Into The Wild

	Bob Loblaw wrote:
	Ah ic.. I mis-interpreted your earlier post. I thought you were trying to find a way outta here through the wilderness. Still a very cool story.. I would have had trouble sleeping alone for one night, let alone 2months. I'm kind of dreading my upcoming Nov. trip I've been planning. I'm incredibly afraid of the dark, especially outdoors.

Actually you were right Bob... for that brief moment on the highway I WAS contemplating not coming back.... Instead i went as planned, for only three months.

_________________
"Arrogance, I'm above that sort of thing."

	Bob Loblaw wrote:
	Ah ic.. I mis-interpreted your earlier post. I thought you were trying to find a way outta here through the wilderness. Still a very cool story.. I would have had trouble sleeping alone for one night, let alone 2months. I'm kind of dreading my upcoming Nov. trip I've been planning. I'm incredibly afraid of the dark, especially outdoors.

Well i wont say, dont sweat it, cause were talking about someones fears. And differant people have differant fears.
But i will say there is nothing really there in the dark that isn't there in the day. Yes some animals foredge at night but nothing
deadly. Unless you were in Africa ! ok, there is fear at night.
I think most of the fears of night is not " seeing " whats making " that noise " ??.
Its something that you will have to keep telling yourself, theres nothing there & repeat.
Maybe take your flash light & just start walking around your camp area so you know theres nothing there, take your buddy & a beer & just walk around, it may calm your mind Smile

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

Definitely the buddy and the beer, or two, so they don't try and steal yours Laughing

I found the best way to deal with fears of darkness and what goes bump in the night is to just get out there and experience it, and if possible, have a tree or some solid structure to your back, makes you feel safer

_________________
We only have one Earth, take care of her and she will take care of you. ~ probably someone else

The buddy part I'm not to sure of... Last time I went for a 2night trip, I took one of my very good friends, and now we hardly talk to each other, lol. And even though I was with a friend, I was still scared outta my mind to half the things that cracked/snapped out beyond my vision. But good advice on the alcohol you guys.. It'll be nice to take a beer to relax with, but I don't want to carry a six pack for 8-10miles if I really don't have to. I'm going to have to settle for a little bottle of liquor instead. Very Happy

	Drummer Dave wrote:
	But i will say there is nothing really there in the dark that isn't there in the day. Yes some animals foredge at night but nothing deadly. Unless you were in Africa ! ok, there is fear at night.

Not to instill fear in anyone but mountain lions/cougars, bears, coyotes, wolves, and if your in the southern states, aligators all hunt at night. When I was training in Florida we were cautioned not to wander from the camp at night and especially to stay away from the water's edge. Similarly, during a training camp in Northern Ontario, we were told not to wander to far from the campfire at night cause thats when the bears would be foraging around.

They see almost as well at night as in the day. And although you personaly will probably never see them you are much more likely to have a blind encounter that if handle poorly (as in the case of a mother bear and cubs) could turn bad.

The chances are slim to none... depending on what tome of year it is. Spring and Fall hunting season are sketchy times.

Rick

_________________
"Arrogance, I'm above that sort of thing."

Yea... theres tons of black bears(surprisingly) in the SNP, and surrounding parks. My main concern really are the bears.. I figure if they're going to hibernate soon they'll need as much body fat as possible, and they will do just about anything to obtain it. I'm not really concerned for my safety.. I'm afraid I'll accidentally kill the bear with my bare hands. Razz

Seriously though... If a bear is desperate he'd have no reservations about charging me in the dark even though I've got a fire going right?

Askdamice wrote:

	Drummer Dave wrote:
	But i will say there is nothing really there in the dark that isn't there in the day. Yes some animals foredge at night but nothing deadly. Unless you were in Africa ! ok, there is fear at night.

Not to instill fear in anyone but mountain lions/cougars, bears, coyotes, wolves, and if your in the southern states, aligators all hunt at night. When I was training in Florida we were cautioned not to wander from the camp at night and especially to stay away from the water's edge. Similarly, during a training camp in Northern Ontario, we were told not to wander to far from the campfire at night cause thats when the bears would be foraging around.

