Wild Escape Guides

The warm weather of springtime, in this little part of north west California, is buzzing. Bee’s flit around the azalea blossoms and campers are all a flutter on social media…camping season is nearly here!

I finally looked up (from writing the pages for Wild Escape Guides), roused by aromas on the breeze, and the buzz has hit me too; and I was reminded of the Bakers Dozen.

A few scrolls through my previous posts and you will find a pattern; this camper likes (loves, even) Public Wild Land. Here, in Northwest California, that equals nearly 4 million acres of remote, forested and river craved, mountains.  These are secluded backwoods.  Wild adventure is oh-so-sweetly enhanced by the seclusion and lack of modern conveniences, but the reality is …sh*t happens – life can throw things at us beyond our awesome confident capability: car trouble, a tree across a road, injury; and then, well, it’s not so fun anymore. Any one of these things could trap us in the wilds. There may be a lot of miles between you and aid, cell coverage truly isn’t everywhere. 

The Baker Dozen of little actions were born of experiential realization (that’s a fancy way of saying, I learned these lessons the hard way – ha!) while out in the wild. Include these actions as part of your preparation for camping and remember them while out adventuring!

Backwoods Awareness Actions List:

1. Be Prepared. Repeat after me, “I’ve gotta take care of myself.” Plan on tending to your own sprained ankle or cut finger or flat tire. Go into the outing with the mindset that only you can get yourself out. Bring Safe & Practical Camp Box supplies
2. Tell Someone. At least one person should know where you’re going, and when you are due back. I call this person my Check-in Buddy.
3. Know where you are. Bring this book (Wild Escape Guides) and/or an additional map. When a tree fell and blocked me in a campground, I was able to find an alternative route out using a trusty (paper) National Forest visitor use map – it was a long adventurous drive home but better than being stuck.
4. Be vigilant of the environment and other people, and exercise appropriate caution. Have fun, cut loose but keep awareness – Wildfires do happen, there will be abundant bear activity in some camping areas and there will be some people you’ll want to avoid.
5. Weather matters, check it. I have been caught out in some very nasty weather – mostly I’ve been prepared – but every time it was because I failed to check the forecast.
6. Be careful with fire. Forest Fires start easily in summertime. Park away from dry grass, crush your butt, and know the current restrictions.
7. Fill the car with gas. I’ve been so caught up in getting out to the woods I have actually forgotten to do this, only to have a very stressful drive home – with lots of coasting.
8. Check the spare tire. Where is that kept, again and how do I use it?? Check for the jack, the tire iron and spare tires loose air, so check that too.
9. Bring Water. Drinking unfiltered stream water is not safe for our modern life tummies. Although a Campground may specify there is water, systems fail without notice. And, well, it should be a no brainer – you can’t live (long) without it!
10. Look up before you pitch (the tent). Tree limbs are part of a wild forest. Don’t camp under the potential falling path of dead ones. 
11. Rake. Keep snakes and campfire sparks from creeping through the leaves. (I used to snicker at campers who raked their campsites, until a rattlesnake at Dillon Creek slithered and poked along the bottom of edge of my tent trying to gain access! Plus, it’s always good practice to rake to bare ground around the campfire pit before it’s lit.)
12. When lightning strikes, take cover. Your car can protect you.
13. Watch for shock. Extreme weather, unexpected wildlife encounters, cold river water, fear, all can spike adrenaline levels. This can manifest with physical symptoms called Shock. It’s sneaky and silent. Nip it right away: take deep breaths, drink water, stay rational.

Overly cautious? Maybe. But as they say, better safe than sorry (Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout, says the little girl in me).

JBird doesn’t want to worry about you.  At the very least bring a spare lighter, dry paper (you can tuck under the car seat), a back-up flashlight and a basic First-Aid Kit.

~ now go have some wild fun!