UtopianRanger
Posts: 3251
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DiurnalVampire Completely unrelated to BDSM... I am going camping for my first time EVER. I am running up against a wall trying to figure out what I need, dont need, can and cant pack... I know there are plenty of us here who are outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen. I would greatly appreciate help, since my first campout is planned for June 9-10. I am going with a group, and they are trying to help get me ready, but they are all very exprienced. Its the same pitfall we fall into here with experienced vs. newbie... too many assume there are things I already know and it doesnt occur to them to mention it. Which is why I am branching out :) I have a tent (enough room for 2) a backpack and a hydration pack (2 liter) but thats about it. Any thoughts or suggestions on what I might want to consider? DV DV..... I've only read the posts on the first page, so what I'm about to tell you might have already been covered. Wear some good, high quality, comfortable shoes....whether they be boots or tennis shoes; don't skimp here if you're gonna be doing a significant amount of walking. For the life of me, I'll never be able to understand why so many folks choose to roll with cheap shoes. If you're in a wilderness area.....I'd pick up a cheap marine, metal or plastic whistle with a laynard cord and decent quality LED flashlight. Granted certain parts of Tennessee are mountainous and full of rugged terrain similar to here in Oregon, rest assured that you will be surrounded by many many more people than you would be if you were out camping on the west coast. A few have mentioned getting wet, swimming in rivers, etc. Let me caution you here.....I have no idea as to where or what rivers you will be around, but keep in mind that if it's a river with any significant gradient, you need to proceed with caution when entering the water. The ''serene'' and ''pool like'' conditions in certain parts of such rivers are extremely deceptive. Lat year, in three-and-half months here in Oregon, somewhere close to forty people drowned in the rivers here; either because they were drunk and stupid or they were just plain unfamiliar with swimming in a river with strong ''eddylines'' and down-river current. Not to scare you or over-emphasize, but the ''laminar'' currents flowing underneath the surface, down river, can be treacherous for someone not familiar with them. They cause the unfamiliar to experience a total loss of control, which then brings-on an initial stage of panic that causes the frightened swimmer to swallow water and further panic. If you plan to swim in a mountain river.....do yourself a huge favor and bring a decent life jacket. Man.....it's really better to be safe than sorry. Have fun ; } - R
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"If you are going to win any battle, you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do... the body is never tired if the mind is not tired." -General George S. Patton
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