A Week in the White Mountains: Part 5

[jbeegoode]

The final part "5" is now posted over at TheFreeRangeNaturist.org. A couple of short wanderings in nature, natural.

https://thefreerangenaturist.org/2016/10/21/a-week-in-the-white-mountains-part-5-a-trip-report/

Jbee

[nudewalker]

Thanks for the uplifting reading on this cold rainy morning. I shouldn't complain as there has only been .01 inches so far this month. And there has been a free walk every day just no epic hikes because of life. Nice work you two do in inspiring me!

[nuduke]

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 

[jbeegoode]

These are black bears here. Not big brown grizzlys. They are much less likely to attack, unless you really bother them, or their young, etc. They usually leave people alone. The defense is to speak in a very human monotone, which is odd to them, say if one is wandering around a tent at night. Flashlights are foreign and look like eyeballs, if a bear is not too close so as to react in defense. To look big is best (these beings are not man size, but very powerful). We have our backpacks with a foam sleeping pad rolled up stretching out on top. We would raise our arms out and be firmly upright and immobile. No turning, or running away. Bears are smart enough to avoid a hassle, as should we be. If all fails, I carry a nasty tomahawk on my pack that I could probably die using.

We are weird unusual big and noisy animals. Things like that are avoided. Fright to flight, only fight when cornered, is natural. Elk keep a distance and that is how they should be treated. Big cats run away, their smart. Wolves, there are few and stay away. Hungry animals will try to steal food, so I have a long cord and I stay aware.

All of that aside, most people carry no protection and have no problems. Curiously, the guys on horses often carry guns.

My fears are of dangerous people. People are few where we like to go and dangerous people are very rare. I carry a pistol in my truck, which I have never needed in nearly 50 years, but Murphey's Law keeps me armed. 

I confess, when I'm sleeping in a wild mountain forest alone at night, I always have a period or two of a sense of fear and vulnerability at night. That's nature, too. My tender feet don't live there alone enough. Every so often, I'll jump awake to a vivid dream and realize that I am alone and comfortable within a peaceful evening. Civilized folk have silly notions. I like to learn my parameters in a nude body in nature, and likewise, I like to experience my interface with other aspects of nature. From my awareness of inner fears as well as my embrace of meditative oneness. It is all good. Life is meant to be experienced.

Just a thought, when I first began to live out here in Tortolita, I would sometimes feel fears at night, from being alone, vulnerable and isolated. Reality showed itself and I quickly changed. I sleep with my door unlocked. Outside at night, I just carry a flashlight for rattlers and shoes for scorpions.
Jbee

[nudewalker]

Most big animals here try to avoid confrontation that's why it is so much of a thrill when deer stay so close when hiking naked, as if I belonged in their domain. There have been a few moments during the rut if one gets between a buck and his harem. Same goes with black bears here; they will avoid humans unless you are between the mother and her cubs! Much like any other environment one has to be aware of their surroundings.

As for weapons I've never carried any. Although I don't frequent those kind of wide open spaces as Jbee does. Part of the trade off with the wife; flush toilets, hot showers and electric hookups are her ideas of the great outdoors.

I grew up in an area where doors were never locked, no streetlights existed and we freely roamed the countryside. Things changed when we moved to civilization and became more guarded. It was to me a step backwards along with all the other things that changed my life at that time.

As a parting note; in the higher elevations to the east of here there was the first measurable snowfall. It melted with the morning sun but was a reminder that winter is near.

[eyesup]

I've lived in areas where there are large predators but have never encountered one. The largest predator I've ever seen up close is a coyote. They only get to 30-40 lbs. but can be dangerous in a pack.

The largest coyote I ever saw was at Scotty's Castle in Death Valley. It was living off of food given to it by the uninformed tourists. It was almost as big as our Akita/Shepard mix. It probably had lost the ability to survive in the wild.

Duane

[eyesup]

I confess, when I'm sleeping in a wild mountain forest alone at night, I always have a period or two of a sense of fear and vulnerability at night. That's nature, too. My tender feet don't live there alone enough. Every so often, I'll jump awake to a vivid dream and realize that I am alone and comfortable within a peaceful evening. Civilized folk have silly notions.

This happens to me every now and then. It is always a reminder that all defense abilities we have are contained in our brain. Not in our natural physical abilities.

