It's like a LAN party, with more ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
That's right. Wetfish is buying land in the mountains to build an underground house, greenhouses, and do some agroforestry. The mission is to create an open source, self-sufficient society.
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Saxton and I have been saving money together to buy land since we got married. Over the past few months we started looking at some properties in the mountains about 15 minutes from where we live now. We can go outside and see the mountains where these properties are, it's pretty dope. We have enough saved up for an 8 acre property but about a month ago a 45 acre property in the same neighborhood was listed for sale.
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I've already gotten quotes from local well drilling and septic companies and talked to the county about the zoning and building requirements. It's all open zoning which means we can basically do whatever we want so long as a licensed contractor signs off on the building permits.
It has a stream, trees, and line of sight to basically the whole town. Wetfish could maintain the infrastructure for a local meshnet.
(//upload/eed56c73-0972-b36b-2376-a68f9b5fee85.jpg)
Woah thats a ton of land, super pretty
Quote from: Qwan on July 24, 2020, 10:06:36 PM
Woah thats a ton of land, super pretty
agreed! beautiful
damn rachel, i didn't know you were going to start a hippie commune there, i mean now i kinda regret buying land in new mexico but hey, if you need help building or what not, i'm definetely down to help, just gimme weed and pizza and i'll be good. XD
If you know me you'll know I hate asking for money and I hate ads. But here we go... (//upload/fishbux/bux1.gif)
Saxton and I have spent the past 3 months fixing up our current house: restaining the deck, fixing a hole in the garage, fixing our plumbing. We got our house appraised and refinanced our mortgage in order to get additional cash to buy the land.
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Right now we have 70% of the cash on hand, but not enough to make an offer.
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Since we have more than 50% down, we could potentially get a land loan. But the interest rates on land loans are never very good compared to a mortgage. Lenders hate undeveloped land. Even if we could find a lender with decent rates, the whole process of getting the loan is going to take a couple more months.
That's why we're coming to Wetfish to ask if anyone in the community shares our vision of building an awesome hacker society of underground mole people.
(//upload/300c9fc5-1917-279e-9362-df7afe3a5729.jpg)
(//upload/ae50c209-b635-afeb-9609-75fd7d7630a6.png)
We are looking for investors to help us secure this property. By becoming an investor now you will have guaranteed access to Wetfish infrastructure for life. After the greenhouses are operational, food rations will be available for yourself and your immediate family for life as well.
Anyone who is willing to help put some money down on the land is encouraged to contact rachel on IRC.
FAQs from investors:
Q: How much are you looking for?
A: If we can get a few people to pitch in $5,000 each we'd have enough to make an offer. If a few people pitch in $10,000 we'd have enough to buy it outright for the list price
Q: What's the timeframe?
A: We'd like to make an offer before the end of August
Q: Can I go sledding / snowboarding down the mountain in winter?
A: Yes
I really wish I could give you that money. I've been writing wiki articles cause I know that gets you (teansy amounts) of cash. Right now all I have is coral :(
I would also love to give if I had the moneys, ask me again in 5 years, lol. Between cooleg and everything else going on I don't have a lot to spare.
Quote from: woodneko on July 25, 2020, 09:34:23 PM
I would also love to give if I had the moneys, ask me again in 5 years, lol. Between cooleg and everything else going on I don't have a lot to spare.
No worries! This investment opportunity is mostly aimed at members of the community who already have successful careers in the tech industry. If you're struggling to make ends meet the last thing I'd want is for you to send me money. You should be paying for rent and groceries and shit
Hopefully in 5 years you'll be asking for money to help buy your own land to build self sufficient greenhouses and mushroom farms instead :)
what is wetfish infrastructure
Quote from: rachel on July 25, 2020, 09:46:51 PM
Hopefully in 5 years you'll be asking for money to help buy your own land to build self sufficient greenhouses and mushroom farms instead :)
That would be pretty spicy. I see it happening for sure, assuming I don't die in a car accident before then.
