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Determine Direction W/O a Compass!
Field Expedience!
Whenever in the outdoors, I would suggest that you always have access to a compass. However, if you find yourself in a situation needing to know the correct orientation for travel and you haven’t got a compass, there is a technique called the Sun/Watch method that I’ve found extremely reliable.
Process:
- Remove the analog watch from your arm;
- Point the hour hand at the sun;
- While holding the watch like this, half the distance between the hour hand and the number 12 (watch dial) points South.
If you are wearing a digital watch, draw a watch face with correct time on a piece of paper and follow procedures above to determine the proper orientation.
Life Lists!
One of a Kind!
We have previously discussed how important it is to record your bird sightings. All serious Birders maintain a Life List. Each entry note mentions the bird species, the date/location of sighting, and any other information that’s deemed important. However, for most active bird watchers, one life list is not enough. You need to develop a system that makes sense to you, is functional, and it must be easily access-able. A possible consideration might include:
- House List – A list of birds sighted around your home;
- Yearly Lists – A list for each year you bird watch;
- State Lists - A list of the sightings you make in the different states you visit;
- Trip Lists – A list that corresponds with the different trips/vacations you take;
- Wish List – A list of birds you haven’t seen but hope too.
Bird watching can be extremely satisfying. However, part of that satisfaction comes from a good posterity developed through your accurate recording and journaling of the activity. Preserving that outdoor experience is critical.
Hand-held Outdoor GPS!
Hand Held GPS!
I have never been an advocate of having a Global Positioning System (GPS) as the primary source for outdoor/cross-country navigation. However, if working, I do think a GPS would be nice as a secondary confirmation, and reinforcement that you were using good sound Map Reading/Land Navigation skills.
Buying a GPS is like buying a car – you normally get what you pay for. But, before purchase, a person must know what’s available versus what your needs are. A GPS receiver can be purchased that will give you everything a topographical map, compass, and good Map Reading/Land Navigational skills will; but, it must be working, and it may be cost prohibitive.
A small, gray scale GPS receiver with no or limited mapping and other functions will cost $100+, while a top-of-the-line color receiver with topographic mapping, a touch screen display, and other advance procedures could cost as-much-as $600+. However, there are good GPS receivers that offer a good mix of these extremes for about $300; but, you must know WHAT YOU WANT!
Walking Cane or Walking Stick?
Cane or Stick?
A Walking Stick is different than a Walking Cane. A walking cane is normally used by someone who has a physical difficulty walking. This can be someone who has sustained an injury and needs it for rehabilitative purposes, or an elderly person who might need it to provide walking stability.
On the other hand, a walking stick is used less often and usually just for recreational purposes such-as hiking or trekking. Canes are generally the same size with a slight variation in length based on the individual’s height and arm length. Where-as, the length of a walking stick can range from moderately short to incredibly long depending on its overall purpose.
We’ve established that a cane is used more as a physical rehabilitative tool , where the walking stick’s job is to improve a person’s general well being and provide safe support for any rigorous outdoor activity. It’s a STICK not a CANE!
Hiking Solo!
Healthy Living!
I have always discouraged hiking alone for the very real and quite obvious reasons. However, we have all done it and will probably continue to do it. But, if so, your thought processes must be based on being able to handle the many adverse situations that could arise. This would include incapacitation and being able to survive until found. If you are going alone, be smart and take the following possible life-saving precautions:
- Tell Someone: Give them the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, and WHERE. Also tell them when to call the authorities if you don’t return.
- Don’t Change the Plan: This means all of those things you described above. It doesn’t do much good to tell someone the initial plan if you change everything at the last minute and tell no one.
- Take Water: Things do happen and you can’t last long without it. I would further suggest taking water purification tablets or even a small pocket water purification system.
- Take Food: You can last quite a while without food. But, if you’re flat on your back with a broken leg, a few power bars might come in handy.
- Take Sleeping Gear: I’m not talking about a sleeping bag but a small pad for the ground and a space blanket.
- Take a Flash Light: A small L.E.D flashlight should be sufficient.
- Take First Aid: Take a minimal kit. If you need aspirin, anti-septic, or a bandage you’ll be glad that you did.
These suggestions are not for someone going out on an extended trip but rather for someone who just wants to get out of the house for a few hours and hike around the lake (example). It might necessitate you taking a small butt pack; but, with modern technology such as cell phones and these simple precautions, you will find that hiking alone can be both pleasurable and relatively safe.
Outdoor Activities!
Having Fun!
