I'm going camping.

[ATough]

bears.

you had to mention those. LOL

[FVR]

You just need to understand that there may be bears present and hang food, don't leave out food, take care of your trash.

Seems that there are alot of bear happenings in areas where there are people, easy food, and trash.

Most bears don't want to be around humans. Take some bear spray and don't be scared to yell and scream if you see one.

We have them across the street, I've seen much sign but never a bear. Now, I do have a friend who during turkey season was being circled by a bear, he made the right decision and got out of Dodge, fast.

[ATough]

anything else guys?

and thanks for everything so far.

[Sarge47]

anything else guys?

and thanks for everything so far.

Did you ever get that older copy of the Boy Scout Handbook? The older ones were more into Scouts & the outdoors where the more modern ones are focused more on urban stuff. I got a Boy Scout Handbook,(circa 1935) & two Boy Scout Field books (one was published in the mid-60's, the other in the mid 80's) off of e-bay for a decent price, not to mention a Hugh McManners, "Backpacker's Handbook" which came with one of the Field books. The Field books, btw, have a lot of cool stuff inside, including things you can make.

[ATough]

Did you ever get that older copy of the Boy Scout Handbook? The older ones were more into Scouts & the outdoors where the more modern ones are focused more on urban stuff. I got a Boy Scout Handbook,(circa 1935) & two Boy Scout Field books (one was published in the mid-60's, the other in the mid 80's) off of e-bay for a decent price, not to mention a Hugh McManners, "Backpacker's Handbook" which came with one of the Field books. The Field books, btw, have a lot of cool stuff inside, including things you can make.

I would have but I dont have any spare money I just bought my backpack today.

[FVR]

If you will be sleeping on the ground, clear out a space and then bring in pine needles or pine branches for comfort.

Take extra socks in a ziplock, powder, and bandaides. Take care of those feet.

Throw some t bags in your pocket. Nothing like a hot cup of tea in the morning when the birds start chirping and the critters are moving out.

Take some tp, the good stuff as you don't have to use so much.

If you start to pull a muscle, don't take any pain pills. You'll just hide the pain and make it worse. Keep the IB for nightime and don't forget to stretch.

Last but not least, take a good book.

[ATough]

If you start to pull a muscle, don't take any pain pills. You'll just hide the pain and make it worse. Keep the IB for nightime.

I didnt know that wow.

[trax]

Survivorman,

Watch for trees that aren't moving normally, ie with the wind or in time with the wind, bears love using them for scratching and sharpening posts. Smell the air! Bears leave a mighty odor.Don't throw food packaging in a campfire, the smell carries a long long way and bears...smack their lips and come looking. Most confrontations where humans have been injured by bears were because the bear was startled, accidentally, nevertheless....this is important, they are NOT afraid of humans. If there are bears around, usually making extra noise warns them off and they'll leave you alone.
Hiking, be aware of the trail around you, take plenty of water, and most of all enjoy yourself. We always get to read of the isolated horror stories of things that go wrong on camping and hiking trips, a little common sense will usually prevent those. Very few news articles on the thousands and thousands of hiking and camping stories where people just went out there and had a really good time.

[ATough]

thanks everyone.

[Sarge47]

thanks everyone.

One final word, no snacks or food inside your tent at night, and that goes for any tentmates. Check pockets, packs, etc. Also, if you take your pack in your tent, pull every thing out of the side pockets and leave them unzipped as sometimes small varmits like chipmunks are known to chew right through the fabric to get at what's inside.

[trax]

More on the pulled muscles, keep them moving as much possible, it might hurt, but it's going to hurt a lot more if you don't. Any clothes, boots, etc you take off at night, check & shake before putting back on in the morning. It's amazing the places mice like to curl up. Oh yeah, the tp advice is probably the best advice you've had so far.

[ATough]

I never knew to take the food out of your pack at night.

[ATough]

how do I prevet unwanted qeust in the camp site?

[ATough]

well I'll be leaving tomorrow, wish me luck.

[ATough]

I got back from camping yesterday. my trip was so much fun, I hiked up a mauntan went swimming in a lake and sat under a water fall. I am so hooked.

[trax]

congratulations survivorman, glad you had a good time.

[ATough]

thanks. it was the most fun I have ever had in my life.

[trax]

You didn't get the finger that types m's and n's bitten off out there did you?

Couldn't resist

Go Wolfpack

[ATough]

thanks my batterys where almost dead on my keybourd.

[Fog_Harbor]

where going to table rock NC.

but my youth leader said we would be hiking The Appalachian Trail, which is in conneticut.

Actually, the Appalachian Trail runs from Georgia up through New York State.

Wear a pair of hiking boots that fit, and bring extra socks, preferably wool. Hiking boots will support your ankles better than most boots, and are usually waterproof.

Never touch the inside of your tent - it will cause it to leak.

Remember, everything you pack - you carry, so don't pack things you'll likely never use.

Pack food you like, not things you've never eaten before - you'll be happier.

Be sure your sleeping bag is rated for the weather, one rated too warm will be as miserable as one rated too thin.

Did I mention extra socks! Take care of your feet.

Plenty of water.

And extra socks.

And more water.