sell regenerative or permaculture ag consulting services to raise funds. most profitable scam in ag since anhydrous was introduced as a fertilizer
check out these cool pics of the land
we went there over the weekend
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These ones are sideways... SORRY
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By the way this is what "open" zoning means according to Larimer county
https://library.municode.com/co/larimer_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIILAUSCO_4.0ZO_4.1ZODI_4.1.5EN
Quote4.1.5. - O-Open. A. Principal uses:
Agricultural
1. Agricultural labor housing (S)
2. Alfalfa dehydrator (S)
3. Apiary (R)
4. Commercial poultry farm (S)
5. Equestrian operation (PSP/MS/
S)—See section 4.3.1
6. Farm (R)
7. Feedyard (S)
8. Fur farm (S)
9. Garden supply center (S)
10. Greenhouse (R)
11. Livestock auction (S)
12. Livestock veterinary clinic/hospital (MS/
S)—See section 4.3.1
13. Packing facility (R)
14. Pet animal facility (MS/
S)—See section 4.3.1
15. Pet animal veterinary clinic/hospital (MS/
S)—See section 4.3.1
16. Sod farm, nursery (R)
17. Tree farm (R)
Residential
18. Dwelling, cabin (R)—See subsection 4.3.2
19. Group home (R)
20. Group home for the aged (R)
21. Group home for the developmentally disabled (R)
22. Group home for the mentally ill (R)
23. Single-family dwelling (R)
24. Storage buildings and garages (R)—See section 4.3.2
Institutional
25. Cemetery (S)
26. Child/elderly care center (S)
27. Church (MS/
S)—See section 4.3.4
28. Community hall (MS/
S)—See section 4.3.4
29. Hospital (S)
30. Prison/detention center (S)
31. School, nonpublic (S)
32. State-licensed group home (S)
Recreational
33. Country club (S)
34. Golf course (S)
35. Membership club (S)
36. Rafting business (MS)
37. Shooting range (S)
Accommodation
38. Bed and breakfast (MS/
S)—See section 4.3.6
39. Recreational vehicle park and campground (S)
40. Resort lodge/resort cabins (S)
41. Retreat (S)
42. Seasonal camp (S)
43. Short term rental (S)
Industrial
44. Landfill (S)
45. Mining (S)
46. Oil and gas drilling and production (R)
47. Sawmill (S)
48. Small solar facility (R/PSP)
49. Small wind energy facility (MS)
Utilities
50. Commercial mobile radio service (SP/
S)—See section 16
51. Radio and television transmitters (S)
Transportation
52. Airport (S)
53. Heliport (S)
54. Park and ride (S)
55. Train station (S)
i'm reserving a corner to start my prison/fur farm.
QuoteResidential
18. Dwelling, cabin (R)—See subsection 4.3.2
19. Group home (R)
20. Group home for the aged (R)
21. Group home for the developmentally disabled (R)
22. Group home for the mentally ill (R)
23. Single-family dwelling (R)
24. Storage buildings and garages (R)—See section 4.3.2
Seems like it's missing multi-family options? Might have to technically register everyone as farm employees and call it agricultural labor housing
Quote from: kiiada on August 06, 2020, 10:55:16 PM
Seems like it's missing multi-family options? Might have to technically register everyone as farm employees and call it agricultural labor housing
one of these?
Quote40. Resort lodge/resort cabins (S)
41. Retreat (S)
42. Seasonal camp (S)
That's a pretty grey area? Seems like shit would get fucky with legal residency but idk if that matters I'm not a lawyer
"cemetery"
Wetfish Memorial Mountain Park has a nice ring to it.
Would wetfish house be a feature in "Fallout: Denver" ?
(//upload/70a4a232-81be-7fb2-c802-dcc014e892ae.png)
Quote from: Mozai on September 23, 2020, 05:46:11 AM
Would wetfish house be a feature in "Fallout: Denver" ?
(//upload/70a4a232-81be-7fb2-c802-dcc014e892ae.png)
Yeah up by the desolation array, lol
Great, now I want to play Fallout: New Denver.
Update: Everyone on Wetfish is broke as fuck so I ended up just getting the land loan. Our realtor sent over an offer this morning
Update #2: They accepted our offer and the land is now under contract
congrats!
Meanwhile in New York
(//upload/4cb4f81f-2f12-832b-337d-699f9bfeef38.jpg)
Congrats on making the land purchase! That's so awesome!
I forgot basic details: approximately where is it in relation to Ft. Collins, 15 min in which direction? what is the cost per acre up there?
Quote from: firefly on October 25, 2020, 10:50:35 AM
Congrats on making the land purchase! That's so awesome!
I forgot basic details: approximately where is it in relation to Ft. Collins, 15 min in which direction? what is the cost per acre up there?
Ft Collins is east of the rocky mountains, and this property is in the mountains... so it's west :P
The cost per acre is around $3,000 if you are buying 30+ acres, otherwise it's more like $10,000 per acre for smaller lots
i'm thinking of buying a house out here in PA, i've just discovered sherrif sales (buying a house for the price of the tax lien). thing is, the tax rate here is astronomical - 12.5%! every year! but people end run this by getting their houses assessed for much less than they're actually worth, a house goes for 150k and its assessed at 40k, etc.
house down the street from me is in shabby condition, last went for 20k but was assessed at 44k. i was thinking of buying it and fixing it up but i don't know how to bribe locals for a new assessment.
Hello All,
We did finish the survey today. We set or found all boundary corners and located improvements. I will issue a survey Monday morning. I will respond to everyone on this email with a PDF version (signed and stamped) of my survey. Have a great weekend. Thanks for choosing [surveying company].
Take care
[Survey dude]
Contract is officially closed as of an hour ago. Wetfish now owns 45 acres in the mountains
(//upload/0cc4426c-5c90-8204-7139-cb17be088b38.jpg)
Nothing like driving up a treacherous mountain road in the dark while it's snowing!
where is thread for underground techniques? I've been looking domes this morning.... pretty fucking cheap...
