CAMPING ON THE PLAINS 101 



At timberline in most mountains many of the 

 trees are flag-like, all limbs stream leeward. 



During years of camping I have used all these 

 signs and many others. 



I once said that if carried blindfolded into 

 the Rocky Mountains I could examine a few trees 

 with my hands and tell the points of the compass, 

 the altitude, and the season of the year. And 

 also that in determining these trees I could 

 name the plants and the kinds of insects, birds, 

 and animals most likely to be found near these 

 trees. Afterward I became snow-blinded on 

 the summit of the mountains when I was alone. 

 I started down off these high, snowy mountains 

 with their icy slopes and precipitous canons be- 

 lieving that I could find my way without eyes. 

 Once down to timberline I determined directions 

 by feeling of trees. Finding Engelmann spruce 

 and limber pine and knowing on what slopes 

 these grew, I used these guides and compasses. 

 By using these and other reckoners I managed 

 to get down off the mountains, a journey of per- 

 haps twenty miles, without breaking my neck 

 and with little suffering. 



In each state in the Union there are wild 

 places in which one would be allowed to camp, 

 and in which one would have fun camping. The 

 camper who is a real explorer makes the most 

 of each outing, will receive from these experiences 



