Safety and Outdoor Ethics

Be On Your Guard
Back country is beautiful, but remember that it is also primitive, and you will be on your own! Before going in, check with the local Forest Service Office for the latest weather conditions and possible hazards, such as swollen creeks and snow.
Be particularly sure to take clothing that will prepare you for possible weather changes. Sudden shifts in weather are one of the back country's greatest dangers.

Drinking Water
An intestinal disorder called GIARDIASIS (gee-ar-dye-a-sis) is a disease that may be contracted from drinking untreated "natural" water. Such waters may be clear, cold, and free running. They can look, smell, and taste good, but you should be aware of possible danger.

Although giardiasis can be incapacitating, it is usually not life threatening. Symptoms usually include diarrhea, increased gas, and loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, and bloating. These discomforts may first appear a few days to few weeks after ingestion of giardia, and may last up to six weeks.
Most people are unaware that they have been infected and have often returned home before the onset of symptoms. Other diseases may have similar symptoms, but if you have drunk untreated water you should suspect giardiasis and so inform your doctor.

The disease is caused by a microscopic organism, Giardia lamblia. The cystic form of giardia may be found in mountain streams and lakes. With proper diagnosis the disease is curable with medication prescribed by a physician.

Treating Water
The surest treatment to destroy giardia and other organisms is to boil water for at least one minute. At high altitudes, you should maintain the boil for three to five minutes as a margin of safety.

Chemical disinfectants such as iodine, or chlorine tablets or drops are not yet considered as reliable as heat in killing giardia, although these products work well against most waterborne bacteria and viruses that cause disease. In an emergency situation, where chemical disinfectant must be used, iodine is often more effective than chlorine. If possible, filter the water first, and then allow the iodine to work at least an hour before you drink. Some filtering devices on the market may also be effective. For short trips, take a supply of water from home or other domestic source.

Sanitation
Giardiasis and other diseases can be rapidly transmitted between humans and animals. Human or animal feces can contain the organism, and good sanitary practices should be followed to prevent spreading disease through food handling. Waste should be buried eight inches deep and 100 feet away from natural waters.

Hypothermia and Altitude Sickness
Caused by a rapid loss of body heat, hypothermia is the most dangerous illness of back country travel. It can strike on a balmy day, under conditions you least expect.

Often victims don't recognize the symptoms, simply because they can't believe hypothermia could strike under comparatively mild travel conditions. The victim may have to rely on fellow travelers to spot the attack and to insure recovery.

Drastic lowering of the inner body temperatures causes rapid and progressive mental and physical collapse. Symptoms include fits of shivering, vague, slurred speech, memory lapse, fumbling hands, drowsiness, and exhaustion, and apparent unconcern about physical discomfort.

Get the victim out of the wind and the wet. Restore body temperature. Skin-to-skin contact is quickest. Place the victim in a dry sleeping bag. Then have two or three heat donors surround the victim.

If the victim is conscious, give them warm drink (not coffee or other stimulant.) When fit for travel, carry the victim out in windproof and waterproof covering.

Altitude sickness may occur if you overexert at high elevations where the oxygen supply is reduced. Victims should stop and rest, breath deeply, and move slowly to lower elevations. Hyperventilation is caused by too rapid breathing and decrease of carbon dioxide level in the blood, causing light-headedness and cold feeling.

Calm the victim and have the person relax and breathe into a glove, bag, or hat until normal breathing is restored.

Exhaustion occurs because the person may be pushing too hard and is embarrassed to ask the group to slow down. A good principle of back country travel is to take it slow, rest often, and drink and snack frequently to restore body energy.

Emergencies
If you are lost take it easy, keep calm, and don't panic. Sit down and figure out where you are. Use your head and not your legs. Three of anything (shouts, whistles, etc.) is a sound of distress. Carry a police whistle for emergency use. An illness that is normally minor can become serious at high elevations. If you get sick try to get out of the mountains or at least to lower elevation, while you still can travel.

Poison Oak and Snakebite
Be alert. Poison oak grows up to about 5,000 feet and rattlesnakes are found to 9,000 elevations and higher. Examine densely vegetated areas for poison oak. Take appropriate ointment for poison oak. Be careful crossing rocky areas or stepping over down trees. A rattlesnake may be on the other side. Carry a snakebite kit when entering the back country.

People and Horses
If you encounter travelers who have horses or pack stock, move off the trail at least eight feet on the uphill side and let them pass. Allow horses plenty of room on trails. They are easily frightened by backpack equipment.

Campfire Safety
The greatest wild land hazard is fire. If the area you visit permits wood campfires, keep the following guidelines in mind. Use a portable stove for cooking. Then build a small fire for relaxing. Use only dead and down wood. Never break branches from standing trees, even if they look dead. The tree may not be, and breaking branches can injure it. If you use only a small amount of available wood, campers who come after you will be able to enjoy a campfire too.

If a fire ring is in place, use it rather than building a new one. To build a fire, first select a level spot away from overhanging trees, brushes, or dry grass. Keep away from the base of steep hills. Fire travels uphill fast. With your shovel or trowel, clear a large circle to bare dirt. Hollow out a fire hole 1 to 3 feet across and 5 to 6 inches deep. Pile the soil around the edge of the fire hole. Keep the fire small and never start a fire in windy weather.