[video]https://youtu.be/ZD_3_gsgsnk[/video]
Quote from: kayimbo on December 19, 2020, 10:15:15 AM
where is thread for underground techniques? I've been looking domes this morning.... pretty fucking cheap...
It's over here https://wetfishonline.com/index.php?topic=3335
Some pictures from the land today
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NTS: Don't try to climb steep snowy hills in treadless worn sneakers.
We brought Woodcat for a hike today!
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/NWvZqifmOOALEzROeDtesQkk)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/BTpXsycZKnWWrOyPHDFnnCFR)
We cleaned out a bunch of dead plants and rocks from the pit (the previous owner dug a hole like 8 feet deep for some reason)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/qNIvaPvBxMGwXTrHvaCppxiS)
And then we found a pile of rocks that I made while viewing the property with the realtor months ago
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/gtILgJXVHrMqohzrIfRdDsLN)
I can't believe she came all the way to the pit but didn't get in it
Woodcat said "I'm just observing"
Maybe next time she'll get in my pit
the best part is that it's named The Devil's Minty Butthole because it's a red hole full of mint.
I am getting so educated right now
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXNYCbNzAD0[/video]
Went back up to the land today with Saxton. We got a battery powered chainsaw yesterday. After purchasing a chainsaw my boyfriend and my ex-boyfriend both told me to be very careful and gave me lots of tips and info about safety equipment, lol.
There used to be a cabin on the property, but it burned along with many of the trees which now cover the property. We cut all of the branches off of the dead trees that were blocking the driveway down to the old foundation of the cabin.
BEFORE
(//upload/9f1d8933-0cdf-7b10-e454-ce2447b9ab7e.jpg)
AFTER
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(//upload/a9066536-a46b-1d15-9649-fe39816c88f9.jpg)
*BONUS* INFINITE CHAINSAW ENERGY
We have two 6 Ah batteries for the chainsaw, which each last for a couple hours of cutting small limbs. The chainsaw battery only takes about an hour to charge so we can essentially work indefinitely. We'll run out of chain & bar oil before we run out of electricity.
(//upload/426bbc78-3a50-0526-7097-ac8bcb49c82a.jpg)
After clearing the driveway we started marking the property line so we can get a better feel for the buildable area. Our property lines are a square, straight lines north east south west from each corner. We used a 100 foot measuring tape and a compass from the corner marker and started putting flags every 100 feet
(//upload/6b69d4ae-0389-d479-273b-83f160c9762c.jpg)
Then we measured the pit
Turns out it's a lot bigger than we thought it was
20 feet long, 16 feet wide, and 11 feet deep
(//upload/1a5ea179-0e4a-a23e-460d-29d4eaef08db.jpg)
Then we went for a hike along the stream.
Check out these frozen waterfalls :D
(//upload/a091b16e-b8ef-3a43-388a-bab40a2d5067.jpg)
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Yesterday Sonder, rachdogg, and I all went up to the mountain. Started by bringing a couple bags of compost and finding a suitable location to start a compost pile. I wanted something close to the driveway so it would be easy to unload compost and soil from our truck in the future, but somewhere protected that would retain moisture. There was a patch of snow in a shady spot and that's where I picked.
The first couple inches of topsoil was frozen but much to my surprise, beneath the layer of ice I found dark loamy soil. I dug a pit, and buried the bags of compost. We found a couple cowpies on the driveway so we threw those on top as well.
(//upload/78cc70b8-0b96-b342-a7dd-a1ea21319b55.jpg)
Then we started our hike down to the stream. We tied a couple ropes to a tree to give us something to hold on to in the steep part.
(//upload/f6c98fb0-4169-eb18-2f0a-9d6b01f000ed.jpg)
We found this interesting rock which appeared to contain spheres of iron??? I want to go back with a magnet to see if it's magnetic.
(//upload/205902f9-aa31-78e4-c16e-74cfd1dafc2b.jpg)
We smoked some pot on the large flat rock between the trees in the center of this photo, which is now known as The Pot Rock™
(//upload/14d080fd-ef2c-fed6-c713-5e7666f83460.jpg)
Speaking of rocks. Check out these cool fucking rocks
(//upload/c73cac2c-5cec-8ee3-51e2-613a4937ddd1.jpg)
Here's a picture of Sonder taking a picture of an icy waterfall, lol. Very 2020 aesthetic
(//upload/23ff120c-3a1d-8c63-2143-a4b265050ea5.jpg)
Also we found some tracks. Mountain lion maybe?
(//upload/16a2b34e-a78b-81a9-4f82-b77a8f1418e0.jpg)
Sonder took this amazing photo of me & Rachel by the big cliff. I love how it captures the scale of everything with the cliff framed by trees and the mountain in the background.
(//upload/9488ffdd-74b9-1e66-6610-09a55df1ce29.jpg)
Today is the last day of weather in the 40s - 50s. It's going to be cold and snowy for the rest of the week, so I had to go back up to the mountain and finish the compost pile. We have a compost bin at our house, but it's underneath the deck so it doesn't get enough moisture to properly break down. I loaded up a bunch of the compost from our bin into the truck and buried it.
