The speaker, Tommy, is hiking 17 miles with Nathan to engage in solo alpine survival camping in bushcraft. They plan to build a shelter without any trees or firewood and hike to a remote alpine lake to catch dinner. Tommy also shares information about various plants and animals they encounter, such as yarrow, fireweed, moose, parky squirrels, and different berry bushes.
There are warnings about the dangers of weather changes in the mountains, and the importance of understanding and identifying plants to avoid obstacles. Tommy also shares his experience of building a shelter using available rocks, catching fish for dinner, and cooking with improvised utensils.
He mentions a close encounter with a moose and uses bear spray to deter an unknown animal. Tommy also shares his knowledge about different berries and plants, their uses, and dangers. The hike ends with Tommy's departure to meet Becca at their rendezvous point.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator plans to hike 17 miles and sleep on rocks.
2. The narrator does not have a tent.
3. The narrator intends to build a shelter where there are no trees.
4. The narrator plans to catch dinner at a remote alpine lake.
5. The narrator mentions a plant called yarrow, which is used to make tea for stomach aches.
6. The narrator identifies a plant called fireweed, whose blossoms are edible.
7. The narrator spots a mama moose and two babies in the valley.
8. Moose feed on willowed plants, which can be identified by their clipped and broken tips.
9. The valley is home to various types of berry bushes, including blueberry and crowberry bushes.
10. The narrator notes that the berries are not yet ripe, but will be in the early fall.
11. The narrator observes that the weather in the mountains can change quickly and unpredictably.
12. The narrator sees a parky squirrel, which is a type of squirrel that lives in the area.
13. The narrator notes that parky squirrels do not taste good.
14. The narrator identifies a type of plant called lykan, which is what caribou live off of.
15. The narrator notes that lykan is not good to eat.
16. The narrator identifies a type of plant called black liking, which tastes like boiled mushrooms.
17. The narrator notes that cottonwood trees love water and are often found near rivers or streams.
18. The narrator uses cottonwood trees to identify the location of a nearby stream.
19. The narrator mentions a type of plant with sap that can cause sunburn and blistering.
20. The narrator identifies alders as a type of plant that is difficult to walk through.
21. The narrator notes that the snow has just melted out of the valley floor.
22. The narrator observes that the alders are just getting their buds, which is because the mountain is blocking the southern exposure.
23. The narrator notes that the vegetation in the valley is about a month or two behind the rest of the area.
24. The narrator sees a parking squirrel with a bird in its mouth.
25. The narrator notes that there are many flesh-eating squirrels in Alaska.
26. The narrator mentions a type of plant called mountain ash, whose seeds are toxic but whose fruit is edible.
27. The narrator identifies a type of plant called rose hips, which are a good food source in the wintertime.
28. The narrator notes that arctic lupine is a poisonous plant.
29. The narrator sees a fungus that is great for holding a coal or fire.
30. The narrator identifies a type of berry that is deadly in Alaska, which turns white in the fall.
31. The narrator notes that a few of these berries can be fatal.
32. The narrator identifies a type of plant called devil's club, which has spines and big leaves that can be used as shingles for a lean-to.
33. The narrator receives a text from someone named Becca, who is at their rendezvous point.
34. The narrator ends their hike and meets up with Becca.