Rodent Burrows
Avoid setting up camp in an obvious rodent community. Their fleas may carry plague or other diseases, and infestation is more active in the vicinity of the burrows.

Camp Cleanliness
Keeping your camp clean and food or dishes stored, makes it more pleasant for you and reduces the chances you'll be visited by bears or other unwanted animal neighbors. Keep food and garbage tightly sealed in plastic bags and out of reach.

We want your visit to the Mendocino National Forest to be a pleasant experience. You can help by understanding that you are visiting the home of many wildlife creatures. Some of these are bears. As in many areas where wildlife and humans come into contact with one another, there have been some problems with bears in a few campgrounds, especially in the Hammerhorn Lake area on the Covelo Ranger District and the Lake Pillsbury area on the Upper Lake Ranger District.

Forest visitors have generated most of the problems by not understanding that if you feed bears, it encourages them to venture into camping sites where they can be very destructive. Feeding bears also causes them to lose their fear of humans, which almost always causes the bear's death.

Encounters In The Field
If a bear is encountered, your actions can affect the outcome. You can provide options for both you and the bear by maintaining a safe distance and by acting in a manner that does not threaten the bear. A "cool" head is necessary to avert harm to yourself or the unnecessary killing of a bear. Shooting a bear often escalates the situation to a dangerous and unnecessary level.

If you encounter a bear, you should first try to back out of the situation. Keep calm, avoid direct eye contact, back up slowly and speak in a soft monotone. Never turn your back on the bear and never kneel. Most encounters end with the bear leaving at this point.

Never run, and do not climb a tree unless you have time to climb at least 10 feet before the bear reaches you. Remember, bears can run very fast. If you do have time to climb a tree, you may want to drop a non-food item, such as a camera, to distract the bear while you climb.

If a bear charges, stand your ground. Bears often "mock charge" or run past you. The bear may charge you several times before leaving the area. Shooting a bear when it is charging is not recommended. The bear almost always lives long enough to maul the shooter severely.

As a last resort, play dead. Curl into a ball, covering your neck and head with your hands and arms. If you have a backpack, leave it on as it will help protect your back. If the bear swats you, roll with it. Stay in a tucked position and do not try to look at the bear until you are sure it is gone. Many people have survived bear attacks using this tactic. Report all encounters, no matter how insignificant, and even if it is much later. Your report may prevent someone else from getting hurt.

Encounters in Camp
Bears that come into your camp are a completely different situation. They have chosen to approach you and have most likely become habituated to human food and garbage. These bears are dangerous because they are no longer avoiding confrontations with humans. It is important that you store your food properly. If the bear does not get a food reward, it will be more likely to leave quickly.

Stay calm, avoid direct eye contact and speak to the bear. Get to safety as quickly as possible by slowly backing out of the area while looking for suitable trees to climb. Climb a tree as high as you can since some bears can climb trees. Stay in the tree until you are sure the bear is gone.

If the bear attacks you in a campsite, fight back by punching, slapping or using any object available as a weapon. Try to evade the bear by climbing up a tree or onto a boulder. Playing dead will not work in this situation. The bear has made a conscious choice to attack you.

Before retiring for the night, note climbable trees in the area. Sleep in tents large enough to stack gear between you and the tent wall. If a bear attempts to enter your tent, there are spray repellents marketed for bear confrontations that may be useful.

Again, report the incident as soon as possible, even if the bear simply walks through the camp. We do not recommend that you remain in a campsite that has been visited by a bear.

Bear Behavior
Victims of bear attacks are often unaware of why they were attacked. Many attacks are caused by unexpected close encounters, where the bear has been surprised and feels threatened by human presence. A female with cubs will be especially aggressive and will defend her cubs from any perceived threat. Many attacks can be averted if the bear perceives a way out of the situation. Because bears do not have a spoken language, they rely heavily on body language and a variety of simple sounds to communicate their intent.

Understanding their "language" may help you to better understand a bear's intent and allow you to respond appropriately to an encounter.

Body Language
A bear that stands on its hind feet is investigating an unknown situation; this is not an aggressive posture, and it simply means that the bear is unsure of what is in front of him. By standing on its hind feet it can get a better look and smell and thus can better identify whatever is in front of it.

A bear that swings its head from side to side, or presents a side view of its body, is expressing a reluctance to charge. It is looking for a way out of the situation. If the bear looks at you directly and has its ears back, it is warning you that you are too close, and it feels threatened. The bear may make a barking, woofing or moaning sound to further indicate its distress.

If the bear "pops" his jaws, the bear is very agitated and likely to charge. Charges are often a test of your resolve and are often "mock charges" where the bear stops short of you, veers off or runs right past you. A bear may mock charge many times before leaving.

A bear that does charge and knocks you down is attempting to remove a threat. The bear will use as much force as it believes is necessary to remove that threat. This is why lying down on the ground in a field encounter and playing dead is often the best thing to do in an attack situation.

