#safety hiking

[mingwrites]

ateez as incubi

seonghwa ~ in your sleep, you had the most vivid and pleasurable dream of your life. you had a mysterious man between your legs, face buried in your pussy, clit between his lips. upon waking up, the fantasy didn’t end. you stirred hazily, moaning at the imagined sensation in your clit. it became a little too vivid, however, when you felt a long tongue slither inside of you. you looked down, seeing that the man was real, and he was still working your pussy dutifully. you knew you should have felt scared, but somehow the only thing you said was, “don’t stop.” this caused the man to chuckle against you. “don’t you worry, doll,” he said, “you’re so delicious, i’ll never get enough.”

hongjoong ~ when you awoke from your restless sleep, you had tears running down your cheeks. there was a sheen of sweat across your body and a dull throbbing between you legs. at first everything was hazy and confusing, but then you heard your demon’s voice break the silence of the night and it all came together. “what’s wrong, little baby?” he mocked from your bedside where he pervertedly observed your plight. “do you need me so bad? these fingers, this dick? tell me how much you need me.”

yunho ~ you woke up to your walls being stretched open by something ice cold. you realized it didn’t hurt because you were already soaking wet somehow. then you realized the handsome man slowly materializing on top of you, eyes locked on yours, hips sliding carefully closer. you groaned as he filled you up entirely, hands moving with a mind of their own as they reached to hold onto the man’s shoulders. “it’s so big,” you moaned. the man smirked, hips beginning to fuck in and out of you. “you know, i can make it even bigger, if you think this little pussy can handle it.”

yeosang ~ you were grinding against your mattress, a rhythmic flow of moans and whimpers echoing in your room as you dreamt of yeosang. in your dream, he was all over you - tongue down your throat, face in your pussy, and dick pounding into your soaking heat. “there you go,” dream yeosang whispered, “make yourself feel good, my darling.” your eyes slowly opened and for a moment you were utterly disappointed about losing your dream. that was, until you realized yeosang was lying right beside you, urging you on further, “don’t stop, baby, i want to see you make yourself cum.”

san ~ you opened your eyes when you heard a familiar voice filling your bedroom with sweet, soothing melodies. “sannie?” you called, sitting up and rubbing your eyes. “good morning, sweetheart,” he smiled cheerfully. you smiled in return, but groaned when you felt a throbbing ache in your clit. “it hurts again,” you said. that pain always seemed to return when san stopped by to visit. “i know, angel,” he cooed, placing his icy cold hands on your thighs and rubbing them gently. “do you need sannie to take care of it for you?”

mingi ~ “get up,” a deep voice commanded, awaking you from your dreams. you shot up and scanned your bedroom for intruders. sure enough, he was there staring down at you, and he was mad. “mingi?” you said softly. “what’s wro-” he cut you off: “where have you been for the last week?” your heart sank. he was really mad. it struck no fear in you, just stirred up butterflies in your stomach. “i-i was on vacation, i’m sorry i forgot to tell you.” mingi scoffed. “vacation… you’ve been naughty for the last time, do you understand?” you couldn’t hold your smile back, thrilled for what mingi might have in store for your punishment.

wooyoung ~ the last thing you expected to see when you first opened your eyes was a dick inches from your face. but that’s what you got, and you weren’t complaining. “suck it,” wooyoung demanded. having just woken up, you were a little slow to register what was going on. getting impatient, wooyoung reached out to stroke your jaw, thumb landing on your chin and gently pushing your mouth open. “i said suck it for me, baby.”

jongho ~ you awoke when you heard someone calling your name in a singsong voice. you looked around your room expecting to see him there, but he wasn’t. “jongho?” you whispered. suddenly, there was a strong hand wrapped around your throat, pressing gently on your airway. you grabbed his wrist, and then he became visible. jongho was floating just above your mattress, staring intensely into your wide eyes. he lowered himself so he was straddling you and strengthened his grip around your neck. “please,” he scoffed, “don’t look so scared. i can smell how wet you are from here.”

