The unexpected, the bad stuff, always can happen and usually does. We can learn how to be prepared, but there’s no substitute for experience.

How do we learn things like survival, bushcraft, self-reliance, and leadership? People teach us. We watch others. We read. And we learn by experience. How do you plan for the unexpected? Well, you can’t always.

In the 1970’s I taught wilderness survival skills at a Boy Scout camp for several summers. It was a lot of fun. The BSA had created the Wilderness Survival merit badge around 1974.

During each week at camp the scouts learned basic skills of survival in the outdoors. They put together personal survival kits, learned how to create fire using a handful of methods, how to conserve energy and stay warm and dry, find sources of water and purify it, and many other skills. They practiced and practiced.

We wrapped up each week with an overnight wilderness survival experience. After hiking for a couple of miles, we camped at the same outpost area each week for the six-week camp season. Nearby was a pond with cattails and a variety of frogs, snakes, and small fish. Teams of scouts built lean-to shelters covered with debris and brush.

The scouts were tired from an afternoon of hiking, making shelters, starting fires, boiling water to drink, and catching frogs and other critters for a meal. The mosquitoes weren’t too bad either. By midnight the young men had settled down to rest; some were asleep.

Molten Rubber Is Not Your Friend

It was around 1 a.m. and I was catching a few winks to the sound of bullfrogs, when I heard yelling and commotion coming from a shelter about 25 yards away. One of the boys had fallen asleep with his feet toward the campfire outside his shelter. His boots had been wet from scavenging for food around the pond and he hoped they would dry in the heat.

Unfortunately the boots were a little too close to the fire. The rubber soles on the boots were smoking and started to melt. The other boy in the shelter noticed this and yelled to the scout by the fire. And the first thing he did when he awoke was… you guessed it… reach down and grab the soles of his boots with his bare hands. The molten rubber burned the hell out of his hands. I half-carried him and dragged him screaming down to the pond to plunge his hands in the cool water.

We had packed a CB radio walkie-talkie (this was the 70s, remember) and I was able to reach the admin building and call for an evacuation by jeep. In about 20 minutes I was relieved to hear the jeeps coming up the logging road that ran by our outpost site. The scout was taken to the local hospital and treated for serious burns on his hands.

It’s not all about skills and equipment

The lesson of the melting boot wasn’t in the merit badge pamphlet or any survival manual that I’d read. Nothing else could have prepared us for the accident. The scouts knew the survival techniques and skills we had practiced all week. They had them down cold. They could light fires like nobody’s business.

But the unexpected, the bad stuff, always can happen and usually does – especially when we’re tired, wet, cold, hypothermic, or dehydrated. Survival is about saving your life and avoiding serious injury until you are rescued. Practicing wilderness survival is a whole lot more than learning a bunch of skills and having the right equipment. We can teach some of it, but there’s no substitute for experience.

Photo by wonderferret

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There are many options for carrying water and other liquids while hiking and backpacking. These range from simple, lightweight empty sports drink bottles to stainless steel water bottles to durable plastic Nalgene bottles. The Mayo Clinic advises that your fluid intake may be adequate if “you rarely feel thirsty and produce 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) or more of colorless or slightly yellow urine a day.” Heavy exercise such as backpacking and running increases our need for water. Several reliable drink bottles or hydration bladders are inmportant pieces of gear.

A reminder: Check your old plastic water bottles and food containers to make sure they aren’t made from BPA — a polycarbonate plastic that was used to make hard-plastic drinking bottles. It may be time to buy some new drink bottles. Chemicals leaching from the BPA plastic has been shown to interfere with reproductive development in animals, and has been linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes in humans, among other things.

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Great St Bernard Pass, a 49-mile route in the Western Alps ~ Photo by Nolege

St. Bernard of Menthon is the patron saint of alpinists, climbers, backpackers, and skiers. His memorial day is May 28. A French monk who founded hospices in the Alpine passes, St. Bernard is variously called St. Bernard of Menthon, St. Bernard of Montjoux (“Jove Mountain”), or St. Bernard of Aosta. He lived from 923 to 1008.

