Musings of a minimalist Hunter - Jacob Gottfredson

[SHOOTALL]

 
    Yea, people get real complacent.
 
    My girlfriend likes to go on short hikes, mostly in places where there are lots and lots of people on clearly marked trails, in Parks.
 
    She is new to the Shendandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge mountains where I live.
 
     She got the idea last month that she wanted to go on a short 5 mile hike, on a trail in the National Forest, on the side of Massanutten Mountain.  Neither of us have ever been up there before.
 
    The day she wanted to hike, it was only 45 degrees, with a heavy wind blowing.  There was ice on the ground in places.
 
    I agreed to go, but ONLY after I had gotten out a day pack, and very carefully packed matches, lighter, fire starter, compass, jump cord, candle, water bottle, space blanket, first aid kit, sheath knife,  some energy bars, and plastic poncho.
 
   She was totallly PO'd with me.  Said I was totally overreacting and wasting her time.
 
   When we got up on that trail, there was NOBODY around.  Guess not, since it was the middle of winter.  It was very steep, with lots of softballs sized rocks and small boulders in the trail, covered with ice.
 
   When we got up there, she finally said, "Well, I guess it was good that you brought all that stuff."
 
   I said, "Yea, because if you break your leg up[ here and I didn't have this stuff, you would probably die of exposure."
 
   Nuff said.
 
Mannyrock

Maybe she should read about the people killed along the trail by 2 leged critters ....

[mechanic]

I'm taking my Webelo's scouts on a hike Sat.   I gave a list to the parents of what they need.  At LEAST a quart of water.  Ready to eat food.  GOOD shoes, or preferably boots.  Dress in layers so they can peel off as it warms.
 
One woman wanted to know if Converse tennis shoes were ok....I said no a rock could easily punch through and cut his foot.  She said "you have bandaids don't you"? 
 
Sure do, all I need is for her to come and carry a 100# boy 5 miles off a mountain, 'cause I can't.
 
People have no concept of reality anymore, having spent their entire "outdoor" experience in city parks.
 
Ben

[Couger]

Good post Mechanic.  Esp the points about carrying an injured kid back to help, and average folks thinking they rough it in a park!
 
When I worked in Civil Service for the Air Force managing piece-parts for Minuteman ICBM's, one of my engineers who was old enough to be my father, had four or five college degrees!
 
He used to tell me his sole idea of 'camping' was sleeping in his Bountiful, UT backyard on the kids' trampoline!  True story. 
 
Even in a state like Utah are plenty of stories about an occassional nimrod who gets into trouble (simply) if his car breaks down on a remote road and he thinks he can walk to help, after not telling a friend or loved one where he was going and what time he should have been home! Doesn't happen every year nor very often, but its been known to happen.

[Empty Quiver]

A persons perceptions are based on their experiences for sure. How would you go about explaining Ely, Mn. cold to someone from Panama? Until you experience it words just don't suffice.


Taking those kids on a Webelos trip is great. Letting them know that some gearing up for the adventure is appropriate. I can imagine Mom's comments come from the parent perspective of, OMG another $60 for boots? I just bought him shoes at Christmas, the things won't even fit in four months, he's growing like a weed blah, blah, blah. I love the outdoors and the same thoughts went through my noggin with my daughters as they were coming up. I recognized the need for proper gear but still cringed at the thought of excellent equipment being used a couple times and outgrown.


This makes me think I should look up the local Scout master and see if I might be able to fill a few needs with some outgrown or no longer needed stuff.