Ash Canyon may be more difficult than I first thought.

[Doppel G Anger]

I have spent 37 days in Ash Canyon on my first run through. I am playing on Interloper, this run is at 118 days, and I have the skill levels and equipment to make me feel like I have a fighting chance. Even though I have been here for 5 weeks, I am seeing signs that Ash Canyon for an Interloper run may be the tougher than I first thought. This is a long post but I am caffeinated and I'm trying to postpone the start of my work day...

1. Spawning here on Interloper seems like it would be a death sentence unless you spawn near one of the exits. Until we know where the guaranteed matches are located, there is a pretty good chance that you will freeze, or at least get multiple cases of frostbite.

2. There are few indoor shelters and warm caves. When you start on Interloper, most interiors are still too cold but this problem is really bad in Ash Canyon as there are few structures, no known guaranteed matches, and few warm caves.

3. Wolf locations seem to be spread out but, within those wolf areas, there seem to be groups of 3 or 4 wolves. This is true around the fishing cabin in Bitter Marsh, west of Angler's Den (between the cabin and the climb up/down to the Gold Mine), and after the climbs up from behind Broad Falls. The locations west of Angler's Den and above Broad Falls are choke points too. You have to pass through a narrow area that is patrolled by 3 or 4 wolves

4. Even though there are a lot of wolves, and a moderate amount of deer/moose/rabbits, on the lower levels (the river and Bitter Marsh level), there is not much wildlife in the upper levels. After I passed through the cave that is between the lower and upper levels, I travelled through: Miner's Folly area, High Meadow, Homesteader's Respite, Mining Camp, Gold Mine, the area between the Gold Mine and Pillar's Footrest, the area/lake around Climber's Cave, and most of the connecting paths along these routes. I found approximately: 1 bear, 4 deer, 8 wolves, 8 rabbits, 6 deer carcasses, 40 or 50 cattails. This is a massive region to only have that much food and you are going to spend about 20% of those calories just by travelling around this huge area. If you don't have cooking level 5, you will really struggle.

5. The devs seem to have paid more attention to preventing the player from 'mountain goating" down cliff faces. A lot of the walls are shear so getting down them without a rope is not as feasible as it is in other regions.

Here is the worst case scenario for an Interloper spawn... You spawn in and you are lost because Ash Canyon is new territory, you can't find matches so you are freezing, there are no indoor locations so you are still freezing, you are forced through a chokepoint that has 4 wolves in it, you don't have any weapons or buildings to duck into to get them off of your tail, you can't ditch it over a cliff because the walls are vertical. You have to keep walking/running until you find a building or the exit. Even in the building, you are cold. If you find the exit, you are in Timberwolf Mountain with a lot of the same problems that I listed above. Ash Canyon definitely has some teeth to it.

[wilky]

Oh yeah? I never saw any wolves over by the Bitter Marsh fishing hut, and it made me wonder if it was a “moose only” area or not.

Not surprised to hear there sometimes may be wolves.

[Lenny Rat]

On my maiden run there I ran on Voyaguer. The only wildlife I saw between the spawn and Miners Folly were several bunnies at the Rabbit Patch. I didn't see anything but the bear at Miners. Once I killed and processed it several deer appeared the next day.

Firewood and sticks also seem to be less abundant so far.

[Martial.Lore]

I could have stayed longer with my fully kitted voyager, Astrid, but after 35 days I didn't mind ducking back to TWM at all. Not at all. Ash Canyon is a map that practically forces you to keep moving, with scarcity being the driver. The last place I discovered was Climber's Cave, which had the fire-fuel drops missing from Miner's Folly, but no easy access to food sources, none of which spawned while I was there.

Angler's Den seems the most feasible base because it's centrally located, but it's a long way to haul fish, and other wildlife food sources can't be relied upon. In addition, I am loathe to run wolf gauntlets if I can avoid them. I hate having to use weapons on them just because they block my way, and in AC there is oftentimes no other way past them.

At the Foreman's Rest cabin, I quickly saw that fire-fuel would be an issue and felt that the best way to keep stocked was to go all the way back to the bridge to High Meadow, picking up all the stick drops on the way. An easy enough thing to do but time consuming and calorie burning. I could easily imagine being caught out by a shortage of something at almost every AC location....

[Martial.Lore]

Originally posted by JayXL:

Originally posted by Martial.Lore:

Ash Canyon is a map that practically forces you to keep moving, with scarcity being the driver.

I don't know, I quite like it. I've been here for nearly 50 days, and I've settled on Homesteader's as my base. Great hunting with easy access to the valley floor, the top paths, and TWM.

Good fishing, got a couple of deer on the ice and another 2 up above the Fire Lookout climb, got some rabbits there too to mend my clothes, and took out all the wolves on the ice and found the moose the next day. I have enough meat to last for weeks, even on Loper. :coffeeTLD:

Is Homesteader's that little cabin above the fishing hut? I can't remember its name. But, yes, I agree that it's a good location. But crafting is still quite far away. Part of my reaction is probably still the newness of it, having spent the majority of my time there running around mapping.