It appears that the history and legend of his family heritage have merged over time. It is written that he was descended from a rich, noble family and received a thorough education. He refused a marriage proposed by his father and decided to devote himself to the service of the Church.

Whether or not Bernard of Montjoux descended from a noble family, he did study for the priesthood and was ordained for the diocese of Aosta in north-western Italy at the foot of the Alps. For 42 years he continued to preach the Gospel to the people of the Alps, effecting numerous conversions and working many miracles.

Trail Angel of the Alps

The accounts of Bernard’s charity, hospitality, and courage on behalf of travelers in the Pennine Alps between Switzerland and Italy are renowned. There he built two hospices and saved the lives of mountain travelers who had fallen victims of avalanche, exposure, and other mountain hazards.

He built one hospice on Jove Mountain at 8,000 feet, the highest point of the pass, and he later built another one at the more southern pass, a mountain saddle in the Graian Alps, 7,076 feet above sea-level. After his death the two passes were renamed after him: Grand St. Bernard and Petit St. Bernard. The Great St. Bernard Pass is a 49-mile route in the Western Alps that is only snow free for a couple of months during the summer.

In order to staff these hospices, Bernard founded a small religious order of Augustinian canons, today known as the Canons Regular of SS. Nicholas and Bernard of Montjoux. From the hospices, the monks went out in search of victims who might have succumbed to the severity of the weather. They offered food, clothing, and shelter to the unfortunate travelers and took care of the dead. Bernard also started a patrol that cleared robbers from the mountains.

Even today, these canons continue to devote their attention to the needs of Alpine travelers and to the spiritual welfare of those who live in the nearby mountains.

St. Bernard was canonized in 1681 by Pope Innocent XI. Later, he was further honored in the late 1800′s when European dog breeders renamed the Alpinie Mastiff, the St. Bernard.

 

 

Colin Fletcher photo by John Sexton

My Vote for a Modern Patron Saint of Backpackers is Colin Fletcher (1922–2007), a pioneering backpacker and writer. His writing gave a generation a thirst for adventure and the wild outdoors. He was the first to walk the length of Grand Canyon entirely within the rim of the canyon “in one go” — only second to complete the entire journey — as chronicled in his bestselling 1968 memoir The Man Who Walked Through Time. Through his influential hiker’s guide, The Complete Walker, published the same year, he became a kind of “spiritual godfather” of the wilderness backpacking movement.

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What's in your pack? Here are a dozen items that each weigh less than an ounce (28g) that I've found to be indispensable.

Take a look at your gear. Each new piece of gear adds weight to your base pack weight, so you choose carefully. There are bound to be items in your pack that don’t weigh very much at all, yet you find them indispensable. Here are a dozen items that each weigh less than an ounce (28g) – some of them much less.  And more often than not I’m thankful they’re in my pack.

1. Earplugs. Snoring tent mates. Crazy katydids and crickets. Talkative travelers on buses, trains, and planes. Loud campers at a nearby tent site. There’s nothing worse than trying to relax or get to sleep in the midst of a noisy racket. A few pair of earplugs tucked away in your pack can save the day, or the night. Urethane foam earplugs can be molded in your fingers to fit comfortably in your ears. They come in two flavors: corded and uncorded. Corded plugs are easier to keep track of I think. You can hang them around your neck when you’re not using them. Uncorded earplugs are cheaper and you can buy several pair in case you lose one.  REI offers an earplug set with 3 individually packaged pairs of earplugs.
2. Flint Fire Starter. As a primary or backup fire starter, I carry a flint rod. It’s actually a ferrocerium rod that can be purchased from many sources.  I inserted the rod into a drilled opening in a small dowel and added a lanyard. It weights 0.6oz. The fire starter throws sparks equally well when wet or dry by using a knife blade or other striker. Commercially made versions like Swedish Fire Steel are widely available, too.
3. Streamlight 73001 Nano Light. This anodized aluminum light is smaller than it looks!  It’s only about a 1.5 inches in length and weighs 0.8 ounces. The end twists like a Maglite to turn the unit on and off. It offers a long-lasting white LED and up to 8 hours of light output. A clip attaches the light to a lanyard, to a D-ring on my pack, or to a ridgeline in a hammock for easy access. A pink version is available. The Photon LED Light is also a great option, especially the models with an on/off/momentary switch.
4. Aquamira Water Purifier Tablets. A single Aquamira tablet added to one liter of water kills bacteria, viruses, giarda and cryptosporidium. The 12 pack of tablets is ultra light and compact (weighs 0.4 oz.). You can use the tablets as your primary system, or as a backup to a filter purification system as I do. As an alternative, for about the same weight (about an ounce), repackage Aquamira Water Treatment Drops into 0.25-oz fluid capacity mini-dropper bottles sold by Backpacking Light.
   