#yall i picked up a snake today :D #it was a little baby snake in the middle of the hiking trail n he was so scared :((( #but i moved him to safety ^^ #ateez #ateez blurbs #ateez fanfic #ateez fic #ateez hard hours #ateez imagines #ateez smut #ateez x reader #ateez x you #ateez scenarios #ateez reactions #kpop #kpop smut #kpop fanfic #seonghwa #hongjoong #yunho #yeosang #san #mingi #wooyoung #jongho #choi san #san ateez #18+ #mdni #ateez headcanons

[rebeccathenaturalist]

The above link includes articles on lost mushroom hunters in the Pacific Northwest over the past ten years. Many of these people were found deceased, and others were very lucky to have been found alive.

One of the things I really emphasize with foraging is safety, and not just the danger of picking something poisonous. While some people come into this practice with a realistic idea of the risks involved, others have....well, let's just call it a romanticized idea of foraging. They're not wrong in that it can be a fun, fulfilling activity that gets you all kinds of tasty things. But you have to be able to also navigate what can go wrong.

This is especially true for foragers who decide to go off-trail. I see this especially with people looking for mushrooms, because the lure of potential huge flushes of chanterelles, morels, and the like frequently leads people to head out onto public land in areas without marked trails. Sure, these locations are less heavily traveled and so it's more likely you'll stumble across a patch that no one else has gotten to yet. But--you're also more likely to get lost.

I personally tend to not go off-trail because I know for a fact that my sense of direction is abysmal (I've managed to convince myself I was lost on an out-and-back trail more than once.) But if I did, here's what I would do to mitigate the chances of getting lost:

--Take a GPS unit. These make finding your way back a lot easier, especially if you're able to drop pins as you go along or even digitally mark your trail.

--Take a map and compass and know how to use them: GPS isn't perfect, especially if signal is sketchy, and if your battery dies, well, there you go. So a topographic map and a compass make a good backup--if you know how to use them. Many urban areas in the U.S. have orienteering clubs, and failing that there's always YouTube.

--Take biodegradable flagging tape and tie bits of it to branches along the way. Then follow that path back when you're done, taking the tape with you as you go. If you miss one or two, they'll break down pretty quickly. DON'T leave the tape up on purpose to keep the trail to your patch of mushrooms or berries, though; not only are you adding plastic to the local environment, but you're leaving a trail for anyone who finds it.

--Take a friend! If something happens to one of you, the other can go for help. Or, if you're like me, only go off-trail with someone who's much better at orienteering than you are.

#foraging #mushroom foraging #mushroom hunting #foraging safety #nature #outdoors #mushrooms #fungi #fungus #berries #wild foods #berry picking #safety first #orienteering #hiking

[portraitoftheoddity]

Beginner Hiking Guide Part Two: Preparations - Knowledge is Power

1. Know what trail you’re taking

You may have decided “I’m going to climb Mount Moosilauke!” -- but there are several different trails up Mount Moosilauke, of varying length and steepness. Are you planning on doing the Beaver Brook Trail or the Gorge Brook Trail? Will you be doing an out-and-back up and down the same trail, or doing a loop where you descend down a different trail to the same trailhead departure point? 

Make a plan using the resources from Part One, know the names of the trails if there are interconnecting ones you plan to take, and keep track of blaze colors if you are in an area that uses colored trail blazes. (Blazes are rectangles of paint or other markers on trees and rocks put up by trail maintainers to indicate where the trail is, and which trail you are on)

2. Trailhead location and access

Once you know what trail you’re taking, you’ll want to figure out the location of the trailhead. Some trailheads can be very crowded, so you may want to show up early for parking, or be aware you may need to park a distance away. Also, some backcountry trailheads are on seasonal roads that may be closed during certain times or day or times of year, meaning you may wind up hiking an extra mile or two along a dirt road just to get to the trail. 

3. Trail length & elevation gain

How long is the route you’re taking? And what is the elevation gain? (Note: listed elevation for the hike typically refers to the highest point on the hike’s distance from sea level. Elevation gain specifically refers to the gain in elevation from the beginning of the hike to its highest point, since you often aren’t starting at sea level.) Keep in mind that the greater the elevation gain relative to the length of the hike, the steeper the trail will be and the more challenging the hike.

