The day started well. I sat down at the crafting table to work on my bow, settled in, got into a rhythm… and realised I hadn’t hit record. Rookie mistake. I’d only lost about an hour of crafting, so I chalked it up as a warning shot from the universe.

As punishment, I stopped crafting and went outside. The bow could wait.

The Bow I Forgot I Owned

I grabbed some beef jerky and immediately spotted something I had somehow missed the day before: arrows. Several of them. Right next to them? A bow.

In my excitement during the last log, I’d completely overlooked the fact I already had a functional weapon setup. No crafting required. I took the bow, checked the arrows, and headed straight out to see what my snares had been up to.

Two rabbits, caught cleanly. I reset the snares, started a fire, and immediately had it refuse to light. One match gone, no progress.

Quick reminder for anyone new to this:

• Light a torch first
• Use the torch to start fires
• Save matches for when you actually need them

Food cooked. Water sorted. Crisis avoided.

Exploring Mystery Lake (The Hard Way)

With supplies handled, I decided to explore more of Mystery Lake. I knew there had to be another way down besides the rope, and I was determined to find it.

I did. Eventually.

It cost me a sprained wrist and ankle, but I had bandages and painkillers to spare. No panic. Once I got my bearings and realised I’d hit the transition toward Forlorn Muskeg, I made the call to head for Trapper’s Homestead.

Worst case, I lose some daylight. Best case, I find better clothing.

Crafting Progress (And Future Problems)

No luck on the clothing front, but the trip wasn’t wasted. While there, I crafted a rabbitskin hat. Not glamorous, but effective.

Next target:

• Rabbitskin mittens

I dropped another snare nearby. No rabbits in sight, but that’s future me’s problem.

I also made a point of staying outside as much as possible. Cabin fever will become an issue eventually, and I’m not interested in speeding that up.

Threats on the Horizon

Two long-term concerns are now officially on my list:

• Cabin fever – managed for now by not living indoors
• Scurvy – temporarily covered by stored food, but fishing will be needed

Fishing is unavoidable. It’s just a matter of when.

Stalker Reality Check

Three logs in, and Stalker hasn’t been the nightmare I expected. I genuinely thought I’d be tripping over wolves every time I stepped outside.

That hasn’t happened. Yet.

The tension is there. The margin for error is thinner. But so far, it feels manageable — and more importantly, enjoyable.

That probably means the game is waiting.

Video Log

More from The Long Dark

• The Long Dark Hub
• Stalker Instinct Series Hub
• Survive Your First Week in The Long Dark