are you sure it was the bushcraft people doing this behavior? To me that looks like someone tossed a bunch of pine branches over the rock after they used them in the winter for a hot tent floor. There even was an article written about this. "

Either way… back in the day that wasn’t such an issue. Now with the numbers of winter campers growing it will definitely be an issue. I hope that practice is curtailed…
50 years ago you saw more of that with soft water campers. Picnic tables were common. Boy Scouts we’re the ones I witnessed doing it. Old Dorothy turned in some while I was visiting back in 1977 I believe it was… "

agree

mkvnwk: "
I think it has to do with tension amongst the conifer species. The pines currently reign at the top and let everyone know, the spruce are subordinate to the pine, but the fir get no respect from anyone. Meanwhile, cedar, tamarack and hemlock are quietly forming a syndicate to reign over them all."

Is this what you re trying to say mkvnk?

A FAREWELL TO KINGS
The Trees, by Rush
Music: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson
Lyrics: Neil Peart

There is unrest in the Forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the Maples want more sunlight
And the Oaks ignore their pleas.

The trouble with the Maples
(And they’re quite convinced they’re right)
They say the Oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the Oaks can’t help their feelings
If they like the way they’re made
And they wonder why the Maples
Can’t be happy in their shade?

There is trouble in the Forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the Maples scream ‘Oppression!’
And the Oaks, just shake their heads

So the Maples formed a Union
And demanded equal rights
‘The Oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light’
Now there’s no more Oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet,
Axe,
And saw…

LindenTree: "

mkvnwk: "
I think it has to do with tension amongst the conifer species. The pines currently reign at the top and let everyone know, the spruce are subordinate to the pine, but the fir get no respect from anyone. Meanwhile, cedar, tamarack and hemlock are quietly forming a syndicate to reign over them all."

Is this what you re trying to say mkvnk?


A FAREWELL TO KINGS
The Trees, by Rush
Music: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson
Lyrics: Neil Peart


There is unrest in the Forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the Maples want more sunlight
And the Oaks ignore their pleas.


The trouble with the Maples
(And they’re quite convinced they’re right)
They say the Oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the Oaks can’t help their feelings
If they like the way they’re made
And they wonder why the Maples
Can’t be happy in their shade?


There is trouble in the Forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the Maples scream ‘Oppression!’
And the Oaks, just shake their heads


So the Maples formed a Union
And demanded equal rights
‘The Oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light’
Now there’s no more Oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet,
Axe,
And saw…"

I think Rush was speaking for the trees north of the yellow line. I was thinking about a scene from Goodfellas. "It was among the Italians; real grease ball 'stuff'." Banksiana sure didn't show much sympathy for old Balsamea getting whacked, anyways.

Hoser!

Savage Voyageur: "Are you sure it was the bushcraft people doing this behavior? To me that looks like someone tossed a bunch of pine branches over the rock after they used them in the winter for a hot tent floor. There even was an article written about this. "

There were structural supports under the pine boughs creating a very small, 1-person lean-to. The piles were either not used or they started tearing it down in an orderly way and abandoned the project.