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LOON-A-TICKS

Outdoor Tips

This page is a location for members to share their knowledge and ask questions about the great outdoors.

We will be routing questions from users to select members - this portion of the site is called "Ask Plank"

E-mail your questions to plank@loon-a-ticks.com

Planks Tips

Tip #1 - Make sure you have toilet paper when you are staying overnight away from facilities. We had a member who brought a roll and bought a spare roll for a trip but somehow forgot to bring either roll into the backwoods. Things can get a bit dicey using leaves to do your clean-up. Ask Fish.

Tip #2 - Keep track of where you are at all times while in the backwoods. This can come in handy when you need to backtrack if you get lost. I have several stories that I could share with our members about this little tip but we do not have enough space on the web site to even begin to share them. Right Marmot?

Tip #3 - BE PREPARED, if you plan your trip properly you will have very few surprises and disappointments. I have included an example of superb planning and organization skills. Please note the high level of three dimensional knowledge and understanding exhibited in this example.

Tip #4 - When traveling in the backwoods it is best to have some basics along but not to many. You need to carry what you bring. Not everyone has the carrying capacity of Lowtide.

The following are the minimum recommended by Plank on every trip:

Headlamp - small knife/multi-tool - lighter/matches - Sufficient Food (but not to much) - Critter Proof food container - Toilet Paper - Small First Aid Kit - Map(s) - Stainless Steel water container

The following options are needed but depend on the individual and conditions.

1) Proper clothing to match the location and time of year but keep the quantity down. You can do some wash on the trail as long as you do it away from the water source.

2) Shoes/Boots that match the terrain you will be traversing. If you don't need large heavy boots do not bring them, also avoid waterproof boots in desert locations.

3) Tent or tarp depends on the location and time of year. A tent is recommended in spring and early summer in the mid west where a tarp is probably enough shelter in mid summer into the fall out west

4) Water Filter or Chemical Treatment for your backwoods water needs depends on your tolerance for iodine taste in your water or total pack load you are either willing to or can carry.