(//upload/baa23987-bdde-a026-43af-299b967ebd5b.jpg)
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pot rock <3 i wanna see the pot rock
went up to the mountain to chainsaw more today
cleaned up a bunch more of the logs around the driveway
(//upload/f8ea14e5-47b4-a52a-8038-5736235a230c.jpg)
my mom asked me to take a selfie wearing all of my protective gear
(//upload/896ae183-5007-d3df-80a3-4ad30383d14a.jpg)
tonight my homework is learning to use one of these things
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5wsrrAsnIE[/video]
I hate petroleum. Standard bar oil you buy at the store is so nasty. It smells gross. It's toxic to plants. And it pollutes water.
I'm going to spend 4x as much to get biodegradable bar & chain oil instead. It's worth it
(https://autobegreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/BC-Gallon-New-Label-05-20.jpg)
Just buy a gallon jug of canola instead.
Chainsaw chainsaw chainsaw chainsaw.
Check out my piles of logs
(//upload/f8809432-48d8-832e-56b6-383327bec91e.jpg)
(//upload/75edcc17-37d2-f819-9cfd-83d54668a659.jpg)
Bonus: Beetle art :O
(//upload/397c3cc1-860f-11e2-7af2-ed5be2ed0c1e.jpg)
It snowed on Saturday so I haven't been up to the land for a few days. Fortunately it started warming up today so I went up this morning and made some snowballs filled with native wildflower seeds and threw them around the property.
(//upload/eb1ede41-5437-edfc-c164-32d9f907ce4b.jpg)
That's when I spotted some mouse tracks in the snow!
(//upload/3f1d9ef3-4a50-dea8-3ab4-3e9ff24a3914.jpg)
The deer have been using the trails we cleared through the trees. It's cool seeing their footsteps in the snow along the trails we made
Then I took the mattock and started clearing the first 100 feet of the trail down to the valley.
(//upload/b4f3fedb-b5d1-be23-ebfd-e3b7d18368e3.jpg)
It's going to take a lot of work, but I figure if I do a little bit each time I go up there, it will only take a couple weeks to get a trail all the way down.
oh yeah and I heard a red tailed hawk go SCRAWWWWW, so that was cool
(https://www.oregonzoo.org/sites/default/files/styles/exhibit_photo/public/2012/03/21/V_orig_red-tailed_hawk.jpg?itok=dAJ73VRf)
Over the weekend I dug out about 600 feet of the trail and roped off the full 1400 feet length to the bottom of the valley.
(//upload/046418ab-36ca-9968-caed-6906ad237727.jpg)
We already knew about the waterfall downstream of the property, but we also discovered there's another waterfall upstream of the property!
(//upload/90fc0243-5259-404c-d672-a0fbda1e102d.jpg)
Also we planted this tree. I got this tree in 2016 for earth day and was growing it in a 5 gallon bucket ever since. I knew that some day I'd have a place to plant it.
(//upload/a2a9e6f1-c7bc-b7b3-733e-a3d4694d3bf3.jpg)
Quote from: rachel on January 17, 2021, 11:18:42 PM
Over the weekend I dug out about 600 feet of the trail and roped off the full 1400 feet length to the bottom of the valley.
(//upload/046418ab-36ca-9968-caed-6906ad237727.jpg)
We already knew about the waterfall downstream of the property, but we also discovered there's another waterfall upstream of the property!
(//upload/90fc0243-5259-404c-d672-a0fbda1e102d.jpg)
Also we planted this tree. I got this tree in 2016 for earth day and was growing it in a 5 gallon bucket ever since. I knew that some day I'd have a place to plant it.
(//upload/a2a9e6f1-c7bc-b7b3-733e-a3d4694d3bf3.jpg)
you should give it a name and a little plaque.
Quote from: tawd on January 17, 2021, 11:43:36 PM
Quote from: rachel on January 17, 2021, 11:18:42 PM
Over the weekend I dug out about 600 feet of the trail and roped off the full 1400 feet length to the bottom of the valley.
(//upload/046418ab-36ca-9968-caed-6906ad237727.jpg)
We already knew about the waterfall downstream of the property, but we also discovered there's another waterfall upstream of the property!
(//upload/90fc0243-5259-404c-d672-a0fbda1e102d.jpg)
Also we planted this tree. I got this tree in 2016 for earth day and was growing it in a 5 gallon bucket ever since. I knew that some day I'd have a place to plant it.
(//upload/a2a9e6f1-c7bc-b7b3-733e-a3d4694d3bf3.jpg)
you should give it a name and a little plaque.
You mean the tree? It's the compost tree. It lives next to our compost pile
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDkiwgbDSR4[/video]
Where's the sheet metal? i only see diamond plate.
Where's the sheet of paper? I only see cardstock
(http://www.bestpapercrafters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/cardstock-3.jpg)
buy this so i can start stacking fuel:
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WygXmflk5o0[/video]
According to the county topographical map, the top of the trail has an elevation of approximately 6280 and the bottom of the trail into the valley has an elevation of approximately 5920. That's a 360 foot change in elevation!
