Unplanned FRN Camping

[nudewalker]

I decided to take advantage of the lull in the rainy weather and took the camper out in order to gt things ready for the summer season. Last year there were a number of issues and I had tried to resolve them over the winter but it would take an actual trip to make sure it was functional.

So late afternoon I arrived at the campground which is situated on top of one of the highest surrounding hills, although here they are referred to as mountains.  The small campground has only about fifty sites, some of which offer privacy and others are butted against each other. Of the other campers there one had chosen the most remote and private site, the others were in close proximity.  I later found out that they were friends who often traveled as a group. I wanted to meet the campers at the most secluded spot as the way the camper was positioned and site was set up seemed to be a page out of  a stealth nude camping book that Jbee and I could co-author. 

Things were pretty much st up when the ranger came by to fill out paperwork and collect fees. We endd up having a long pleasant conversation about the park, his duties, when the campground store and office would open. What I did learn was that the residence I passed on the only way into the campground was his and that  he says he was a light sleeper. So any vehicle traffic late at night would rouse him. Then he added that  with the group here now everyone seems to be in bed by 10PM which this time of year is usually his last round. In other words, after that time free range would be in order. And that night proved to be true as I sat outside drinking wine with cheese and crackers and true to form he made rounds as stated. I soon went in and watched the news, mostly for the weather forecast, and returned outside after, nude of course. I did sit under the awning for quite a while then decided to stroll about the area. Just as the ranger had stated the other campers were dark as if abandoned. Even the camper whom I wanted to meet presented the same way. Once I made the return to my abode it was well past one in the morning so I turned in for the night.

The next morning proved to be a perfect day, no clouds and high temperatures near 90F (35C) and humid for this time of year. It also brought out walkers and cyclists who seemed eager to exercise off those winter pounds, myself included. However, there were some repairs to be done, cleaning to do and water lines to be flushed. I did notice that all the vehicles were departing and even the small camper from the secluded spot left. Had I not been st up it would have been moving day. The rangers made their passes through a few times to see who left and if anyone had moved in but then things got extremely quiet as the temperatures rose to an almost uncomfortable degree, too much warmth too fast for most to acclimate to but I was comfortable by removing clothing down to a pair of tan through shorts. I then grabbed a water bottle and headed to a fire service road nearby for a walk, sans shorts. It was a guilty pleasure in a way, sure there was more to be done but nature was calling this naturist so I had to obey. After all, how often does this type of thing present itself? It was so quiet that I made it back to the camper still naked and sat outside to cool down. The others returned, waving as they drove by not knowing that I was sitting there nude or if they did nothing came of it. I did have to dress some for cooking over the campfire and the ranger did stop just to chat a bit. After supper I sat in the same spot just slipping on a running kilt to stoke or add wood to the fire. Same plan as the night before, after the news I went on another walk, only sandals to protect my feet from the warm asphalt and gravel. It was a little warmer night so I stopped at the shower house on the way back to rinse off the daily sweat and air dried on the way back. Overall I could not believe my luck!

So with everything in working order and severe storms predicted for that afternoon I decided to pack it up and call it a success! Usually I plan these trips with the thought of some free range time in mind but this was a working trip so to speak and well things just happen. I did make it home before the storms hit, much to the relief of Mrs. Walker. So that night over a dinner of salmon, green beans and noodles we toasted the events with a bottle of wine and look toward our summer adventures!

[Greenbare Woods]

Sounds like a fun trip with lots of naked time.  Enjoy.

[eyesup]

What a great weekend!

Where in comparison is this campsite to Cumberland Gap? We spent only about a day and a half there so we saw mostly the active tourist areas. Plus it was lightly raining off and on. Not much of an opportunity for SN.

We did stop at the Civil War site "Camp Wildcat" and did a 2 mile roundtrip day hike. We pulled into the parking area and saw only one vehicle. Another showed up while we were there but they left shortly after. I wasn't sure where the others were so I walked clothed. It would have been a perfect day for it. It was humid but cool from the rain. I never ran into the other people.  I should have gone for it on the hike back.

I arrived at the campground which is situated on top of one of the highest surrounding hills, although here they are referred to as mountains.

Yes, the Appalachians are no longer tall, but they once were much taller. I have read articles that range them from as tall as the Rockies to higher than the Himalayas. They are most likely the oldest mountains on earth.

I was fascinated with all the limestone, shale and granite features everywhere we looked.

Duane

[jbeegoode]

Fifty campsites! That is huge in these parts for Forest Service.

I like the way that you grilled the ranger and lifted valuable information. You then acted on it. I'll make a post of Aravaipa Canyon later this week. In that I have a conversation with the local ranger about the traffic and her habits.

I'm reminded of us in the parking lot in the Chiricahuas dancing together in the moonlight, quietly singing "Dancing in the Moonlight." People go to bed early, unless they are into a beer party.

I haven't bumped into a camper who looks like SN gamebook, but it sure sounds like a great something to look for. There are subtle hints and nuances. Takes one to know one.

People seem to often respect others privacy. They may not realize that I'm actually looking to be nude, but they do give space. When they catch me gathering pants, they assume that they have stumbled into a private moment, even though I would not really care if they saw me without the pants. They are just being nice. Others understand someone looking for solitude. I always present us as that, when fishing for info from the rangers. Rangers are even more likely to be less of a potential visit, if they know that I'm looking for that.
Jbee

[nudewalker]

In all honesty Duane this camping was done mid-week as I have found it to be more peaceful; especially when school is in session. We are about 300 miles from the Cumberland Gap as the crow flies closer to the Ohio River so the mountains are more cut from erosion than pushed up by plates. Yes, it has ben rainy so the growth has been phenomenal this year. Just keeping up with the grass is almost a full time job.

