Two Lessons learned !!!!

[pitdog]

Was in two minds if I should post this or not as I don't understand the mods new rules about my pics, but I'll try anyway !

So I set off yesterday for what I had intended to be an easy hike as my energy levels were a little low.I decided not to take any water ( it was a quick easy hike ) and drank my fill before leaving the house !

Anyways as I started hiking the trails I spotted one that my buddy had told me about and decided to head up that one, I knew it was steep but I could always turn round at any point and come back...right !!!

This was how most of the trail was...

The weather was really muggy today and I was sweating badly. I was determined to get to some nice views and pressed on upwards.As I got higher up the trail became very vague and quite hard to follow. I eventually reached the highest point and was dissapointed to find there was no view just trees blocking my vision so I just stopped and rested. Maisy is getting no younger and had stopped for short breaks several times on the way up.....

The Terror, however, had energy to spare......

I had my little bushy knife with me....

After a short rest we headed back down the trail....

I'd been walking for maybe 40 minutes following the dogs with my mind up in the clouds somewhere when I looked to my right and spotted a view about 30feet off the trail.......

As nice as this was I hadn't noticed it on the way up, as I looked around I also noticed other faint trails going off in different directions.I now started to panic a little, was I now on a different trail ? The area I was in extended for about 30 miles, 30 miles of tough terrain, I was tired,Maisy was tired and we had no water !!!!!
I continued down the rocky trail with my fingers crossed that it was the right one. Suddenly I spotted something that I had remembered seeing on the way up......a snail shell who would have thought it eh !!!!

I breathed a sigh of relief that we were definitely on the right track !!!!

Toward the end of the trail I found some good tinder, a large section of wasps nest, if you have never tried burning this stuff you should cos it burns great.....just a shame there is still a fire ban on here so I couldn't use it !

Anyway lessons learned:

Always carry some water even if you are only plan on an easy hike !

If on an unfamiliar trail, mark it as you go, this could be done with making small piles of rocks, laying sticks in an X shape every so often or even knotching the trees...anything as long as it is easily visible.

 

[texastonydobbs]

Good post Pitdog ... Thanks for sharing

 

[Fletcher Knives]

Good post bro. Glad it turned out ok for you.

 

[kgd]

Good lesson Pitdog. I did the same thing a few weeks ago with Brian Andrews. We decided to go foraging for a suitable piece of wood for bowdrill. The plan was we were just going to walk up the trail a touch. I left my pack and water at camp. Well, ended up wondering a bit further than anticpated. We had done some hiking earlier that morning and I was pretty tired out from that. Not carrying any water (Brian was smart and brought a water bottle) became a very noticeable unpleasantry very quickly.

 

[Snow]

Great example of why you should always carry a minimum kit, including water. Things never go exactly as planned.

 

[John G]

Lesson learned. Thanks for sharing and reminding us all.

 

[Mistwalker]

Good lessons Pit. I will likely find myself in a similar situation here some day. Because of the extra weight of water, and the fact that I live in a rain forest I seldom take any water on hikes as I'm usually counting on getting my water from natural sources. I do have water in the truck always but seldom on my person. I figure there is a chance that will some day bite me on the @$$. I did recently buy a couple of 1/2 litre aluminum bottles for Mrs. Mist and myself as a compromise, but half the time I forget it in the truck as well...I am getting better though.

The snail shell would worked in a different way for me as it would likely have gone in my bag, I would have remembered the rock and stick where I found it.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Great Post Bro

EXCELLENT advice !!!!

 

[TheGame]

Better to learn now to take water rather than when you are completely lost, eh?

Thanks for sharing. Goes to show that no matter what you think, you should always be prepared.

 

[udtjim]

I can't go anywhere without water. Probably my weakest point outdoors. Other than foot that is.

 

[smcclown05]

Great post! Good example of the importance of being prepared and mindful of where you are heading.

 

[Thomas Linton]

It's a common experience that the trail looks different on the way back. This leads to the common advice to look around every once and a while, especially at junctions. Scouts used to teach "trail signs" that could be left to mark the trail in a low impact way. Unfortunately, that skillset is no longer taught.

The "picture can also change as the sun goes down and shadows start to form. Not to mention how it looks in the dark.

Nice pictures.

 

[fujita yuji]

Very on topic I think and thanks for sharing lessons!
Walking without water is a real pain.
I love winter mountain because water is abundant everywhere, if I could make a fire.

 

[Fox Creek]

The whole "trail signs" topic deserves consideration. I remember years ago when I was a younger man, hiking around the Chickasaw WMA in TN with an older buddy and his still older Uncle. VERY rough cut up country. We were supposed to be deer hunting, but mainly just hiking around with guns. They had paused and I went on for 45 minutes or so, untill I decided to go back, Yes, the back trail looks different. They had decided to go back to the car. I had no water or fire stuff, etc. It is amazing how quiet it gets and lonely all of a sudden, especially when there is a cold wind blowing. Then I came across an "arrow" of crossed sticks in the center of the trail. I wasn't lost, yet, but knowing they knew I was coming and let me know they were going ahead was a big relief. If you are ever with somebody else, think of them and let them know where you are, where you are going, etc.

 

[Mentor]

Great post, Pit.

I think that most of us have made the 'no need for water' mistake at some point in the past. Not fun, but a good learning experience. I always carry some with me, even when I'm out for a short hike on a familiar trail.

Glad you found your way back home!

All the best,

- Mike

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Good thread, and good advice! I've fallen into that trap myself (getting too comfortable).

These days, I keep a Bic lighter wrapped in pink flagger's tape, that way I can take off small strips to put on branches intermittently. :thumbup:

 

[myright]

Excellent post, Pit. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

I too once got nervous on a hike in which I decided to take no water. I was on a trail I knew quite well and there was really no question about getting lost. It was hotter than I thought and I was sweating like an idiot and alone.

As I got back to my car I was very dehydrated and becoming dizzy. It could have gotten ugly quick.

I NEVER go without water since that time. If my dog is with me it's never a question, she drinks like a maniac. Now I normally have myright jr. with me so I always bring enough for both us, plus some should I need to wash a wound. I just figure the extra weight is a good work out.

Thanks again for sharing.

 

[Mentor]

I hope this isn't too much of a departure from the original thread topic, but I'm curious:

For those of you who hike with canine companions, how do you keep your dogs hydrated when you're on the trail? My dog has few hang-ups, but she does seem to be adverse to drinking from a dish or bowl when we're out for a hike. Brackish puddle? No problem. Questionable stream? Sure thing! But a nice clean bowl? Not her thing.

Now, Ruby's almost ten, and I'm mindful of the difficulties of teaching an old dog new tricks, but I'd love to hear what you guys do.

All the best,

- Mike

 

[myright]

It appears that Pit's dogs drink from the natural water sources he passes on the trails. I don't have that same luxury near me as there are only standing water puddles/ponds near me and A LOT of brackish wather.

Here's how my girl drinks while on the trail. As long as I pour slow she does well.