Follow these tips while planning your next camping trip:

1. Make an equipment checklist. It's impossible to keep everything in your head, so write it down. Lay your gear out in piles at home and check things off as you pack the car.
2. Purchase or borrow high-quality, i.e. comfortable, sleep pads.
3. Get a first-aid kit. A good first aid kit includes basic instructions. Cuts and bruises are common camp injuries, so antibiotic ointment and bandages are essential. So are treatments for headaches and sore muscles.
4. Check the weather forecast. Do this before you leave; the forecast could determine your equipment list, and you want to be prepared. If you can't find a report for your campground, find the daytime temperature of the nearest town and plan on a drop of about 5 degrees for every 1,000-foot gain in elevation.
5. Pack the gear. Unroll sleep pads and lay them down in the trunk to cushion fragile items from bumps. Pack the tent last so you can get it out first when you arrive in camp (typically, just as darkness is setting in).
6. Take a trial run. If you're going with friends you've never camped with before, try a short trip before committing to a long vacation. The close quarters in camp can cause personality clashes that make a long trip, even with people you thought were your friends, seem endless.
7. Pack for the kids. Let each child pack one box or duffel bag, then add coloring books, crayons, cards, and anything else that you know he or she will really want but has overlooked.
8. Scour your site. At the campground, look around for sharp objects left by previous occupants - fishhooks, jagged can tops, and the like. The idea is to find them before your kids do.
9. Don't feed wildlife. Keep the campground spotless or you'll invite nocturnal visitors.
10. Relax: you're on vacation. Keep in mind the following: The best days are the ones not over planned; decide to do only one major thing a day.
11. Make a final check. Before leaving, send everyone on a sweep of the campsite to look for trash and equipment; it's easy to leave tent stakes and poles behind.

Whether you're roughing it in a tent or planning a family outing to a national forest, there are many ways to make sure your experience is fun and safe. Consider the following safety tips: 

• Pack a first aid kit. Your kit can prove invaluable if you or a member of your group suffers a cut, bee sting or allergic reaction. Pack antiseptics for cuts and scrapes, tweezers, insect repellent, bug spray, a snake bite kit, pain relievers, and sunscreen.
• Bring emergency supplies. In addition to a first aid kit, this includes: a map, compass, flashlight, knife, waterproof fire starter, personal shelter, whistle, warm clothing, high energy food, water, and insect protection.
• Learn the ABC's of treating emergencies. Recognizing serious injuries will enable you to attend to a victim until medical help arrives.
• Before you leave, find out the weather report. When you arrive at the site, watch the skies for changes and carry a compact weather radio. In inclement weather, find shelter until the worse passes. Stay dry - wet clothes contribute to heat loss. Also, keep sleeping bags and important gear, dry at all times.
• Arrive early. Plan your trip so that you arrive at your actual campsite with enough daylight to check over the entire site and to set-up camp.
• Check for potential hazards. Be sure to check the site thoroughly for glass, sharp objects, branches, large ant beds, poison ivy, bees, and hazardous terrain.
• Avoid areas of natural hazards. Check the contour of the land and look for potential trouble due to rain. Areas that could flood or become extremely muddy can pose a problem.
• Inspect the site. Look for a level site with enough room to spread out all your gear. Also, a site that has trees or shrubs on the side of prevailing winds will help block strong, unexpected gusts.
• Build fires in a safe area. Your open fires and fuel-burning appliances must be far enough away from the tent to prevent ignition from sparks, flames, and heat. Never use a flame or any other heating device inside a tent. Use a flashlight or battery-powered light instead.
• Make sure your fires are always attended. Be sure you have an area for a fire that cannot spread laterally or vertically - a grill or stone surface is ideal. When putting the fire out, drown it with water, making sure all embers, coals and sticks are wet. Embers buried deep within the pile have a tendency to reignite later.
• Pitch your tent in a safe spot. Make sure your tent is made of a flame-retardant fabric, and set up far enough away from the campfire. Keep insects out of your tent by closing the entrance quickly when entering or leaving.
• Dispose of trash properly. Remember to recycle - use the proper recycling bins if available.
• Be cautious when using a propane stove. Read the instructions that come with the stove and propane cylinder. Use the stove as a cooking appliance only - never leave it unattended while it's burning.
• Watch out for bugs. Hornets, bees, wasps, and yellow jackets are a problem at many campsites. Avoid attracting stinging insects by wearing light-colored clothing and avoiding perfumes or colognes. Should such an insect approach, do not wave wildly and swat blindly - instead use a gentle pushing or brushing motion to deter them.
• Beware when encountering wildlife. To ward off bears, keep your campsite clean, and do not leave food, garbage, coolers, cooking equipment or utensils out in the open. Remember that bears are potentially dangerous and unpredictable - never feed or approach a bear. Use a flashlight at night - many animals feed at night and the use of a flashlight may warn them away.
• Beware of poisonous plants. Familiarize yourself with any dangerous plants that are common to the area. If you come into contact with a poisonous plant, immediately rinse the affected area with water and apply a soothing lotion such as calamine to the affected area.
• Practice good hygiene. Make sure you wash your hands, particularly after using the toilet and before handling food, to prevent everyone in your group becoming ill.