4. How difficult is the trail?

Trail difficulty is hard to gauge precisely, since what is difficult is always going to be relative. Something that might be an easy trail by one person’s judgment may be extremely challenging to another. But there are some factors we can look at for what’s likely to make a trail more or less difficult to hike:

Steepness - determined by elevation gain / length. TrailsNH has a useful “hiking difficulty calculator" to help you get an idea of the overall grade of the trail based on these criteria: https://trailsnh.com/tools/hiking-difficulty.php 

Terrain - is the ground flat gravel or full of rocks and tree roots? Does the trail description reference ‘scrambles’, ie, rocky areas where you will need to use your hands as well as your feet to climb up?

Trail Conditions - did it rain heavily yesterday, leaving the trail a slippery, muddy mess? Have there been landslides in the area? Did it snow at elevation?

Looking at the elevation gain and distance can help you determine steepness. Pictures of the trail and reviews may help you get an idea of the terrain. And there may be online hiking communities in your area that report on local trail conditions. (If you hike in the New England area, I recommend https://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/ ). AllTrails also has a comment section where people sometimes leave useful trail reports with the date, so you can check to see if someone hiked it recently.

5. What is your expected hike duration?

Average human walking pace is about 3 miles an hour. But walking pace and hiking pace can be very different, depending on the trail difficulty -- you may find yourself hiking between 3mph and 1mph. A challenging trail will force you to move slower and more carefully, and you’ll probably want to take breaks -- both to catch your breath, and to enjoy the view! 

There are a few different formulae out there for predicting hiking time. “Naismith's Rule” is 19.5 minutes per mile, plus 30 minutes for every 1000 feet of elevation gain, but this really only makes sense if you’re on a trail that has very smooth terrain. “Book time”, which is a bit better suited to rocky terrain like you’ll get on more backcountry trails, states “30 minutes per mile + 30 minutes per 1000 feet of elevation gain.” (Personally, in the White Mountains, I make it 45 minutes per 1000 feet of elevation). TrailsNH has a slightly more involved calculator that factors in overall pace, terrain, and the weight of your pack: https://trailsnh.com/tools/hiking-time-calculator.php . (Note that none of these factor in "snacking time", which is an egregious oversight in my opinion.)

If you’re new to hiking, always err on the side of giving yourself more time than you expect to need, until you get to know your own pace! And be sure to give yourself extra time to enjoy the wilderness without stress.

6. What’s the forecast?

Always look up the weather before you hike! Hikers are far more likely to die of exposure than of bear attacks or whatever else you may think is a threat in backcountry. Pay attention to temperature (extreme heat and extreme cold are both dangerous), humidity (humid days will have you sweating more, so you will need more water), wind speed + wind chill (especially if you’re hiking in exposed areas -- wind is a killer above treeline), and precipitation (you’re at greater risk of hypothermia, even in mild temperatures, if you’re wet). The weather conditions will impact the trail conditions, impact your own physical tolerance, and dictate what you need to bring if you do go hiking, or whether you should even be hiking at all. 

There may be different weather concerns depending on where you’re hiking. If you’re hiking in the mountains, you’ll want to make sure you know what the weather is at summit, not just at the base of a trail. It may be 80ºF down in the valley, but below freezing at the top of the mountain. On the other hand, if you’re hiking at low elevation, especially if you’re hiking in a canyon, you’ll want to pay close attention to flash flood warnings. 

Useful forecasting tools:

https://forecast.weather.gov/  - NOAA weather forecast, offers detailed hourly weather forecasts

https://www.mountain-forecast.com/ - provides forecasts for mountain summits (including windchill, wind speed, and wind direction)

Knowledge + SAFETY

Before you leave for your hike:

Plan your departure time. Know when sunset is, how long you project your hike to take, and how long it will take to get to the trailhead. Give yourself an ample buffer in case you underestimated your hike duration, and working backwards, plan to leave early enough that you will be done with your hike and back to your car well before the sun goes down so you aren’t stuck blundering through treacherous terrain in the dark (more on this in the next part where we talk about gear!). 

