Backcountry Safety

or

or

The Mountain doesn't care what its name is - Chris ludwig 2019

who climbed it first

The Sun doesn't wait for you before setting

enveloping the forest in blackness

The rain and snow

cares not if you are cold and wet

or forgot your rain jacket

The fog doesn't lift

if your cel phone battery dies

or if there is no service

no city connection here

The swamp, snow and mud

will not harden and dry for you

when you wear sandals and running shoes

instead of hiking boots

And the trail does not notice

if you should lose your way

when you forgot your map and compass

The darkness will be deepest

when you left your headlamp at home

The night will be most cold and desperate

when you started out too late

and hadn't planned on

sleeping next to the tree

or on the trail

in the open

The mountains

The lake and the trail

simply won't notice

or care

Will anyone?

Write a note

Be prepared

Be Prepared