[MD] Clouds

[Dan Glover]

Hello everyone

I sent a reply earlier but I see it didn't come through. I will try again... 
and if it does come through at least you know why.

>From: Heather Perella <spiritualadirondack at yahoo.com>
>Reply-To: moq_discuss at moqtalk.org
>To: moq_discuss at moqtalk.org
>Subject: Re: [MD] Clouds
>Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2007 08:45:17 -0800 (PST)
>
>Dan and x,
>
>
>      [Dan]
> > Oh sure. As I said there are many tricks I've
> > learned and to stay down wind
> > is definitely a good idea.
>
>[SA]     When I go in the woods, there's a plan, the
>unexpected, and their their 'wits'.  I believe going
>by ones wits is a good intellectual exercise.  Wits
>encompasses awareness, where's the winds blowing,
>where's water, how much can I take, and then we use
>thought, ones wits, to handle these endeavors we are
>aware of.  I've liked the word nimble, too.  Being
>nimble, its' this free-thinking, being flexible, yet,
>wits and nimble are encouraged while just being aware.

[Dan]
Hi SA

I think the word for me is "attention." I've been going to those mountains 
since 1995 and have never been surprised by the unexpected. My senses seem 
heightened out there and the deeper I go into the wilderness the more 
acutely aware I become. Actually the "I" slips away altogether and there is 
only those beautiful mountains. Walking and scanning the way I do tends to 
put my mind into quiet mode and when I stop to camp I often have to make a 
real effort to begin my internal dialogue once again.

>[SA]
>  While just being aware, wits and nimble (thinking)
>must poop up, ready and willing, as a leader, a
>master, as the Zen master gives a koan and demands an
>answer right now!, right now!, what is it!  Yet, don't
>think in response, just say clouds! (to use the
>current wit on this thread)

[Dan]

Which is perhaps why zen monastaries are located in remote areas.


>
>      [x]
> > >To, hell Dan, just worried about ya. All I'm sayin
> > is it Might be a good
> > >idea to carry a walkin stick..
>
>      [Dan]
> > Well thank you for your concern. I appreciate it.
> > Walking sticks are good
> > for a Sunday hike but they tend to cramp my hands on
> > a long journey.
>
>  [SA]    Around here, I'm not very concerned about the
>animals.  Now, if I would happen to go out west to
>camp, which I fear to, I would like a gun.

[Dan]

The first time I went I wasn't smart enough to have any fear. Now I am 
respectful of all I see. There are some dangerous animals out there but the 
most dangerous (imo) are humans. They are so unpredictable that will I avoid 
them at any cost. A gun would do me no good in an encounter with one of 
them.

Too, I'm the guy who traps a bee or a spider in a glass to let him outside 
rather than smashing him with a shoe. There is no way that I could line up a 
living being in the sights of a gun much less pull the trigger. Better I 
think that I forfeit my own life.

>[SA]
>Too many
>stories about grizzly bears tracking people, and
>scenting toothpaste.  You would have to be very, very
>cautious/prepared, and aware of food whereabouts (any
>crumbs fall), scent on clothing (use a pair of clothes
>to cook with distinctly from clothes away from
>cooking).  Here, it's bear bags, but maybe I should
>get pepper spray or something, to be on the safe side.
>  As you said x, rather have something when needed,
>then nothing when needed.

[Dan]

I've never been to grizzly territory. I go to the Gila National Forest in 
southern New Mexico just northeast of Silver City. There are black bears, 
big cats, wolves, and deer yet I've never had a run in with any animal. I 
see them way before they see me. I've also learned to trust my instincts. If 
I suddenly become nervous there's a reason though perhaps I haven't 
intellectualized it yet. So I cut back and circle around until I spot 
whatever might be bothering me.

>
>      [x]
> > >Hey, better yet, one of those anti mugging
> > "personal alarms" would do
> > >the trick , It's always nice to have an
> > >Ace up your sleeve. hope you carry a field aid kit
> > too, sheesh, I'm
> > >sounding like your mother, I'll stop.
>
>   [SA]   Ah, mother earth, take care of us, feed us, keep
>us warm, brighten our days with your beauty.

[Dan]

Give us this day our daily bread.

>
>      [Dan]
> > That's okay. As I said, I appreciate the concern. I
> > do carry a field kit
> > just in case. A injury as small as a blister on
> > one's foot can be deadly out
> > there if left untreated.
>
>  [SA]    yes, and keeping warm... Once I brought a
>lighter, but lighters in very cold temps. tend to not
>work, I didn't have matches or any other way to get a
>fire going.  I was gettin' cold and tired.  Ice was
>freezin' on the creek, the frost was thick, the moon
>was full and the sky clear with stars.  I walked from
>the creek into the woods, found many sycamore leaves
>(very big leaves) and covered myself up with a blanket
>on me first.  I was so warm, I pooked my face into the
>clear to stay cool.  Was a great sleep.

[Dan]

Hold your lighter in the palm of your hand for a few minutes and it will 
work fine. But by all means bring an extra. The biggest bummer I've had is 
to run out of lighter fluid half way through my trip. I do like my sub-zero 
sleeping bag. Its the best investment one can make if they are serious about 
winter camping. When it gets very cold though each breath I take draws the 
cold air into my bag and I often wake with frost in my beard.

Thank you for your comments,

Dan