10 RULES OF THUMByou shouldn't forget while travelling in back-country
1.Minimum-impact attitude: haul out your trash and leave your camp-site the way you found it or better. Arrange something nice for the next visitor (pile of dry "DEAD" wood,...)
2.Informsomeone of your plans. Pre-fix and Execute a telephone-date to make that "all is safe"-call.
3.Awareness. - Prepare yourself for an overwhelming experience. Be attentive to wildlife (never feed nor touch it), respect all fauna and flora, never destroy habitats. Take care of eachother and of yourself (e.g. check for frostbite, dehydration, sunburns, fever, hypothermia or ticks).Report incidents to the authorities (e.g. bear-attacks, forest-fires). Participate in surveys.Respect other/fellow travellers and their need for privacy but be prepared to help them out: show 'em the way to do it if they ask for it, point out interesting things (cliffs, rapids, bear activity, buenas vistas).Always minimize the risks involved in certain activities (don't chop down big trees or dive from high cliffs. Be carefull swinging those axes).Avoid getting lost (if you do, don't panic): if travelling in group, others will notice your absence and come looking for you; if travelling alone, mark the direction you've taken and preferably travel downstream- you'll (eventually)end up in the civilized world.
4.Bring along a positive attitudesense of humour and group-enhancing capabilities. TALK to eachother.
5.SHARP- Everybody should at all times carry a safely-stored and razor-sharp knive (or Tool/ SwissArmy, Leatherman) and fire-making gear (filled Zippo, light-anywhere matches, lighters will do the job). A whistle comes in handy if you lose sight of each other. Be carefull with the water you drink (boil if necessary, carry purification ustencils).
6.WATER - When travelling over water, make sure there are enough Life-vests available. According to the last regulations, every "boat" should also be outfitted with a lenghty rope and a flashlight.
7.MAPS & TRUE NORTH - Bring acurate and UPDATED maps. Make sure you and every one else in your group knows how to read them. A compass (and the skill to use it)is necessary. Make sure you know the deviation of TRUE NORTH.
8.Emergency/ Hazards/ Peligro - Emergency first aid kit. Also provide some basic pain-relievers. Prior to departure, make sure everybody is in fit-to-work condition and check all medical histories (carry the necessary ant-dotum to allergies...). IF someone catches a severe and unstoppable cold: abort your trip, it might develop in something worse. Make sure you know the kinds of hazardous plants/animals you may/will encounter (poison ivy, snakes, killer bees, lunatic bears, runaway axe-murderers, hysteria generalizada, fata morgana) and make sure you know how to deal with them.
9.Clothing/Equipment - Make sure you bring the right clothing, food (water if necessary) and equipment for the right environnement.. Summer storms in the moutains may evolve into snow blizzards. It may freeze for several days in the midst of summer (It happened to me!). General knowledge of available weather-reports and prevailing winds are essential. Always bring rain-gear of the highest quality. Make sure that at all times 1 set of dry clothes is stowed in a waterproof bag.
10.That finishing touch - Remember that equipment is vital: but only if brought in pristine working-condition and with the knowledge to use it. (A mobile phone often doesn't work out in the woods, batteries dry out, tents are only water-sealed if cared for with the right maintenance...). Therefore: bring plenty of DUCT-TAPE. There is almost nothing that can't be fixed by it.Also take some spices with you. The generally accepted idea is that pasta-like foods RULE (they weigh the least and will provide enough without taking up too much of your space and time. Spicing it up will make everything a lot easier to swallow.A nice camera (waterproof), a deck of cards and 1or 2 books will keep everybody happy.
Last but not least: keep a trip-log of all your activities, movements, encounters, shedded tears and laughters. And distribute it afterwards to all of your expedition members.A thing of beauty....
Postscript & disclaimer: wacondah declines all responsibility for damage, injuries, death, harm, fun, .... that may or may not rtesult from the correct or incorrect implementation of this advice...