Quote from: Ozmiander on January 19, 2021, 06:43:32 PM
buy this so i can start stacking fuel:
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WygXmflk5o0[/video]
Cool idea for reusing sawdust and cardboard, I like turning waste materials into useful things
Quote from: rachel on January 19, 2021, 09:19:14 PM
According to the county topographical map, the top of the trail has an elevation of approximately 6280 and the bottom of the trail into the valley has an elevation of approximately 5920. That's a 360 foot change in elevation!
http://www.nwhiker.com/HikeEval.html
Most of Colorado is in a severe drought right now, but my land still has waterfalls
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/llOuIbUiTUdPnzVkjBnoYySl)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/MwITgUdGipuXESlsCPBLjixG)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/ZqjXxXLRnFKjdDDUQTkioDxR)
Fuck foundations, fuck concrete, I'm just gonna drill my house into the ground
https://stopdigging-groundscrew.com/
Quote
Ground screws outperform concrete in every way.
GROUND SCREWS REPLACE AND OUTPERFORM CONCRETE BLOCKS. IF WE CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL COST OF CONCRETE, GROUND SCREWS OFFER A GREENER AND MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY SOLUTION WITHOUT SACRIFICING STABILITY, COST OR LONGEVITY.
Fast to install, strong, lightweight, low cost, robust, low mess, and kind to the environment... what's not to love?! There are many advantages to the ground screw, but above all else it is about your time and effort: you do not have to lug heavy loads, use heavy equipment, dig deep holes, pour messy concrete and wait for it to set. Our ground screws should not be confused with basic ground anchors or lightweight soil screws from DIY stores that you can install yourself
(https://stopdigging-groundscrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/StopDigging-Hero.jpg)
Quote from: rachel on April 26, 2021, 09:01:38 AM
Most of Colorado is in a severe drought right now, but my land still has waterfalls
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/llOuIbUiTUdPnzVkjBnoYySl)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/MwITgUdGipuXESlsCPBLjixG)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/ZqjXxXLRnFKjdDDUQTkioDxR)
Is that year round? If so thats some nice power generation capacity.
Seriously these ground screw things are awesome. They can even be drilled into bedrock. This is going to make building a foundation for my house so much easier
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZTnbbOyJic[/video]
Quote from: ionicwake on April 26, 2021, 08:37:53 PM
Is that year round? If so thats some nice power generation capacity.
There
is water flow year round. However the flow rate varies wildly. Sometimes it's just a trickle, other times it can be several feet deep. Colorado has been in a drought since we started looking at the property last year, but despite that there has continued to be water flow year round. The neighbors have told me stories about times where there was so much water that they could see and hear the stream flowing from their house at top of the mountain
Went up to the land over the weekend with Bubbles, Sonder, and Sonder's friend Dominique. Each of us brought a tool and worked on the trail as we walked down the mountain. Dominique and I dug up a couple flowers that were growing in the middle of the trail and put them in pots.
(//upload/765212cf-234c-03e4-abea-54ab87c0a576.jpeg)
There was a rainy snow storm earlier this week and the water level in the stream has risen even higher. Woodcat and I went up to the property yesterday and hiked around the entire length of the stream on the property. You can see in this picture that the amount of water flowing has almost doubled
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/JPtvrBZtsQaHJFBzHgxncuda)
(Woodcat for scale)
The trail is starting to become more developed now. It's 2-3 feet wide at the top of the hill and there is an erosion barrier made of rocks and logs. We are working on digging out the rest of the trail to the bottom, it's approximately 60% finished so far.
BEFORE: (//upload/b4f3fedb-b5d1-be23-ebfd-e3b7d18368e3.jpg) AFTER: (//upload/6853b7fc-02c0-b003-9b7f-cf30a0fa5f6c.jpeg)
New video recorded after the snow storm we got a couple weeks ago
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5VTZz7xjRM[/video]
THE SAGA OF THE ROCK
The story of Kiiada and Rachel finally conquering the rock at the beginning of the trail.
Back in January the trail down to the waterfall started out pretty narrow. At that point my focus was getting a path as far down the hill as possible. Large rocks were simply dug around and left to be dealt with later.
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/ghWDgubKjZspSqjIgwCcQUfb)
Over the past few months the trail got wider and large rocks were slowly moved out of the way. However this one rock at the beginning of the trail refused to budge.
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/XatgZPPSJOPVaJEssJHnckhB)
Little did I know how far down this rock went when I started the trail. What we were walking over was just the tip of the iceberg.
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/nkfbDQtmvTdAHvWhflzwgtsC)
For weeks I have been taking my friends hiking up on the land and each time we would spend a few minutes digging out a little bit more around the rock. At least 5 people on separate occasions had all taken turns using the mattock to dig around and try to pry the rock from the ground, but still it refused to budge.
Today things were different. Kiiada and I both took turns digging out the rock for about 30 minutes until we reached a part of the rock that had cracked. We were then able to hit the rock with the mattock and pry it apart. Despite breaking the rock into pieces we were still unable to get the whole thing out of the ground. We ended up just smashing the part that was left above ground and leaving the rest to be covered up with dirt.
