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

How many junk pole fence sections have you built during your time at WL?

B.E.L. Post # 262

We started our morning at the Abbey, and it turned into one of those days where everyone was working on a different piece of the puzzle, but it all came together by the end of the day.

Sam was working on fixing the V's on some of the older versions of the fencing, while Dan was working on the solar panels. Jesse and I were working our way along the newer fence panels, slipping junkpoles into place and continuing to build them up.

Before we headed back to Base Camp, we tied down two 10' sections of animal fencing to the roof of the RAV4 and brought them back with us. It was one of those little logistical things that doesn't seem like much at the time, but having the materials where we needed them made the afternoon's work possible.

After lunch, I had Dan and Sam use those sections of animal fencing to shore up the house fencing. Those panels were built using an older version of the fencing design, and some V formations have been occurring in them. Covering those areas with the animal fencing should help protect things in the meantime, until we can eventually bring that section of fencing up to date with the newer design.

While they worked on that, I got some more tractor time in. I staged five tractor buckets worth of soil so Stephen could spread it along the newly formed road. I always enjoy getting more seat time on the tractor, and being able to use it to help move the project along makes the time on it even more worthwhile.

Once I finished up with the tractor, we all headed back to the Lab. We finished out the day with a junkpole harvesting blitz, getting a good supply cut and staged so Jesse will have plenty ready to work with during the next boot Week.

Looking back at the day, I really like how the work here tends to build on itself. We're not always finishing an entire project in one day, but we're constantly making progress, fixing what needs fixing, preparing materials for the next step, and setting things up so the next person can keep moving forward.

B.E.L. Post # 263

Today started off pretty simple. I filled up the turtle water tanks and then headed out to the Abbey with Dan.

Once we got there, I got back to harvesting junkpoles. I ended up getting 40 today, which brings my total to 65 harvested since Friday. I’m actually pretty happy with that number. When you’re out there working pole after pole, it doesn’t always feel like you’re accomplishing that much in the moment. Then you stop and look at the pile and realize, “Wow, I actually got a lot done.”

There’s something I enjoy about this kind of work. It’s physical, it keeps me moving, and there’s a pretty direct connection between the work I’m doing and the materials that will eventually be used for something around the Abbey. It feels good knowing that what I’m harvesting isn’t just sitting there—it’s going toward something.

Dan spent part of the day working on the solar for the Abbey, so we were both keeping busy with our own projects.

After we got back to Base Camp, I didn’t really feel like jumping into another big project. I just wanted to slow down for a bit. I spent the afternoon reading and hanging out with the fellow boots.

I think I’m starting to appreciate those moments more. Out here, there’s always something that could be worked on, something that needs fixing, or another task waiting around the corner. But sometimes it’s nice to just sit back, read a little, talk with the people around you, and let the day settle in.

It was a pretty simple day, but honestly, those are starting to be some of my favorite days here. A little work, a little progress, some time with good people, and some quiet time to myself. I’m good with that.

Mike Haasl wrote:How many junk pole fence sections have you built during your time at WL?

Honestly, I’d say I’m probably over 70 of the 9' sections  by now. I haven’t really been keeping track of an exact number, but thinking back on everything we’ve worked on, I’m pretty sure it’s at least 70+.

The windstorm gave us about 30 panels that were completely down and another 10 or so that were leaning. Then there were the 6–8 sections around the Abbey entrance that were originally metal animal fencing, plus all the sections we’ve been working through from the entrance toward the Cooper Cabin gate.

A bunch of those needed to be rebuilt because the posts were rotted out at ground level— specifically the ones that didn’t have gravel socks.

So yeah, 70+ is probably a pretty good ballpark ...

B.E.L. Post # 264

This morning started with the cleaning blitz, which was, as always, very delightful. 😂 After that, I headed over to the berm extender in front of the Red Cabin and gave it a good watering. I also got some chop-and-drop done and watered a few things by hand with the watering can.

In the afternoon, Sam and I headed over to the Abbey to harvest more junkpoles to keep filling in the fencing panels for tomorrow. I harvested 35 poles myself today, bringing my total to 100 junkpoles since Friday. It’s definitely been a productive few days of harvesting. 💪

After we wrapped things up, I spent the rest of the evening slowing things down a bit. I read, journaled, sketched, and just relaxed with Chapito.

With my one-year mark here at Wheaton Labs getting ever so closer, I've also found myself doing a little more reflecting lately. A lot has happened in this nearly year here, and it’s interesting to look back at where I started, what I’ve learned, and all the different projects and experiences that have become part of my journey here.

Tonight was a good evening to just sit with those thoughts and enjoy a little quiet time.

Esteban Ademovski wrote:Honestly, I’d say I’m probably over 70 of the 9' sections  by now. I haven’t really been keeping track of an exact number, but thinking back on everything we’ve worked on, I’m pretty sure it’s at least 70+.

The windstorm gave us about 30 panels that were completely down and another 10 or so that were leaning. Then there were the 6–8 sections around the Abbey entrance that were originally metal animal fencing, plus all the sections we’ve been working through from the entrance toward the Cooper Cabin gate.

A bunch of those needed to be rebuilt because the posts were rotted out at ground level— specifically the ones that didn’t have gravel socks.

So yeah, 70+ is probably a pretty good ballpark ...

That must be a few thousand junkpoles. Are they getting harder to find for harvest? Is anything being done as far as coppicing there?

Coydon Wallham wrote:

Esteban Ademovski wrote:Honestly, I’d say I’m probably over 70 of the 9' sections  by now. I haven’t really been keeping track of an exact number, but thinking back on everything we’ve worked on, I’m pretty sure it’s at least 70+.

The windstorm gave us about 30 panels that were completely down and another 10 or so that were leaning. Then there were the 6–8 sections around the Abbey entrance that were originally metal animal fencing, plus all the sections we’ve been working through from the entrance toward the Cooper Cabin gate.

A bunch of those needed to be rebuilt because the posts were rotted out at ground level— specifically the ones that didn’t have gravel socks.

So yeah, 70+ is probably a pretty good ballpark ...

That must be a few thousand junkpoles. Are they getting harder to find for harvest? Is anything being done as far as coppicing there?

Yeah, I’ve been harvesting fresh material for the posts and support pieces with coppicing in mind, and reusing the older junkpoles as pickets to fill in the panels wherever I can.

And yeah, you’re right — I must’ve harvested hundreds of trees by now. 😂 It’s definitely made me look at the woodland a little differently. I’ve gotten more mindful of what I’m cutting and what I’m leaving behind, trying to work with the regrowth and keep things healthy for the next round instead of just taking whatever I can get.

Yesterday 2026/09/21

We started out at the Abbey, focusing on filling in the four remaining panels by the Cooper Cabin gate. Once we get those finished, we’ll turn our attention to getting the gate back on the entrance where that deer decided to make its grand entrance and knocked the whole thing down.

After lunch, we shifted over to irrigation. Dan and Sam spent some time clearing logs and other material along or near the path Paul has been working on, while I hopped on the tractor and continued building up the berm by the Love Shack. I added another layer of soil over the woody bits that were already there, slowly building the berm up a little more.

Once I was done with the tractor work, I got some chop-and-drop done and filled up the turtle water tanks before heading back to my little garden bed project. I covered the remaining exposed soil with mulch, which is starting to make the whole area look a lot more intentional and a little less like a boot randomly decided to rearrange the landscape.

Toward the end of the shift, I grabbed Sam to help me move a nice little slab of stone that I think will make a perfect base for the bird bath I’ve been envisioning for the site. It took two boots to get it where I wanted it, but we got it done.