that flows through a region that was once rife with controversy, part of
the old “loggers versus treehuggers” chestnut. At one point, the local log
ging community decided to take out their anger on anyone who traveled
the river. More than once over a threeyear period, groups of paddlers and
anglers reached the parking lot at the end of their trips to find their tires
slashed. Imagine if the campers had emerged with a timesensitive casu
alty in tow!
Learn to Use a Map and Compass
THISBOOKOFFERSANEXTENSIVE CHAPTERONWILDERNESSNAVIGATION, but
nobody should venture into the wild without at least the basic skills to
interpret a topographical map and use a compass. You don’t play hockey
without learning how to skate; you don’t go sailing without learning how
to sail; and you don’t fire a rifle without learning how to shoot. So don’t
venture into the wilderness without learning how to navigate. There are
numerous local college courses available on the subject. Take one!
Always carry a map, whether you’re on your own or with a guide.
If you’re with a guide but have neglected to bring a map, ask to see your
guide’s as often as possible. Familiarize yourself with it, as well as with
the route you are traveling. Your guide should not be annoyed by this,
but rather pleasantly surprised that someone else on the trip is willing to
become knowledgeable in case the worst should happen. After all, what
would you do if your guide became incapacitated?
In preparing yourself by reviewing a route map, you may notice, for
example, that a road runs parallel to the river or trail you’re traveling on.
This is good to know should you run into trouble: A half day’s walk due
east will put me onto a road and into the path of possible rescue. You may also
see landmarks such as bridges, buildings, or even small towns. You would
never have known that if you hadn’t looked at the map before it got lost or
washed down the river.
(^8) | Survive!