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/ZlwDunnpBiCPEbdJVVRxkqsC)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/YaNMImLiCJaqbsALdMxuixiY)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/GnXJccUXCWUMFpqosmxJxRqe)
Went up to the mountain a couple days ago and...
1. Put some netting around the trees to keep deer away
2. Mixed up the compost pile
3. Made some stairs out of the rock that kiiada and I dug up
4. Transplanted 7 specimens from the trail into pots for study
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/JZlGvigUaBgnMYWYUQvZPWwM) (https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/wiOFvAzAtCiEwgKZoRybJRJh) (https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/LolZltuJWzYWEMVuWuILkDxw) (https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/MaSbPuHfbJHnNXWVdPRCeLTB) (https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/mcNsoXHxcDlNSRuMbJWpqPek)
Quote from: rachel on May 16, 2021, 10:08:57 PM
The trail is starting to become more developed now. It's 2-3 feet wide at the top of the hill and there is an erosion barrier made of rocks and logs. We are working on digging out the rest of the trail to the bottom, it's approximately 60% finished so far.
BEFORE: (//upload/b4f3fedb-b5d1-be23-ebfd-e3b7d18368e3.jpg) AFTER: (//upload/6853b7fc-02c0-b003-9b7f-cf30a0fa5f6c.jpeg)
that looks amazing, and a lot of hard work, i hope you're not destroying your body again rachel
Quote from: meleeman on June 04, 2021, 09:46:09 AM
that looks amazing, and a lot of hard work, i hope you're not destroying your body again rachel
Thank you, it has been a lot of hard work. I appreciate the concern. I have been making sure to take breaks, stay hydrated, and run the AC in the truck so that I don't overheat. I stopped taking those psoriasis meds about 2 months ago, which were a big reason why I got hurt in the first place.
Anyway, the feeling of accomplishment when I smashed that rock with kiiada was pretty fuckin good.
Introducing... an annotated map of the property!! :D
Especially useful for reference when hiking with new people.
(//upload/2af40e03-98dd-429c-821c-b1ae5fffbedb.jpeg)
Watching storm clouds swirl around is so awesome
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/AJjEEcctSjcePozBKpZUtiHe)
It's been a while since I posted any updates.
Last month my neighbor and I came to an agreement. He wants all of these logs removed from the access road on his property. In exchange for moving them, I get to keep 'em.
BEFORE:
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/wYOmDQWGfInYJilbqLrocUye)
AFTER:
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/luQodtrWteWXtiIICHIcCaIk)
You can see in the after pic I also started digging out some of the rock on the uphill side of the road and using them as a barrier on the downhill side. Before building the barrier I accidentally drove off the side of the road and got stuck, my neighbor had to come tow me out. After that happened I went to the hardware store and bought a bunch of those reflective markers.
More tree hauling pics!
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/OsYqpRsTDEUBvOiNwxEieKZW)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/SSAxnstiskQDSgVRxAsXWTcB)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/ogKYKdUcxSmYTXOkmlDSskSE)
I've been cutting up smaller logs and putting them in the back of the truck. But anything over 8 inches in diameter gets a tow strap wrapped around it and dragged up the road.
Now you're probably wondering what in the heck we're doing with all these logs.
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/ZnOtoiEJSBJsnoHwQOSRprUo)
Well, the plan is to make giant hugels! Hugelkultur is a horticultural technique of burying logs and organic material to create raised beds and terraces.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCgelkultur
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UEAkTMJ-puM/UWjF8-h6RmI/AAAAAAAAAjg/GaPxJeuewcw/s1600/hill+gardening.jpg)
By burying logs and using them to build terraces we can significantly increase the amount of moisture that gets trapped in the soil. We'll also be preventing the logs from burning if there is another forest fire, and putting the carbon back into the soil where it can be broken down by fungi and turned into nutrients to help restore the forest.
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/mqxuAfnuqsYswfWeIVksUuzw)
wow i look good from behind. lol but yeah seeing all that mess turned into something nice was great, although i'm curious as to how they're going to get buried, i think we were talking about generating massive ammounts of compost, by taking food waste of sorts from grasses and the like.
Quote from: meleeman on August 07, 2021, 09:43:50 PM
wow i look good from behind. lol but yeah seeing all that mess turned into something nice was great, although i'm curious as to how they're going to get buried, i think we were talking about generating massive ammounts of compost, by taking food waste of sorts from grasses and the like.
I'm going to dig the soil from up hill of the hugels and cover them. Thereby creating an even deeper basin to collect water, and not costing me anything.
A big goal for me is to use as many on-site resources as possible to keep costs down. The cheaper it is for us to figure out how to do these things, the more people will be able to replicate our work.
Yesterday I went for a hike with this girl I have a crush on.
There hasn't been much rain this summer but fortunately the waterfall is still flowing!