5. Recipe Rescue Kit. Soy sauce, cocktail sauce, hot sauce, horseradish sauce, chopped  onions, and many other types of condiments may be available from restaurants in your area. When you have extra packets from your visits to these restaurants, put them in a zip lock bag in your refrigerator. Then take a few on your next backpacking trip as a Recipe Rescue Kit to add a bit of pizzazz to a meal that’s a wee bit boring. Remember to pack out the empty plastic and foil packets.
   
6. Sun MiniComp II Compass. Sun markets this as a Micro Orienteering Compass. It measures 1.1″W x 2.0″L and only 0.4 oz. It’s a good little compass, whether you use it as a primary tool, or as a backup compass. The liquid-filled luminous compass has a rotating 360 degree bezel. It comes with a lanyard, though you might want to exchange it for a longer length of Spectra cord.
7. Mini Fox 40 Safety Whistle. Get one of these for your whole family.  They’re great for backcountry and urban travel. At only 0.5 ounce you won’t even notice it clipped to your pack strap until you need it. It’s a pealess whistle, and it is loud. It comes in various colors. Keep it accessible when you hike and teach the kids how and when to use it. The Fox Micro Safety whistle is good too.
8. Mountain Hardwear Micro Dome. Cover your head to stay warm all over.  The 100% Polyester 1 oz Micro Dome keeps your head covered and warm.  Excellent to wear while sleeping to stay nice and toasty.  It packs small and easily stuffs into a coat pocket.  Also works great as a hand warmer.
9. Hacksaw Blade Knife. You carry a knife while backpacking of course. Do you have a backup?  Think about taking along this high-carbon steel knife made out of a hacksaw blade that packs flat and takes up almost no space.  Oh, and did I say that it costs about 10 cents?  This is an awesome idea that I saw on the M40 Survival site.   You owe it to yourself to make one and carry it in your kit.  Learn how to make your own hacksaw blade knife on the M40 Project 10 Cent Survival Knife page.
10. The StickPic. This ingenious invention enables you to take self portraits or shoot a video of yourself without having your forearm in the shot. You can also use it to take other types of photos that would be almost impossible without it. The StickPic screws into the tripod socket of your camera and then slips on to the tip of your trekking pole. It weighs a mere 1/3 oz.   The StickPic is a simple gadget, but it’s amazing!
11. Cotton Bandana. The simple, unassuming bandana.  It has dozens of uses: potholder, sweat-wiper, signaling device, first aid sling, water filter, and an evaporative cooling device for your neck. The list goes on and on.  Most bandanas weigh less than an ounce and only cost a few dollars. You can buy them at REI, or Wally World, or a craft store. A cool Blaze Orange Survival Bandana and a green What Knot Bandana are available from Antigravity Gear. (Those are a tad heavier than an ounce though – maybe the cotton is heavier.)
12. Backpacking Light Ultralight Headnet. Mosquitos and black flies are kind of annoying.  Keep the buggers at bay, away from your head and neck with this headnet from Backpacking Light. Unlike most nets, this one offers better visibility and is lightweight (only 0.3 oz). The pore size of the mesh is not as fine as a typical noseeum mesh headnet. However BPL advises that a good treatment with permithrin will dramatically improve its effectiveness against tiny insects, such as midges and gnats.

What gear do you recommend that weighs under an ounce?

Leave a comment and let us know.

Photo by Al_HikesAZ

Kit contents (clockwise): case, Nitrile gloves, triple antibiotic ointment, zinc oxide, gauze roll, duct tape, meds, and 2"x2" gauze pads.