Check the weather forecast once again the night before, AND the morning of! Weather can be volatile. If conditions change and become unfavorable, don’t be afraid to reschedule your hike. You cannot outrun mother nature. Numerous people -- including seasoned hikers -- have died in the White Mountains (where I hike) from failing to adequately check the forecasts and getting trapped in deadly weather. There’s no shame in bailing out at the last minute if conditions are just plain bad.

Notify someone reliable in your life of:

Where you are hiking

What trail(s)/route you are taking

How long you expect to take

When to worry and call for help if they haven’t heard from you or can’t get hold of you

Stick to the plan you’ve communicated once you start your hike! If you are injured or lost and don’t have the ability to call for help (dead phone battery, no service, etc.), you will want someone who will recognize that you’re overdue and can call for the authorities to tell them where to look. The sooner someone knows you’re missing, the sooner Search & Rescue teams can be deployed to help you.

<< Previous part: Find Where You Want to Hike Next part: What to Wear Hiking >>

#Beginner hiking guide #hiking resources #hiking preparation #hiking safety #ongoing series I will be getting to a lot more topics don't worry #lena hikes

[mountrainiernps]

Beautiful spring weather. Blue skies. Warm temps. Sounds like a great time for a hike in your national park.

And it is, if you take some Springtime precautions.

Remember that Mount Rainier soars over 14,000 feet above sea level. While there may be some trails melting out of the snow at lower elevations, there is still some snow at the higher elevations. With these warmer temperatures, the snow up high is melting. This mountain, the mother of many waters, has snow melt rippling down the hills and creeks, filling the rivers.

As you go out hiking, remember that as a warm day heats up, the snow melts more and the creeks and rivers get more water. Bridges might become impassable or even be washed away. Before you head out, stop at an information or visitor center and ask a ranger for current conditions.

Stay safe out there. Enjoy your time in the national park. Come home and share your photos and memories.

Park information on weather can be found here  https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/weather.htm For a view of current conditions, these webcams may be helpful https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm  

These photos are from years past and do not reflect current conditions. NPS/J. Montgomery Photo. Trail crew members along the Carbon River. NPS/K. Loving Photo. Nisqually River over flowing log bridge at Wonderland Trail.

#mount rainier national park #mount rainier #national parks #trails #hiking #spring #safety

[vintagecamping]

Smokey Bear advertisement in Time Magazine. 1949

#vintage camping #campfire light #time magazine #1940s #history #camping #outdoors #fire safety #hiking #travel

[legomydoggos]

Jyn and I just finished a 42 mile backpacking trip! Here is the first day. It was drizzly but we made the most of it!

#it's also hunting season now so it's time for neon safety Jyn #dogblr #hiking with dogs #camping with dogs #Jyn #adventure pup #legomydoggos

[typhlonectes]

HIKING ETIQUETTE

Do you like hiking? Yes, no, maybe? If hiking does ‘peak’ your interest, we’ve got some fun tips on hiking etiquette ahead! Etiquette? Very la-di-da. Still with us? Holding people’s attention on social is getting harder and harder, but whatcha gonna do, sorry, we meant…adventure awaits! Good save. No one noticed. First things first, the best thing you can do when hiking is to remember to treat others the way you would want to be treated. Well, first you need to leave the parking lot. But also, it’s important to be nice out there. Was the parking lot comment too much? Come back.

Here’s a few more tips on hiking etiquette: ⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣Know your right of way. Check signage for the trail you are hiking and follow the correct right of way yields. Signs may vary from park to park. ⁣⁣

Hikers coming uphill usually have the right of way. If you’re descending, step aside and give space to the people heading up. Smile and tell them not to worry about spider webs because your tall friend already found them all.

When you encounter others on a trail, offer a friendly “hello” or a simple head nod. This helps create a friendly atmosphere on the trail. If you approach a trail user from behind, announce yourself in a friendly, calm tone.

