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12/12/06
I have been backpacking for several years with other people, but I'd like to do a solo trip. The problem though (you'll probably laugh), I'm afraid of a bear attacking me in my sleep with no one around to help me. I know the chances are small but still even if it didn't happen I don't think I'd be able to relax enough to go to sleep. When the weather is good, I prefer to sleep under the stars but I've read that you are at more risk from bears if you are not in a tent. I don't know why that would be. Is it true? Is it just a matter of doing it a few times to build confidence? Is it better to sleep at designated backcountry campsites than off the trail in the forest? There seems to be a lot of conflicting advice out there. Some people say you should play dead, others say to yell and fight like mad.
Your note brings up something that a lot of folks ask about. And you’re right, the more you do it (the more often you’re out there by yourself) the more comfortable you’ll feel. Most of my hiking is solo, so I’ve grown to feel quite at home, but I remember a lot of nights early on when it was hard to sleep.
You’re also right that a person in a tent is safer than someone out under the stars. That little layer of fabric doesn’t seem like much, but it apparently does provide somewhat of a protective space. Also, please keep in mind that unless you’re in an area of heavy human use (and there is a history of people leaving food around) you’re probably not going to have bears in camp. In areas where there are a lot of bears (like Yosemite) I shy away from using the designated campsites because the bears have gotten used to campers and food being there. I think you’re less likely to have problems if you’re away from the places where people go. BUT if you’re talking grizzly bears…it’s probably better to stay where they know people are and they can avoid you (which they like to do)…and it seems like most people in grizz country are bear-aware and try to keep a clean camp.
Definitely avoid sleeping on, or right next to, any trails because bears use the trails, too. Especially at night. There is different advice for different kinds of bears. With grizzly bears (found only in a few places out west) it is best to play dead if you are attacked during a hike. With black bears (found in most places around America) it is better to fight back. If anything attacks you at night…yes, fight back. It is extremely rare for black bears in the lower 48 to go after people. And I’ve never heard of a sleeping hiker being attacked by a black bear in the East.
Two bits of advice…..I always pee in several spots surrounding my camp before I go to sleep. Something about male urine turns the bears off.
If you’re extremely nervous…get some bear spray (pepper spray for bears) and sleep with it next to you. It’s pricey but I know it can turn around a charging bear when sprayed into their eyes and nose.
I wish you many happy trails…and many happy nights of sound sleep under the stars!!!
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3/01
In the past few years ultralight hiking has become popular. Do you now hike in this light mode?
I'm not always just hiking all day on my long treks, but also camping. (Sometimes in one spot for more than one day) Because of the fact that I enjoy lounging in the backcountry I do not always go as light as possible. I carry a few pounds of camera gear, a small guitar, and often carry a journal and a book to read. My pack is my home, and if I'm not on an established trail or route, I want to be prepared for any type of weather and hiking conditions. On a trail like the AT, CDT, or PCT a hiker can go ultra light most of the way and not feel like they are sacrificing comfort or safety because there are so many places they can bail off if need be. But on a hike where you are the only hiker, and you need to be totally self-supported, I don't think it wise to cut the weight of essential extra clothing, food, or shelter that might mean surviving comfortably through adverse conditions.
On the PCT I was able to hike without a tent for 3 months of the journey. I started with a 35 pound pack which included a gallon of water and 3 days of food. That was light for me and I was delighted to get away with it. But then I'd run into my friend, Wolf, who got by with a day pack (book bag) and carrying 12 pounds of gear. Any foul weather put him in a very risky position. But the light pack allowed him to hike out in 35 or 40 miles in one day if he had to. On most of my hikes I would guess that my pack varies between 40 and 50 pounds (depending on the re-supply points).
I'm usually carrying at least a week at a time between food resupply points. Often it is even more. (The most food I can carry is 22 days worth) Would most people want to be out that long and not have a pair of long pants to slip into if it snows? Or a down vest to cozy up to if the temperature drops? Each hike is different, demanding gear and logistics of its own. Yes, I'd go as light as possible on the main trails, but use common sense when you're going into wild mountains where not a lot of long-distance hikers go.
- Happy Trails, Jim
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8/30/99
My wife & I are day hikers. We will be staying at the Many Glacier in a couple of weeks. Do you have a favorite hike in Glacier?