What’s in your first aid kit? The basic first aid kit I’ve carried in recent years really has only two things:  a roll of gauze and a small roll of duct tape.  Say what?  (It’s true. Well, not entirely. I’ll explain in a minute.)

The contents of a first aid kit (or a survival kit for that matter) are different for each person. My own choice of items for a first aid kit is based on its usefulness, the added weight of an item, and whether or not I already have something in my backpack that can do the same job.

My First Aid Kit Philosophy

We’ve seen first aid kits for sale that are loaded with all kinds of stuff, right? Much of it is redundant or completely useless. Take for example those cheap scissors included in most ready made first aid kits. Well, the scissors on a Leatherman Squirt S4 or a small Classic Swiss army knife are way better – and I already have them in my backpack. Forget those cheap ones.

First aid is survival. Your backpack is already loaded with stuff that you can use for surviving in the wilderness. Most of what you put in a first aid kit probably duplicates things you’re already carrying, or something you can improvise.

You see where I’m going here? My first aid kit philosophy works for me.  I opt to carry less and think often about how I might use everything in my pack for first aid/survival. However each person needs to consider his or her own comfort level with this and do what seems reasonable.

The Dynamic Duo: Gauze and Duct Tape

My earliest first aid kits were chock full of Band-Aids in every conceivable size and shape.  The simple gauze/tape combination that I now carry replaces those and can be used for hundreds of situations. It can cover abrasions, butterfly lacerations, reduce blister hot spots, cover blisters, create an eye patch, and much more. They are a versatile pair.

If the problem is minor, it can usually be treated with something in my pack or something that can be improvised. If not, then it’s probably a major deal, and chances are we’re talking about stabilization and rescue rather than treating a problem and hiking onward.

A Larger First Aid Kit is not Necessarily Better.

Just because you have more “stuff” doesn’t necessarily make you safer or improve chances for survival. Even if someone carries a huge first aid kit, it does little or no good if they don’t know how to use it. In fact, it’s possible to do more harm than good. The knowledge that we have in our head is way more important than any piece of equipment that we carry.

Would you believe that some Rambos have actually sutured their wounds in the field?  Sutured wounds that are not properly cleaned and irrigated become infected, nasty, and painful. You can make butterfly strips out of duct tape that can close a wound very easily.

The Usual Contents of My Kit

OK, time for me to come clean. I actually do carry a few more things for first aid besides gauze and tape. (And sometimes I still do carry Band-Aids!)  My basic first aid kit for several people on a short backpacking trip:

• 2″ gauze (a roll 2” x 4 yards and several 2″x2″ squares)
• several yards of duct tape
• Triple antibiotic ointment
• repackaged zinc oxide (diaper rash, irritated skin, sun block, poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac)
• Ibuprofen, 6 pills
• Imodium, 6 pills
• Benadryl 25mg, 6 pills
• Pepcid 20mg, 6 pills
• 2 pair Nitrile non-Latex gloves

Elsewhere in my backpack:

• Leatherman Squirt S4 or small Swiss army knife (Classic). Sharpen the Classic tweezers to a point to make it easier to remove splinters and ticks.
• Hand Sanitizer/First Aid Antiseptic Spray (I don’t like the gel stuff.)
• 3 large safety pins
• Water purification
• Sun screen
• One 0.35 oz tube Carmex lip moisturizing balm
• One page of personal info in a plastic bag photocopied with all of the following – meds, medical history, allergies, ICE (in case of emergency) contact info, driver’s license, and health insurance card (front and back)

Depending upon who I’m traveling with, I add other things to the kit.

Especially when kids come on a trip I actually do carry Band-Aids.  They weigh next to nothing so adding a handful to the first aid kit is no burden.  My extensive research has shown that the glow-in-the-dark SpongeBob Squarepants Band-Aids are excellent for comforting and distracting kids from their cuts and scrapes.  This works for adults, too.

If someone in the group has had life-threatening allergic reactions in the past (anaphylaxis), we’d be sure to carry several Epipens. Regular medications also always come along for everyone.  And depending on weather and expected exertion levels, we might carry drink mixes containing sodium and potassium salts to keep electrolyte levels in check.