[Martial.Lore]

Funny story: I got out of the region (AC) and was reading this other discussion post and someone mentioned Homesteader's and I was thinking," Damn, I missed something!? Homesteader's, WTF is that?" And it's on my map! Ohhhh... that little cabin....

[Doppel G Anger]

Originally posted by nextgengranny:

Having covered AC from top to bottom a couple times now in Pilgrim, I went looking for vids of gameplay there in other modes, & have watched two streamers get knocked back by it. If anyone here is making content, I'd enjoy seeing it.

Kimiota is fun to watch but he plays differently than any of us would ever need and he doesn't provide much in the way of instruction. I would suggest that you might want to check out Atheenon. He's pretty good at the game and he provides tips and information during his runs. When I made the leap to Interloper, I watched him a little and it really helped me out. There are a lot of layers to this game and he has most of them figured out. He has a play style similar to mine (i.e. slow and methodical) but watching him for a few hours will really help a moderate player step their game up. He posts his runs on YouTube as well so you can watch them there too.

[PowerOn]

I have no issues in spawn in Stalker and pass 100+ days in AC, other than a frostbite in early days, no wolf "dance", see just pairs here and there.

But today decide try Interloper, spawn near the rope/bridge above Shattered Cove.
"Parkout" down for Bitter Marsh, in derelict cabin and fishing hut find:
Can Opener and 1 thinder.

- 2 Deers near Fishing hut
- 2 wolves patrolling the exit for Angler's Den.
- 2 wolves patrolling the canyon for Angler's Den, ahead the shallow cave.

Arrive at Angler's Den in good condition, but a blizzard in next morning leave me loosing condition due thirst.

Angler's Den loot:
- Pybar
- 1 scrap metal
- 2 arrow points (useless without a knife/hatchet)
- 1 Dog food
- 2 soda

Dead guy at right, in the rocks:
- 1 cloth

Narrow Falls cave:
- 2 Cedar wood
- 3 coal pieces

BTW - The cave give 9º+ warmth over the temperature at mouth (-19º), without wind chill.
In Stalker when the outside temp is -2º the cave is too - 2º. ???

- 2 Rabbits and 1 deer at NE of Angler's Den

Near the Fire Barrel:
- 1 Dog food

Backpack in between:
- 1 soda

- 3 wolfs at least patrolling the exist ahead the Fire Barrel/Broad Falls.

Thirst and freezing end this run end in day 2.

Conclusion, without know a warranted match spawn the better to do is leave in day 1.
Spawn in lower parts and reach the upper part without matches will be very difficult.

What I could have done easily if instead of going to the Fishing Hut had gone for TWM exit ahead ... but TWM is ... "De Já Vú".

[alexUnder]

On my Loper explore-play I didn't ever(!) see a wolf on marshes. Actually I met 2 packs only: one in between fishing cabin and Anglers near the little falls; and another one near the exit from the canyon. Actually that's it. Classic loper. Not even a custom
Oh and I met a couple of solo wolves, not very dangerous since easily avoidable. One in the canyon entrance close to fishing cabin and another one close to the cave leading to TWM

[Snorlax]

For me on voyageur level, as long as you pass through the narrow space behind Broad Falls, you would only meet with one wolf and no dangerous wildlife afterwards until Gold Mine. And also luckily found a cave which connect on to the upper ground that leads to (maybe) peak of Ash Canyon and saw the entrance to Gold Mine below from that point.

[ArmandHammer]

This post is literally talking about Interloper and everyone's chiming in talking about their voyager run lol, it's not even the same game you're talking about at that point. It's completely unrelatable.

That's like trying to put a 2nd grader to debate Elon Musk on rocket science.

[PowerOn]

Start another Interloper gamer, this time in TMW near the container above M.Hut.
Climb down for the lake, collect some sticks and cat tails, and usual lot - no hacksaw.
Boil water an sleep in M.Hut.

Next day leave under heavy fog, East direction, almost pass over a wolf eating an deer.
Goat down for Echo Ravine and reach AC, near Bitter Marsh Fishing Hut 2 deers but no not wolves at sight.
Make fire in Fishing Hut, boil more water and make some tea.
When fog lift, leave for Angler's Den.

This time no wolves patrolling before the canyon - I think that Bitter Marsh has only one wolf group that eventually change place eventually.

Two wolves in the Canyon, ahead shallow cave, sneak pass then throwing rocks for distract.

Again 2 arrow point in A.Den, but no prybar, and again no matches. Sleep there.

Next morning leave for transition cave for upper part, the only way for a green survivor reach the highs.