Loving the outdoors is a learned concept. It normally starts at a very young age; therefore, parents do play an important role in forming that life-long relationship. However, certain factors may preclude this from happening – scarcity of time , general disinterest, lack of knowledge, or even a genuine concern about safety.
These are valid reasons for non-involvement but conversely, the participative positives far out-number the negatives. Leading a healthy and balanced life-style are crucial to longevity. Outdoor activities can help by reducing daily stress and tension; it further strengthens family bonds and provides a sense of accomplishment to all who participate. Some of the most popular outdoor activities include swimming, jogging, cycling, hiking, camping in a tent, and boating activities.
Suggest you discuss this with the family at the next opportunity, but don’t be surprised if there is resistance. The first step is always the hardest, and for some that will be turning off the television. Engaging in outdoor activities has no substitute for staying healthy and enjoying nature at the same time. HAVE FUN!
The Basics!
Majestic!
One of the most leisure and pleasurable past-times or hobbies is bird watching. But, to be good at it requires a personal investment; there are resources available that will teach you how to find and identify these feathery treasures but you must commit the time and effort to do so.
Book stores, local libraries, or even the Internet can provide information on the different bird species, their natural habitat, breeding habits, and where they congregate; often this information includes complete descriptions and even pictures. It is a lot more enjoyable if you know the WHO, WHAT, WHEN and WHERE of the bird you’re looking at.
Worldwide, there are many bird watching clubs and even bird refuges. Each of these activities are excellent in providing other bird watchers or even experts who are always readily available to share information and fascinating stories. Don’t procrastinate – get your binoculars, journal, walking stick and go have fun!
Stay Cool!
Very Strenuous!
During the summer time everyone wants to “look” cool. But, sometimes looking “cool” is contradictory to what is needed and that is to do those things necessary to keep the body temperature cool at all times. Common sense would tell you to wear light clothing, preferably clothing of a light color. Strenuous outdoor activities should not be done during the heat of the day but rather early in morning, latter in the afternoon, or in the early evening.
Most important is to keep your body hydrated. You would think that this is a fairly simple task – when your thirsty, drink fluid! True, but, waiting until you’re thirsty is waiting too long; you are already dehydrated. When the temperature is very high, your body loses water at a very high rate, and dehydration can set in without you knowing it. To preclude this, carry a bottle of water around and fill it every couple hours. I would further suggest avoiding those beverages that promote dehydration. These include drinks with a high caffeine or alcohol content.
I call dehydration a “Gateway” issue; if precautions are not taken , it can/will lead to other complications causing sun/heat stroke. Keep the body’s air conditioner serviced and working, obtain a water bottle and DRINK, DRINK, DRINK!
National Psyche!
"YES-WE-CAN!
Last evening, the wife and I were watching a program on PBS titled: Health in America. The program was rather shocking and discussed statistics such as 66.6% of all Americans are over-weight or obese. It further claimed that numbers are increasing yearly at an epidemic rate.
The documentary further stipulated the situational pro’s/con’s and even eluded to the fact that if trend continues, it would effect National Security. I thought that was stretching it a bit, but do agree that the physical health of a nation is extremely important and could reflect on our long-term commitment and capabilities.
I think that most Americans would enjoy the opportunity to get involved in healthy leisure activities but are affected by situational factors beyond their control. A healthy mind and a healthy body go hand-in-hand. It is extremely difficult to get your house in order if you haven’t got a house, job or the means to put beans on the table. However, my suggestion is one of hope; I do believe in American resilience and our capability to overcome. It is time to get off the couch and get involved in physical activities commensurate with individual capabilities. There are cheap, inexpensive , and fun outdoor activities that don’t require expensive camping gear. These include hiking, trekking, and bird watching, be active and – HAVE FUN!
Common Sense Must Prevail!
Cool!
The long, bright and hot days of summer are just around the corner! It is time to make sure that you have the necessary eye-wear that will provide you a suitable sun protective tint against those UAV/UAB rays. If you wear prescription glasses, order a separate pair of sunglasses; or, popular today, is getting a pair of regular eyeglasses with a transitional lens that gets dark when outside and back to a regular lens when indoors.
As we’ve all been told, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” Taking care of your eyes is not only critical but actually pretty simple to do. Use a little common sense; see your eye doctor at least annually and follow his guidance/recommendations to the “T”. If you need a new prescription/glasses, get them sooner rather than later. Bargains can be obtained by shopping-around. I have seen as much as a 70% differentiation on like sunglasses/eye-wear in comparable retail outlets. Be Safe!
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