Do not disturb wildlife. They need their space, and you need yours. Pretty hot day, huh? Never leave the trail to get a closer look at an animal. It can hurt the habitat and lead to awkward moments for all.

Don’t be a stick in the mud. Also, be mindful of trail conditions. If a trail is too wet and muddy, turn back and save the hike (and your shoes) for another day.⁣⁣

⁣What are some of your best trail tips?

Image: Two hikers traverse a narrow trail with Mount Rainier visible in the distance at Mount Rainier National Park.

via: National Park Service

#hiking #hikers #outdoors #nature #public lands #national parks #wilderness safety

[fire-pyre]

Best Way to Start a Fire?

Camping is a fun and (somewhat) easy way to enjoy the outdoors. The most important part of the experience? Securing heat, warmth, and light through a cozy campfire. Not only does this fire provide safety and warmth, it also can be used as a source for food and fuel. There's usually someone in the group or duo that can whip one up given the resources. But what if you take a trip an nobody has had experience? Where does one begin?

I think first and foremost, wherever you end up picking your camp site to be, make sure it is safe and allowed to build a fire. To note, some states, including Ohio, enact a fire ban in order to minimize the likelihood of a wildfire during certain seasons. I learned that the hard way while camping in Colorado during September without checking the state's fire ban status. Don't be like me!

There are different ways to construct a fire and the elements and situation vary. Personally, I like to build a fire by making my base mimic a Lincoln-log style. First, I start by layering kindling, mostly dry sticks and leaves on the bottom. Then, I add larger sticks but they're generally smaller than a piece of wood but larger than a twig. Following the start of my base, I add two small pieces of wood (these are the largest of the timber, but shouldn't be full logs). I lay the pieces two by tow, beginnning the stack with two pieces vertical, followed by two pieces horizontal on top. I do this for about two to three layers until I feel there is enough tinder. However, I keep in mind to not place them too close together, in order to encourage airflow. Once I have my wood stacked, I pepper in the paper. I ball up small pieces of non-colored newspaper. I strategically place them all over the stack so that all corners can become aflame. It's also a good bet to make sure the paper congregated mostly at the bottom of the stack, as that is where the flame will catch and spread. If you find yourself struggling with this aspect, you can use a cheat sheet but packing and using dryer lint. Dryer lint is extremely flammable and will help with the acceleration of the flame. This is why it's important to clean the lint from your dryer! It can quickly become a fire hazard for your household.

There are a few factors that can influence the successful start of a fire. You should definitely have dry, seasoned wood. It becomes difficult to catch if your wood is wet or damp. The wood pieces also shouldn't be too large. The bigger they are, the longer they take to come alight. You also want to make sure there is enough oxygen circulating, as oxygen fuels fire. If your base build is too tight, packed, and condense, the air wont flow which will lead to a stagnant and eventually extinguished flame.

There is no one correct way to start or construct a fire, given all situations are unique. After reading this, I hope you're able to safely and confidently build a fire. Whether it be for a tailgate, camping, survival, or fun, it's always important to have fire knowledge and security. If necessary, do some trial runs, see how they turn out!

#fire #woods #pyre #camping #outdoors #survivalist #activity #backpacking #self help #skills #experience #hiking #nature #birch trees #safety #blog #tumblr #flame #ignite #fun #adventure #tailgate #bonfire

[outdoor-safety]

Outdoor Safety Tips | Discuss!

Hi! We're Girl Scouts who created this blog in order to earn our Girl Scout Safety Award! For one of the steps we had to create a forum to discuss a safety issue we're passionate about, and as some of us work as camp counselors, outdoor safety spoke to us.

So, we're asking your tips and tricks for outdoor safety! Please reblog this and share your precautionary measures & things you actively do to stay safe while out in nature!

Thanks!

#girl scouts #girl scout #outdoor safety #outdoors #safety #camping #summer camp #archery #hitchhiking #hiking #woods

[faofinn]

No.5 "You better pray I don't get up this time around."

@whumptober-archive

Debris | Pinned Down | "It's broken."

