Protecting yourself and your equipment while out in the Wilds (Page 3): As someone with 800-miles and 100-nights on the AT in 2017, it would appear you're the one who knows nothing by...

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

markwilliam1 wrote:

You unfortunately have No Clue what I’m talking about Sir! Lurking in the shadows Get Real!

As someone with 800-miles and 100-nights on the AT in 2017, it would appear you're the one who knows nothing by way of comparison ...

Remember to get off of the road if you want to grow old
and watch out for pigs on the wing ...

markwilliam1

Not just limiting this to backpacking. Could be long day hikes into the back country close to cities and such.

markwilliam1

Well I stand Gladly Corrected Sir! I’ve backpacked all over the country and a little Canada but Never tackled the AT! I admire you!

CHG_CANON wrote:

As someone with 800-miles and 100-nights on the AT in 2017, it would appear you're the one who knows nothing by way of comparison ...

Remember to get off of the road if you want to grow old
and watch out for pigs on the wing ...

Pistnbroke Loc: UK

I am 70 live in the UK and never even seen a gun ...I am careful where I go but if someone tries to steal my gear I just throw it at them and claim on the insurance ,,,,

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

markwilliam1 wrote:

Well I stand Gladly Corrected Sir! I’ve backpacked all over the country and a little Canada but Never tackled the AP! I admire you!

If you've been all over the place with a daypack or a backpack, you'd know to the greatest danger to your camera equipment is you. You're more likely to drop it onto to any number of damaging surfaces or into liquids. Camera equipment is rather far down the list of targets of opportunity, whether on the streets of Rome, the trains of Germany or any trail of any length or location in North America, where the on-the-trail risk to your camera from theft is somewhere between zero and nil.

markwilliam1

How did you protect your gear or yourself?

CHG_CANON wrote:

As someone with 800-miles and 100-nights on the AT in 2017, it would appear you're the one who knows nothing by way of comparison ...

Remember to get off of the road if you want to grow old
and watch out for pigs on the wing ...

markwilliam1

I also appreciate you insight CHG! Thanks

CHG_CANON wrote:

If you've been all over the place with a daypack or a backpack, you'd know to the greatest danger to your camera equipment is you. You're more likely to drop it onto to any number of damaging surfaces or into liquids. Camera equipment is rather far down the list of targets of opportunity, whether on the streets of Rome, the trains of Germany or any trail of any length or location in North America, where the on-the-trail risk to your camera from theft is somewhere between zero and nil.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

markwilliam1 wrote:

How did you protect your gear or yourself?

If you're out for more than a night, your expensive & heavy camera gear belongs at home, not weighing you down on the trail. To the question of your original post, a smile will contribute more to your safety on the trail than a gun or knife ever will. It's a word spoken in the same language everywhere.

markwilliam1

You can smile at a thief all you want while he is walking away with your gear sorry!

CHG_CANON wrote:

If you're out for more than a night, your expensive & heavy camera gear belongs at home, not weighing you down on the trail. To the question of your original post, a smile will contribute more to your safety on the trail than a gun or knife ever will.

travisdeland Loc: deland, FL

I personally don't sweat the small stuff when out in the woods-or elsewhere. If someone is out to get your gear, they most likely see you before you will see them, meaning they already have "the drop" on you. While I'm not afraid to carry and use firearms, it's not something that's on my list of equipment to carry when hiking through the wilderness doing nature and wildlife shooting-or when in seedy neighborhoods when photographing railroads. Common sense goes a very long way in how you deal with your surroundings. Unforseeables are just that, and weaponizing yourself may, or may not, be of any benefit. Just my take on things-

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

markwilliam1 wrote:

You can smile at a thief all you want while he is walking away with your gear sorry!

If you understood how silly you sound ... Only a thief sees a world full of thieves. And a real thief wouldn't put on their hiking boots and hope to go find camera equipment ... Someone concerned about their valuable equipment would have insurance given your weapon will be of little use against the river, rock or rain that damages your equipment.

Sunnybuck Loc: Pleasanton, Kansas

markwilliam1 wrote:

Concealed Carry permits required gun education Linda. You don’t run around saying stop or I’ll shoot! This thread is about being far from home all alone in the wild! There are some Hogg’s that will understand what I mean.

I'm a 60+ woman, who treks freely through the woods by myself. I live in Kansas where you can openly carry a firearm. I carry a .22 pistol with me on my hip, in full view. Just think about it for a minute, if you came across a little white haired woman who openly packs a firearm on her hip, wouldn't you think twice about trying anything dubious at that point.
Yes, I'm cautious, but, I'm not afraid of protecting what I've worked many years to achieve. I don't let that little pistol go to my head either. Although, I've never encountered anyone else in my part of the woods that meant any harm, I'm aware there may come a day when I may be forced to act. If so, I'll be ready! I grew up in a military home, where I was taught self defense at an early age. And I also carry a cell phone with a direct cell phone number to our county sheriff, who knows me quite personally.
All points of assurances of enjoying my time in the woods by myself, in piece. These are just my point of view on this subject.

markwilliam1

Not silly at all! You tend to exaggerate a bit too much! I’m not a thief! Just realistic in this world of ours now. Keep looking through your rose colored glasses. They seem to be working well for you but understand your Not me Please! Thanks.

CHG_CANON wrote:

If you understood how silly you sound ... Only a thief sees a world full of thieves.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I've never been to any place in the wild where I felt threatened by the wildlife (tigers, lions, etc.). As for people... if they are out to k**l you, they will, regardless if you're armed or not. There's nothing one can really do. Carrying a gun for protection is a false sense of security. They'll sneak up from behind, shoot you from a distance, sniper-style, or reveal their weapon a moment before they use it on you. In all likelihood, you won't have time to react and reach for yours.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The night is dark and full of terrors ...