The Secret Naturist Handbook

[jbeegoode]

A chill can develop after a while. It is nice to wipe the moister off, if it is breezy. If I'm going several miles, I'll usually have a little luggage. A light plastic rain cover takes very little space and weighs a couple of ounces. The mountain rain can feel chilly because of the lower temperatures.

There could be a case when one might be injured, twisted ankle, snakebite, or lost. I've been delayed into the night where it is dangerous to be walking around alone with no moon particularly. Now, I carry a flashlight, if that potential is there. Those insti emergency sleeping bags weigh little, little space and work pretty good, if the inner moister doesn't build up too much. They are probably designed for people with clothing to augment their effects. I've never used one.

Probably never need emergency equipment, though. Way out in remote areas nude is great, but practical caution is always good. These boyscout/survivalist tricks are good to know anyway. Although here, there is not much for quick shelter in the desert. For the time it would take to get a shelter (let alone the critters that are out there, ie. scorpions) in the desert, the time could be well spent walking, or crawling out. I don't get that far from base without a pack with a complete home.

You probably remember how quick the temperatures drop in the desert. An hour can mean 30F degrees.

I try to have a partner with me.

[jbeegoode]

Hidden Hazards: From The Secret Naturist Handbook

As secret naturists we find ourselves naked and often barefoot in the Great Outdoors and while our main concern is about being seen by members of the public, there are also many other hidden hazards as well. This page looks at a few common things to watch out for.

Walking barefoot probably posed the greatest threat from hidden hazards. No matter what the terrain there can be hazards lurking just out of sight waiting for that naked foot to fall. The most obvious are small stones and rocks that are easily missed. Not only can sharp edges cause a cut but even small pebbles can be uncomfortable to walk on. Broken glass and metal items such as ring pulls are also a problem and these are more likely found on some areas than others.

When walking near a fence line it is likely that the fence will have been repaired or replaced at some time in the past. Look out for old fence wire protruding from the undergrowth and also for staples carelessly dropped by the fencer. Barbed wire is used regularly where fields contain livestock. Similarly when walking along the line of dry stone walls, fallen stones are a risk, particularly when going through long grass.

In urban areas hidden hazards would include nasty items such as dog shit, broken glass, metal cans and even discarded needles. In fact, I would recommend footwear be worn at all times in urban areas, although tarmac footpaths and roads are generally safer than other types of surface. On golf courses watch out for broken golf tees, golf balls and ground hugging thistles in the rough.

In woodland, branches, both on the tree and fallen, are the most obvious hazard for the secret naturist. All parts of the body are at risk from an unseen branch, so stay alert and look where you are going, not just at the ground but all the way up to head height as well. Thick undergrowth can conceal all manner if hazards, including those mentioned above with problem plants like bramble, nettle and thistle joining the list.

On the beach, even the most innocuous looking stretch of sand might have a few surprises. Watch out for stranded jellyfish, sharp edges of shells, broken glass, unexploded bombs, rocks and so on. Dune grass can also leave cuts and marks on bare legs.

It might seen impossible to avoid these hidden hazards, particularly if walking barefoot, but you soon become adept as looking for these hidden hazards and also at recognising the locations where they are most likely to be found.

Other Hazards:

Water
Hypothermia
Dogs
Insects
Route
Snakes
Sunburn
Surveillance
Ticks

[jbeegoode]

The next section will be "plant Hazards."
Jbee

[jbeegoode]

Holy Imperilment Batman!!!

I tend to keep my head down on the look out. Often, it gets in the way of seeing the rest. Thank God for toe shoes!
How does one get by barefoot like they do?
Jbee

[John P]

JBG, you're thinking of life in the desert! In temperate areas, it's possible to get by barefoot, but most of us still find it too uncomfortable to do it much. Some people hike in sandals, and that's what I do in easy locations, but when I'm on rocky trails, I always hurt my feet somehow if I don't wear boots.