When Harrison had met Tai, he’d certainly not expected to grow so fond of him so quickly. But it had just felt… right. They’d somehow got good chemistry, hitting it off immediately after a slightly rocky start. Even though Harrison was busy with university, he still found time to see the Irishman, and they’d fallen into bed on more than one occasion. 

They’d decided to change things up a bit and go for a hike rather than their usual bars, and it was nice, the change of pace. It was a short enough drive out of the city, up into the hills, and they enjoyed the warm sun on their faces and good conversation as they walked. 

They’d stopped to eat lunch, taking in the views over the city, and when Tai had leaned in for a kiss, Harrison hadn’t pushed him away. It was nice, the casual domesticity of it all. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to kiss him. 

As they headed back down the hills, they had to pay attention a bit more as to where they were putting their feet, loose stones and dust easy to lose their footing on. Hars had already done it once, his knee giving out on him, but Tai had caught him with a breathless laugh. They were virtually back at the car when Tai stumbled, twisting his ankle as he went. 

He definitely heard a crunch, and the pain was immediate, red hot agony. He just about managed to keep himself upright, but couldn’t take any weight through that foot, gripping onto Harrison like his life depended on it, knuckles white. 

"Hey, hey, easy." Harrison was quick to take his weight, wrapping a strong arm around him. "I've got you."

“Fuck.” He whimpered. 

"What's wrong?"

“My ankle.” Tai groaned. He tentatively stretched it out towards the ground and recoiled almost immediately. “Nope.”

"Careful!" He couldn't hide his worry. "Let's sit, let me have a look."

“I felt something go.”

"I heard it." Harrison admitted. 

“You’re gonna have to drive.” He whined. 

"That's the least of my worries."

“Hurts.” He panted, feeling woozy. “Where are we sitting?”

"Just down, you look like you're gonna pass out." He said softly.

Tai nodded, and sat with Harrison’s help on the dirt. “Fuck.” 

"I've got you, you're gonna be okay." He soothed, rubbing Tai's back. 

“How bad does it look? It felt bad.”

Harrison pulled a face. "I've seen worse. But it's broken, there's no doubt."

“I was hoping you weren’t gonna say that.”

"So was I."

“I’m not gonna be able to stand.”

"I can carry you?"

Tai scoffed. “Really?”

"Hey, don’t be so mean."

“I don’t want you to hurt yourself too.”

"I'll be fine."

“Mm.” He mumbled. “Hurts like fuck.”

"If we get back to my car, I've got stuff in the boot."

He nodded. “Yeah, okay.”

"Or I can go get it, but I'll have to leave you alone for ten minutes." He absently pressed a kiss to his hair. "Hey, if I do that, you'll be high as a kite for the rest of the hike. You might enjoy it."

“I just want to go home.”

"I know, love." He rubbed Tai's arm, the affection instinctive. "I know."

“Can we go back to the car?”

"Of course. Want me to carry you?"

He nodded sheepishly. “I’m not gonna be able to stand.”

"You know, there are easier ways to get close to me." He teased, standing up.

“You don’t like the damsel in distress routine?” Tai joked weakly.   

He helped him to his feet, balancing himself s moment before looping an arm under his knees. He moved as gentle as he could, aware each movement would be agony for Tai. Concern covered his face as he frowned at him, eyes wide with worry.

"Is that okay?"

Tai had definitely paled, everything spinning a little, but he nodded. “Yeah.” He replied tensely. 

"Just breathe, you're okay. I've got you." He murmured. "You're okay."

“Didn’t know you were this strong.”

"Am I more attractive now?" He teased.

“Maybe.”

"This all a ploy to get closer to me?"

“Would be funny if it was.”

He grinned down at Tai. "Y’know, there's easier ways."

“Probably less painful too.”

"Oh, most definitely."

“Was a nice hike, though.”

"I certainly enjoyed the view."

“Yeah?”

He hummed. "And the scenery was nice, too."

“Oh, shut up.”

"I'm serious."

“So am I.”

"I'll be quiet then."

Tai leaned into him with a soft hum. “You can keep talking.”