Glacier National Park is one of our favorite areas. My wife used to work there and I've hiked many of the trails both on longer trips and dayhikes. Many Glacier offers some great day trips. The hikes up to Grinnel Glacier, Iceberg Lake, Cracker Lake, or Ptarmigan Tunnel are all wonderful, though I'd try to get an early start to beat the crowds.
For a longer trip you could take the shuttle over to the Going to the Sun Highway, get dropped at Siyeh Bend and hike over Piegan Pass and back to Many Glacier. Its a wonderful hike. Another long one would be to get dropped at Logan Pass and walk the Garden Wall trail over to Granite Park, Swiftcurrent Pass and then down to Many Glacier. This is beautiful, too. Both are fairly exposed, so you might want to do them on a day with good weather. If you feel comfortable off-trail, the hike up Mount Henkel, the peak that looms over Swiftcurrent campground to the north, is very doable. There are some scrambles here and there, but mostly just a walk up. Lots of goats up there. Hope this helps. Have a great trip. Its a special place.
-Walkin' Jim
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8/30/99
I need a good recipe for trail mix. Can you help?
The beauty of trail mix is that you can make it any which way you choose. I always start with roasted, salted peanuts (but some prefer the none salt), and then throw in lots of raisins, M&M's, cashews, chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, and sometimes walnuts. But you can try all different kinds of combos. Try dried apricots, butterscotch bits, pumpkin seeds, and any kind of nuts, seeds and fruits. Happy Trails!
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5/12/98
I was wondering what type of raingear you use. Is it waterproof/breathable or just waterproof. What do you find works best? - Tim
On my first long walk (The Appalachian Trail) I used an old army surplus pancho. It worked fairly well put was heavy and took up too much room in the pack. Then I went many years without carrying rain gear. I'd walk in the rain or hole up under a tree. Sometimes, I'd just put up the tent and wait for the rain to stop. It was a good system, especially since I had all the time in the world. In recent years, I've taken to carrying a raincoat. The best I've found is the Super Plumas by Patagonia. It is a breathable waterproof jacket and works great. Gaiters and hiking shorts work well with the jacket, with a rain cover for the pack. I recently got some matching rain pants and will try them this summer. By the way, if you know you'll be getting a lot of rain, I highly recommend gaiters for your feet, AND a good umbrella. The umbrella is great for shedding rain. It also allows you to cook in the rain and take pictures while keeping the camera dry. Umbrellas might look strange, but in real wet weather they are a blessing. Happy Trails -- Jim
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3/1/98
Should you pack a cell phone for safety? - John
More and more folks are taking phones into the backcountry, both for safety, and for the novelty of placing a call from what used to be an inaccessible place. Personally, I find phones in the wilderness inappropriate. I go walking for a lot of reasons. One of them is to get away from things I don't need. I don't need (or want) to be toting a phone with me on what is supposed to be a wilderness trip. Here are a couple reasons:
I think that having a phone along would change the backcountry experience, taming it in a very real sense. Many folks today want every aspect of their lives to be predictable, mapped out, and "safe". One must use common sense and take safety precautions in the wilderness, but I think we lose something in ourselves when we go too far in trying to insulate ourselves from experiences with Nature. One of the joys of wilderness travel is dealing with all the ups and downs, adventures and misadventures, with our own wits and skills. Depending on someone else out there (and knowing that if you get in a scrape you can dial up assistance) takes something away from it for me. It's not only the easy way out, but it is also a dulling of the experience. I'm very conscious of the weight I carry. I don't need extra "stuff", especially something that I have ethical questions about.
In our world of shrinking wild places and more human impact, I feel that phones actually make the wildlands smaller. Think about this one. Where once you could walk for days and not communicate with fellow humans, now you walk until you meet a hiker with a phone. It's not as far, not as remote, not as quiet as it was before the intrusion of cell phones. So now, saying all that, I have a confession: I used another hiker's phone near Tinker Knob on the PCT to call a friend in Truckee. It was to arrange a rendezvous at the next highway crossing where he could meet me with a pizza! (Anything for food!) And yes, it was very convenient. But it also wasn't what I would call a wilderness experience. That stretch of the PCT had more people, more impact, and more cell phones than anywhere else in its 2600 miles. All in all, I will not be carrying one.
For The Wild -- Walkin' Jim
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What's the most frequently asked question of a man who has walked more than 23,000 miles?
