The
Druid:
When
the Druid first enters the forest she stops for a few reverent
moments to let her spirit’s energy expand into the forest.
(What will the spirits in the forest reveal to her today)?
Several
gentle deep even breaths from the belly (to quiet her mind).
A long loving look around to greet her many forest friends (to
fill her soul).
Consciously she focuses on her hearing (to soften her step).
She believes that to truly see Mother Nature you need to make
less noise than she does.
Loves and respects all things in the forest (even the tourists).
Has used the gear in her day pack to help others more times than
needed it for herself.
Doesn’t mind carrying the dehydrated emergency food, whistle,
cell phone, lighter, GPS, LED head lamp, spare batteries, map,
compass and multitool as they all weigh less nowadays than just
the flashlight she used to carry.
Her Water Bottle has several feet of duct tape wrapped around
it for gear repairs and first aid (IN AN EMERGENCY blisters on
your heel can be covered in duct tape (4” strip) to lessen
further friction and reduce pain).
Figure
1: Look here if overdue.
She’s wearing old well loved hiking boots.
She could draw you a map (free hand) of the area that is more
detailed than the map in her pack.
Like the bear she could hear the tourists coming long before she
saw them.
Like the deer she could remain still and see the tourist long
before they would see her.
Like the cougar she quietly decides whether or not to reveal her
presence.
Like the wolf she could track a tourist by the garbage they drop
and the damage they do as they move through her forest.
Like the wise old Eagle she knows north by the Sun and the Stars.
Figure 2: Ever get the feeling you were
being watched?
The
Tourist:
Started
the hike fashionably dressed including clean running shoes.
Never truly knows when or where she started the hike and neither
does anyone else.
Has hiked above the show line into the ice fog only to ask the
druid “where the lookout is for pictures”?
Wears enough scents, shampoos and deodorants to give a skunk a
heart attack.
Started their 4 hour hike 4 hours before sunset, but only 3 hours
before darkness under the canopy of the forest.
Will use a cell phone as a light to try and walk out of the forest
after dark, as they have no signal to have someone come and get
them.
Figure 3: Trippy Pokey Scary Night Thingy,
or The Western Red Cedar
Just grabbed a handful of poison ivy after a pee. (Karma for the
last time she left TP behind in the forest).
Sounds more like a motor home is driving up the trail than just
one yappy human.
Thinks that an avalanche warning is something on a menu with ice
cream and fudge.
Even if they had brought a first-aid kit wouldn’t know how
to use it.
Believes that the Silva Ranger is the love child of two Power
Rangers.
Figure 4: The Silva Ranger Compass
Wouldn’t
believe that a couple of the extra large orange garden garbage
bags could save her life as a:
Rain Jacket and pants (remove shoes put one leg inside a bag wrap
around to gather in excess put your shoes back on tie the top
of each bag to your belt).
Sleeping bag (both legs in one and head hole in the another.)
Shelter (wind break, water proof liner for lean to, ground sheet).
First Aid Pressure dressing or splint (think triangular bandage).
Distress signal (orange)...
©
2009 Dave Cowper