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/aNiEiwQiBlnEHIVYtCbfCSoo)
We walked down into the valley, up to the waterfall, and down to the middle falls where we turned around. The whole hike through the valley we were picking wild berries and mint. We sat on the pot rock ate a sandwich & some granola bars.
Also we found a couple piles of bear poop in the trail!
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/cvRjcUVmDrZueyAumxNqGizr) (https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/BwPLoOVXHvoYldKbEwTLpOGY)
Went for a hike with Woodcat and her roommates over the weekend. We hiked around and hung out by the waterfall for a couple hours, then at sunset we hiked back up to the top of the mountain and watched Jupiter and the moon rise over the horizon. It was totally not planned at all, just a fun serendipitous adventure.
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/ZvLCPByyMkRIyLJOGPWVIklV)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/hDtljxgbEsOAhGyaTAZVDuDs)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/BJWhaFIeMXMNyqbuwEUiCuRv)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/fTxJtdOumAtAWHvOOuGlptCP)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/twaxpiSSaHgmRxFSxzZbbcqE)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/zWREFQejagqTUqbHHdYecWbW)
We now have a flat spot for a trailer / cabin
Yeeehaw!!!
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/PvNvQYoxCgsDWbjkDojvupMg) (https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/RbViZUTsmThCOdKAUFcmecYW)
And we planted a bunch of trees along the trail and made little rock barriers & steps to redirect water off of the trail and onto the trees <33
Special Thanks to Lovingsnek, Emilypi, and Meleeman for helping
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/VdFgMaRUnZdEeXxQLofYVwfm)
Took some measurements of the appproximate property elevation based on google maps topographical lines
(//upload/29cad341-25cf-a21c-10ee-9c082ac5d3a5.jpeg)
Elevation
(in Feet) | | Description |
| |
| 6400 | | North West corner of the property |
| 5960 | | North East corner of the property |
| |
| 6320 | | Ladder Trail (Trailhead) |
| 5960 | | Ladder Trail (Trailfoot) |
| |
| 6080 | | Upper Falls (Top) |
| 6040 | | Upper Falls (Bottom) |
| |
| 5920 | | Middle Falls (Top) |
| 5880 | | Middle Falls (Bottom) |
| |
| 5790 | | Valley floor at the east property line |
This means that the Ladder Trail hike is approximately 360 feet in elevation change. A hike from the lowest point on the property to the Ladder Trailhead would be 530 feet and the maximum possible elevation change on the property is 610 feet.
(https://static.turbosquid.com/Preview/2020/03/30__16_17_36/NerdFaceEmoji3dmodel001.jpg93DF496C-7C4F-4AC4-BEF6-68BD7FCB8581Default.jpg)
The hugels are really starting to come along! I have several spots built up where I'm going to put ponds
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/imHJHDbylzqDWGLABOypAdlv) (https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/XMiCfTOfrvCPljKmNDWTUfzp)
this is some excellent land, it will prove bounteous and righteous with dank ponds and garden hugels
It's winter so now the stream is a giant frozen ice slide!!!
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/PXJatsDqiqizBOdSBaCbYwJn)
My neighbor gave me permission to build a new road down to another flat spot on his property. Unlike the first access road that I cleared out, there is no existing road down to this 2nd flat spot. Kakama, Messik, and I all went down with my truck, some tow straps, and mattocks to start building a new road. We've dug out about 20-30 feet by hand so far. Almost enough to safely get the truck down from the switchback. Once we get the first part of the road leveled out we'll be able to make the rest of the road by simply towing logs out of the way
[video]https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/uUUbEDXIaGboFfXtBxlckKtT[/video]
This is the planned route for the new road. It's a little bit curved at the beginning to follow the natural slope of the hill, then it's pretty much a straight shot to the flat spot.
(//upload/a9b0f2ea-490f-6ca2-fb85-0f388d912d53.jpeg)
We've spent 3 days so far working on the road, digging out the hillside to even out the grade and dragging huge logs.
Here are some before and after pictures :D
(Click to expand the thumbnails)
Before
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/ssVNieZMimfaIJlAVfaovtcP)
After
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/nRDbVnVSdBprLCGJfMIVtDOH)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/caItKEpjHZRsPtCemxJHwkKD)
Found this pic lovingsnek took from a while back in November
(//upload/7b670f5d-5cb0-15ab-dee0-9ec14b6e2e8f.jpeg)
Before and after pics, a lot has changed in the past year...
(//upload/9f1d8933-0cdf-7b10-e454-ce2447b9ab7e.jpg)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/FrgYzZaEvXjLvjNcnFYqbyon)
Some more before and after pictures. Sorry that they aren't from the same angle!! But this is actually the same part of the trail
(//upload/f6c98fb0-4169-eb18-2f0a-9d6b01f000ed.jpg)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/AXOJKbbeONdeKkmDaKqbUUxm)
We've been getting so much snow this year <3
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/ofkrVjTJTdNdcPUfIeBJEXGv)
And of course you can go slide down the hill by the waterfall
[video]https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/FCEZCLiFbtgTFJBpvJFtXgaB[/video]
Yo check out this before and after of the first switchback
(//upload/b4f3fedb-b5d1-be23-ebfd-e3b7d18368e3.jpg)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/svGxtbJPddHqJUeiHXGItwIw)
We've been getting so much snow, I love it!