All this time in the wilderness I've had close calls. I've had encounters with grizzly bears, fallen through the ice, got swept away in rivers, fallen off of mountains, but when I come back that's NOT what people ask about. The most frequently asked question is, "How were the mosquitos?" Walking across Nevada a few years ago there was just ONE mosquito and I wrote a song about it!
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3/13/99
I am a 15 year old boy from England and find what you are doing fascinating. I have always been interested in trekking and backpacking, but reading your web site you have taken my ideas one step further. I was wondering if you could answer some questions I have. The first is if all this traveling affects your family life, and keeping in contact with your friends. Also, I was wondering how you finance what you do? - Ben
Thank you for your interest in the long walks. Your question about family life is a good one, and one I get asked frequently at my concerts. I've been doing the long-distance treks since 1974 and have done most of the 24,000 miles solo. I was married in 1981, but the marriage lasted less than two years, in part because of my long absences from our home. In 1988 I was married again, this time to a woman who understands why I go. Leslie and I have made a good team. In fact, she has accompanied me on several of the long walks or portions of them. When I am out there alone I miss her more than ever, and she misses me, too, but she lets me go. The long treks are an important part of my life, and I know she sees that. True love is truly a matter of letting go.
I keep in touch with Leslie and other family and friends via a couple methods. Here in the states you can have mail sent to any post office marked to you via General Delivery. The postal service is supposed to hold it for ten days. If you write to them and tell them you're doing a long trek, they'll often hold it much longer. If there are small towns close to where I'm hiking I will use them for my food re-supply points and mail drops. On some treks I can receive and send off mail every week or two. On other treks I may only be able to get to a post office once or twice for the entire trek. Of course, if I can get to a town to re-supply I try to use the phone to call home. Not only can I keep in touch with Leslie that way, but can also deal with important business matters that may come up.
I also carry envelopes with stamps. Often I will meet other wilderness travelers who aren't out as long as I am. I simply ask them if they'd mind carrying a letter out for me. I seal it up and they mail it when they get out. I've only had one letter that never made it.
How do I finance my trekking? The music that I perform and record when not in the backcountry provides a good life for me. I'll never be a millionaire, but sometimes I think I'm much wealthier in many other ways. I feel very fortunate that I'm able to make my living sharing the things I love the most: wilderness and music.
Some advice: The key to happiness is really doing what you love. The simpler you live, the fuller your life has room to bloom. Follow your heart and the right trail will take you where you want to go.
Happy Trails -- Jim
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4/16/98
Dear Walkin Jim,
My name is Scott and I am a hiker planning my first thru hike of the AT. I graduate from college in Dec. 1998 and two of my friends will be graduating in May of 1999. The three of us are planning on hiking it together and have to wait until they are out of school. We want to hike the trail south to north if possible and are reasonably fast hikers (we will all be 23 and are in good shape). After reading several guides, I have learned that leaving in the middle of May is not recommended, but has been done. We don't want to leap frog or flip flop if possible. Will this be wise for us to attempt or are we kidding ourselves by trying to do it this quickly our first time? Just wondering. Sincerely, Scott
Hi, Scott,
Just home for a day before hitting the road again, but wanted to zip off a reply. I always recommend trying to allow as much time as possible for a long distance hike. There will be days you won't feel like walking as far, or bad weather will keep you holed up somewhere, or a fantastic spot will strike your fancy and you'll camp after 3 miles rather than the 17 you'd originally planned. I spent six months on the AT, starting the end of March and finishing in early October. But lots of folks do it in 4 or 5 months. Some even less. If that's your time frame, go for it. You can still start out taking your time and plan on making the miles in the middle states where the walking is easiest. Whatever you do... keep it fun. Remember that just being there is what is important, and if you don't finish it this year you can always come back in '99!
-- Walkin' Jim
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Hi, I saw your show in Marshfield, WI. A friend and I were inspired by your songs and wonderful pictures. Once we are informed about proper hiking and safety techniques, what is the best way to go about planning a walk similar to yours? Do you know of any resources that could start us out? I would sincerely appreciate any help you can give. - Josh
Dear Josh,
I'm glad you enjoyed the show in Marshfield last Fall. It's great to hear you're thinking of doing a long trek. First of all be sure you read over the tips section here on the web. I highly recommend starting off with one of the designated trails (Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, or the Pacific Crest Trail) and you can get more information about these in our "Backcountry Links" section. I'd also suggest reading these three books: "The Complete Walker" by Colin Fletcher, "A Hiker's Companion" by Cindy Ross and Todd Gladfelter, and "The PCT Hikers Handbook" by Ray Jardine. They all come from different perspectives on hiking, but all offer good points and suggestions. Take and use those ideas which fit you and your way of doing things.
