A Week in the White Mountains: Part 5

[ddoger]

I'm sorry to say I'm not much of a poster here but I have enjoyed reading the stories of everyone's adventures.  DW and I live in Canada where we live next to what we call "Crown Land". I think I t is what you in the USA would call federal reserve.  Anyway we spend a lot of time in the summer free hiking the crown land ajoining our property.  We get out 3-4 times a week.  We have encountered bears, coyotes, deer and have seen cougar tracks.  Normally we encounter coyotes on a singular basis, however on one occasion we encountered a pack of coyotes that must have been feeding on something.  This is the only time I've been fearful of our naked situation.  Up to that point, on occasion, I had carried a handgun with me. On that occasion I didn't have anything besides a big stick to help me. From then on I've always carried something with me.  In Canada we are restricted on how and when we can possess handguns so when I'm out, I slide it down the back of a camel pac.

This past summer we had an encounter with a black bear that was on our path not more that 10 yards ahead of us.  It took one look at us and it b-lined it in the other direction, only to be faced with another bear 3x the size.  It was so scared it didn't know what to do.  We were more concerned with the huge bruin that just sat on the side of the hill straring at us as we walked by.

I'm convinced that when hiking without clothes, we are more inclined to see more wildlife because animals don't see us the same way as when we have clothes on.  When we wash our clothes in regular detergent, the phosphates in the soap light up our clothes like a pillar of light.  Animals have the ability to see this.  I get a kick out of hunters that are all dressed up in their camo they have washed in their phosphate detergent and wonder why they never see any game.

So if you want to see all the joys of what nature has to offer, hike naked!

[eyesup]

3 or 4 times a week? Wow! I'm moving to Canada! Ohh, wait a minute . . . the temps . . .

We were more concerned with the huge bruin that just sat on the side of the hill straring at us as we walked by.

This reminds me of the old quip, "What was the 400 lb gorilla doing in the alley?" . . . "Anything it wanted."

Duane

[eyesup]

. . . when hiking without clothes, we are more inclined to see more wildlife because animals don't see us the same way as when we have clothes on.

We had a discussion about this on the old site and the consensus was the same. We look different and probably smell different with out all the fabrics on.

Duane

[jbeegoode]

Phosphate and then hop on their loud quads and cruise around smelling of gas. 
Jbee

[jbeegoode]

JBee,
In such environments, do you carry a gun in case of unfriendly Bear or Elk?
If not what would you do about an attack from a dangerous animal?
I guess the chances are remote but I wondered if such insurance was routine for all hikers and campers.

Referring to a remark in the blog

I turn to see DF coming out of the forest, striking me as some sort of nature goddess.

You are both fauns, sprites, spirits, kachinas, dryads, naiads of forest and prairie, desert and riverbank to me.  You spend ever more time in your natural environs these days and, for me at least, represent the spiritual side of naturism and have multifarious access to the wide open spaces and deserted places where one can firmly grasp the freedom to be naked in nature at a level that few of us enjoy!

Long may it continue and long may your spirits beam out of my computer, reading your words and, most important, seeing your amazing pictures.

By the way, really glad to hear DF often reads or hears about our conversations.  I understand that after a day at the keyboard, more of the same for recreation palls somewhat.  I can imagine also that DF does not feel the need to comment in that same effusive way as some of us and that is her right and privilege.  But nice to know she is often with us in sprit.  Hi DF!

John

That was very sweet of you to say all those nice things about our spiritual connection with the earth elements. I try & connect with them as much as possible. Thanks for noticing.

Just wanted to say that I enjoy hearing updates about what you guys are up to on the site. I find it very fun & entertaining and  its been nice meeting many of you on our adventures.
 
Blessings to all of you. 
DF

[eyesup]

Clearly, since we aren't lit up with phosphors and smelling of gasoline, we aren't seen as part of that group that is so annoying and/or frightening.

Duane

[jbeegoode]

As significant as smell to most animals is sound. We who tread bare do so with more caution, and consequently less sound. DF and I listen. We hear clothed hikers and we are nearly always alerted by their actions. There is talk, marching through the natural settings. Animals just don't sound like that. When I narrowly escape an encounter, it is a lone hiker, or a mountain bike moving up fast. The bikers more often have little or no peripheral vision, however. Animals seem to be alerted by anything big, by sound and smell first.

If I stop after their initial burst, deer stop and just stare at me. I have to be close, or they just meander off seeing no threat.
Jbee