Back Country Horsemen Guidebook

17. The Camp Spot

In the backcountry many popular camp spots have been established and used for years, They are popular because they have an attraction. The attraction may be a scenic setting, plentiful water, good fishing, grass for stock, or a flat camping area, However, when selecting your camp spot, it should be set back out of sight from main trails. Don't set up camp in a meadow, as traffic in camp will beat the vegetation flat. Choose a spot in or near trees on a durable surface that can sustain traffic. This helps to reduce stock and people congestion along main trails, offers privacy, and reduces the possibility of overuse immediately adjacent to main trails.

Camp spots should be at least 200 feet from the edge of lakes and rivers. This helps reduce the chance of water pollution and over-use immediately next to lake shores, streams, and river banks. Some old established camp spots may be closer to lakes, streams, rivers, and main trails than desirable.

When planning a trip, if you select camp spots that are not heavily used, spread the use on durable surfaces. These will often give you better grazing and more privacy in addition to reducing impact.

A well-organized camp is set up to be convenient, efficient, and neat in appearance. An established campsite should be used if available. If not, select a spot that can handle some use without being damaged. In some areas, like National Parks, ONLY established campsites can be used. In any event, some common sense should prevail. Do not drive nails in trees. Don't dig ditches around tents. Do not cut green trees or boughs, and remove underbrush sparingly. Select a spot to obtain water where you won't be caving in the banks leaving a permanent scar. Tether your stock outside the immediate campsite.

In bear country, food must be stored so bears can't get to it. Metal cans or boxes are available in some areas. Check with local management agencies for food storage requirements or problem areas. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee has information about preparing food hoists.

In camp, if there is a suitable fire ring established, it should be used rather than creating an additional fire ring. If there is no fire ring and you wish to build one, try a mound fire within a fire blanket or firepan. A

mound fire requires a soil or sand buffer so that heat will not be transmitted to soil and vegetation. A new aluminum oil drain pan makes an inexpensive, lightweight "container" for the mound fire. If you do not use the mound method, remove the organic material down to the mineral soil. Put it aside to refill the fire pit when you break camp. Many horsemen have found that lining their fire ring with a reusable, nonflammable, fire blanket (a "used" fire fighter's personal protection blanket, often available from USFS fire depots) with two inches of dirt on top will lessen the impact of their fire on the camp site. Put the rocks that you ring the pit with back where you found them when breaking camp. What you pack in you should pack out. There should be nothing left to indicate you have been there.

When in camp tie a pole between two trees, place your gear on it, and throw a mantie over everything. When a pole isn't available, stand your saddle on the horn with the pad on top. Be careful with your equipment - porcupines and deer are fond of leather. When the stay is over and camp is broken down, there are a few last minute items to check before heading out. All tent poles and frames should be taken down, rope and string removed from trees, extra fire wood scattered, and all fires dead out. Fill in and smooth any paw holes and scatter any horse manure.

A SHADOW CAST I hate to admit to the company I'm in But a back country jerk too often I've been. You have seen the shadow on the mountains I cast Because the marks I have left there last and last When you see that lone tree with its root laid bare You know me and my string have often been there. But really, does tying up to a tree over night spell its doom? I've done it often you know, even when there is other room. Wait a minute, I seem to recall a high mountain pass With its cool clear water and lush green grass, And there in the middle of this picturesque scene Is a tall lone fir tree that’s lost all its green. What could have killed it I thought, hikers, bears, or... Then it hit me, my god, I've been here before. Mother Nature made that tree to stand the wind and the snow, It has stood the test of time and continues to grow. She made that tree to take the worst of her work, But she didn't plan on me, the back country jerk. Dan Plummer

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