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This is a guest post from Frank and Sue Wall's Our Hiking Blog, where they write about bushwalking, hiking, backpacking, and the environment in Australia.

In a hurry to complete your hike in three days instead of five?

Have to tick off another peak, forgetting to enjoy the view?

In this guest post, Grant, our mate we met with Paul at Wild Dog Creek, in the Walls of Jerusalem, agreed to post about his “philosophy” of bushwalking.

Many thanks to Grant, our Wild Dog Minister, for taking the time to craft these words. We hope he got as much out of it as we did.

Bushwalking has, for at least as long as I’ve been in Tasmania, been part of my spiritual journey. The solitude of solo walking, the wilderness, the potential life-threatening situations, the memories and reflections that come to mind while walking, all combine to create, for me, a significant spiritual encounter. The wilderness has seeped into my unconscious with snakes becoming significant primal mythic figures, and mountains becoming symbols of my life’s destiny.

Tassie I love U – The Franklin by ximentapia

The somewhat artificial psychological impositions, like Peak Bagging points, or beating Chapman’s times, in my view, distract and detract from being present, engaging with grasses, water, trees, snakes, and rock. More and more I experience walking pace as too fast. Surrounded by rocks that rarely move, plants that grow in the one and only spot of soil for their entire existence, insects and creatures who live in a fairly local area, it is this stillness which is a great lure for me.

And while there are birds who travel quickly, wombats ambling, various ‘roo-named’ marsupials and recognizing my own bi-ped creatureliness, there is something profoundly renewing for me in being attentive to these ‘stilled’ places rather than rushing by, which walking pace at times feels like. I refer to this pausing, pondering and attentiveness as ‘pilgrim pace.’

The emergence of ‘pilgrim-pace’ in my thinking brought back an earlier question of why I go out there. What is motivating me? What need? What desire? What is in it for me? What is in it for the land? What is in it for others? Who else is out there with me?

The land has existed without me for eons, and will continue without me. These trees, rocks, etc are utterly disinterested in my life and whatever is on my mind as I walk. Perhaps these trees, rocks etc are ‘annoyed’ at my fleeting passing, maybe they’d prefer me to stop so they might take a good look at me similar to the way I stop and have a close look at various plants, trees, rocks, etc. And so I stop, I linger, I cultivate an opening of my Self. I look closely and I consciously see myself as being looked at just as closely by an Other. I ask, what does this plant ‘see?’ I know it has no eyes, but I project my own self reflection out onto the plant from what this plant evokes within me.

In the experience I see my own reflection, I identify what within me surfaces during this encounter, and I now have a different kind of regard for this plant and other plants, and for myself. Even without this ‘interaction’ the experience of slowing myself, of considering the life of plants and creatures, or the existence of rocks, all of this changes me. It changes my self understanding. It changes how I feel about this land, about myself and Life. It changes the way I pray and the foundational myths I live by.

Photo of “Gum Trees of Tassie” by vanlaar

Is the tree a being? Is sentient consciousness a prerequisite to being? The tree is, without consciousness. And yet, perhaps not. Within the Christian traditions there a some traditions that speak of humanity not as pre-eminent creature, not as dominating feral creature called to use and misuse creation for selective groups of humans’ comfort without regard to the extermination of millions of creatures and species nor the detriment of the planet.

Rather, some of these ‘eco-theology’ traditions spring from interpretations of Jesus Christ as the cosmic Christ, who is an embodiment of a universal ‘Wisdom-figure’ who is God. I prefer that part of the tradition that sees the Spirit as incarnate in creation, taking the form of various elements, such as fire, wind, and creatures, such as a dove, so that the creation is seen as an embodiment of the Spirit. So when I walk I am walking on and in the Spirit. When I pause at a plant and ‘open my Self’ I am seeing this encounter as Spirit communing with Spirit.

Naturally, this is just as true in the suburbs as the wilderness, but it seems more easily accessible, or recognizable, to my spirit in the wilderness than the suburbs where life is messier and walking pace is far too slow to do what I’m called to be and do there. So, for me, walking in the bush is spiritual retreat, prayer, awareness of creatureliness, Spirit communion and beginning to become acquainted with places.

