Things You Can't Camp Without

Lots of wool clothing.
I agree with everyone who'e said socks- I'm a huge foot care advocate. I've seen a lot of trench foot in my time. Once you've seen your foot turn green, you'll never forget your spare socks again.
And a good knife is very important. I'm still looking forward to using my WW2 era kukri out in the bush. I'd sooner have one of those than a dozen other knives. It will chop your wood, butcher your meat, do some rudimentary carving, and it's a goddamn menace in a fight. Best knife you can have in a survival situation.

 

Can be thrown in a pinch too. Might get you a rabbit if your lucky.

 

It said that the spray will also attract bears!

 

So will a menstrating woman. Can't live in fear.

Better have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Bears eat you while you're still alive, you know. They sit on you and tear off parts they like.



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Man, really. I've encountered so many bears I couldn't even tell you. NEver had a problem. Just don't sneak up on em, and don't get between ma and the babies. Even if they charge, they are usually bluffing. A bear's MO is to get as fat as possible before it's time to go back into hibernation. That means they will go for the easiest food available, and they will NEVER unnecessarily risk getting wounded in a fight. Humans are off the menu.

 

No no no no no.

Humans are NEVER off the menu bro.

This is an apex predator. If they're hungry enough, they'll treat you just like any other prey.


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So? You want to make the bear mad?

Are you familar with Freddy Kruger and his slice and dice handiwear?

Mr Bear has a set like that too. You've only got one blade to your name, and a fraction of his strength.

Leave the knife for camp duty. Get the spray.




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Perhaps I'm lucky then? Or maybe it's my charming disposition that made them spare me? No, really. I'm not saying shit doesn't happen out there, and I don't suggest you go give them a hug, just that the danger is often exaggerated. They have to be REALLY hungry. Most attacks are due to people surprising the bear. It depends on where you are though. Around the Pacific NW, they're probably more preoccupied with berries and fish. Could be wrong though.

Say, I was wondering... many cougar in that area?

 

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Thats how it's done alright... Only problem is you only got one chance. You better hope it's a strong spear and you hit the heart, or you'll both be fucked.
But your right. We thrived for millions of years on this planet, for most of our existence as a species, without all that junk.

 

When I back packed into Glacier NP fifteen years ago I carried a tank of pepper spray the size of a fire extinguisher for the grizzlies.

 

We do have a few cougars around here but not many. Black bears are plentiful.

I was blasting down a logging road a few years ago (bicycle) on the northern Oregon coast, came around the corner doing about 40mph, and there was a whole family of bears standing around. Young and old.

I let out a yell they could hear in Seattle.

They parted like the red sea.

Way too much andrenaline though. The thought of plowing into that group at high speed haunted me for years afterward.

Black bears are harder to scare away. They keep coming back.



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That reminds me of a particularly nasty hitchhiking ride my partner had. Returning home from a trip to pick up some herb, she was picked up by two kids in a stolen truck being persued by the cops. They took a logging road somewhere near Coombs, I think. Speeding down those roads is dangerous.... Anyway, they hit a baby bear at top speed and painted the windshield with it's fucking guts. These crazy kids just laughed, thought it was the greatest thing ever. They let her out near Coombs after putting some distance between them and the cops, and she changed her cloths to avoid being recognized. She was lucky they let her go- when people like that pick up a girl and drive her down a logging road, it doesn't often work out so well for the girl. It was kind of funny, because after relating the story at a local bar, it turns out some of them had heard the whole thing on the police band radio. She's still fucking traumatized by the experience. Coincidently, she described the kids to me, and I'm pretty sure they had also picked ME up in a stolen truck one time.

 

A fire extinguisher? Man, thats a lot of weight I'd rather not carry through the mountains!

 

Oh Jesus, Xenon I just reread that- I hadn't realized you were on your bike. That is scary!

 

When we go camping I never forget beer,matche's,wood&fire starter's u can get them at walmart,steak's,A1 steak sause,we asways take exter food because when you are in the wood's your alway's hungery,chairs,fishing pole's& bait,something to take nap's in,oh yea the camper,extra bottle's og gas for cooking,or you can cook over the fire that's the way I like to cook,...

 

hobo pie makers are a must have along with the fixens for pizza,beer,weed and never forget your headlamp

 

I'd have to agree the headlamp is at the top of the list. Make sure the batteries are charged. This past weekend we back packed into the mountains of southern vt, set up the tent, ate some 'shrooms, and climbed a peak just in time for sunset. On our way down it got dark, and my lady's headlamp had died, but luckily we had mine to navigate the precipices, or it would've been a long time gettin' down, as the moon was not there. Another good thing to do is check the status of the moon before you go, and plan to go when it's full or close to full. Then you may not need a headlamp, and night hikes are eye candy.

I just recently got a Brunton Raptor butane canister stove, and this thing rocks! Boils water in a few minutes. We used it all weekend in the tent vestibule, which was great 'cause it was damned cold and windy. I didn't like the idea of the disposable canisters, but it burns much smoother than my whisper lite white gas stove, and the canisters are thin aluminum and recyclable.

 

flashlight....marijuana