[Sportsandrec] camping

Wed Feb 6 01:59:02 UTC 2013

Hi,

Just a quick note about Kelly's cane advice, you might also find that
adapting a titanium ski pole into a telescoping cane could make a
million things easier in hiking. I typically use a standard ski pole
in my left hand and a long cane/adapted cane in my right hand. That
provides me support, reach, and acuity. Everyone has their own
techniques, but I think Kelly's advice is spot on. Whatever way you
find, make sure to practice it until it's second nature.

Justin Louchart

On 2/5/13, Kelly Thornbury <kthornbury at bresnan.net> wrote:
> Julie,
>
> My first suggestion, and maybe most important in my eyes, is to know your
> gear. Things like being able to set up camp in any weather conditions goes a
> long way.
>
> As for edible plants as a blind individual, spend extra time on this and ask
> lots of questions. Learn how to distinguish between edible plants and
> similar feeling/smelling non edible varieties. Avoid plants that are too
> close to call, and learn first aide techniques for the less palatable ones.
>
>
> Navigation and orientation- the moss generally grows on the North side of
> large rocks and trees. Learn at what compass coordinates the sun rises and
> sets at the latitude you will be practicing your skills. Then, based on time
> of day you can get a general direction of travel. As soon as you orientate
> yourself based on whatever technique you use, take note of the general wind
> direction and how it gusts and blows. A bar magnet hanging from a piece of
> string packs easily and will give you magnetic north when properly marked
> and practiced. Take note of landmarks as described already in other
> responses, including the sounds of water, wind, animals (birds for example
> often to stay in more wooded areas or areas of cover rather than wide open
> spaces), and smells (the smell of a pond over a river, or a patch of wild
> onions over a patch of mint).
>
> For travel over rougher terrain, I ditch the normal white canes (no one in
> the wild cares what color your cane is) for collapsable hiking poles. I
> remove the baskets and can use it as either a cane or a trekking pole. My
> cane of choice, if I take one, is aluminum and foldable. Straight canes tend
> to get in the way and collapsable canes collapse if you happen to lean on
> them for support. Aluminum is durable, and practice repairing the shock
> cords inside.
>
> Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions of the instructors; discuss
> adaptive techniques because they may have some ideas, or at least you can
> brainstorm new ideas; and practice practice practice. Soon, you'll be the
> best in the group at tying knots in the dark, traveling by the stealth of
> night, and leading the group back to basecamp.
>
> There's more but hopefully this is a descent start.
>
> Enjoy, and be sure to share how it works out.
>
> Kelly
>
> On Feb 5, 2013, at 4:55 PM, Julie J. wrote:
>
>> Heya!
>>
>> It's me with another adventure vacation question.  Last year it was sea
>> kayaking, clam digging and fishing.  This year my teenage son and I are
>> going camping.  Actually we are going to survival school where we will be
>> learning how to build a fire without matches, tie knots, make rope from
>> native plants, which plants are edible, how to make tools from natural
>> materials at hand and all sorts of other stuff.  I'm affectionately
>> referring to this adventure as my opportunity to learn independent living
>> skills. *smile*
>>
>> I looked at loads of opportunities we could utilize to do this and settled
>> on one of the less intense options.  We are going to be staying in a cabin
>> and doing day hikes to learn and practice the survival skills we have been
>> taught.  I'm not quite as adventurous as I once was. Sleeping under a
>> hedge and being reliant on figuring out which mushrooms are edible won't
>> be a part of this trip.
>>
>> Still it will be a lot of new things for me and a lot of skills I haven't
>> used for around 15 years.  I don't anticipate having any particular
>> difficulties because of my blindness, but I'm trying to figure out as much
>> as I can ahead of time.
>>
>> I would love to hear from people who have been camping both the normal
>> variety and the rougher sort of survival camping that is becoming popular.
>>  Also ideas on keeping oriented where there are no paths would be helpful.
>>    If anyone can think of specific non electronic blindness equipment I
>> should take along that would also be helpful.
>>
>> I welcome all thoughts and ideas.  If you can think of something that I'm
>> overlooking in preparing for this trip please let me know.
>>
>> Thanks in advance!  You guys always have awesome ideas and have been
>> really helpful.
>>
>> Julie
>>
>>
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>
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-- 
Justin Louchart
JALOUCHART at GMAIL.COM

Inveniam Viam Aut Faciam