Duane

[jbeegoode]

I confess, when I'm sleeping in a wild mountain forest alone at night, I always have a period or two of a sense of fear and vulnerability at night. That's nature, too. My tender feet don't live there alone enough. Every so often, I'll jump awake to a vivid dream and realize that I am alone and comfortable within a peaceful evening. Civilized folk have silly notions.

This happens to me every now and then. It is always a reminder that all defense abilities we have are contained in our brain. Not in our natural physical abilities.

Duane

Defense? Oh legs run well, arms climb trees, and we can look and be very dangerous in a pack, too.

Okay, I know what you mean. Sleeping with an axe, flashlights, or holstered pistol next to the pillow feels good for a reason.
Jbee

[eyesup]

Since I wasn't born with an axe or pistol attached to my body, I have to rely only on my arms and legs to try to outrun or climb a predator that is better at both of those than I am. 

Ergo, the ascension of the brainiac prey. 

Duane

[nuduke]

Once again I am enriched by your replies to one of my questions.

How outré it all seems - bears, elk, escape tactics, ability to sleep outdoors.  O Tempora o mores. (Cicero)

I was particularly touched by JBee and Duane's description of some fears in the dark in the wild.  This was comforting that you experienced those nocturnal anxieties.  I am a bit of a scotophobic, even in the garden and have to steel myself to walk anywhere isolated in rural parts at night.  Its basically nervousness of what might be lurking ready to spring in the darkness beyond (usually nothing, of course!).  Often when I go naked in the garden late evening or at dead of night, there is a rustling in the bushes of the garden's perimeter.  Nyctophilic fauna are out there alright.  Just don't know what they are and whether they are prepared to defend their territory?  Of course, I'm the largest animal out there and the rustling is the creatures of the night escaping my presence.  Doesn't stop me feeling anxious, though.  So I make a little noise and move about a bit not so much to scare 'em off but to assert my territory!

You two live in a very different, wilder and warmer world indeed.

John

[jbeegoode]

This stuff is hardwired into our fabric and has kept us alive as a species. Nothing wrong with a knee jerk flight or flight, rush up the spine...unless it is after we find out that said snake is an old piece of rope. If you don't have it, your system is dangerously deadened...or DEAD! Even the guru, and the bravehearts have this.

My only real concerns are rattlers and scorpions, but every so often, the irrational unreal sneaks up into my imagination...oh yea, and skunks. I don't worry enough about skunks.
Jbee

[eyesup]

If I am in bear or cat territory it is more likely because I am aware they are around. If I know there is no real issue it is less likely and like Jbee I am only concerned about the snake or scorpion.

Skunks, on the other hand were abundant where I grew up. You could tell in an instant whether one had defended itself or died nearby. Very unique and potent smell.

Never ran into one either in a car or on foot but people who had said the remedy was a liberal anointing with tomato juice. Don't know if that works but if you ever had a whiff of that up close I'm sure I would try anything.

Duane

[jbeegoode]

Yes, I've heard that people often burn their clothing after an encounter. A silver lining perhaps?

I'm thinking that I smell urban skunks, but it is just some of the medical MJ. Some kind of hybrid from an Afghani strain. I had a pot loving friend who would stick his head out of the window when he smelled a skunk. It is significant enough that a country song was written for it called, "Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road." It was my dad's favorite country song. There's my skunk rap. It smells bad, stay away.
Jbee

[eyesup]

A skunk is deadly only to your social life! 

Duane

[nudewalker]

The skunk and raccoon stories I could relate from our thirty some years of camping. There are problems with both; raccoons become dependent on handouts or leftovers and come around to beg or pilfer. Usually they keep their distance but there are instances where they become rabid and have attacked. Our state sets out bait with rabies vaccine to deal with the problem.

Skunks are only a problem if they feel threatened and need to defend themselves. Jbee mentions burning clothes so I will relate this story. A couple camping near us had their dog get sprayed so they took him to the water to try and wash it away. Giving support from a distance by providing shampoo and vinegar on a return trip they asked for a large garbage bag. Upon returning they asked me if nudity bothered me and after answering they proceeded to disrobe to put their clothes in the bag. They then headed to the showerhouse naked requesting towels, soap and coverups from their camper. Later at the campfire over a bottle of wine the apologies began to which my wife said I'm surprised he didn't get naked with you. I told them about hiking naked and being nude at home but who knows how well it was received. Next morning they headed home to seek a vets advise on how to deal with the lingering smell.