Carson National Forest: A Visit With Mother Nature

Mother Nature offers a full spectrum of challenges on nearly every outing.  Outdoor enthusiasts must prepare for possible obstacles or suffer the consequences.

A favorite is always water crossings. Don water shoes and splash around, or use trekking poles to help balance across rocks and logs?  Always judge water crossings carefully as these can spell disaster if not done with care.

Weather dominates preparation for most trips.  Always research the climate and patterns in the area visiting.  Mountains require sunscreen and sunglasses due to higher elevations and increased sun exposure.  However, a rain jacket was also packed to cover the common summer rain showers.  Mother Nature blessed me on this outing with some free marble size hail along with the rain.

The Forest Service and volunteers do tremendous work in trail maintenance.  However, one must always be ready for recent obstacles left by Mother Nature.  Exercise caution in choosing to simply step over or go around.

Mother Nature can provide changing conditions on nearly a daily basis.  Heavy rains from a previous day converted an easy trail into a rock hopping mud festival.  Surprisingly, I enjoyed both.

Even Mother Nature's spectacular scenery offers interesting challenges.  The mosquitoes in  this area were so numerous that I can't believe they aren't  visible in the photo.  I'm glad the bug repellent kept them at bay while I snapped the photo.

Mother Nature creates the wonders that make outings worth the trip.  With proper preparation and research, you can make sure your outing is enjoyable no matter what nature throws at you.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Carson National Forest: Waterfall

The outdoors are full of adventure and spectacular scenery.  Waterfalls shine as the inspiration to many of these excursions.  This little waterfall kept me company while taking a break on the trail.

Another waterfall was not as accessible.  A short scramble using trekking poles opened up a photo opportunity for this waterfall.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Carson National Forest in New Mexico: Adjusting to Altitude

Venturing into the mountains must be accomplished with caution.  Mountain altitudes pose health risks to the human body.  Simple guidelines help diminish the effects of altitude.  With the proper preparation, time in the mountains can be safe and enjoyable.

Guidelines for diminishing the effects of altitude.

1. Hydration

At altitude, drinking plenty of water is crucial.  The body loses increased amounts of water during respiration, exertion, and more frequent urination.  In addition to water, utilize sport drinks and juices to hydrate while replacing lost electrolytes.  Avoid using drinks that sabotage hydration such as caffeine and alcohol.

2. Rest

With less oxygen available in the thinner air, the body will labor to perform normal activities.  Give the body time to adjust by resting and reducing normal physical activities by 50 percent.  Take the opportunity to get a good nights rest.  If necessary, sleep on your side, use a nasal saline spray, or descend to a lower elevation when sleeping.

Many people associate the effects of altitude sickness to a hangover/flu with symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, poor appetite, fatigue, and shortness of breath.  Following these guidelines will help diminish the effects of altitude on the body.  If hydration and rest fail, descend to a lower elevation, as time is the only way for the body to successfully adjust to altitude.


Staying high above the water line!

Riverwalker

Gorman Falls-Colorado Bend State Park:Hiking in the Texas Hill Country

Abundant rainfall in the area has Gorman Falls flowing nicely.  The area is protected by the Colorado Bend State Park, so visitors are limited in how close they can get to the falls.  The Texas State Park does provide an area near the falls with great views.

Gorman Falls will make you think an underground cave has erupted to the surface.  Water from Gorman Creek cascades 60 feet forming calcite deposits similar to caverns.

Colorado Bend State Park near Lampasas, Texas does offer several hiking trails including the 3 mile round trip Gorman Falls Trail.  This trail does have many large limestone rocks which can make footing difficult at times.  

As always, bring appropriate attire, footwear, and supplies.  Leave the flip flops in the car.

Hiking to the water line!

Riverwalker

The Bug Out Bike-Nashbar Single Speed 29er Mountain Bike

The solution for the bug out bike has been delivered.  The unopened box sits waiting to be born into my gear.  The Nashbar Single-Speed 29er Mountain Bike - MEDIUM is a perfect fit for survival situations due to its simplicity, adaptability, and affordability.

The single speed is all about simplicity.  The bug out bike will take the headache out of bike gear maintenance.  Don’t let the racket of a derailleur compromise your stealth.  This single speed does not have shifters or any derailleur.

The mountain bike is also built for adaptability.  The aluminum frame provides an efficient strength to weight ratio for additional durability. The oversized 29er tires provide exceptional mobility over obstacles on and off road. 

