| Grouse Fire Online! |
|
Almost all Yes will have experienced the rudiments of camping at some period during their lives. Most will have camped on the lush lowland meadows or the sparse upland heather moorlands of Britain. This will b different to that experienced in Alaska!!! There is little value in being uncomfortable for the "sheer hell of it", kitchen, wardrobe and suitcase will be in one container on your back, and there are no motorised trolleys or porters where we are going! If you have the finance, for they can be expensive, a Bivy Bag (not a plastic survival sack!), made of Gortex or similarly treated material, will be invaluable.
You are likely to live and work tinder the following conditions:
a. Three persons to a smallish tent. The robust tents will have a sewn-in groundsheet with well proven qualities but may well be heavier than the flimsier backpacking variety. It is likely to have a "bell-end" and a fly sheet – these should be used to advantage to store belongings.
b. You will cook wholesome dehydrated food, and different fresh and tinned foods to those with which you are familiar, on a " Optimus-type" stove, in mess tins and billies.
c. Many days of continuous, rain, cloud and/or wind, possibly even snow or sunshine.
d. Be required of necessity to pitch a tent, to bivy or simply exist on grass or some vegetation, bare rock or earth, moraine, or even snow.
e. Become wet, cold, hot, miserable, elated, exhausted, angry, sad, homesick and…very fit.
This list could continue, and I am sure you will be able to add more on your return! NEVER cook in tents in Bear country. Make a shelter to protect you and the stove from the effects of the weather. If you are
not cooking then keep away from the cooking area. Do not light open wood fires unless so directed and then only in the designated places.
Do not let your tent become a litter-bin, all rubbish should be burnt in designated areas.
Look after your tent, remember it will be your home for the next six weeks. Take the trouble to pitch your tent well, even if you are only to stay for one night. A badly pitched tent falls down much quicker than a well pitched one in the strong winds found in most upland areas. Pitch your tent in a safe way. Make sure the guy lines will not trip people, and that your washing lines do not decapitate the next unsuspecting passer-by. Boulders which you may have placed to keep your tent from becoming airborne may also trip your fellow YEs. Do not leave any gear lying around, it may blow away and become lost forever and stepping on an upturned crampon in bare feet is no joke! A tidy camp is environmentally friendly and safe.
There now follows a list of hints which may be of interest and of use?
1. Camp near to fresh water – water is heavy to carry.
2. Sleep head to toe – gives more room but a kick to the head is not a good start to the day!
3. A small nylon washing up brush has many uses, and a short washing line + six pegs a must.
4. A site might be dry when you pitch, but what will it be like after a night's rain or snow?
5. Do not leave items outside without first fixing them down and knowing their location; they may be buried, blown away or eaten!
6. Do not let fly sheet and inner touch – you'll get damp.
7. Anchor tent pegs with rocks, fit storm guys if expecting storm winds, do not let rocks abrade the guys or tent fabric.
8. Be ready to eat when it is cooked, food cools rapidly in the out-of-doors.
9. Local produce may be edible, vary your menu but seek advice first.
10. Poly bags are very useful but beware condensation.
11. Non-perfumed soap is essential, use it for washing clothes as well as bodies.
12. Separate wet clothes from dry and soiled clothes from clean.
13. Do not smoke. It is antisocial and dangerous.
14. Insulate below your sleeping bag as cold strikes up from the ground.
15. Get fit. Life will be so much easier at first.
16. Always wash your hands before handling food, especially that destined for someone else.
17. NEVER throw food away. Offer it to someone else. Food attracts bears and other undesirables.
18. Put rucksacks outside between the inner and fly sheet or in a plastic survival bag.
19. Always carry your sleeping bag inside a poly bag, rucksacks are generally not waterproof.
20. Always keep a set of dry clothes for wear in the tent and in your sleeping bag. Put on wet clothes in the morning (ugh!), you'll be fine if appropriately insulated and active.
21. Keep lids on billies and keep utensils clean.
22. Don't rush about, make certain everything is correct and proper, e.g. pitching your tent, fitting your boots, setting down a pan.
23. Use a sleeping bag liner – keeps the bag clean and you warmer.
24. Keep toilet rolls dry!
25. If it is raining, the person already outside does all the jobs – there is no point everyone getting wet. Take it in turns. Leave wet clothes and boots outside the inner.
Above all be organised, keep the tent tidy, prepare for the worst possible scenario and make sure you can find things blindfolded.