Problems with dogs in many developed National Forest recreation areas have increased seriously in recent years. Your canine companions traditionally have been welcome. The few rules that apply to dogs are meant to assure that you and other National Forest visitors have an enjoyable outdoor recreation experience.

Last year, one of every eight dogs was involved in a situation, which resulted in either a warning to the owner or a complaint by a fellow camper. If the situation worsens, more rules and stronger enforcement action will be necessary, possibly resulting in a ban on pets in some sites. We hope such action will not be necessary.

If you're camping with your pet and want to be sure that privilege is still available, please practice the following (these rules will be enforced in developed reaction areas):

• Leave vicious or unusually noisy dogs at home. Because they will disturb or threaten others, they will not be allowed in public reaction areas.
• During the day keep your dog on a leash no more than 6 feet long or otherwise restrict its freedom to roam at will. Domestic animals are not allowed to run loose in heavily used recreation areas where they will disturb others.
• At night keep your dogs and other pets inside an enclosed vehicle or in a tent.
• Developed campgrounds are for people, not animals. Please do not bring more than two dogs or other pets to any one campsite.
• Do not bring dogs onto developed swimming beaches, even if they are restrained. Guide dogs are an exception.

Your fellow visitors' reactions will be a major factor in determining whether dogs continue to be welcome in developed National Forest recreation areas. Most complaints about dogs are about noise or dog mess. To avoid complaints from your neighbor consider these suggestions:

• Do not leave your dog alone in a closed vehicle or tent. It may whine or bark while you are away.
• Clean up after your pet. It will only take a few minutes, and there is no single action that will more favorably impress your fellow campers.
• Whenever possible select a campsite on the edge of the campground and away from the shoreline.

What you can't see might hurt you

At one time or another, almost everybody has reached into an ice cold, crystal clear mountain stream, dipped a cupful of the water and taken a long drink. Water from those beautiful mountain streams is so inviting. such a delightful alternative to tap water at home. Beautiful to look at, and tastes good too, an unbeatable combination. And, herein lies the problem. what you CAN'T see in the cup of water can hurt you.

One drink of that water might expose you to GIARDIASIS (gee-ar-DYE-a-sis). When ingested, this water borne, microscopic protozoa parasite called Giardia Lamblia can cause severe discomfort.

How the Disease Spreads

It is estimated that three to seven percent of the adult population of the United States harbor the parasite. In the late 1970's, giardia began appearing in predominately in the southern and central Sierra region of California. It was first identified in Siskiyou County in 1980.

The organism is transferred from region to region by forest visitors, and to a lesser extent, by domestic pets and livestock. The major mechanism of contamination of streams and lakes is deposition of contaminated fecal material adjacent to water sources. Some believe that contamination also occurs when bottles and canteens filled from contaminated streams are emptied into other streams when freshening the contents.

Once a stream is contaminated by humans, pets, livestock, or wildlife, the protozoa will survive in cold water (below 40°F) up to three months. When a water source has been contaminated, the cycle from water to host, and back to water, can go on indefinitely. The protozoan seems to be reproduced only within the host animal.

Disease - Symptoms & Treatment

Although Giardiasis can be incapacitating, it is not usually life threatening. After ingestion, giardia normally attaches itself to the small intestine.

Common disease symptoms usually include diarrhea, fatigue, increased gas, greasy/foul smelling stool, nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating, and loss of appetite. Less prevalent maladies include vomiting, fever, weight loss, and mal absorption. It can also make the victim susceptible to ulcers, all bladder disease, pancreatis, and intolerance to milk sugars. These discomforts may first appear a few days to a few weeks after ingestion of giardia, and may last up to six weeks. Most people are unaware that they have been infected and have often returned home from vacations before the onset of symptoms. If not treated, the symptoms may disappear on their own, only to recur intermittently over a period of many months. Other diseases can have similar symptoms, but if you have drunk untreated water you should suspect giardiasis. If this is the case, please see your physician for treatment.

Prevention

There are several ways for you to treat stream water to make it safe to drink. The most certain treatment to destroy giardia is to boil water for at least five minutes (rolling boil), longer at higher altitudes. Boiling also destroys other water-borne organisms, which cause disease. Chemical treatment with iodine or chlorine effectively kills bacterial organisms but will not reliably kill the protozoan giardia. Halogen agents will offer a degree of protection with extended treatments.

Filters designed to eliminate Giardia are available but exercise care in storing the filter to prevent the contaminated parts from contact with the clean water outlet. Rinsing with untreated water prior to holding filtered water can contaminate containers.

Protect Others

Anyone can be a carrier without knowing it or showing significant symptoms. Feces and toilet paper should be buried eight inches deep and at least 200 feet away from natural waters. The protozoa can be readily transmitted between humans and animals. Dogs, like people, can be infected. Unless they are carefully controlled, they can contaminate the water and continue the chain of infection. Their inclusion in your travel plans should be carefully considered for this reason.

What is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (also known as HPS)?

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a serious, often deadly, respiratory disease that has been found mostly in rural areas of the western United States.

A Hantavirus that is carried by rodents and passed on to humans through infected rodent urine, saliva, or droppings.

