For The Hiker

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 75, 21 December 1934, Page 21

For The Hiker

Tested Camp Hints

You will get more real pleasure out of your Rummer camping or hiking trip if you remember a few welltested hints which are familiar to and used by experienced guides and woodsmen.

Never sit or lie on bare ground; it is harmful and likely to cause Ulness. It is better if caught out in the rain to sit on your hat and go bareheaded than to sit on the ground. Always carry two waterproof match boxes of the hind that will float—rone full-of salt and one full of matches—and do not use them all the time, but keep in reserve in case of accident. This may prove real life insurance for the camper, especially in the heart of bush country. Drink sparingly of water in a strange district ; it may make you sick. If you are riding a horse and he refuses to drink water, don’t drink it yourself. Don’t trust a dog, for he will drink any filthy water. Your bowie knife should not be too large; it should be of good steel, with two strong blades. A combination knife can opener, leather punch and file is also handy. Don’t forget to take along a sewing kit in your haversack, which should contain safety pin B , needles, thread, darning cotton, buttons and so forth. The tall of your sweater is fine for darning if you unravel a bit of it. Two heavy woollen tramping shirts are more comfortable and warmer than a sweater or a coat. x If you become thirsty and without water, put a small stone or button under your tongue; it will keep your mouth moist. A well-soaked cloth wrapped around a bottle will keep it cool. Hang it up in a breeze in the shade. A little vinegar in water boiled in your pots or pans will fake away the smell of fish. Keep all your extra matches in a large bottle, tightly corked. To keep ants and ground insects away from your food, set a box on four sticks standing in tin cans or saucers full of water.

If your shoes or boots are wet, scrape awav some hot dirt or sand from under the fire and fill them with it. They will be dry in the morning. To avoid sore feet, weay large shoes or boots with small hobnails that cannot be felt through the soles, a thin pair of socks, soaped on the heel on the inside next to the feet, and a heavy pair of woollen socks over them. Ibis will prevent blisters. If you fall into water, no matter how cold the weather, take off your clothing and wring it out as dry as possible and put It on again. You will be warmer afterward and avoid colds or worse.