Near Broad Falls 3 wolves patrolling at left side, but they don't see me.
After pass under the water fall make a camp fire just after the roots climb, for warmth and take torches for deal with the "wolf corridor", the only alternative for reach the upper part.

Two wolves came, scare one trowing torch and other throwing rocks, and run for the "funnel", another wolf in the lake - very close, I throw the torch and be luck work, he run scared and I run for the cave.

Cost 3 matches for cross the cave, one lit torch in the first part, one after internal water fall and one after rope climb. Try trow torch in upper part but no luck, seems that torch hit an invisible wall.

Then for Miner Folly, for sleep, find one box matches in Foreman's Retreat and one blue flare.
Broke curtains and mending cloths, could have make a hands protection, but temperature still not much low, -5 to -20.

Need stay there one more day due blizzard and the make a mistake, sleep with little water an wake-up at ~9%.

So need stay one more day for recovery a bit, in the next morning leave for the Gold Mine. Find the needed rope next to wood bridge.

Luck that are a bed inside the mine, or will need build and snow shelter with the few cloths remaining. One box of matches in the mine.

Collect the premium items in mine and return for M. Foley next day, taking the rope for put in Homesteaders Respite - what I find after that are not need, inside the cabin are a rope.
Two boxes of matches in Homesteaders Respite.

Probable next day leave for TMW in the other connection and go to the summit, what the new toys will help.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2333354563

Opera resume: at least 3 possible spawn for matches in AC in Interloper, but unless spawn in high ground, or in an area that require only 2 rope climb, these matches will not help.

Without matches and coffee no way to climb the three ropes of the short route for the mine. In other game I try under a blizzard and manage climb two, but without means for make fire and sleep, TLD.

[Metro]

Started a new Interloper run with the patch. After gearing up with some crafted clothes and weapons I headed for Ash Canyon to grab the technical pack and crampons. Almost died with the double (triple?) climb to get up to the mining area but fortunately I had coffee and was able to find a rock to build a fire and snow shelter behind to get enough rest/stamina to finish climbing.

No wolves that I could tell on the bluffs/high region and I eventually headed down to Angler's Den. Didn't see any near the fishing hut in Bitter Marsh but there were two or in the passage between the marsh and Angler's Den. As noted by others there are an absurd amount of wolves west of Angler's Den at the various choke point/passages to the rest of the lower region.

I developed parasites (1% chance RNG fail) so I killed about four or five wolves for the meat (no penalty from eating carnivore meat if you actually have the parasites) and still kept seeing packs of three or four. Felt like I was playing on Stalker. Fortunately there are tons of mushrooms in the region so I was able to make enough tea and now I'm camping at Angler's Den crafting bearskin bedroll, moose satchel, and waiting for another ten days of treatment for the parasites before I leave the region for someplace milder.

[PowerOn]

In my Interloper run manage to leave AC for TMW by West side, both exits are patrolled by 4 wolves.

East exit means face 2 group of 2 wolves, both easy to avoid, but end low in the lowest part of TMW area.

After trying reach the rope at SW I give up and move for NW exit - near Broad Falls, one wolf detect so I run in direction of Angler's Den, what ending be a good thing.

Instead go for cabin I turn for the Fire Barrel, as the pursuit wolf have loose sight.

Lit the barrel for heat up a tea, and throwing rocks crouched behind a fallen try, I manage to attract 3 wolves for near the falls.

So I run outflanking the first wolf that now are returning for their area, I walk crouched near rock wall trowing rocks for distract this wolf and the run for the exit. No wolves behind.

Reach the exit cave under a blizzard, and since I have around 70% of CF warning, decide cross the cave fast I try the luck in other side.

What went well, are able to build a snow shelter in the mouth of Deer Clearing cave, and could sleep and cure CF.

Next day reach summit, but since I spawn this run in TMW no hacksaw there, so collect just 2 boxes o matches, accelerant, one piece of metal scrap and the flare gun.
So far so good, less weight to carry back.
Dowsnside, will need make another snow shelter for sleep there.

BTW - If spawn in TMW and want the Crampons and new +5KG backpack, go for AC though Dear Clearing because in the transition cave are a Coffee mug, necessary for the triple rope climb.
The issue is the need of sleep in day 1/2, but exiting the transition cave don't go for the rope, go for the cave after Shattered Cove bridge, there are an leaves bed.

[Shredder]

I've tried starting a game there. The layout is too unforgiving to survive more than a day or two. The spawn locations are garbage. There is also nowhere to find any clothes. The only way to survive is start in pv and mosey on over there after gearing up.
Not sure why the zone exists. One of the devs must have had a fetish for rope bridges that lead nowhere.

[spatulaodoom]

I'm playing it on stalker, and while I'm only about 7 game days in, I'm having more difficulty here than in other zones. Perhaps it's because the zone is new to me, but it really does seem food is pretty scarce.
Liking it so far. Exploring a new area clean is fun.