Should tourists, campers, and hikers worry about Hantavirus infection?

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a rare disease, and most tourists are not at increased risk for Hantavirus infection. However, visitors to rural areas and nature resorts - campers, hikers, and others who take part in activities outdoors - can become exposed to rodent urine, saliva, or droppings and can become infected with hantavirus.

What kinds of rodents carry Hantavirus?

The deer mouse is the primary carrier of the virus that causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. This type of rodent is found throughout the United States, except in the Southeast and East Coast. In the Southeast, the cotton rat is known to carry Hantavirus.

How do I identify rodents, burrows, and droppings?

A deer mouse is 4-9 inches long from head to tip of tail. It is pale gray to reddish brown and has white fur on it's belly, feet, and underside of the tail. It has oversized ears.

A mouse nest (burrow) is usually a pile of material under which the mouse lives. This pile can contain many different materials, such as twigs, insulation, styrofoam, and grass.

How is the virus spread?

Hantavirus is spread from wild rodents to people. The virus, which is found in rodent urine, saliva, and feces, gets in the air as mist from urine, saliva, or dust from feces. Breathing in the virus is the most common way of becoming infected: however, touching the mouth or nose after handling contaminated materials can also infect you. A rodent's bite can also spread the virus.

Hantavirus is not spread from person to person. You cannot become infected by being near a person who has Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. The virus, which is able to survive in the environment (for example, in contaminated dirt and dust), can be killed by most household disinfectants, such as bleach or alcohol.

What are the symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, and how long after infection do they appear?

Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome usually appear within 2 weeks of infection but can appear as early as 3 days to as late as 6 weeks after infection.

First symptoms are general and flu-like: fever (101-104 degrees); headache; abdominal, joint, and lower back pain; sometimes nausea and vomiting. However, the primary symptom of this disease is difficulty in breathing, which is caused by fluid build-up in the lungs and quickly progresses to an inability to breathe.

What should I do if I think I have Hantavirus infection?

If any combination of the symptoms described above - especially difficulty in breathing - appear after direct or indirect exposure to rodents, contact your doctor or public health clinic immediately and be sure to mention your exposure to rodents.

Is there a cure for or vaccine against Hantavirus infection?

No cure or vaccine is yet available against Hantavirus infection. The sooner after infection medical treatment is sought, the better the chance for recovery.

Is it safe to travel to areas where Hantavirus infection has been reported?

Yes. Travel to and within all areas where Hantavirus infection has been reported is safe. Nevertheless, if you camp or hike in an area inhabited by rodents, you have a small risk of being exposed to infected rodents and becoming infected with Hantavirus.

To minimize the risk for Hantavirus infection, follow these precautions:

• Before occupying abandoned or unused cabins, open them up to air out.
• Inspect for rodents and do not use cabins if you find signs of rodent infestation.
• If you sleep outdoors, check potential campsites for rodent droppings and burrows.
• Do not disturb rodents, burrows, or dens.
• Avoid sleeping near woodpiles or garbage areas that may be frequented by rodents.
• Avoid sleeping on bare ground; use a mat or elevated cots if they are available.
• Store foods in rodent-proof containers and promptly discard, bury, or burn all garbage.

Striving for Minimum Impact

You've packed the finest horses and mules, explored every ridge in the National Forests around your home, and used your favorite spots every year. The problem is, most good campsites even in remote places, are used all season. Careless use often results in polluted creeks, campsites covered with ash and beat to dust, trampled tree roots, and overgrazed meadows.

Since more people visit the backcountry every year, we'd like to remind you of a few simple ways to lower your impacts in the backcountry. Let's take a look...

Minimum Impact Philosophy: Disguise the sight and sound of your passage, leaving no sign that you were ever there.

Planning

Before You Go Information?

Before you go, contact local land managers for maps, regulations and opportunities for your area, information and rules concerning permits, campfire, party size, grazing, weed-seed-free feed, trail conditions and closures, and more. Make alternate plans in case of bad weather.

Physical Fitness?

It's easier to travel outdoors when both you and your animals are in shape for the trip.

Stock?

Know your stock: Which animal leads best? Which ones follow better? Which is the slowest traveler? The slowest animal determines the speed of the pack string. Are they familiar with trails, packing, and with the equipment you plan to use? Get your animals used to highlines, pickets, hobbles, and various temporary corrals before you go.

Bear Safety?

If you plan to pack in bear country, make sure you obtain and understand special safety and food storage regulations. Be aware of where bears live, eat, and travel. Food odors can attract hungry or curious bears and other animals too, so it is important to store your food properly. In some areas, this means using bear-proof boxes and panniers.

Feed

Supplemental Feed?

Don't get caught unprepared when you find your favorite grassy meadow is dry or overgrazed. Plan to take supplemental feed and get your stock used to it at home. Ask local land managers about available grazing and restrictions, so you know how much supplemental feed to bring and where to camp.

Certified

Weed-Seed-Free Feed?

While planning, find out if hay and uncertified feed are allowed where you're going. It may not be required, but you can help prevent the spread of noxious weeds by using certified weed-seed-free feed.

Why Weed-Seed-Free Feed?