[jbeegoode]

In Michigan, I was barefooted all summer as a teenager...then, I was placed in the desert. I wore cowboy boots mostly for decades.

As a boy in Virginia, often barefoot, just shorts was the norm. Guess "temperate" would be like that, but what is hidden under the leaves on a trail? I remember mud...then, here come the desert the first time.

France was temperate, but it was cold and wet, 300 days a year. There were no natural forests for me there. Farmland and parks and a neighborhood loaded with asphalt sidewalks. Those were okay. In New Mexico, I remember sinking into hot asphalt like mud on summer days.

I truly enjoyed Zipolite barefoot everywhere. The only hazard was the hot sand in the afternoon between the hotel and the wet by the water.

Off trail in the Tucson Mountains has been a constant cholla pricker watch.
Jbee

[Safebare]

Spent summers @ the beach growing up, always barefoot. I had 2 signficant foot injuries, 1 involving broken glass and a bloody hop over a mile to get home. The other was surfing and stepped on something in the water, likely a nail or spike. Nearly pierced my foot. Went to the dr on that one.  But I could walk across Texas asphalt in August or even the beach sand without notice. I remember running through lots filled with grass burrs simply sliding my feet across the grass to dislodge them. Couldn't do any of that today.
~Safebare

[Greenbare Woods]

I've been barefoot for more than 5 years, summer and most of the winter.   I have encountered those pieces of discarded barbed wire hidden near fences -- OUCH, but not serious injury.   You do have to pay attention to where you walk barefoot. 

Ticks are said to be more likely to attack textiles than nudists.  They apparently want to hide under fur to bite, and can't find "fur" on nudists.  Easier to see and remove. 

I've lived and hiked in rattlesnake country all my life.  Never had a problem with them.   Give them half a chance and they will go hide.

I've found that the biggest hazards of going barefoot is fractured stone "gravel" used for roads and driveways, and those "tack weeds" that thrive in hot city climates.  They are hell on bicycle tires too.   Up-tight store owners and staffs are also a hazard.   For unknown reason they attack anyone barefoot. 

[John P]

Remember Huck Finn "was always the first boy that went barefoot in the spring and the last to resume leather in the fall" making it pretty clear that all the boys (girls too?) went barefoot in summer. If that was routine for American children, I wonder when it ended and what the social factors were.

I recall seeing a fair number of adults going around barefoot in New Zealand, even in supermarkets, which wouldn't be allowed in Britain or America.

[Greenbare Woods]

I went barefoot all summer when I was young.   We had to get new shoes for school in the fall.   Now I go barefoot most of the year.  Even in winter if I'm not going to be outside long. 

[jbeegoode]

I was told that bare feet would give me flat feet. When I began to feel the breath of the draft and the war, I gave it a try. Dang, it was good for my feet instead!
Jbee

[jbeegoode]

Plant Hazards: From "The Secret Naturist Handbook"

Here in the British Isles, unlike many other countries of the world, we do not have a huge variety of plants that area real hazards to the secret naturist. What we do have are hazards none the less, particularly to those who walk barefoot and naked. This page looks at a few of the most common plant hazards the secret naturist will encounter.

Gorse
A well known scrub found in a wide variety of habitats and easily recognisable by its bright yellow flowers that can be present throughout the year. This plant is very spiky and best avoided when naked. Beware of walking barefoot near this plant and loose branches can be spread around the surrounding area.

Stinging Nettles
Easy to recognise when encountered and most people will have been stung by the nettle some time during their lifetime. Patches of nettle are best avoided if at all possible but can be difficult to see when first growing in spring and can be very well hidden in all manner of vegetation throughout the year. They tend to be found in ground that has been disturbed. Usually encountered when seeking hiding places.

Thistles
Easily recognisable but can be well hidden in grass and other long vegetation. Low growing varieties can be a problem for those walking barefoot and the sharp spines can leave a tingling sensation for better than a week. Not poisonous but the sharp spines are difficult to remove and wounds can become infected if not cleaned properly.

