Fire!

For years we've told people that their fears about backpacking (lions, tigers, and bears, and rattlesnakes and axe murderers) are way overblown, and what they should worry about is drowning in a spring runoff river, getting lost, getting dehydrated, and getting hypothermia.

And, of course, driving to the trailhead!

But we've had to admit that due to climate change, there is one more fear to add to the list, and that is fire. We've never been big on making a fire when backpacking, mainly because they are so much trouble to put out again. But the larger concern is the fire season in general, and how it has affected backpackers.

As you know, last summer we were caught in the fringes of the massive Creek Fire, and it wasn't much fun. So we've updated our section on fears, to include a healthy respect for fire, and the important of checking the fire status just the way you would check the weather. Because it is very important.