Jbee, maybe we need to collaborate on an how to book of SN camping? I have to admit that it is a lot easier back East as we have more cover between the sites. Even 50 sites seem far apart when there is a lot of overgrowth between them. We are not quite as primitive as you and DF but by aligning the camper, a screen house, picnic table and vehicle with the surrounding growth one can achieve privacy. During the one night walk I had almost hoped to see naked people sitting at the fire but it was not to be.

I do have the Calvin "life is short, play naked" decals on the SUV, kayak, camper, backpacks and water bottles.  So far they have yielded limited results but I keep the faith that it will open avenues of communication. Maybe a little more than subtle hints?

I often think that most rangers take the job to get that sort of solitude and to spread their love of nature. There have only been a few encounters where they acted like Johnny Law trying to use their authority. Most are laid back and relaxed; unless you're making an ass of yourself they respect your privacy and keep their distance. now if only these social engagements would end!

[eyesup]

Jbee, I remember when we were in Prescott you were talking to John 'The Prospector' and let drop the naked hiking reference and he didn't even bat an eye. Although I didn't get the impression he did naked hiking he seemed to not care. We continued with the meal and conversation.

The next morning I don't remember if you tried the same tactic on the ranger we were talking to. But I saw that slipping references into the conversation was a good way of announcing your stance.

Nudewalker, did you get the impression that the ranger was aware of your activities?

Duane

[nudewalker]

Duane, if that ranger had any idea of my activities he must be able to read minds! The thought of FRN camping came after the fact, mostly I was concerned with the state of repairs to the camper. The only reason I was out in the beginning was to extend the slide outs as that couldn't be done in the storage garage. In hind sight, I guess in my sub-conscious state  questions were asked and the conversation was steered toward the chances of SN. Maybe I don't give myself enough credit?  Besides, I didn't go full blown FRN mode on the campsite except for parking the vehicle at a little more of an angle once it was determined that nude camping was available.

Most of the rangers that I have encountered have two things in mind; protect the forest or park they are stationed n and make sure everyone who visits enjoy themselves. A few rangers that I have become close enough friends with to discuss nudity have stated they could care less unless it involved overt sexual displays that would offend others. Most of the time they're too busy with drunk parties or vandalism to worry about a naked man walking in the forest. n act one ranger I spoke with last summer stated he spends most of his time on the lake with drunk boaters! So I would imagine, at least at that park, you stand more of a chance of being busted for nude sunbathing on a boat before nude hiking on the trails.

[Peter S]

Don't know if they count as rangers, but I recall the account some years back of a fire watcher, who was naked most of his time in his remote fire tower. Caught unawares one time by the "delivery man" bringing in his supplies, the deliverer said quite a few of the watchers went nude, being alone and isolated for days/weeks at a time. Are fire watchers still at work, or has the job been give to satellites these days?

[eyesup]

My son's Boy Scout Troop went to summer camp at Camp Emerson in southern CA. About 15 miles SW, as the crow flies, of Palm Springs. We did a hike up Tahquitz Peak. There is a fire watch facility at the peak that was manned and the day we were there, womaned. 

It was a great mountain hike but the camp has been surrounded by small towns. Far too crowded for CO hiking even if I hadn't been on a Scout activity. That was in 2010.

I think some are still occupied in areas where there is a history of frequent fire. It gets the fire spotted quicker and cuts the reaction time.

Duane

[jbeegoode]

Smokey the Bear's fire suppression as caused a lot of unnatural problems and that is no longer the policy, except when it endangers property. So, there are fewer rangers on mountain tops. Also, cameras are being used. "Over the last 30 to 40 years, the number of lookouts employed around the country has decreased steadily. Only 826 out of 2,552 lookout stations are staffed, according to a compilation by the Forest Fire Lookout Association. And about 6,225 lookout towers have been knocked down."

The Forest Service is renting some of them out.

Jbee

[John P]

These are pictures from our group's autumn hike to Glastenbury Mountain, Vermont in October 2011. Later it proved to be the first night of the season when it went below freezing, and we got there at sunset with a wind blowing and already chilly; this tower is out of use and has no glass in the windows, so the breeze blew through. Dan doesn't know the word "cold" and he did his naturist duty, but I failed! Note that in the last picture, the shadow of the tower is visible on the treetops.

[eyesup]

Smokey the Bear's fire suppression as caused a lot of unnatural problems and that is no longer the policy . .

The Yellowstone Fire of 1988 was the one that caused that to happen.

I suppose with the increasing availability of drones you will see these numbers continue to drop. But there is no beating a human putting eyes on a site. Cameras have to be mounted somewhere and monitored. With drones though you could fly right up to a smoke plume to investigate.

Duane

[eyesup]

Nice picts, JohnP.

Dan doesn't know the word "cold" . . .

My daughter had a friend in her Girl Scout Troop that was like that. Her lips would be turning blue and she would refuse to put on a coat. She would finally concede defeat and was always the last one to grab a wrap.

Did you camp the night and did Dan finally cover up?

We had a tower like that outside of town where I grew up. On trips we would stop and climb to the top to see the view. Back then it was still being used.

Duane

[John P]

Did you camp the night and did Dan finally cover up?

Yes and yes. We stayed at the Glastenbury Mountain shelter, which is just an open-fronted thing, so it got a little chilly. We had to share it with a few other people and we asked if they minded nudity, but it was pretty much an academic issue!






On that trip, people felt the need for varying amounts of clothing.

[eyesup]

I’ve seen those type shelters at Boy Scout camps. They are intended for the leaders. Scouts were required to pitch tents, make camp etc, etc. Good shelter if it doesn’t rain and have strong winds.

ALL the cool cats hangin’ together JohnP? 

Duane