And when I return home my family notice I am more relaxed, centered, purposeful about what is most important, letting the inanities remain peripheral, and, as best I can, live attentively and open to the Other.

Photo by NeilsPhotography

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My son sets out to change the world. What am I going to do with what my son has taught me?

Last week my youngest son asked me if I would help him build a desk for his room.  I asked him what he was going to use for materials.  He said that he had found stuff in the garage and had a plan in mind.

Each night he would ask if I would come out to the garage and cut some pieces of wood that he had measured and marked.  It was hot.  I was tired.  I put him off.  He kept asking.  Finally after four days, the guilt had built up and I went out in the garage (with added prompting from my wife) to build a desk and “make a memory” that he would look back upon as he grew older.

I have to admit though, that I was just waiting for the obstacle to appear that would postpone our project.  In the garage it was 104 degrees F and my t-shirt was soaked through in the first 15 minutes.

You see, as we were cutting wood, and fastening the pieces together according to my son’s master plan, he stopped what he was doing and he says, “Dad, I’m going to change the world with this desk.”  My jaw dropped.

At this point I realized that I was being schooled.  I thought that by going out into the garage and helping my son, I was helping him make a memory.   The tables had been turned.

I had forgotten what it was like to be 11 years old, when anything was possible – a time when we could build amazing creations out of stuff that was just lying around.   As adults, it seems, we always need to have a detailed plan, a list of all the right materials, the precise tools for the job, the perfect weather, the best helpers, and also be in the mood.

7 Lessons I learned from my son

1. See what others don’t see. In a pile of scrap lumber in the garage my son saw the makings of a desk.  He sees potential.  I most often see the pitfalls.
2. Absolutely everything is possible. An 11-year-old knows that everything is possible.  Be 11 years old forever.
3. Don’t take no for an answer. He asked me four nights in a row to help him build that desk:  I said, “not tonight.”  Eventually I said, “yes.”  Keep at it.
4. Don’t get discouraged. Even when I told my son “not tonight,” he didn’t get disheartened.
5. There’s no time like right now! He had an idea and was determined to make it happen.  How many times have I caught myself making plans like:  When the kids are grown then we’ll do this thing?  Seize the moment.
6. Use what you have right now – talents and materials.  To make something happen, you don’t need investors, money, tools, office space, staff, or anything other than what you already have been given.   Don’t set up hurdles that don’t exist.
7. Perfection is not necessary. My 11-year-old’s plan for his desk was his own.  I would have probably done it differently.  I would have over-engineered it.  I would have used special wood and hardware.  I would have measured everything just so.  However, “My” desk still wouldn’t be built.  Life is not perfect.  Just do it – or you will never do it.

My son’s desk is finished and he’s been using it in his room – to change the world as he draws and writes and designs his many ideas.  And for the past week I’ve been thinking… what am I going to do with what my son has taught me?   How am I going to change the world?

Photo by KEVIN RICHARDSON

For some awesome reason, black flies often swarm around your head because they are attracted to the carbon dioxide in your breath.

Some towns have an Apple Festival, or Chowder Festival, or a Chili Festival. Well in June, most of New England celebrates Black Fly Season – err, Festival. Yup. BFF. Black Fly Festival. Best Friends Forever. It’s a regular mutual admiration society.

Those little critters really know how to put out the welcome mat, too, especially in Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. No sooner do you hit the trail and stop for a break when the little flies come round and kiss you all over. You see, their biological classification is Simulium vittatum, which is (very) loosely translated as: “cute little flies that love people.” They really do love people. In fact we seem to be quite a delicacy to their sophisticated palates.

So, even though I’m now a Midwestern flatlander, I recall with fondness the tactics perfected in 30 years of New England backpacking each June during the black fly month of love. Without too much difficulty, you too can catch the attention of these little buggers faster’n a sneeze through a screen door.

