Dug the experience cruising along the trail with you, tea shot stood out — I feel like with a kyusu like that you either went traditional, light-steamed sencha or a chinese green tea — but I wouldn't be surprised if you got wild with a light roast oolong either.
Also really enjoyed the looming bear danger. I grew up in an outdoorsy world but often hated it at the time, so grew so contrarian that I lost any and all outdoorsy skill/know how at the time. I would have probably been the bear magnet you feared before the toilet storage made itself known.
Deep steamed sencha! Simply because it was the standout this past season (which was a weak season for Japanese greens overall, as far as I understand, due to weather).
Thanks for reading, your 5 months of the past year living out of a car is admirable..I think I’m more of a backpacker than a car-traveller. Next few entries will take a different turn and should be about my experiences and observations in Mexico in the past year vs life in N America and the so called developed world.
I'd be pretty terrified of encountering a bear out there. Especially when there's food involved, you never know. I had a bit of a bear encounter while staying at an airbnb in Durango. I was sitting in the living room with the door open, just enjoying the day, and I felt like someone was looking at me. I turned to see this guy peering at me through the screen door:
Nice. This is a frequent occurrence at my partner's mom's place in very slightly upstate New York (1 hour outside NYC).
Really, the threat is mostly in our minds in most cases. I've had several encounters with black bears on the trail within a 30 min drive of my home here, ironically, and it was fine--but nothing out there in the deeper forest, much further from cities. The only thing that really scares me now, and in which you see reports of actual injuries or deaths is with grizzly bears. I do not want to mess with them, they seem both highly intelligent and unpredictable.
They’re just unpredictable. I’ve heard stories where one suddenly charged at someone at full speed and then stopped 10 feet away and just walked away. Others of people mauled for no apparent reasons. They’re both massively strong and smart. Much like humans (with our tools, anyways)
Being charged at, that would be terrifying! I do wonder if we're just really bad at communicating our intentions with animals. I remember walking my dog one day and seeing a family of javelina crossing the street. The biggest one turned and watched us, but didn't seem to want to move on. I couldn't pass by since those suckers can be pretty dangerous when they're with their babies, and they're fearless. But I didn't want to turn and go back the way I came because that way was another mile back home, so we were sort of at an impasse. Finally Geordie (my dog) turned and led me a few steps down a cul-de-sac, and when I looked over my shoulder I saw that the javelina was moving along. He just needed to know we weren't a threat. He didn't know we simply wanted to get by, but I guess Geordie knew how to get that idea across. I felt pretty daft—and proud of Geordie for his animal wisdom.
Yes, I think many mammals, including black bears, will respond in this way, and that’s been my experience dealing with them, but not grizzlies, from the stories I’ve read about them. Humans are another mammal that often acts irrationally or aggressive out of proportion to the other organism..we have a lot in common.
Wheww how brave of you to take on this journey and to sleep with bears in walking distance! And also how ingenious to hide your food in the toilet...! :)
Only from the overly civilized “we already killed every large predator 1000 years ago” European perspective. 😀
From the N American and Americas camping and backpacking perspective, that aspect of it is pretty standard. And yeah, I’m sure all the many more experienced hikers there would be horrified by what I did/I’m super unprepared/didn’t have a bear proof canister ready to go like many etc. But all’s well that end’s well..
Dug the experience cruising along the trail with you, tea shot stood out — I feel like with a kyusu like that you either went traditional, light-steamed sencha or a chinese green tea — but I wouldn't be surprised if you got wild with a light roast oolong either.
Also really enjoyed the looming bear danger. I grew up in an outdoorsy world but often hated it at the time, so grew so contrarian that I lost any and all outdoorsy skill/know how at the time. I would have probably been the bear magnet you feared before the toilet storage made itself known.
Excited to read part II, right now...
Deep steamed sencha! Simply because it was the standout this past season (which was a weak season for Japanese greens overall, as far as I understand, due to weather).
Thanks for sharing your great and exciting backpacking adventure! Loved reading this, Nick.
Thanks for reading, your 5 months of the past year living out of a car is admirable..I think I’m more of a backpacker than a car-traveller. Next few entries will take a different turn and should be about my experiences and observations in Mexico in the past year vs life in N America and the so called developed world.
Thanks, I'm definitely more of a car-traveller than a backpacker! :) Wow, sounds fascinating. Looking forward to reading your adventures in Mexico!
I'd be pretty terrified of encountering a bear out there. Especially when there's food involved, you never know. I had a bit of a bear encounter while staying at an airbnb in Durango. I was sitting in the living room with the door open, just enjoying the day, and I felt like someone was looking at me. I turned to see this guy peering at me through the screen door:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUt8zUl8tgw&list=PLzAlRrJotZwpW4O_9RAyXcj-elLXI6JnO&index=5
Nice. This is a frequent occurrence at my partner's mom's place in very slightly upstate New York (1 hour outside NYC).
Really, the threat is mostly in our minds in most cases. I've had several encounters with black bears on the trail within a 30 min drive of my home here, ironically, and it was fine--but nothing out there in the deeper forest, much further from cities. The only thing that really scares me now, and in which you see reports of actual injuries or deaths is with grizzly bears. I do not want to mess with them, they seem both highly intelligent and unpredictable.
Yeah, that's what I've heard too. Grizzlies are...grizzly.
They’re just unpredictable. I’ve heard stories where one suddenly charged at someone at full speed and then stopped 10 feet away and just walked away. Others of people mauled for no apparent reasons. They’re both massively strong and smart. Much like humans (with our tools, anyways)
Being charged at, that would be terrifying! I do wonder if we're just really bad at communicating our intentions with animals. I remember walking my dog one day and seeing a family of javelina crossing the street. The biggest one turned and watched us, but didn't seem to want to move on. I couldn't pass by since those suckers can be pretty dangerous when they're with their babies, and they're fearless. But I didn't want to turn and go back the way I came because that way was another mile back home, so we were sort of at an impasse. Finally Geordie (my dog) turned and led me a few steps down a cul-de-sac, and when I looked over my shoulder I saw that the javelina was moving along. He just needed to know we weren't a threat. He didn't know we simply wanted to get by, but I guess Geordie knew how to get that idea across. I felt pretty daft—and proud of Geordie for his animal wisdom.
Yes, I think many mammals, including black bears, will respond in this way, and that’s been my experience dealing with them, but not grizzlies, from the stories I’ve read about them. Humans are another mammal that often acts irrationally or aggressive out of proportion to the other organism..we have a lot in common.
Nicely written! I can't wait for the next one!
I felt your exhaustion and trepidation! Thanks for chronicling your adventures and finally helping me understand why my skull is so deformed! 🌬️💀
I felt the urgency of the hike and the joy of seeing those Elk with you! Thanks for taking us along!
Wheww how brave of you to take on this journey and to sleep with bears in walking distance! And also how ingenious to hide your food in the toilet...! :)
Only from the overly civilized “we already killed every large predator 1000 years ago” European perspective. 😀
From the N American and Americas camping and backpacking perspective, that aspect of it is pretty standard. And yeah, I’m sure all the many more experienced hikers there would be horrified by what I did/I’m super unprepared/didn’t have a bear proof canister ready to go like many etc. But all’s well that end’s well..
😀😀😀 OK, good to know the differences!