Finding Mud and Considerations

[masterzion123]

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[newtothis2]

masterzion123,

I was born and raised in PA, if you can manage, there are most likely a bunch of spots along The Susquehanna River that should offer some excellant sinking locations with a large clean up area (the river). PM me and I'll tell ya where I grew up and I know for a fact there was some great spots there. Also I think with a little exploring along the river near your area I'd bet you could find what you're looking for.

I'm kinda looking forward to the next time I'm back there just so I can go re-explore

Good Luck and Enjoy

[Duncan Edwards]

Considerations:
1. My biggest fear is that I will catch some kind of parasite. While easily cured explaining how I got a mud born parasite all over me to my family doctor is not ideal. Realistically what are the chances of this.
2. I have never really walked on unpaved sections of the woods. Any considerations here.
3. If I just rinse off with Lake/River water will I smell funky upon my return.
4. What do if I get spotted? I DO NOT want to end up in the local paper, but I cant imagine trying to explain why I am playing in deep mud by myself.
5. Whats the best way to keep my stuff dry. I have an iPhone and I would like to carry it in case I do end up in a serious situation
6. Whats the best thing to wear. I was thinking simply gym shorts and a t-shirt with old shoes

1.If playing in the mud was going to get you some kind of parasite I'd be dead a long time ago. I've seen a lot of mud in much warmer locations year round than PA and never found anything a shower wouldn't fix.
2. Most of the world's wooded areas are unpaved. You'll be fine. Just don't get yourself lost. Be aware of where the sun is or something so you'll at least walk the right direction. Your iPhone has a dandy compass. Always carry a knife.
3. You may smell mildly funky after getting wet and muddy. Carry some strong soap. Irish Spring is my favorite but anything will do.
4. Don't get spotted. If you do and you think it matters then have what you will say prepared in your head. It's not difficult. Try getting caught with four naked women and camera gear. Just look them in the eye, laugh, and say "Gee, deeper than I expected." or "None of your damn business." Not as friendly but just as effective. What are they going to do?
5. I always put my phone in a zip lock sandwich bag or something similar. I always carry my wallet and anything that matters in there too. Just having a garbage bag with me has come in handy in case it rains or you have a mess of wet clothing to deal with.
6. Sounds like you've got the wardrobe figured out pretty good. Carry extra stuff just in case.

You left out water. Carry some with you and leave more in the car for when you get back. Hydration is important.

It's great that you're willing to try this but just reading what you've written here you may want to begin by hiking a marked trail and becoming more accustomed to the outdoors first. A certain modest level of fitness is helpful but you're young and probably harder to kill than somebody more than twice your age (Myself, Fred, Nessie, Dave, Boggy Man, Robert, Pam, etc.)

Don't be discouraged if your first effort yields nothing. There's a lot of trial and error involved in this. Good luck.

[masterzion123]

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[Ace]

My parents are very keen of my comings and goings...

This sentence alone puts me squarely under the assertion that maybe this isn't the hobby for you.

[Duncan Edwards]

Thanks for the advice. Many of the responses were what I expected, but its nice to get vindication. I have hiked many paved trails in State Parks, and a few outside of them so I have some experience, but a sheltered youth left some of the key stuff out

You'll be fine. Something very important is that you obviously know you don't know everything.

My parents are very keen of my comings and goings...

This sentence alone puts me squarely under the assertion that maybe this isn't the hobby for you.

I pondered that as well but sometimes what mom and dad don't know can be good for you. At least as long as you're not my kid.

There's going to come a time for mom and dad to learn a few things the hard way. They'll survive just as well as you. This is ironic coming from probably the most secretive person in the community as regards my family. I must admit that I depend on their lack of attention to what I do for hiding things in plain sight. A big lesson to take from my experience is to be your own person now so you aren't still skulking around in secret at the age of 50. You don't want to live with deception so long that it's part of the fabric of your life and you are actually very good at it. Then overconfidence becomes a concern and you are always checking yourself on that. Anyhow I'm not proud of it and it's no way to go through life. Most important of all, regardless of how you do it, don't be afraid to go and do what your insides call you to do. There are few things if any worse than the regret of not having done things in your youth that you should have.

[Mynock]

Number one, let people know where you are going and when you plan to be back. Tell a RESPONSIBLE friend or family member that you're going here, and you plan on being back by no later then this time, and if they don't hear from you call in the troops. You don't have to be detailed about it just so that they know you're in the woods and if it's getting dark and you're not back they should start to worry.

Water is a must, two or three bottles of water or a good sized canteen. If you're going to be near water and don't want to lug that you can substitute a smaller canteen and a water filtration pump to refill it. PA isn't Mexico but I still wouldn't drink stream water without cleaning it first.

Food depends on how long you plan to be gone. Should always take a few energy bars, beef jerky, light snack food, etc just in case.

The only thing worse then being lost is being lost in the dark. Never go into the woods without the ability to make fire. Get two sandwich bags, put a ball of dryer lint in one of them and a couple of bic lighters in the other (DO NOT put them in the same bag). Worst comes to worst, you can't find your way out, and it's getting dark, sit down and make a fire.

Do not assume you don't need to do the above because you have cell phone. They break and bears think they're tasty.

Not trying to scare you off or anything, in all probability you'll be just fine, but don't assume you're not in danger because you're only a mile from your car.

[Nessie]

Considerations:
1. My biggest fear is that I will catch some kind of parasite. While easily cured explaining how I got a mud born parasite all over me to my family doctor is not ideal. Realistically what are the chances of this.

I've gotten a leech now and then but they tend to be in the water. They've never been in good quality mud.

As for other nasty little buggers...I do cover myself in DEET. But mosquitoes and biting flies are in the air, not in the mud.

If mud-borne parasites were a real threat, my whole body would covered by a large, writhing mass of bloodsuckers.

As for the rest, I just look for wet places on maps and go to them. I am careful to always remember how I got to wherever I finally sink, but I don't have a GPS or a compass or anything.

Most of my mud spots are actually closer to established trails than anyone would ever imagine. Last year I told all four of my models not to scream for help. They might actually attract it, and we didn't want it.

Nessie