How to attract black flies the easy way:

1. Go into the woods. Start hiking and work up a good sweat. Then stop and sit for a spell. This is when the real trail magic starts to happen. The black flies will swarm you with love within a minute or so. Sit and soak in the beauty of nature.
2. If you feel the need to slather something on your skin while you are hiking, use beef marinade. The black flies seem to enjoy as much as the black bears and raccoons do. However, that DEET stuff is a huge no no – it’s bad for you, don’t you know.
3. Dark colors are their favorite. Research has shown that dark blue or black attracts much better than white clothing. So… wear lots of dark colors.
4. The benefits of wearing a hiking kilt cannot be underestimated, especially during the Black Fly Festival. In fact, a black and blue tartan kilt would be amazing (see #3) and you’ll look like Mel Gibson in Braveheart.
5. Tents with that “no-see-um” netting will prevent you from really getting to know these little guys. So why not just use a tarp? This way, you’re taking advantage of every minute you’re in the woods to “bond” with the black flies. Sleep is overrated anyway.
6. The best place to meet black flies is usually in wooded, wet areas that are protected from strong breezes.
7. Warmer air makes the black flies feel better about themselves. When you are trying to attract the flies, only hike in temperatures that are warmer than about 50 degrees F. They have to wear tiny socks in colder weather and it’s hard to fly when they’re wearing them.
8. Try not to hike too high, definitely stay below tree line. It’s just too cool and windy up there and the little critters will have a hard time keeping up with you. Their tiny wings can only flap so fast you know.
9. For some awesome reason, black flies often swarm around your head because they are attracted to the carbon dioxide in your breath. Don’t be unneighborly by wearing one of those bug nets over your head. That would be like inviting friends to a cookout and then telling them not to come into your yard.
10. You really can never get enough of the Black Fly Festival in New England. Mark your calendar right now so you don’t miss this experience next year. Bring a friend or two. There’s plenty of black fly friendliness to go around.

Photo by lara68

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Over the past 10 years Steve Fugate Sr. has walked almost 25,000 miles, through 46 states, and worn out 32 pairs of shoes.  He did it all with a sign over his head saying, simply, “Love Life.”

Unbelievable.  Steve’s 24,000-mile journey is about the same as walking the circumference of the Earth at the equator.  You may be wondering why.  You see, in 1999 Steve lost his only son “Stevie” to suicide. Then in 2005, Steve lost his daughter to an accidental drug overdose.  Steve walks for both his children. His goal – his mission – is to teach his love of life to everyone he meets.  And so, he walked.  This has been part of his holy adventure, as Steve says, “to prove to himself that he could still function as a human being” in the midst of his deep grief.

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2. The Patron Saint of Backpackers  St. Bernard of Menthon is the patron saint of alpinists, climbers, backpackers,...


3. Stick an onion in your ear – and other remedies  The tried and true wisdom to care for first aid emergencies in...

Stick a warm onion in your ear to relieve an earache and help you to sleep.

The tried and true wisdom to care for first aid emergencies in the backcountry and at home has changed significantly over the years.   Even the way CPR is performed by lay rescuers has changed.  Being prepared for wilderness emergencies doesn’t just mean sticking a few Band-Aids or a lightweight first aid kit in your pack when you start walking.

The other day I was flipping through some digital books on Google books and I came across the 1913 edition of Camping for Boys by Henry William Gibson. Among other interesting things, the book details some of the standard first aid remedies for common ailments and injuries – that is, standard practices of a century ago.  You don’t want to use this book as your first aid training manual.  You’ll see why in a minute.

Here’s what (NOT) to do in some emergencies:

Earache: If you find yourself with an earache, stick an onion in your ear.   Heat the heart of an onion in an oven or wrapped in foil.  When it’s warm place it in your ear – make sure it’s not so hot as to burn the ear.  This not only relieves the earache, but helps you to sleep.  Bonus points:  It makes your head smell like stir fry all night long.  Bears and other critters will really appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Burns: Try and avoid burns in the first place by using your bandana or a pot lifter to handle hot stuff.   Failing this, you’ll want to treat the burn.  Cover the burn with Vaseline, baking soda, bread, the white of an egg, flour and water, butter, grease, or fat, covering it with cotton and a bandage.  Mmm, good.

Sore Throat: Gargle with warm water and some salt added, and then bind a woolen sock around it. Fat bacon or pork may be tied around the neck with the dry sock. Keep the sock on until the soreness is gone.  Once again, extra points here.  What could be better than wearing bacon around your neck at night?

Photo by sleepyneko

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