Bramble
This nasty piece of work lurks just about anywhere and sends out long, very tough runners coated with very sharp spines that can produce nasty wounds from the waist downwards - so take care with certain parts! If forced to cross bramble patches, carefully lift legs high and straight down, taking care not to snag on the spines. Go round bramble patches if possible.

Raspberry
Rather innocent looking plant at first glance but skin contact will reveal the stems are covered with tiny but very sharp spines. Avoid by seeking alternative route.

[jbeegoode]

I live in a desert. I'm splitting my head trying to think of plants that don't have prickers and often poisonous.

The triangle bursage and other sages are pretty safe. Many of the smaller ground flowers are okay, some aren't. There are those that are edible. There are grasses, but after blooming, they have horrid seed pods, which are always after a ride on anything, but skin.

The mountain forests are much more kind, although, I have found stings from something near creeks. There are berry patches that like to droop across trails with long thin branches. Poison Ivy grows at a certain range of elevation.
Jbee

[jbeegoode]

Principles: From The Secret Naturist Handbook

Okay, for someone living in Scotland, the risk of encountering an alien big cat such as a puma or lynx, is probably quite remote, perhaps non-existent. However, there are repeated reports of big cat sightings throughout the British Isles. Even on my own doorstep, sightings of a puma size cat have been reported from the Pentland Hills, some 15 miles to the north, in various areas of East Lothian and even on Venlaw Hill, which I can see from the bedroom. If these sightings are true or not, I cannot say.

The chance of even seeing an alien big cat is pretty remote and the likelihood of being attacked by one is remoter still.
However, forewarned is forearmed as they say, and the subject of alien big cats is interesting to say the least. Of course, other part of the world have native big cats and some secret naturists might actually encounter such animals. A few words of advice might just be useful.

Whether alien or native, on most occasions big cats will avoid humans if at all possible and you are very unlikely to some across one in the UK. However, if you do, consider the following:

Do not run away. The animal will be more likely to chase you and there is no way you will you run a big cat. Stand your ground and make yourself appear as big as possible. Stand erect, wave your arms about and shout. Generally try to appear as big, noisy and menacing as your can. Do not crouch down as you will appear smaller to the animal.

If the animal appears aggressive, try throwing stones or sticks. If you can find and reach a stout stick use it as a weapon. Back away slowly or wait until the animal itself moves away from the scene. Then get out of the area and alert the authorities.

In the event of an attack, forget about anything fancy you have seen in the movies. Place whatever you have with you between yourself and the animal. Fight back aggressively, going straight fro the animals eyes, the easiest and most vulnerable part for a human to damage. Try to protect your head and neck as these are the parts a big cat will attack.

All good secret naturists will be more aware of their surrounding than most visitors to the countryside. Keep your eyes open for unusual tracks on the ground as you walk and signs of unusual kills such as sheep or deer. Anything you do see will probably be the result of large dogs or possibly foxes, paw prints especially. When you do find a suspicious track, don't panic. Look closely and see if there is any sign of claws in the track. If there is it will be a dog or similar animal, if not, it could be a big cat as cats keep their claws sheathed when walking.

Most cats are very stealthy and secretive and have large hunting territories which they mark with "scent posts" of urine and scat. Cats also like to scratch trees with their claw, another good sign of their presence. Cats are generally nocturnal but may be seen by day, particularly in late evening and early morning. You are unlikely to need the advice given above but you just never know. And one day it might just be very useful indeed.

[jbeegoode]

Holy Richard the Lion Hearted!

I often wondered where all of the references to lions came from in English histories. I figured that big cats would have been wiped out millennia ago, if they ever existed.

This is Southern Arizona. You, they shy away from humans, but can kick ass if they are bothered. They are big. One that I saw in the Huachuca Mountains one night was simply huge. I have smelled them much more often that seen them.

When my son was just small, he was walking down the driveway to school one morning, when one leaped across the width of the drive in front of him. It was after a deer.
Jbee