[quote=“kayaker, post:54, topic:999123”]I knew that the first little set of rapids would upend a few canoes/kayaks and their beers would be free for the taking
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There is a really tough hike near where I live, with a +/-750m steep climb up and and around a 600m descent the next day. After that you basically need to jump about 3m into a river, and stay in the river for the next four days. We call it “kloofing” here, essentially amphibious hiking. The first four or so days are rock-jumping or swimming (better make sure that backpack is waterproof) and then a fairly tough exit.
The last time I did it, I really reduced weight to a ridiculous degree (measuring breakfast cereal portions on a scale, for example) but I knew a friend was following on a different team, just a few days behind. I thought I could do a good deed.
I took 6 beers in my pack, and on the last campsite buried them underwater river stones, in a bag with a string attached. The string led to a small cairn, under which I left a message on plastic wrapped paper to let him (and his party) know.
My wife organizes campouts twice a year for a meetup group. Usually around 30 people show up. Most of the adults drink around the campfire, and a few vape. Occasionally a group breaks away to partake of some sort of herb.
The signs all over the state parks prohibit “Public Display or Consumption of Alcohol”. Not sure if there’s ever been a lawyer at camp, but we’ve generally interpreted “Public” consumption to be drinking openly in the common areas, as opposed to discreetly having a beer in a koozie around the campfire.
I no longer fell “widow makers” like I did in the past. Last summer there was a tree I told my gf was too dangerous for me to take on. She didn’t understand, but she called the pro that we use.
When he came he looked it over for a long while, then told my gf I was smart for not attempting it. He saw what concerned me. He brought a crew out and took his time.
My neighbor now generally drops mine (and usually mostly cuts up and splits them while he’s at it.)
For the tricky one next to the house, he brought a couple of friends. Ropes were involved, and they did indeed take their time, and brought it down in stages.
(I miss that tree. But it was an ash, and it really was dying this time. And I was afraid that if it came down on its own in pieces, some of them would land on the roof – right over my bed.)
Yeah. I’ve dropped a lot of trees in my day. I used to heat with wood. But, I’m 63 now.
We had about 4 monster trees that looked to be threatening the house. Got the pros in. It’s what they do. Climb it with chain saws a take it bit by bit. Plenty of rope work of course.
I did not know that there are wood chippers that can take a 2 foot diameter tree.
I also heard that some campers look out for each other (depending on the area and how many people are camping around each other) which means that some people will “call out” or let group(s) know if they’re causing “issues” so that the group(s) “in question” don’t get caught by park rangers or risk any lives, even though some people don’t get involved depending on the situation…
I don’t drink or smoke, so I don’t drink or smoke while camping. But I remember a time in my life when not drinking something with caffeine several times a day would send my head pounding. So I have some sympathy for those who avoid going cold turkey while camping. As long as they’re not being stupid.
Even at a car-camping site…it’s been a few year…I prefer to smoke a tobacco pipe (as usual when I’m outdoors)…just to have fewer butts to police. Still one must be careful, of course, but for me it’s a bit simpler to control my waste in that regard.
And, as a bonus, one person smoking, say, vanilla flavored pipe tobacco or another type…never got me any complaints.
Drinking? Well, it depends on the purpose of the trip. If I’m going to hump out thirty miles the next day, or however many, starting before the ass-crack of dawn, I’d personally rather not by dehydrated by the time I wake up, or a few miles out.
But if someone chooses to play and sing a rousing rendition “Kumba-Ya”…around a campfire, if it’s safe to pull a cork, all bets are off…I might really treasure some relief from those old chestnuts.
But, no, I’ve never had a ranger say anything to me…keeping it low and subdued, I suppose, is the reason.