They see almost as well at night as in the day. And although you personaly will probably never see them you are much more likely to have a blind encounter that if handle poorly (as in the case of a mother bear and cubs) could turn bad.

The chances are slim to none... depending on what tome of year it is. Spring and Fall hunting season are sketchy times.

Rick

Bears only hunt around for stuff at dust & dawn, ive never heard of a bear doing that at 10pm or later.....
Yellowstone national park ! .. ok, i can see that happening, but rural areas .... ive never heard of that.

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

	Bob Loblaw wrote:
	Seriously though... If a bear is desperate he'd have no reservations about charging me in the dark even though I've got a fire going right?

You would have to give the bear a good reason to charge you usually, they mostly won't just attack out of the blue, like I CANT FIND FOOD, OOOO tent = dinner. They try to avoid people usually. But yes, if he is determined enough, fire doesn't matter. But in that case, might as well sleep in a tank. Also, they tend to eat more fats and oils now cause protein takes energy to digest and they are trying to maximize their stores for winter. So I hope you are on the lean side Laughing

_________________
We only have one Earth, take care of her and she will take care of you. ~ probably someone else

Well ive just read a 3 page artical in my Sunday news paper on a guy Named Marc Paterson from Whistler B.C
He read the book Into the wild twice & got pumped on the whole idea of going to to see the now famous bus.
So he did ... he stayed in the bus for 2 days & camped. Thought i was a cool. I will snap a pic or 2 from my paper and post it here. Cool

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

Are we talking about going to live off the land for a few months or going out to live forever?

As for a few months, I don't know if I would have done better, worse or the same as Chris. I believe I have more wilderness experience than him. But he had more experience with edible plants. I have very little hunting experience, but with enough patience I may be able to get enough game.

I'm defenetly considering doing it sometime in the next few years up in Alaska. I would probably take a lot more rice with me, because I've been hungry before and it sucks. I would also like to take a good friend, mostly for emergencies. If you are way out there on your own, you could die just from falling and breaking your leg. But if you have someone with you they could save your life. Even if you are not always right next to eachother, just always carry a whistle.

Haveing a buddy with you out in the wild is a really good thing.
But some people really like the total solitude of being alone. So, you must be very careful what you do.
No jumping small creeks, crossing slimy logs etc. Those are all ..... well, stupid things to do when your alone.
Everything you do in that situation must be well thought out, and must be concidered if the risk is worth the reward, alot of time it's not. But sometimes, a risk must be taken, so it must be thought out & take every precaution you can Cool

Cheers J. J

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

I agree Dave. You really have to be careful if you are out in the wilderness on your own, away from trails and roads and everything. I would have a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) if I was going to be way out in the wilderness on my own for an extended period of time.

Here is a great tribute to the real Chris McCandless video Cool

I thought it was well done and in good taste.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq1HIS7SRDM&feature=email

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

This gives you an idea of the wilderness area he was living in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4IC6ghMb60&feature=email

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

Last edited by Drummer Dave on Mon Apr 21, 2008 1:29 pm; edited 1 time in total

I've see the one with the bus but I hadn't seen the first one. It shows a lot of good pictures. I really like that. Thank you.

I remember when they found him back in 1992, Me and a buddy of mine had wanted to do something like that for so long, then to hear about it happening, kinda crazy
The movie was really cool other than the ending, which was true, but still sad
I could do something like that but not forever, my wife would never let me go forever Laughing

she doesnt want me going overnight by myself Embarassed

After I learn more an get more practice, I plan on doing a full fledged survival for awhile, but that is still a few years ahead of me. Like I said more to learn and A LOT more practice

_________________
We only have one Earth, take care of her and she will take care of you. ~ probably someone else

Those videos were interesting .Ty Dave Cool

I still haven't seen the movie yet,but want too. Laughing

thanks Dave kinda spooky

_________________
I just heard something big crack�.. holy crap!-Les Stroud

better to fail at something you love then to succeed in something you hate.

	linsleyk wrote:
	thanks Dave kinda spooky

> It did have a creep factor to it ...

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing