The Secret Naturist Handbook

[nudewalker]

Jbee, my apologies to you and DF. After all I'm sure there area few more whiskers on my face.  The point was the perception that people would have. Here it would be hippies, in your neck of the woods something different. Even with the interactions with BlueTrain over the years the difference in attitudes from one part of the state to another.

I feel that while out hiking or walking naked there is a connection with nature. Senses are heightened but only because we have become one with nature. Other people, mountain bikers or ATV riders are out of place and become a nuisance. There is an excitement, as if we're getting away with something society would frown on, a stealth game where we are the winners.

[BlueTrain]

I will certainly agree with the part about heightened senses and (mostly) being more aware, although not that much more. Excitement? Not really. That is, no more excitement than if I were dressed to the nines. I certainly don't feel any more connected with nature when nude, even though I am more exposed to the insect world. That, ironically, is more of a problem at home than elsewhere for some reason. I don't think of it as a game and I feel nothing spiritual in it, either. It's just a walk in the woods. Too bad I have to drive 90 miles to do that. The novelty of being nude outdoors, a not unfamiliar sensation, disappears fairly quickly.

What I do enjoy, though, is the greater freedom of movement when nude, even though I wear something on my feet. Not wearing something on my feet would slow me down something awful. I've mentioned before, I think, that the places I hike, just about all of them, are shady, unlike in the Great Southwest where there are fewer woods. Having to walk in the sun would change the dynamics a lot, at least for me. There have been places I've hiked that were mostly in the sun but I haven't been to those places recently for a variety of reasons, none of which had to do with being in the sun. Anyway, I also like the feeling of the air on my skin, which as others have mentioned, is retarded when you're wearing just the least bit of clothing. Some trips have started out on the chilly side, too.

Otherwise, I don't make a big difference with hiking with or without clothes. There can be discomforts but they aren't related to what I'm wearing or not wearing. The discomforts these days are the minor aches and pains in my knees, feet and ankles. They aren't caused by or relieved by not wearing anything. I've already mentioned not being bothered particularly by insects in the backwoods. Mostly when I've hiked nude, it was because I had planned from the start to do so, too. I have also hiked nude on nearly every backwoods trail I've been on, too. The planning was about choosing the time and place as good for being nude, as well as what was to be taken along on the trip. It is logical to make a nude hike a minimalist hike. All of this is for day hikes, not overnight trips.

I haven't been on trails that permitted motor vehicles and others did not permit bikes. But I've otherwise shared trails with horses, mules and mountain bikers and that's fine. I don't mind sharing the trail. I've only been on public land; none of them are my trails. In fact, on my last nude hiking trip, the only other person I saw all day was a mountain biker. A person on foot just might be seen as a nuisance to a biker or ATV rider, after all.

I am planning a trip tomorrow, something I've been putting off. The weather forecast is promising and all I'll need is a little push to get me out the door. I originally planned for today but the weather forecast is for 15° cooler tomorrow. I will certainly let you know how it turned out, if I make it back.

[jbeegoode]

Consider your little behind tapped as you are pushed out of the door. You will fair just fine and better. We'll just kinda sit here and wait for the trip report. Got a camera or a cell phone? Some of us get a kick out of trees and even the uncommon occurrence of water, like it is exotic.
Jbee

[jbeegoode]

Jbee, my apologies to you and DF. After all I'm sure there area few more whiskers on my face.  The point was the perception that people would have. Here it would be hippies, in your neck of the woods something different. Even with the interactions with BlueTrain over the years the difference in attitudes from one part of the state to another.

I feel that while out hiking or walking naked there is a connection with nature. Senses are heightened but only because we have become one with nature. Other people, mountain bikers or ATV riders are out of place and become a nuisance. There is an excitement, as if we're getting away with something society would frown on, a stealth game where we are the winners.

Well, that's what smiley faces are for. Yea, it seems to depend on what the costume is. The hair means nothing without the garb. I don't know what other's perceive. I can only gather a quick small reaction. I'm sure that it varies.

Hippie used to be a derogatory term, a stereotyping laid on by others labeling, which was anti-hip. It was an individuality driven social change. So, we called ourselves "a lot of freaks man!" So, now a days, I have friends calling themselves old hippies and wearing tie die t-shirts constantly. I've been all sorts of things during a good life. To quote Popeye, "I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam," today.

If someone were walking down the trail and came upon us, I'd probbaly figure, (A) older (or old to a younger person) and therefore less threatening. (B)Eccentric is a likely judgement and not on the vanguard of a social change of body liberation. I would think a common reaction would be, "That's a naked person." Then, wonder why, or not, but first that's a naked person and that is unusual. Those that talk or comment are obviously trying to figure it out. (C) Our commonality is that we're having fun doing what we do...except that group of five older, nah, old guys that looked miserably serious a few weeks ago. They were just getting back after an obvious stint on the retirement couch.
Jbee

[jbeegoode]

The Risk Factor from TSNH:
There is no point denying the fact that secret naturism is a thrilling and exciting pastime. The thrill of being naked in locations where nudity is not normally permitted can be considerable at times, particularly in urban areas when a feeling of euphoria and invulnerability can arise. The thrill of nudity is not the only factor, however, there is also the risk factor, of being seen or found out.

Secret naturism is a careful balance between risk and thrill. Without risk of discovery, the thrill of being naked is greatly reduced. Likewise, without nudity, there is no risk. A balance is required.

Let us look at the matter of risk and the risk of being seen in particular. Bearing in mind one of the Principles of secret naturism is not to be seen, it does seem odd that while on the one hand, we try to avoid being seen, thus reducing the risk, while the other hand, without that risk some of the thrill of nudity is diminished. Again, it is very much a better of balancing the degree of risk of discovery with that taking the necessary steps not to be seen.

While the main risk is that of discovery, other risks also form part of the equation, with perhaps the weather being foremost. Without the protection of clothing and modern equipment, a traveller in the Great Outdoors, puts themselves at the mercy of the elements. Once again, a balance is required, between enjoying the feel of the elements on bare skin with that of safety, perhaps from extreme weather conditions such as thunderstorms and from exposure to heat and cold.

One Principle, "to carry the minimum of clothing and other items of equipment.", also adds to the degree of risk that the secret naturist must face. To travel without clothing the secret naturist must find a suitable location where their clothing will be safe and secure until their return. The risk that this clothing will not be there when they return, certainly adds to the experience. The relief when you return to find your clothing intact is palpable at times.

Another risk associated with secret naturism is that of the law. Depending where you reside in the world, laws regarding nudity will differ, in some countries nudity might be permissible, in others, it may be a serious offence. It must be pointed out that you alone are responsible form the risks you take when going naked outside naturist tolerant locations.

Personally, I do not feel I am breaking the law when walking naked in the hills and valleys of south east Scotland. There is no sexual intent, no aim to exhibit myself to others and it is purely one of enjoying the countryside as nature intended. Even should you find yourself explaining your actions, by explaining the values found in this web site, that you have adopted and follow religiously, you should be able to convince any law officer that your intentions are open and above board.

[jbeegoode]

The Thrill Factor from TSNH:
It is important to be aware of the factors involved that make secret naturism such an exciting and thrilling pastime. One factor, risk of discovery and others, have already been covered elsewhere and the thrill factor itself was also touched on briefly. At first glance, it would appear that the act of being naked itself gives rise to the thrill of secret naturism and this is partly true. However, there are many other factors involved and this page looks at some of these in details.

A knowledge of these factors and how they can enhance the experience, and just as importantly, how they can reduce the risk to manageable levels, is critical for all secret naturists. If you know what elements combine towards making any task enjoyable, by managing one or more of those elements you have a far greater control of the experience. By having a greater understanding of the factors that make up "the thrill factor", you can also keep your activities within safe limits.

The factors are:

Being Naked
There is not much to can do to be more naked when you are already totally naked, other than when you are not barefoot, you should try walking barefoot, if conditions permit. Also try to remove any items that have skin contact such as watches, bumbags, hats, rings, etc.

Not Permitted Locations
This applies to almost any location, except a naturist beach or similar. The type of location can effect how high or low the thrill of being naked there will be. A location such as a remote mountain top may have less of a thrill associated with it than walking naked along the street outside your house. So, to increase this thrill factor you need to find locations where you feel the "not permitted" factor is highest.

Weather Conditions
A good example to illustrate this factor is to compare being naked on a fine, hot summers day to being naked when there is frost on the ground and the air is cool. My theory for this factor is that when weather conditions (temperature mostly) is close to body temperature the less you notice you are naked. To increase this factor you need to:

•   Pay attention to temperature - cool is more noticeable.
•   Consider the effect of wind on your bare skin.
•   Look for storms, heavy rain, snow, etc.

Duration of Nudity
This factor to relatively easy to increase, you just stay naked for longer.

Degree of Exposure
Being naked in a secluded woodland has its own particular delights but try locations where you can see and be seen for many miles. Hills, mountains, open ground, etc. By increasing the degree of exposure, or open-ness, you also increase the thrill.

Risk of Discovery
This factor plays an important part in the thrill of secret naturism. If there was no risk of being seen at all, would it feel as good? Actually, the answer is yes but only for so long. For example, safe and secluded nudity in the home often soon looses it's thrill factor and the secret naturist will then look for other ways of regaining that thrill, usually by starting to go naked outdoors and/or into areas where the risk of being seen is higher.

Location Type
Many locations have a built-in atmosphere or "feeling" associated with them. Good examples are megalithic structures such as stone circles, burial mounds and standing stones. Often a location will just "feel right" for secret nudity and it can be any type of location. It is, however, a personal thing, what is good for one might not be good for another.

Distance from Clothing
By distancing yourself from the security of your clothing you add a degree of vulnerability by removing your "safety net", i.e. having no clothing to hand in case of being seen. Obviously, as you increase the distance between yourself and your clothing you also increase the thrill factor.

Safety Margin
If you only have a few minutes or seconds to cover up, there is often a tremendous thrill with taking such a risk. Compare this to the situation of having all the time in the world to get dressed and you will see what I mean.

People Proximity
A good example of this factor is the changing room. You can be totally naked with someone only inches away on the other side of the curtain. Another is when on an urban walkabout where you have to hide behind a car while a vehicle passes by. By deliberately reducing the distance between yourself and other people, you increase the thrill factor.

Time of Day or Year
Time of day and sometimes, the time of year, can both have an effect on the thrill factor. Examples are: early morning when the mist still lingers in the valley, at night under a clear sky and a full moon and the simple fact that you are naked outdoors in mid winter can all add to the thrill factor.

[nuduke]

Oh Jbee!
All this interesting material to read and only half an hour to do it!  I'll have to defer reading all this till I next have time to do so at leisure.
Where did you get all this?  Have you copied and stored TSNS webpages for all these years?  Amazing!
I shall read all this bygone material with interest and indeed assume it is still highly relevant to our FRN (SN) art, craft and proclivity.
John

[jbeegoode]

It is relevant, but it will post every couple of days and there is quite a lot of it, so you'll need to hop on board more frequently, so as to not be overwhelmed. I've found it very thought provoking. So far, it has given me a tremendous view of the past and my roots, evolution and motivations.
Jbee

[jbeegoode]

Another installment to chew over the weekend:

"ADDICTION" from TSNH:

Some who read this page will have been secret naturists for many years and will understand what I refer to when I say that secret naturism can be addictive. Others may only have started on their adventure as secret naturist and will still be blissfully unaware just how addictive being naked in the Great Outdoors can be. This page should be read as a caution.
But why is it addictive? My personal theory is that the thrill and adrenaline rush from being naked in places where nudity is not the norm is the primary factor. I have experienced a similar feeling when cycling, you just don't want to stop and almost have withdrawal symptoms when you get home. That hormone again, adrenaline, is the culprit. There may also be some sexual chemicals involved although sex is not involved.

Another question also springs to mind. How do you become addicted? I think its a gradual process, it starts to get you the first day to strip off outdoors and it continues to build as you get more and more adventurous. You start of small, say, sunbathing in a secluded location, never moving far from one spot. Then you start moving around, with your clothing to hand for emergencies. As time passed you progress to longer and longer walks. Next, a bold leap into highly addictive territory, walking without clothing. Now you are hooked, never to return. You may even go further, trying nudity in urban area at night and during the early hours.

This process takes place gradually over many years and is hardly noticed until too late. After you catch the secret naturist bug it can be very difficult to let get rid of it. So, how can you prevent yourself getting addicted? The answer is I don't know, perhaps not starting at all is the only way. Whatever, take this as a warning that secret naturism can be highly addictive and it can be difficult to stop once you get hooked. Many other secret naturists have contacted me regarding this topic, so if you are addicted you are not alone.

The media have reported the discovery of a gene that seems to appear more often in people who are risk takers, such as those who enjoy free-fall parachuting, base jumping and other extreme and high risk sports. Perhaps this is what attracts you to secret naturism, you have a gene that wants risk and adventure. Perhaps you just can't help it!

[jbeegoode]

Thrill seeking is addicting, physically addicting, especially for certain personalities. There is a rush there and a burst of those wonderful chemicals.

The ante has to be upped to sustain that high, however. It can loose its compulsion this way.

Still, there is left a natural high, a more integrated with nature state, so there can always be a pleasure. I'd say that I'm addicted to what I perceive as my hardwired nature. I need to get away to a nude outing and escape from the comparably unhealthy modern urban world. I know now, of my natural elements and their health. It may be that I am addicted to healthy states, which is this free ranging naturism that I do. "If something ain't right, it's wrong," Bob Dylan.

How many here would not lament depravity in the too long winter, roam the house nude when the weather is nasty outside, or go to lengths to get some naturism, after tasting the well of the wondrous. Is that addiction? I know what I like, what is good for me, and I hunger for it, like a good meal. Is nutrition an addiction, and isn't naturism similar?
Jbee
 

[BlueTrain]

Obsession sounds like a better word to me.

[nuduke]

Jbee,
Is all this material from TSN Handbook written by Lookie originally?  If not, do you know where or from whom it originated?
John

[jbeegoode]

Yes, unless it says Jbee at the end, (which is a comment by me) it is directly from and republished, "The Secret Naturist Handbook" written several years ago by Lookee. I'm also making Bold titles to make sure that it is clear what is TSNH.

There will be several sections with give or take a dozen entries each. I'll republish a couple every few days. This will take a while, but it should keep conversation stimulated and thoughts flowing, because we here have changed over the last twenty years or so. We can revisit our former outlooks and perhaps be stimulated to question ourselves currently, or even try so of the past our, or refit it.

The full moon is coming, maybe it will be a good night to take a sneaky walk in a risky spot for kicks, just to do it? Maybe a memory will be jogged and an anecdote will be written/shared, retrospective or just entertaining?
Jbee

[nudewalker]

Maybe as we have been more confident we have become more daring.  I remember on the old sites when questions were raised such as how far have you been away from your clothes.  Or have you hiked without a net? Both questions seem odd now as I'm so familiar with the places I go I could be miles away and no ntet so to speak.

Funny you should mention memories. I think one of the first trip reports her was a camping trip where we had the campground to ourselves. Once I figured out the restroom and shower cleaning crew schedule I was able to spend most of that stay naked. We'r returning to the scene of what some people would consider a crime next week.

[MartinM]

I came across the SNS some years ago but even then, I was put off by the idea of deliberate stealth, as if it was a game. I wanted simply to become more comfortable with what is natural.

Having said that, I have practiced it often, particularly when I started into FRN, not wanting to be seen. Early morning runs in my home area, I am not wanting to be seen before I cover up -although SN seemed to be about hiding rather than just covering up. Also, I have always avoided apologising, as if I was doing something wrong.

On morning runs, I try to be meditative and mindful. Being alert to both the animals around me, and any humans, keeps me on my toes providing that heightened sense of awareness, but I don’t want my mind to be worrying ‘what if I meet someone’, although it inevitably does, to some extent. My aim for some time has been to hear/see people early and cover up calmly.

The above is extra caution to be seen to be respectful in my home area. Elsewhere, when walking and seeing people, I do not automatically cover up. In fact, wanting to promote FRN, I want to be seen enjoying the outdoors in the most natural way, not hide it. Having said that, I tend to shy away from large groups or just cover up, as it works both ways - the group adding bravado, but potentially in a negative way.

So yesterday, on a near 15 mile fell walk, I saw a group of people on a minor summit I was approaching, so just diverted direct to the main summit. Later on, I saw a couple coming towards me in the distance, but thought they might take a slightly different route. I followed a path next to a fence traversing a fairly steep slope. I initially walked just below the path, in case I met them, so I would not meet them head to head but soon decided there was little point. Having decided they had gone the other way, I suddenly saw them in front and below me where the path dropped. I had a moment where they had not seen me and I could have stopped and covered up but decided to keep going. They both smiled at me and said ‘hi’ as I went past, as I expected. They did look back at me after I had passed, as one would expect but just another positive experience so people get used to others enjoying the countryside as nature intended.

I did enjoy my walk considerably, helped significantly by not being worried about people seeing me, while not seeking them out. I was able to be present in nature, enjoy the moment, rather than worrying whether someone might see me.