possumlodge_camping_page Introduction
Wilderness Etiquette
Planning
Traveling
Campsites and Shelters
Fires
Human Waste
Other Waste
Courtesies and Resposibilities
Camping Hints
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Introduction

Most people find wilderness camping to be stressful. The reason being, is that they have encountered adversity. Adversity can make even the most pleasant experience a hell on earth, but this can be rectified with some proper planning.

Planning is the key to a pleasant and memorable camping trip. Of course experience helps a lot to, but you've got to start somewhere. For instance, your going on a five day wilderness camping trip with no close contact with civilization. Do you bring along steak for supper each night? Well that would be nice, but unless you want to have bad meat on day three you'll have to brink a cooler full of ice, say about 100 lbs worth. Now unless your Arnold Schwartzenager, who is going to be elected to portage this cumbersome cooler through 1/4 mile of woods on a not well traveled cow path? Or how about weather related mishaps. How many times have you started out on a overnight trip and the weather bureau said "Sunny today with a little cloud tomorrow. Chances of precipitation 0% today and 10% tomorrow" "Ahhh what's 10%?" you think. Murphy's Law! That's what 10% is. So you go with fair weather in mind and before you know it. Rumble, rumble, a flash here a flash there, then the sky opens up and you swear the lake just got two feet higher, there's so much rain. Yup. Adversity rears its' ugly head once more. You don't have to be Lord Baden Powell (The Father of Scouting) to have an enjoyable wilderness experience. "Be Prepared" should be everyone's motto. Plan for every eventuality and you won't be caught off guard.



Wilderness Etiquette

Man is an intelligent, adaptable animal, with knowledge of our environment and the effects we have on it, and with increasing appreciation and the joys and rewards of wilderness experiences. Enlightened outdoor enthusiasts with a feeling of stewardship for the land are attempting to travel and camp with minimum impact on the environment. Here are a few things to keep in mind when traveling outdoors this coming canoeing and camping season. top of page


Planning

Keep the group size small. Remember however that the ecological impact of a group is not necessarily a function of numbers. Two careless people can do far more damage than twelve careful ones. Carrying capacity of an area varies upon the region you are traveling. Prepare carefully.
Carry everything you need with you Research the trip area.
Become familiar with the national, provincial and local laws and regulations.
Conduct pre trip discussions with the group.
Carry adequate food supplies.
Don't rely on the environment for food.
Carry proper equipment including shelter,warm clothing, washing equipment, bedding (foam pads etc...) and use a cache system if an extended trip is planned and if it is possible.
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Traveling

Use existing trails and portages and stay within their confines. Before you blaze a new trail take careful consideration and study the implications that it might have on the surrounding environment. Use switchbacks on trails. Don't cut a new one just to save 50 meters of hiking. Follow game trails if at all possible instead of making new ones. Wear lug soled footwear only when absolutely necessary. Soft soled sneakers are preferable along the riverbanks and lake shores of the Tusket River Valley. top of page


Camp Sites and Shelters

Use existing camp sites when possible and keep heavily used areas to a minimum. This will avoid any unnecessary soil compaction.
Do not overstay or expand campsites Refrain from using natural materials for shelters or bedding.
Don't do any landscaping of the campsite. If you want landscaping go to a resort!
Use natural drainage. Don't dig trenches in delicate environments and use a floored tent if at all possible.
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Fires

Use stoves where law and local regulations dictate; where there is a fire hazard; where serious danger to the ecosystem exists; where there is little or no firewood and where the user wants minimal impact on the environment. If you make a camp fire keep it small.
Use existing fire pits and if the trail is unused remove all evidence of the fire pit before you leave the site.
Use only deadfall for firewood. By no means should you girdle a tree for bark to start a fire. (eg...Birch) .
Burn all wood to a white ash, retrieve all non burnables such as tin cans glass and plastics and "Bring them out with you Please".
Douse the fire with plenty of water. When you think you have sufficiently doused it go and put an equal amount of water on it again being sure to stir the ashes thoroughly then remove any scars left on the land.
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Human Waste

Use existing out houses if any.
Bury any human waste in a small shallow hole (15 - 20 cm....that's 2" to 4" for those of you still hooked on the imperial measurement system) at least 35 meters from the open water (About 40 yards).
Burn all toilet paper. Otherwise use single ply white toilet paper.
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Other Waste
What is carried in must also be carried out. If you can't burn it totally bag it and bring it back out with you.
Wash dishes in a dish pan not in lakes or rivers or streams.
Do not rinse near open water and dispose of dish water in latrines.
Use biodegradable soaps like "Sunlight" Because you are a guest in someone else's' '' home - Act accordingly.
Avoid over fishing and over hunting.
Take only what you need and use it all to the fullest. Remember that the animal or fish you took gave its life so that you may live.
Obey all fish and game laws and challenge the laws that are environmentally unsound. Pick wild berrys only where they are abundant. Never pick up a plant by the roots if it is the only the leaf you need.
Clean up others' mistakes. Pack out others' non biodegradable garbage when you find them. Remember, if you are with younger campers you, as the adult set the example and if they see you do it they will be more inclined to do the same.
Eliminate any unnecessary fire pits and try to leave a bundle of dry firewood for the next guy. The next guy could someday be you with only two matches and a rainy day. Fill in overused latrines that are too close to the water.
Inform authorities of mistakes of others that are to much for you to rectify.
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General Courtesies and Responsibilities
Respect the rights of private land owners.
Obtain permission where possible and remember that it is the land owner that will remember how you treated his land.
Respect the rights of fishermen. Slip by them on the opposite shore or wait quietly for them to finish fishing the pool. Besides you may see them catch a really nice trout and if they are a really friendly sort you just might get a free dinner.
Setting examples without making judgments on others is our most effective tool in any situation. Remember that the best campers are neither seen nor heard and leave no trace. Respect the rights of other campers and canoeists. Be courteous and sensitive to their needs.
Respect physical, cultural and historical sites and properties along the route, e.g... settlements, cemeteries, pictographs, abandoned cabins. etc...

CRCA adopted and adapted "The Woodsman Code" for these guidelines. Appreciation is extended to the Canadian Camping Association for this privilege. The Woodsman Code is contained in the Woodsmanship Leaders Guide (copyright 1997) which is available from the CRCA top of page

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