!! In the quiet hours of the bootcamp grind, I found myself: Esteban's Bootcamp Experience

Any inclination to spread RMH ash on the ice?

B.E.L. Post # 60

After this morning’s meeting, Molly and I made a beeline for the shop and fired up the rocket mass heater to take the edge off the chill. With the shop nice and cozy, we processed more cardboard and woody bits, then loaded up the work rig with tools and good intentions.

From there we headed out to the Abbey and got right to work on the junkpole fencing project. We set three vertical posts in place, making sure to use the trusty gravel sock method—solid and simple.  

Once hunger called, we headed back for lunch, then returned to the Abbey for round two. This time the mission was road clearance near Ant Village, where three fallen trees had decided to become uninvited gatekeepers. We delimbered everything and got the area opened up again. Tomorrow’s plan is to have it all bucked, lifted, and fully off the ground.

A good, honest day of warmth, dirt, tools, and progress—exactly the kind that makes sleep come easy.

Coydon Wallham wrote:Any inclination to spread RMH ash on the ice?

Happy new year and it never crossed my mind ... thank you for placing it to my attention, I'll definitely spread some rmh ash today....

Esteban Ademovski wrote:
Happy new year and it never crossed my mind ... thank you for placing it to my attention, I'll definitely spread some rmh ash today....

Cool, I've used it on packed snow and it breaks up the surface to make it easier to walk on, but also leaves a bit of a mess so might not do it outside the main entrance of a building. Curious how well it works on an ice rink like that.

If you don't mind sharing, what is the WL preferred technique to cut up aluminium cans? Wondering what tool will cut without ruining the can sides or growing dull too fast...

B.E.L. Post # 61

Headed out to the Abbey for the first half of the morning and put in some solid time on the junkpole fencing. It always feels good to see that fence slowly but surely coming together, one pole at a time.

After lunch, I shifted gears and processed more cardboard and woody bits—steady, satisfying work that keeps things moving forward behind the scenes. Took care of a big ice patch as well, making things a bit safer for everyone passing through.

Wrapped up the day by slowing things down and watching a movie, which felt like a well-earned pause after a productive day.

Grateful for a good balance of work, care, and rest today.

Coydon Wallham wrote:

Esteban Ademovski wrote:
Happy new year and it never crossed my mind ... thank you for placing it to my attention, I'll definitely spread some rmh ash today....

Cool, I've used it on packed snow and it breaks up the surface to make it easier to walk on, but also leaves a bit of a mess so might not do it outside the main entrance of a building. Curious how well it works on an ice rink like that.

If you don't mind sharing, what is the WL preferred technique to cut up aluminium cans? Wondering what tool will cut without ruining the can sides or growing dull too fast...

Thanks again for the RMH ash suggestion — I really appreciate you sharing your experience with it. I brought it up in the morning meeting, and that exact concern was raised as well: tracking the ash mix into a building. The big ice patch is right next to, and directly in the path of, the red cabin, so we definitely want to avoid tracking anything in there if we can. In the meantime, I ended up laying sand on top of the ice patch to improve traction without the mess.

As for the aluminum cans, the method I’ve been using is to make a small starter incision on both sides with a box cutter, then switch to a smaller set of tin snips to cut off the ends and make the lengthwise cut. I’ve been finding that combo a bit more refined and controlled, and it seems to preserve the can sides pretty well without dulling the tools too quickly.

Appreciate the thoughtful questions and insights

Yesterday Friday 2026/01/02 Permies update

After harvesting more cardboard and woody bits, little Chapito and I headed over to the Abbey to continue work on the junkpole fencing repair. I was able to put up a good number of horizontal pieces on my own, which felt pretty solid. By the end of the first half of the morning, the section was nearly wrapped up—only five horizontal pieces left before finishing it off. I then got the junkpoles set in place, bringing that stretch much closer to completion.

For the second half of the day, I shifted gears into some woodland care. I finished bucking the three fallen trees that had been blocking the road. All three were bucked and placed above ground to keep things tidy and usable. Three down, many more fallen trees still waiting their turn—but progress is progress.

A good day of steady work, with Chapito supervising every step. 🌲🐕

B.E.L. Post # 62

Today was my off-boot day, but I still felt the itch to get a few things done. I took one of the work rigs and topped it off with gas so it’d be ready for the next round of projects.

From there I headed out to the laboratory and spent some time delimbing and bucking one of the fallen live trees. I made sure to get it fully off the ground so it can dry properly and stay usable for future needs—always feels good to turn a fallen tree into a future resource.

After wrapping that up, I headed back to basecamp and finished the day by processing one box of cardboard and a box of woody bits. Nothing flashy, but steady progress and a good way to ease through an off-boot day while still keeping things moving forward.

Grateful for a slower pace and the chance to tend to the little details that keep the system running.