"Ah, no. You've made your bed, you can lie in it, suffer in silence and all that." He'd barely made it a few steps before his act broke and he laughed. 

“See, you can’t resist me.”

He hummed. "Yeah, something like that."

He was quiet for a minute. “You think it’s definitely broken?”

"I'd put money on it." He said softly. 

“Ugh.”

"Hey, you'll have to come stay with me." He murmured. "I can look after you then, make sure you have everything you need."

“Oh, so now you’re trying to get me to move in?”

There was a hint of blush on his cheeks. "Maybe."

“Not complaining.”

"You're not?"

“You just promised to wait on me hand and foot.”

"Like a king." He teased. 

“Mm, perfect.”

"Only fair."

#whumptober 2023 #no. 5 “You better pray I don't get up this time around.” #“it's broken” #whump writing #whump prompt #oc #fic #crime au #the wolf and the ghost #harrison cunningham #taidgh cole #broken ankle #broken bones #tai and hars' adventures in america #hiking injury #fall #whump #carried to safety #bridal carry #tai x hars

[rebeccathenaturalist]

Hey, y'all! I've just released my newest quarterly chapbook into the world! It's Not Just About the Poison: How to Keep Your Foraging Safe and Fun is where I let my anxiety think of all sorts of things that could go wrong while you're foraging--and then give you ways to minimize those risks.

If you thought the only danger associated with foraging was eating the wrong mushroom or berry, think again! While foraging is growing in popularity, foraging guides often focus more on listing edible plants and fungi than practical considerations like safety. This chapbook is a detailed look at how foraging can go wrong–and what to do about it. Topics include:

Risks Associated with Foraging

How to Mitigate All Those Risks

Before You Eat That…

If Something Goes Wrong

And More!

Consider this book a complement to your field guides and other foraging books. While it won’t absolutely guarantee your safety out in the field, it’s a good starting point to assessing and preparing for potential issues before they happen to you.

You can pick up a paperback for $6 or an ebook for $3 at https://rebeccalexa.com/foraging-safely/ - or if you want the ebook for free, sign up for my monthly email newsletter at https://rebeccalexa.com/news-updates/!

#foraging #mushrooms #mushroom #fungi #mushroom hunting #mushroom foraging #edible plants #berries #wild foods #shrooms #nature #outdoors #hiking #safety #chapbooks #self publishing

[lerdgamer]

Hey! Let's go hiking!

*forgets spare clothes* ah dangit

*forgets to tell people what trail theyre doing* ah dangit

*forgets water* ah dangit

*forgets snacks* ah dangit

*forgets THEY'RE WATCHING* ah dangit

*forgets where he is* ...

*remembers what time he was told not to be on the trail* ...I'm scared

Always ensure someone knows what youre doing so that they can find you.

#safety #hiking #hawaiʻi #horror

[resistancekitty]

#preparedness #preppers #prepping #pet preparedness #vacation #hiking #pet safety #wilderness preparedness

[portraitoftheoddity]

Mountain Forecast dot com

Ok, so, one of the most valuable safety tools I can recommend for mountain hiking, ESPECIALLY in the White Mountains (New Hampshire subrange of the Appalachians) where weather conditions are -- and this is the technical meteorological term -- batshit fucking crazy, is MountainForecast.com

It's FREE to use, and they pull forecasts for mountains all over the world. You can search by the name of a mountain, or narrow it down by range and subrange really easily:

From there it will give you the summit conditions forecast for the next several days, including wind speed, wind direction, and real feel index:

This is important, because if you just look up the weather forecast on your phone for the local weather conditions, you'll be getting conditions at ground level and not at summit; it's going to be a lot warmer and less windy down at the parking lot of the trail than it's going to be once you start gaining elevation, even with smaller mountains. Knowing what weather you're going into can help you plan accordingly with your gear, your trail choices (ie, going up the lee side of the mountain on a breezy day), and whether it's a good idea to even hike at all (-31ºF? No thank you! I like being alive!)