Many areas permit only certified weed-seed-free feed because some feed contains seeds of noxious weeds and non-native plants. Once established, noxious weeds such as spotted knap weed and leafy spurge can spread and destroy grazing for your stock and wildlife.

Some offenders: Leafy Spurge and Spotted Knap Weed.

Packing

The Bare Essentials

Lightweight, compact camp equipment: sleeping bags, tents, camp stoves, cookware, and utensils help reduce the number of pack animals, allowing you to take what you really need.

Nosebags and Mangers

Use these to feed your stock hay, pellets or grain. They help reduce waste, you don't have to feed stock on the ground, and it's easier on the land.

Safe Drinking Water

For short trips, carry enough water for the area you're in. Or, check into water filtering devices for longer trips. A giardia filter is highly recommended.

Food

Try prepackaged meals, dehydrated or freeze-dried food, or repackage food to save space and to reduce weight. Use lightweight, reusable plastic containers and plastic bags instead of glass and cans.

Around Camp

A shovel, axe, and water container are useful for fire safety and keeping camp clean. Use these tools to clear brush and trees that fall across trails when you can do so safely.

Minor Mishaps

Take insect repellent and a first-aid kit for both yourself and your stock. Make sure you know how to use first-aid kits.

On the Trail

Hints For Smooth Trails

Use your "horse sense!" It's easy to overlook, but your own or your animals' lives could be at risk in rough country. Let your stock pick their way through boggy places, slide zones, on slick and steep trails, and through deep water and snow. Or get off and lead them through treacherous stretches.

• Please stay on trails. Cutting across switchbacks tramples plants and creates parallel paths which erode severely.
• Although it's tricky, keep your stock from skirting shallow puddles, small rocks, and bushes. This helps prevent the creation of wide, deteriorating trails.
• At rest stops even short ones tie your stock off the trail. This is courteous to other trail users and helps reduce wear and tear on the trail. Before you move on, scatter the manure.
• Especially during fire season, NO SMOKING WHILE TRAVELING!

Trail Courtesy

Making Friends in the Backcountry

In the backcountry, say hello! A little simple courtesy makes life more pleasant for everyone.

Observe the basics of trail courtesy:

• In steep, rough country, down-hill traffic usually yields to uphill traffic. If you have a better place to pull off, do so, and let the other folks pass through.
• People with llamas, on foot, or on mountain bikes should yield to stock traffic because it is easier for them to move off the trail. If they don't, smile and yield the way, or ask them to stand below the trail and wait quietly for your stock to pass.

Stock

Your animals are important; if they wandered off, you'd have a heavy load on your shoulders! Be sure to familiarize and re-familiarize stock with all containment methods you plan to use before you ride into the backcountry. A few ideas are listed below.

Where to Put Stock?

Keep pack animals at least 200 feet from streams, lake shores, trails, and camping areas. This helps keep water clean, protects the soil and plants, and keeps trails and campsites clear of loose stock. Rotate stock throughout the area to reduce trampling and prevent overgrazing.

Methods

Tree-Saver Straps: Used with highlines, these make a big difference in keeping your stock from girdling trees.

Highline: A highline is one of the easiest, lightweight ways to keep your stock in camp. It is easier to put up with a tree-saver strap. The highline prevents stock from trampling roots and chewing bark. See the picture of highlines and tree-saver straps for details.

Hitching Rails: If you must tie stock to a hitching rail or dead pole, tie a four-to-six inch round pole between two trees. Place padding or wooden shims under the lash ropes to protect the bark. Use rope or twine instead of nails or wire. Again, take it with you when you leave.

Highlines - How to use them

1. Choose a hard and rocky spot.
2. Place the tree-savers and rope about 7 feet above the ground.
3. Stretch the line between two trees using adjustable nylon tree-saver straps.
4. Run the rope between the straps, tie with a quick-release knot, and pull tight.

Picket Ropes and Pins

Bring an easy-to-move picket pin such as a metal one. Avoid areas with obstacles so the rope doesn't get hung up. If you walk your animal to the end of the rope before turning it loose, it's less likely to injure itself by running past the end of the rope. Move the picket pin frequently, to prevent trampling and reduce overgrazing. When you break camp, be sure to take that picket pin with you.

Hobbles

Wandering horse? Hobbles work for some animals, but others can move fast while wearing them. Again, get your stock used to them before going into the backcountry.

Temporary Fences and Corals

When you plan to spend several days in one spot, a temporary corral or fence is a good way to keep your stock in camp. Make sure your stock is trained to stay in temporary corrals before leaving home. If you find permanent corrals at trail heads or designated horse camps, use them! Try some of these temporary fences and corrals (don't forget to take them with you!)

• Plastic Snow Fences - This fencing is light- weight, easy to pack, and comes in colors such as green and black.
• Rope Corrals - Rope corrals are relatively easy to rig and move, but they do require extra rope. One method uses two parallel ropes tied with loops or bowlines and threaded with cross ropes for a more secure enclosure.

Camp

At last, you've found your spot. Hmm, looks like other people like this place, too. Some areas receive lots of visitors and they don't all follow the 'Pack it In, Pack it Out" philosophy. Should you stay here and clean it up, or let the next person take care of it? You've decided to improve your site? Good for you!