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/KHILmyrHGMibnDmWzHVquKGk)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/RFrskYPssGkrgjOStOdFcXth)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/IsCAPjsBVkIjHCklLFxEqZws)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/ELOJhjJuRlOHqfJVnkLzYiWY)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/xSLVqnwnRiKDNGwuzdhHhZAV)
Hobbit house construction is underway
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/RCdtOXGlUjNvsxjhgpiwWNGz)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/QwqjnSJlHtrRsXIUGupCzsXp)
Quote from: rachel on February 01, 2022, 08:49:39 PM
Yo check out this before and after of the first switchback
(//upload/b4f3fedb-b5d1-be23-ebfd-e3b7d18368e3.jpg)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/svGxtbJPddHqJUeiHXGItwIw)
ayo u got netherite pickaxe already damn
Updated 1st switchback pics, spring has sprung and also some yellow dragons showed up to fern gully the place up a bit
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/OAQmLBNxPyiadNVLMDvaiFsx)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/svGxtbJPddHqJUeiHXGItwIw)
(//upload/b4f3fedb-b5d1-be23-ebfd-e3b7d18368e3.jpg)
a different take on raised-bed gardens. In the comments "put your dry plants at top and thirsty ones below."
(https://mltshp-cdn.com/r/1NSYR)
After working out an arrangement with a local food rescue we now have access to an industrial supply of compost. Every week we can pick up hundreds of pounds of food scraps from local grocery stores. What was once a small compost pile consisting of food scraps from my kitchen has increased by a couple orders of magnitude. The current pile size is approximately 3 meters long by 1 meter wide and 0.5 meters tall.
When we get new material to add to the compost pile we mix it with hay, leaves, and mulch to add carbon and absorb moisture. Whenever we turn the compost you can see steam rising from the pile and when you stand on top of it you can feel the heat radiating out of the ground.
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/zCPTGNANMmwpicFesrRsfvGQ)
The terraces are all growing nicely after we put pallet fencing around all of the garden plants. In fact the pallet fencing works too well, in that it also prevents me from getting into the garden area. So lately I've started walking on top of the hugels, using them as elevated pathways.
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/yWiOXMYSfrDUqqHVgcPZNYCt)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/jUrtVIfOFztdMJCOPiylnDov)
We've got a nice modest harvest this year considering how little effort I put into taking care of the plants. No irrigation necessary, all watered by storing precipitation in the soil.
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v1/download/wetfish.chat/zpHFwVyLmviDHCRNiWrHiCEs)
We got some drone footage 😎
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v3/download/wetfish.chat/vzMjQCYFxyKGjwyfoHGyVxJt/annotated-aerial-shot.jpg)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v3/download/wetfish.chat/yDDWqpCamMbNXYRrHAfVNpQj/mountain-terraces-before-and-after.jpg)
Just read this entire thread.
Damn... you've left me impressed.
holy shit this is awesome
I've been working on a new section of trail and Josiekins filmed me while working on it 😊
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycGD1TnUHOw[/video]
The long term plan is to come up with a bunch of videos explaining the nature conservancy project, trail building, terraces, etc.
Spring is here and we've been planting a whole bunch more raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries in the moist soil next to the hugels.
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v3/download/wetfish.chat/yUvrlMHXGuIzKTnVUfwpDJoh/KIMG6653.JPG)
The thunderstorms this year have been pretty epic!
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v3/download/wetfish.chat/lkgcptCuMrXEhkAWupkTiBQC/KIMG6721.JPG)
Shout out to all the cat & puppygirls who have been helping me dig out some ponds. xD
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v3/download/wetfish.chat/DrKXCyNOhwsHCBGfBWEltsaI/KIMG6693.JPG)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v3/download/wetfish.chat/YOFSWriFyGvljFQvaehfkcQZ/KIMG6667.JPG)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v3/download/wetfish.chat/sAtUwogIEYXewymkkIedTqzj/KIMG6703.JPG)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v3/download/wetfish.chat/xYxvwhHveKiqMobsmMAdChAG/KIMG6705.JPG)
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v3/download/wetfish.chat/fdrZNuBhbHsHNlmXAlVCtPEV/KIMG6718.JPG)
Solar array to power the live streaming internet & cameras being assembled at the local makerspace
(https://matrix.wetfish.chat/_matrix/media/v3/download/wetfish.chat/RCIXBnofvPcFfZCCeDMzZmcs/DSC_1485.JPG_20230614184646.jpg)
There's so much ice this year! This is the biggest I've ever seen the waterfall in winter
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URIxbM2GIAY[/video]
Picture of the ice waterfall from last year, I hope it freezes like this again!
(//upload/85c0a59a-191f-4fc2-b11c-355f2e9ad993.jpeg)
Esme joined the Wetfish LAND party April 2024