First Historical-ish Hike

[Greg Roemke]

Howdy!

My 15 year old son and I are planning our first semi historical hike and camping trip for April of this year.   We will head out to our favorite outdoor area up in the White Mountains of Arizona.  We spend a lot of time up there each year fishing and, when luckily enough to get drawn, elk hunting.  By the time April rolls around, the lows will only be in the mid-twenties, so I think we can manage to survive, even if we aren’t terribly comfortable. We've camped in a tent with a wood burning stove in temperatures down to around zero, but I also had a modern sleeping bag.   The boy got a Great Plains Rifle for Christmas, 54, and he's excited at the thought of taking it out and hiking.  I will probably be carrying my .54 Cabela’s Hawken that I've had for 20 some years.   I'm a little jealous.  The boy is pretty outdoor savvy, and got his first elk in October of last year.  

My budget being what it is, we probably won't have anywhere near a complete historical kit.  The route I have been keeping in the back of my mind is only about 5 miles, and it is in an area we have hunted and camped before.  He is mildly interested in the fur trade era, and I've been always interested in the folks operating out of Taos, New Mexico. I will continue to add accoutrements as I can, prior to heading down the trail.

I guess my question is, is it really as simple as getting up and getting out there?  Are there any pitfalls I should fret about?  Any thoughts from folks trying to kindle a bit of the traditional spirit in their kids?  

April is four months away, but sometimes I just need to get something on the calendar.

Thanks for the input!

[Longhunter]

Greg, good for you  

[Snapper]

Greg - Congratulations on taking this first step with your son.  I'm sure you'll create some true life long memories.  As for just getting out there and "doing it," I would advise that you have a bit more planning done than that frame of reference prior to hitting the trail.  You don't have to go overboard but a few things to consider in my opinion are:
1.  What's your 1st aid background?  Do you have a decent 1st aid kit to handle the needs of your trip?
2.  Do you know how much food you'll need and the nutritional requirements for such a trip?  It's one thing to be historically correct and not eat well but the reverse is also true.  Should you encounter a real emergency, going into it already down in food/water consumption isn't going to be to your advantage.
3.  Sounds like you already are familiar with the area so that's good.  Will you create a loose plan and leave it with someone at home just in case you're not back when you expect?

Now, these suggestions, and lots more, may not be needed by you because you may already be a well seasoned outdoor person.  If you are, I apologize for insulting your intelligence.  You already know this stuff.  Unfortunately I've seen too many people just go out there without any forethought or planning and it comes back to bite them in the end.  It's one thing to do that to yourself.  It's another to drag another along as you go.

That's all for now.  Take care, enjoy your trip and until next time...Be well.

snapper

[Greg Roemke]

Thanks for the encouragement Longhunter and Snapper!

I appreciate the words of caution, too.  I wouldn't call myself a seasoned outdoorsman, really.  Our hunts involve walking and backpacking, but we always return back to camp with sleeping bags, Coleman stoves, and a game of cards.  We've made a few fires with tinder and steel, but have always had the luxury of having a fire stick close by if we needed it.  

Since we want to get our feet wet, we can always try day excursions from our typical camp.   The boy wants some hardtack and a trail lunch so we can work that out into a "scout", but have a good place to come back to.  I want this to be a positive trip for both of us, and that also may help me focus on what items to start accumulating.    

Greg

[Thunderhawk1828]

Greg:

good to hear you and your son are going to go on your "scout" and get your feet wet in the primitive game.

I live in the valley and also get up to the Rim country a bit. Like you - also a novice in the primitive area. Where are you going to go? How long - long weekend?  I believe it is smart to go where you are familiar with and start out on a small jaunt and then expand.

Don't let the idea of going primitive keep you from taking modern backup - if needed you have familiar items and a potential bad situation can be avoided and a lesson learned. Go slow, learn the primitive ways and then gradually rely more on primitive then modern as you get better with your skills.

Keep your son involved in the planning of the trip and gathering of equipment to get ready. Practice and practice some more.

I know April is a bit away but keep us posted and when you return give us a report on your journey.

Good Luck, be safe and have fun!

Thunderhawk1828

[Snapper]

Greg - Setting up a base camp and then ranging out from there each day is a great way to go.  By having your camp already set up it will be waiting for you after a rough day in the field.  Be sure you have plenty of firewood and fire starting materials on hand before you leave for the day and you shouldn't have too many problems once you get back; especially if it's getting dark or already there.  Also, with a base camp you can decide to be gone all day, come back for lunch, turn back if the weather turns sour, etc.  In other words, it gives you endless possibilities and a real "ace in the hole" should things turn against you.

That's all for now.  Feel free to keep the questions coming.  I'm sure there are lots of opinions and suggestions out here waiting for you.  Take care and until next time...Be well.

snapper

[Greg Roemke]

Thunderhawk I like the your comment about managing the primitive with the modern.  I keep a ham radio in my bag, which hooks into a the rim-link repeater system, so that's a good.  Modern topo's are also a big confidence booster for me!   Maybe I'll need to scrimshaw the topo on a powder horn!  One of the biggest factors I think for feeling secure is being familiar with the area.  We've been up there three or four times every year since he's been born, so he's very comfortable hiking and navigating point to point.  

Have a great weekend!