Nashbar delivers affordability for the bug out bike.  Finding a quality single speed mountain bike is like looking for supplies after a devastating event.  Usually, all the inexpensive options are heavy and the quality options are overpriced or unavailable.  Nashbar delivers a lightweight single speed at an affordable price tag usually around $400.

Go for the gear that will have you counting down the days to a survival situation like it was Christmas.  Go for simplicity.  Go for adaptability.  Go for affordability.  Go for the Nashbar Single-Speed 29er Mountain bike.

Riding above the water line.

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Treasure Falls

Treasure Falls in Colorado

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Hiking to Piedra Falls

Piedra Falls

Piedra Falls is located about 30 miles north of Pagasoa Springs, Colorado in the San Juan National Forest. It's a leisurely hike of about 3/4 mile to get to the falls and makes a very pleasant day hike through the forest and along the middle fork of the Piedra River.

Trailhead

Start of the trail in the San Juan National Forest.

Further along the trail it gets a little rocky.

Back into the woods again.

A little shade along the way.

Trail gets rocky again.

Trail runs along the side of the Piedra River as you get closer to the falls.

There's a narrow spot between the rocks as you approach the basin of the falls.

The basin of the falls at the end of the trail.

Got day hike?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - More High Places

More High Places

Got higher elevation?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - High Places

High Places 

Got elevation?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Hugging the Canyon Wall

When the polar express heads into South Central Texas, RW, Jr. and myself found the best way to avoid the wind chill and frozen temperatures is to do a little day hiking in the canyons of Southern Arizona.  So we grabbed some gear and headed to southern Arizona and warmer temps for a few days.

We hiked about half a mile to a switchback , we then hiked about half a mile up on the switchback (with an elevation gain of approximately 400 feet) to get to a trail that ran along the ridge of the canyon wall. Temperature was a comfortable 69 degrees. Total elevation ranged from 3500 to 4000 feet along the trail.

Not exactly the "Throne of the Mountain King" but it was as close as we could find.

There was a great view of the canyon floor which had a stream fed by mountain snow melt and numerous rock formations visible along the entire length of the trail. RW, Jr. was testing some new gear prior to an upcoming trip to Colorado that he has planned. I was also checking out a new Camelbak Rim Runner Hydration Backpack that was a recent addition to my hiking gear. All our gear worked great and the only problem was a zipper that snagged on the lining of a pocket on RW, Jr.’s jacket. He did manage to un-snag it after a good deal of effort on his part.

RW, Jr. also took some great video along the trail while he was doing his “Les Stroud” camera thing. This was a little difficult on the narrow trail. Google had a problem with loading the video but I will try to post it at a later date. Put in another pic instead.

Took a rest break along the trail and enjoyed the view for a while.

The incredible views and warm temperatures made for a very pleasant and enjoyable day hike. We set a very leisurely pace and hiked a little less than five miles along the ridge of the canyon.

Got canyon day hike?

As usual, RW was....

Staying way above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Pics - Agnes Vaille Falls

The trail to Agnes Vaille Falls is located in Chalk Creek canyon near Nathrop, Colorado. At the end of the trail you will find Agnes Vaille Falls, a small waterfall that cascades from a rocky shelf below Mt. Princeton (14,197 feet). The trail to the falls is fairly short and is considered a relatively easy trek for most hikers. There is a slight gain in elevation of about 450 feet from the start of the trail head.  Overall this is an easy hike until the end where there are some rocky and fairly steep sections.

Agnes Vaille was a member of the Rocky Mountain Club and had successfully climbed most of the peaks in excess of 14,000 feet but lost her life on the mountains she loved.

You can read about Agnes Vaille and her tragic death on the mountain here:

The Tragedy of Agnes Vaille

Got falling water?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Getting Lost in the Woods - Prevention and Resolution

Got that big backpacking trip coming up? Take a second to read this and learn how to help prevent getting lost in the woods and what to do if you get lost.

Don’t pull an “Into the Wild”

Have you ever read Into the Wild? I wouldn't recommend doing anything that kid did. It is your life and safety at risk. Use your resources and think smart. If you choose not to prepare (please prepare) then look for help. If that kid had checked out the terrain, like any smart camper or explore should do, he would have found his salvation about a mile away down the river from the broken down bus he was found in.

Get on the move

Don’t stay in one spot. Staying in one spot will, literally, not get you anywhere.  Only by moving are you going to get yourself back to where you want to be.