That said, one of the great things about backpacking is that for every hiker there is a different way to do it! Beware of those who have all the answers. I'm convinced after all these years and miles of walking, that you don't need all the frills, you don't need all the lightweight gear (though it does make it easier), you don't need the expensive, latest color-coordinated clothing. The thing you need is common sense and the desire to be out there. There are many things that you can read about and learn in a book, but nothing beats the college of the trail and hands on experience. Get out there and do it. Try some short weekend trips, try out your gear, experience various weather conditions, and consider what kind of long trek you want to have. If one of the three long trails appeals to you get the guidebooks, buy the maps, and start the dreaming. Plan a rough schedule, determining how many days between your resupply stops allowing for lower mileage days at the beginning and more miles per day as you get farther into the trip. You may want to allow extra days for lay over days, bad weather, or side trips. (Don't cut yourself short. Side trips up various peaks, over to see certain waterfalls, or to experience some nearby canyon are going to add the spice to your long trek.) Once you've determined a schedule as a guide to plan by, start planning your food. Check out our site for tips on this, as well as many of the links we offer. If you want to do a long trek, but not on a designated trail, let me know and I'll give some suggestions for that. I hope this helps. Let me know how things go.
Happy Trails! -- Jim
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1/25/98
Jim, I just shared your web site with the John Denver News Group internet site. I believe much of what you do will be appreciated by John Denver fans. Did you ever meet John Denver. Your advocacy for wild places through your music has much in common with what JD was trying to accomplish during his life time. Whether or not you ever met JD could you share some of your thoughts on his life and any impact he may have had on your music or advocacy for wild places. - Dave
Hi Dave,
No, I never met John Denver, but I sure appreciated his music. I was on the road in New Hampshire when I heard of his death. Driving down the road with tears in my eyes, I thought of all the lives he had touched with his music and of all the good things he'd stood for. A couple days later I listened with disgust as a radio DJ in Maine called his music corny, but enjoyable. "Corny" I guess if you're blind to human emotion, to the ties that bind us to the planet, to the wonders of this great Earth itself. I first became aware of John Denver's music through the music of Peter, Paul, & Mary. I bought a couple of his early albums and loved his songs. I was already connecting with the natural world. I can't say how much it influenced my music that way. I was listening to all kinds of music back then. It all influenced me. I can say that I loved his melodies, his arrangements, and the things he sang about. What impressed me was that he was bringing a message of caring about the environment to the entire world. It was a message that needed to be heard. It was an inspiration, and still is. Late one night in a motel in Virginia I watched a TV special of one of his last concerts. The man was a master at what he did. And what he did was communicate. He shared his love of the human spirit and his love for this wonderful Earth. And he did it with joy. He offered it up so that anyone listening could grasp it and feel it along with him. I guess that's a goal for any musician to strive for. It certainly is something I will always attempt to do, and I'd be happy to be able to do it half as well as he could.
For The Wild -- Walkin' Jim
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What is the most frightening thing to come up against in the backcountry?
For me it is moving water. Fording streams, or getting across rivers swollen with the spring melt-off can be a terrifying experience. I’ve been washed away on more than one occasion. Be careful with water. It’s more powerful than it looks! If your crossing looks dangerous, it probably is. Go upstream, and you can usually find a safer place to cross. Watch for fallen trees that may provide a bridge. If you can’t find a safe place rethink your route. There’s always another way to go. It may mean more miles, but at least you’ll live to tell about them. Several times (since the episode described below) I’ve walked ten to thirty miles out of my way to get across a flooded river.
Here’s an excerpt from my book, Walkin’ With The Wild Wind, which shares a time years ago when I chose not to walk those extra miles, and paid well for my misjudgment.
1976 - The Belt Mountains The Smith River is running high when I get to it. The past winter has been a good one for snow and now the river is running full and deep. I've just spent two and a half days wandering down Tenderfoot Creek, with never a thought as to how I was going to cross the Smith. It's miles to the nearest bridge, and now I stand on the bank, gazing into the dark, racing water. The cliffs on the west side of the river are formidable, but there are a couple likely routes I can take to the top ... if I can just get across.