Especially if you're hiking in an area like the Whites where conditions are highly changeable, it's a good idea to continue to check the forecast the morning of your planned hike. The weather might mess up your plans, but it's better to know before you hit the trail!

Stay safe!

#lena hikes #hiking safety #mountain forecast #beginner hiking

[pcttrailsidereader]

Just a Little Bit

As the seasons begin to change and thoughts of getting outside start to bubble up into our hopes, dreams, and memories it seems appropriate to consider options. Generally when the topic of the Pacific Crest Trail comes up in conversation or reading, or in film it is framed around thru hiking. Beginning to end, start to finish. "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" or something like that. Thru hikes are stories mostly full of success. Participants overcome adversity and find their way forward. Thru hikes get the glory it seems.

A short snowy early fall day hike on the PCT with a friend.

To day hike on the PCT is easier for some than others mostly given where you live. Living in Kansas for example, you are not going to call your friends up and say, "Hey, how about we day hike from Rainy Pass to Cutthroat Pass this weekend?" or " Let's meet at Kennedy Meadows and do a day hike...what do you say?" The day hike option in the immediate sense is challenging for a lot of us. Less so when people have some time but not a lot of time to do a more challenging or ambitious undertaking like in the summer months.

I met a fellow once who was driving to PCT trailheads on the weekends and day hiking out and back to his car. He didn't have the luxury to take extended time off of work and other responsibilities so this worked for him. To be honest the PCT is not exactly easy to move from trail head to trail head everywhere. He happened to live where it was more possible.

In my case I can easily consider various day hikes on the PCT from where I live. They might be longish days or require sleeping in my vehicle or a nearby accommodation but still doable. If you are dreaming of a PCT experience here is your opportunity to get a taste.

Jack Haskel at the PCTA wrote a really honest and informative essay in the organizations magazine 'The Communicator' last spring. He writes," The decision around what to pack for a day hike also became easier when I stopped overthinking it. I embraced the 10 essentials, added a couple of extras, and now all the necessary items live in my day pack permanently." Here's the list:

Navigation- paper maps and/or phone app maps

Headlamp-sometimes the best laid plans just take longer than your think.

Sun protection

First aid- maybe not for you but for someone else...

Knife plus gear repair kit

Fire (matches, lighter, tinder and/or stove)

Shelter (ultralight mylar emergency shelter that fits two people)

Extra food

Extra water

Extra clothes

In addition tell someone where you are going and when you plan to get back. This is critically important for staying safe. Jack also carries a knife, compass, energy bar, and some spare batteries. His view, and I agree, better to be safe than sorry.

If you don't have the time, energy, desire, opportunity, or some other good reason for a lengthy PCT hike consider a day hike. Just walking a short distance with friends on the PCT has been rewarding for them as much as it has been for me. They got a taste of what my experience was and it sprouted some great conversations and experiences of their own. These experiences bring up so many memories flooding my brain from past hikes when I have done this.

#Day hikes PCT #Ten essentials #Jack Haskel #safety #Accessing the PCT

[mountrainiernps]

Happy First Day of Fall! Mount Rainier can create dynamic weather anytime of the year, but as we transition into autumn it is more important than ever to be prepared for any weather conditions, from sun to rain (or snow - it will happen sooner than you think!) To have a safe and enjoyable visit to the park this fall, follow these tips:

- Pay attention to weather forecasts, both short term and long range, and special weather alerts: https://go.nps.gov/MORAweather

- Be prepared. Carry the 10 Essentials even on a short sightseeing hike. Have extra clothing, rain gear, and a tent for protection against storms anytime of the year: https://go.nps.gov/10essentials

- Always tell someone of your travel plans so they can notify the park if you fail to return.

- Do not travel alone. If visibility is poor, do not travel at all.

- Learn more about hiking safety at https://go.nps.gov/fdfw8w

NPS Video, filmed 9/22/22 from the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise. Description: Time-lapse of clouds swirling around a range of mountain peaks while cars zip by on a road in the foreground. (no audio). ~kl

#mount rainier #mount rainier national park #Tatoosh Range #time lapse #fall weather #autumn #fall #weather #hiking safety