Like most people, you enjoy campsite privacy and solitude. Where should you put stock and gear? You can follow the "200-foot guideline": keep stock and gear at least 200 feet from the nearest lakes and streams, meadows, trails, and other camps. In designated Wilderness, this is a requirement which helps keep streams and lakes clean, protects the soil and plant life, and keeps trails and campsites clear of loose stock. It is helpful to follow it in all areas.

Tips to Remember in Camp

• Picking a Spot: Select an open, well drained, level spot. In Wilder areas, you must follow the 200-foot guideline. Rotate stock throughout the area to reduce trampling and prevent overgrazing.
• Soaps and Detergents: For washing chores, use a basin at least 200 feet from water sources. Water plants and fish are extremely sensitive to soap, even biodegradable soap, and can die from it.
• Cleaning up: To prevent contaminating water sources with stock or human waste, dump it at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Use biodegradable, unscented, white toilet paper. Bury human waste and toilet paper in a small "cat hole" in the top 6 to 8 inches of soil or use a latrine for large parties or long stays. Cover your latrine completely.
• Campfires: Where fires are allowed, we all enjoy the romance of a campfire. However, campfires sterilize the soil, blacken rocks, and leave long-lasting scars on the land. Build them where campfires were previously built. Keep your fires small, attend them while burning, and let them burn down to a fine ash; then stir, scatter or pack out ashes according to local practice for that site.
• Fire Pans and Cook Stoves are good alternatives to traditional campfires. Fires built in fire pans are similar to campfires on the ground but cause less damage. You can also use a cook stove instead of a fire: it's light, convenient, and reduces impacts to the land.
• Structures: Rock walls, log benches, lean-tos, and other structures detract from and needlessly impact the natural landscape. If you need temporary structures, bring lightweight equipment with you.

Breaking Camp

"Pack it In, Pack it Out"

• Pack out all refuse, burned cans, unburned campfire debris, and garbage - including food scraps, grease, aluminum foil, and paper.
• Burn what trash you can. Burying garbage or burning aluminum foil is not an acceptable disposal method and is illegal in some locations.
• Break up and scatter horse manure and fill in pawed holes.
• Finally, scatter a covering of needles and cones over the site.

Naturally occurring asbestos can pose a health risk if disturbed and asbestos fibers are released into the air. 

Asbestos is typically found in ultramafic rock formations that are present in every California county.

Each year thousands of adults and children are treated for the itchy side effects of Poison Oak. Because they haven't learned to identify it in the wild, people unknowingly walk through it, play in it, and yes...even eat it! Some people are immune to it or only contract mild rashes when exposed. Most people, however, aren't so lucky. Upon contact they develop a spreading, very itchy and sometimes painful rash.

Natural oil on the stems and leaves of Poison Oak is the culprit. The oil adheres to skin and clothing and can spread by touch. Whatever you do, if you think you have been exposed, DO NOT TOUCH YOUR EYES, or anything else for that matter. As quickly as you can, take a lukewarm shower (NOT HOT) and wash the affected area thoroughly. If a rash develops, a visit to the doctor or the local pharmacy may be in order. NOTE: smoke from burning Poison Oak is a special problem and can cause severe reactions in people, internally as well as externally.

Everyone, whether they react to Poison Oak or not, should learn to recognize it and then look carefully for it whenever they go outside. It is always best to avoid exposure whenever possible. If you are going to spend any time out in the woods or other wild places at elevations between sea level and 5000' you might want to memorize some things about this plant.

What to Look For

Three Parted Leaves:
The leaves are "3 parted." That means that each leaf has the appearance of 3 leaves. Depending on the time of year, the leaves can be almost any color... yellowish, deep green, red, orange or reddish black. The oil in the plant causes the leaves to be very shiny.

How it grows and what the stems look like:
In winter and early spring, look for clumps of light brown or grayish stems, usually to 5' tall with a strong upright habit. Sometimes, when it grows next to a tree and the exposure is favorable, it can climb to 20' or more by using the tree for support. Older plants tend to branch but clumps of younger plants are usually made up of singular stems. At lower elevations, on dry slopes exposed to strong sun, the plants tend to spread out a bit and take on a more unkempt appearance... often rough and gray with splotches of light-colored lichens all over.

Flowers and berries:
Poison Oak bears small, hanging, clusters of yellowish-green flowers in the spring that turn to small, greenish-white, berries in late summer. The berries hang on through early winter with only the stems remaining by spring. If you are uncertain that the plant you are looking at, or are about to grab, is Poison Oak... look closely for little hanging stems with white berries, or the remnants of berries (they can appear like little bunches of tiny dried up grapes!)

Native American Uses
Various tribes used Poison Oak for a variety of things. They fashioned baskets from the roots and stems. They ground the roots for a coarse bread meal. Parts of the plant were boiled down to produce a black dye. Some tribes even used a potent concoction from the plant as a wart remover!

A burned landscape presents a number of safety hazards that either did not exist prior to the fire or have been exacerbated by the effects of the fire. In some cases these hazardous conditions may persist for several years after a fire. Be very aware of your surroundings, follow warning signs, area closures and directions from agency personnel, and pay particular attention to potential safety hazards. 

• Avoid parking or pitching tents under dead standing trees.
• Use extreme caution in high winds.
• Downed trees, dropped limbs, stump holes and unstable terrain may be present.
• Let someone know where you're going.
• Carry a chainsaw in case roads become impassable.
• Roads are subject to landslides, rockfall, erosion, debris flows and flooding after storms. 

Rattlesnakes are not as dangerous or as frightening as most people think. They are actually shy and secretive animals that choose to avoid confrontation with people and are seldom seen. However you should always be cautious when hiking, backpacking, hunting or playing in the woods. If you see a rattlesnake, leave it alone because if cornered, it will defend itself.

Rattlesnakes serve an important function in nature. Without them, for example, we just might be overrun with rodents. Eighty percent of a rattlesnake's diet is made up of rodents and in any given year, they might eat as much as 25% of the rodent population in any given area.

If you, or someone you know is bitten, remain calm and get the bite victim to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible. Do not try any folk remedies like cutting the bite and sucking out the venom, or using a snakebite kit, or using a car battery to run a current through the affected area. Your best bet is to seek medical attention immediately.

If you think you hear a rattlesnake...STAND STILL! Avoid jumping or running blindly. Look carefully until you locate the snake and then make your move. Remember that some harmless snakes, moving in dry leaves and grass, can sound like rattlesnakes rattling.

Even "DEAD" rattlesnakes can bite, so...caution is advised. Treat any rattlesnake, dead or alive, with respect.

Each time a rattler sheds its skin, it can add 1 rattle. Because they can shed 2 to 3 times each year, the number of rattles is NOT indicative of age. Rarely are there more than 10 or 12 rattles because the outer ones wear out and break off.

Planning Ahead

Whether you're downhill or Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or snowmobiling, National Forests provide a wealth of winter recreation opportunities. Please remember that the winter weather can change suddenly. It is wise to check local conditions before you depart on your journey.

Plan your trip before you leave home, where you want to go and how to get there. Purchase appropriate maps and be sure to bring a compass (and know how to use it). Remember to share your itinerary with a friend or family member.

Clothing

Wear clothing that's windproof, water repellent and that holds in the body's heat. Wool clothing works well as do some new synthetics. Dressing in layers will prepare you for the wide range of winter temperatures.

Checklist of items to take with you

• Identification and emergency medical information
• Money for a phone call, a cell phone or two-way radio
• Extra food and water
• Extra clothing
• Thermal blanket
• Map
• Compass
• Knife
• Flashlight
• Matches/fire starter
• First Aid Kit
• Sunglasses/goggles

Hypothermia

Learn to recognize signs of hypothermia, a condition which occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Both dry and wet cold can cause this. The first stage of hypothermia is shivering. The victim should move closer to artificial heat, eat hot food or add more clothing. If the condition has passed this stage, the cold will begin to affect the victim's brain.

From this point on, the person will be able to recover only with the help of others. This occurs when the shivering stops, the person may look pale or blue, movement is slow. Less blood is being pumped to hands arms feet legs and skin. The victim may have slow, vague speech, memory lapses, stumbling and drowsiness. The person must be removed from the cold. Wet clothing should be taken off and the person should be dried and wrapped in dry blankets, sleeping bags or clothing. Body-to-body contact may be necessary to warm the victim. Give warm liquids slowly and take them to a medical facility as soon as possible.

Frostbite

Unprotected skin can become damaged due to exposure to below-freezing temperatures. Symptoms include loss of feeling in extremities, especially the hands and feet and a stark white appearance to the skin.

The body needs to be restored to its normal temperature as rapidly as possible. It is not a good idea to warm affected areas by rubbing them, as this might result in either muscle or tissue damage. Warm the area slowly. Keep the area covered and seek medical help.

Avalanches

Unpredictable snow conditions and erratic weather patterns can create an avalanche at any time. Be aware of your surroundings. Areas to avoid include old slide paths, recent avalanche activity, sounds or cracks and certain weather conditions. Call the Avalanche Center hotline for current conditions.

Trails that are groomed for snowmobiles often cross beneath large avalanche slopes. Just because the trail is groomed does not mean it is protected from avalanches.

Common avalanche areas include both wide-open steep slopes and narrow clearings. Make sure other users are not below you if crossing or climbing potentially unstable slopes.

Snowmobile trail system maps are available at many Forest Service offices. Check your maps carefully so you know where you are and avoid snowmobiling in wilderness areas. Not all wilderness boundaries are marked on the ground.

Basic Snowmobile Safety

• Be sure your snowmobile is in top-notch mechanical condition.
• Use a full-size helmet, goggles, or face shield to prevent injuries.
• Avoid wearing long scarves. They may get caught in moving parts of the snowmobile.
• Know the weather forecast and especially the ice and snow conditions.
• Always use the buddy system. Never ride alone.
• Do not pursue domestic or wild animals.
• Use common sense and courtesy when encountering others.
• Consult with local Forest Service offices before entering an area for current conditions or restrictions.