Taking fall in stride ...

At first you seem to notice, that there may be a slight shortening of days, then the increased traffic and activity that comes with harvest, and the gathering and storing of fruit for the winter, and then it slowly dawns on you that Autumn is coming ... maybe today we get a faster peek by timing it with the appearance of Pumpkin Spice this and that, or football games on Friday nights. But just as sure as can be it will not be long till October and colder temperatures.

Of course this is the perfect time for many different pastimes, a bit more fishing, a stroll through the Farmer’s Market, but generally it tends to lead to more time spent afield… outdoors... ”in the woods” as my Southern vernacular insists I say. And of course there is room for all what with hiking, and overnight trips, the opening of archery seasons and the scouting associated with the big game firearms seasons yet to come. We can still make it in shorts, but are wise to carry an extra shirt or jacket, the autumn squalls can become downright chilling with the addition of a little wind. And it is time to be prepared if you head afield.

Boundary County is unique in the fact that it is hard to become irretrievably lost. Confused... longer walks out, and just turned around can and do happen. But unlike the Yaak region of Montana, in which I spend a good deal of time, very rarely are you challenged too much more than a few hours late. I had a couple of friends, well knowledgeable like myself about horses, and travel with them in the woodlands if you would call some of this jungle so, leave for an afternoon ride, they brought my horse from the upper Yaak to Fourth of July where we left the trailers... and friends we rode out after spending not one, but two nights out. We had missed a ridgetop trail and fell off into a hole, course we had a mule with hard panniers that made things difficult, and all three of us knew where we were, we just could not get the stock out. It would have been simpler to turn around and go back which I suggested but yielded to the two older men with more experience between them. At any rate, we came out okay. One of the men’s wives saying that with our years and three of us together she was going to give us another day. This story leads to this point, Douglas in his woolens, one the best dressed award for the trip. Me and the other man making do with blue jeans, horse blankets, and I had an old duster that was always on my saddle. None of us expected this to happen... we were chatting and riding and the trail was not marked, cut out even, and we crossed an old cable line that ran through the hills and that was that.

So how do you address that in Boundary County?... Well in most cases you have the trains and roadways as a constant, and many areas have decent if not even good cell reception. But if you are raising a young person, or even starting a friend in many outdoor activities, make sure that they understand some basic navigation with the compass. It does not have to be orienteering grade, just navigational. Make sure that they tote a pocket knife, even better to have around is one of the multi pliers, and some means to stay reasonably dry... if you are day hiking, a good trash bag will do wonders, takes up little room, and you can even clean up some of the debris that those disrespectful to the environment leave behind. As the weather progresses you will want to add fire starting makings, etc. I have a vest that totes much of this gear, even when rafting or kayaking, it can survive a dunking, and what it carries works. In most cases with the Search and Rescue teams, like those based in the county... it would not be a long wait. By the way, a piece of cord, once again takes up no room, and has many uses as does three to four feet of flagging. You might find that perfect crossing, or something else that you may want to mark. And if you are not hunting, well most all have a gun, but if you don’t, don’t be sneaky and slow, make some noise especially with young ones. The predator situation has vastly changed since I first was out here in 84... and it is quite different with the wolves introduction especially. Realize that even though this area is becoming more settled wildlife is forced into interaction as a result.

Finally, the simplest thing that you can do when enjoying what it is “to be in the woods.” Let someone know where you are going to be and when you will be back. While it seems the simplest of things, many people have been in situations where they cannot tell you where they are and they need help. That was one of the most stressed subjects in all of the guiding certification, Red Cross courses, etc. You need to be able to tell what drainage or road or trail system that you are located within or on. And this is where a GPS would definitely be handy, lacking that a simple note on the windshield, or a text would suffice to let people know that you are back to the trailhead when you should be there.

Here is hoping that ya’ll enjoy all this place has to offer... I’ll try to put a few more notes together a bit later. Til’ then, take care.

- • •

THE LIFE

Born and raised in the mystique and aura surrounding the field trial plantations of the Deep South, Jim Nabors is an author/host that has made a living in the wild country. His “Ty Cantrell” series of books and the popular podcast Wild N True, both draw on spinning tales like few would know from years spent as a rancher, horseman, and outdoorsman that is familiar with the wildlife, and mountain basins and peaks which he now calls home. Be sure to check out the Wild N True the podcast, on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, and his books are available through Amazon.