I wade in. The rocks along the bottom feel slick and tricky. The current grabs me with an icy grip threatening to pull me down. I step back out, looking again, up and down the river. Scared. Stepping back in, I brace myself with my walking stick. The river attacks. I'm a germ calling to be flushed clean from its system. It beats and tears at each step, pounding my freezing legs with terrifying ferocity. Advancing into the black water, each slow, fought-for step drops me deeper into the powerful current's grasp.
Finally, I can't move. Every ounce of strength is being poured into the effort to stand upright against the water. Every muscle, nerve, and thought, is fighting for place midstream. To move, either forward or back, is to give myself to the rushing river. Each ounce of my being strains and fights, muscles locked in a frozen eternity of battle. The seconds drag like days. Lead heavy, hard days. I can feel myself weaken. One foot starts to slip. Then the other. In slow motion I struggle to keep it braced. I can't. It's over. I'm going down. My feet, my legs, my numb body, it's all being swept away. The river tosses me like a puppet down the narrow canyon. I'm a tiny bit of flotsam, helpless against the power, giving in to the miles of flowing water. Lungs gasp desperately for air. Arms flail wildly against the battering chill.
Somewhere in amidst the growing panic, without thinking, I'm clinging tightly to the walking stick I've carried for the past year. All the way from the Atlantic. Damned if I'll let it go now! Somehow, I wash up on the shore ... still on the wrong side of the river. With the last of my strength, soaked to the bone and weeping, I crawl onto the rocks. The sky has darkened, and now a mean hail pelts down upon my freezing body. I pull myself under a fallen tree, shivering uncontrollably, despairing and alone.
I actually ended up building a raft to get across that river, but that’s another story. In fact, I’ve got a few good raft stories. Just be careful crossing those streams!!
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3-12-06
Of all the people that you have encountered on your travels who had the most impact on you ? -- Jon
Hello Jon -
Your question is a tough one, as just about everyone I've ever met has impacted me in some way. Perhaps the person who has changed my life the most is a man whose name I've never known. I was day-hiking on the Appalachian Trail in the Shenandoah National Park in 1973. My girl friend and I were walking along the path, and at the time I didn't know much about what the Appalachian Trail was. We were walking along when a man came striding toward us with a big pack on his back. He was dirty and trail worn, but he walked with a smile and steady self-confidence.
As we passed I asked him where he was going. (Keep in mind...this was in Virginia.) His one word answer, "Maine", drew me to a halt. I was stunned, but managed to stutter out, "Well, where did you start?" He answered with a big smile, "Georgia."
I couldn't let him go on, and we drilled him with questions about his trek from Georgia to Maine. This was something that captured my imagination. How wonderful! How exciting! How romantic to take off for months following this little path winding through the mountains and the forests.
He patiently answered my questions and by the time we parted ways the seed was planted. I couldn't let the thought go. I would walk from Georgia to Maine. I would follow the Appalachian Trail. The next spring I started at Springer Mountain and spent six months walking to Mount Katahdin in Maine.
I never dreamed that walking and the wild places would become my life, but I'm still at it 32 years later. This unusal lifestyle has enriched me beyond measure. I don't think I'd trade it for anything. Would I have found this path if I hadn't run into that long-distance hiker so many years ago? I don't think so. So, yes, meeting that man has had a huge impact on me. I wish I had gotten his name. I'd want to shake his hand and thank him for pointing me in what turned out to be the right direction!
---Walkin' Jim
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10-3-09
How did you start walking? Not the physical act of walking, but these long distance hikes? What made you decide to do it, and how did you manage the logistics (finances, travel, gear, time away from the rest of the world, etc.)? Thanks! --- Lisa in Kent, Ohio
Hi Lisa --
I guess the question above answers how I got started. When
I finished atop that last mountain I was a new man. I only had one penny...one
red cent...in my backpack. It was my worldly worth. But I had a heart full of
memories and experiences and adventures that no money could buy.
I never dreamed that I would still be doing it 35
years later, but it has become a way of life. I've learned that I can be very
happy without a lot of "stuff". For years I lived without debt (until recent
health challenges) and would just save up, and take the time off and go. Now it
is more challenging with the high medical bills, but I've still managed. Time
in the backcountry is not expensive. It's paying off your bills for the months
you're gone that is the challenge. The key is not putting yourself in a
situation where you have a ton of payments, or to save up enough you can pay
them off for the months you're gone.
Happy Trails
- Walkin' Jim
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