BackWoods Drifter

Seems like that is all I do this time of the year, think about camping.

Since my first extended trip to the mountains a few days ago, it has done nothing but rain. I’m in the process of planning another extended stay for the purpose of taking nature and, hopefully, wildlife photos. This trip will require two trips into the mountains. The first one to scout for a suitable camping spot in the area I wish to photograph and the second the day I plan to leave.

This is not going to be one of my normal overnite jaunts. I would like to see this trip last 7 days. I’ve geared myself so that the only day I need be concerned about the weather is the day of the trip to camp. The tent I purchased for just such a trip is designed for extended stays and is the cabin design. It has plenty of floor space in case I do get caught inside from bad weather. One thing is for sure, it will withstand any bad weather these mountains throw at it and that is all I need. I’m sure it would still give me a new appreciation for the term cabin fever.

I was thinking about where I was going to go camping and naturally my first response would be into the backwoods of course. I want to define for you what I consider to be the backwoods. This is simply my perception, nothing more.

There are actually two stages to the backwoods. Just the normal backwoods and then the deep backwoods. Normal backwoods is pretty far out there but if you are on an ATV you are likely to see another rider or two on a nice day. If you are hiking it is doubtful you will see anybody else but you will most likely hear evidence of their passing. And to be hiking in the backwoods you are about 8 to 10 hours hike from the nearest place to get help should you require it which in most cases is nothing more than a residence in the head of a hollow. To be in the deep backwoods is to very rarely encounter another human being no matter your mode of transportation. If you hike into the deep backwoods then you better be prepared for an overnite stay and have a means of contacting help should you require it.

The boundaries for the backwoods and the deep backwoods get very much closer to civilization at night for obvious reasons. When I am sitting on top of the mountain I can feel the time of day pass where I am from then until morning all by myself. Part of that is based on my knowledge of the time needed to travel from the bottom of the mountain to the top and the rest on common sense. As an ATV rider I consider myself to be safe. I don’t take the ATV anywhere I don’t feel comfortable with it. With that in mind, I will not even start up the mountain unless I could be on top before darkness settled and to make the trip ascending or descending in the dark is out of the question. It is a dangerous mountain in the daylight full of steep climbs and long tumbles. Anyway, about 2 hours before the sun sets, the deep backwoods catches me and I am alone in the mountains until morning.

The deep backwoods is my intended destination on this trip and although I spend a lot of time in the backwoods, I rarely travel deep into the mountains. The thing about it is, I need it. I can think with a fresh perspective when I’m in the mountains. Plus, if I want to get good wildlife photos I’m going to have to venture to them.

I’m on a mission to get some photos of the elusive coyote and the not so elusive black bear. For the past couple of years I have had multiple coyote encounters but I have always been second in detecting the others presence. The only reason I have seen them is because they were already alerted to my presence and on the move. I hope to turn the tables on the coyote this year. The bear I don’t see being a problem. I know where they are and the only thing that has prevented me from getting really good photos is a good camera.

At any rate I will post more about this in the days to come. The scouting trip will occur before this week is through.