Track yourself

 Chances are you weren't on a trail. There should be signs that you have been through there. Footprints, disturbed terrain, snapped branches, etc. On a prevention note, take a leaf out of Hansel and Gretel’s book and leave a trail. Not of bread crumbs or garbage but just occasionally take the time to mark your way. Roll a rock into an open area on at an odd angle or lay a thick stick against a tree.

Get to a high spot

If there is an elevated point available, get to higher ground so that you can better see your surroundings. This will allow you to see whether or not there are barriers in any particular direction, land marks, or perhaps even your destination.

Get Loud

If you are separated from your group, get loud. If you are concerned about wild life, put your worries at rest. Animals are deterred by noise. This can do nothing but help your situation.

Check the map

Bring a topographic map and a good compass with you. Be sure to mark your vehicles location on it, your camp site and the location of any roads if they are not on there already.

GPS

Use a GPS or even a light weight mini GPS tracker. A GPS will give you an overview of your surrounding area. A GPS tracker can attach to whatever you want. Attach it to your truck or something in your campsite. If you get lost switch on your GPS tracker and it will guide you straight back to your vehicle.

Follow a river

Depending on how serious your situation is, if you are very far out and need to find civilization, follow a river. There is always life along a river and a road (or even town) will eventually meet up with it. If we are looking at a potentially long haul, it has the means to sustain you. If you get desperate, it has water and food, whether it is fish or plants or whatever critters that go to the river. 

Thanks go out to Dave for an excellent guest post.

Dave Burr is a freelance writer for Spyville. In his free time, he enjoys backpacking in the Seven Devils with his kids or reading in his backyard. 

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Labor Day - 2013

Holiday Traveling

Have a safe and happy Labor Day holiday. If you are traveling this holiday be sure to use a little extra caution.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Rocky Mountain Stream

Rocky Mountain Stream

There is a rugged beauty in nature that is hard to duplicate. The above picture was taken near Buena Vista, Colorado. Buena Vista is located in central Colorado roughly midway between Salida and Leadville in the Upper Arkansas River Valley at an elevation of 7,965 feet. RW Jr. was recently in Colorado during the Trans-Rockies Run and took this really amazing photo.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Diablos at the Ditch

Chicken Diablos

RW, Jr. and myself made a quick trip to Austin a couple of days ago to pick up a few preps. While we were there, we had some of the local cuisine at a popular restaurant called El Arroyo (aka, The Ditch). The restaurant sits completely on top of a ditch (arroyo). RW, Jr. had BBQ enchiladas and yours truly had the grilled Chicken Diablos.  Chicken Diablos are pretty easy to make if you're looking for a different kind of appetizer that can be made on the grill. They're just a strip of chicken with a slice of jalapeno wrapped in bacon and grilled till done. 

Mighty good eating with a little Chipotle sauce for dipping your diablos.

Got grilled diablos for dipping?

Staying above the ditch line!

Riverwalker

Spokes for Survival - The Bug Out Bike

Unless you are in really good physical condition, bugging out on foot with a heavy pack may not be the best option for some people. If bad things happen and travel by motorized vehicle is not your best option, a bug out bike may be the alternative means of transportation that will get you moving fast without having to worry about buying fuel.

Cycling is a lot less physically demanding than walking and you can cover a greater distance in a shorter period of time on a bike. There are also numerous other advantages of using a bike as a bug-out alternative.

Bug Out Bike Advantages

1. Bikes are readily available in different types and styles that are ideal for all family members.

2. Bikes are reliable and most are easily repaired with a minimum of tools or effort.

3. Bikes normally require less maintenance than a motor vehicle.

4. Bikes have a large number of accessories available such as gear bags, headlights and water bottle holders.

5. Good quality bikes and gear items are available in price ranges that will fit almost any budget.

6. Bikes make traveling at night easier if you need to go in “stealth” mode.

7. Bikes aren’t affected by traffic jams and many styles can easily handle “off-road” terrain as well.

8. Bikes don’t normally require license plates, registration or insurance.

9. Bikes can be easily customized to suit your personal needs.

10. Bikes can be used in normal circumstances for recreational purposes and to increase your fitness levels.

Bikes can be a great alternative means of transportation for you and your gear in an emergency. You can even carry bikes in the back of your truck or on your vehicle with a simple bike rack. They can then be used should your vehicle become disabled. You can even attach a small trailer to your bike if you need to carry an even larger amount of gear.

Bikes can provide a simple, low cost, and effective means of transportation during a crisis.

Got pedal power?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Mistakes - The Change in Plans

There’s no room for mistakes if we want to survive. Even a small mistake can have deadly consequences and place us in a dangerous situation. We may inadvertently be courting a disaster of our making when we make a simple change in plans.

The headlines are full of stories where people made a simple change in plans that had fatal or almost fatal consequences. Most days start out normal and usually end that way. Unfortunately, some days don’t end normally. If you fail to expect the unexpected, you may suddenly find yourself in a situation where your survival is at stake.

If something goes wrong, it’s a lot harder to find you or get help to you if nobody knows where you are. Most people don’t plan on having an accident, getting lost or being stranded. Even though it’s not part of the plan, accidents happen and people do get lost. When something of this nature happens, it can seriously ruin your day and may even affect your chances for survival.

You can avoid  “The Murphy Effect” by using using these simple tips in your plans.

1. Make your plans known to others.

2. Always include an alternate route in your plans.

3. Include departure, arrival and return times in your plans.

4. If you need to make additional changes, make it known to others.

5. Have more than one main emergency contact...just in case.

If nobody knows where you are going, how you are going to get there or when you’ll be back, you may just find yourself in a very bad situation because when things go bad, they go really bad in a hurry.

Got a change in plans?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Wilderness Beauty - Part Two

Wilderness Beauty - Part Two

There is a quiet serenity in the beauty of a wilderness setting.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Wilderness Beauty

Wilderness Beauty

There is a unique quality in the beauty of a wilderness setting.


Caution: High Resolution Pic (56K beware).

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Priorities - The Logistics of Survival

Logistics involves a number of important factors and these are often overlooked when developing your priorities for survival into a manageable plan. A thorough understanding of the logistics of any situation will help you to utilize all of your available resources to achieve the maximum benefit possible. It is also important to remember that a crisis will affect everyone’s survival and not just yours. There will be many others out there who will be struggling to survive the same crisis or disaster.

Survival Logistics

1. Time Management

One of the major factors that comes into play when a crisis occurs is time. You won’t have any time to waste and will need to make every second count. If you have to bug-out, will you have sufficient time to reach your bug-out location or do you have an alternate location that is closer and may serve your purposes? If you don’t have the time to bug-out, do you have sufficient means to shelter in place.

Always allow extra time to accomplish your goals during a crisis or disaster, it will always take a lot longer than you think to get there or to get something done. Plan things to save as much time as possible; because you will need every minute in a crisis

2. Use Information to Your Advantage

The importance of up-to-date information cannot be stressed enough. An accurate level of information will help you stay ahead in the process. Information that is current will keep you informed of any changes that occur which can have a direct effect on your chances for survival.  Changes in the weather, traffic conditions or infrastructure failures can have a significant impact on your chance of survival.

                       

3. Maximizing Transportation Resources

Movement and transportation are also critical factors during a crisis. Do you have sufficient means to transport everyone in your group if you have to move to a different location? Do you have sufficient room for supplies that may be needed? Even though you may even have a certain amount of goods stockpiled at a different location, will you be able to get there? Do your vehicles have sufficient extra capacity to handle extra supplies or additional family members? Allowing for excess capacity when it comes to transportation will help you avoid a critical situation during a crisis. This could be as simple as a large capacity van, a trailer that can be attached to your vehicle or a cargo container strapped on top of your vehicle.

4. Skills and Inventory Management

Keeping a proper inventory of your resources (food, water, etc.) is also essential. It is also important to remember that the people in your group are also one of your most important resources. Although water, food and shelter are all critical items, it is important to utilize the inventory of skills available from the people in your group. You will need to make sure that you have adequate levels of supplies to maintain your group until other resources can be obtained. Knowing the inventory of personal skills of the persons in your group will enable you utilize their skills for the maximum possible benefit of everyone.

5. Increase Security Levels

In normal times, security is not always a prime concern. During a crisis or a disaster, security becomes a critical issue. A crisis will quite often bring out the worst in people. Civil unrest can create a unique set of problems in and of itself. Emergency services, such as law enforcement, firefighters, etc., are quite often overwhelmed when a crisis occurs. Many people will be looking to take advantage of this fact. Taking the necessary steps to increase your levels of security whether you are sheltering in place or bugging-out will be a critical and important part of maintaining your safety during a crisis.

Using logistics in your survival planning may help you become a survivor instead of a statistic. A little common sense helps as well.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker