Many, many years ago I was camping with my Boy Scout troop. My friend woke me up by whispering my name. When I looked up the first thing I saw were big claws less than a foot from me. I froze in sheer terror, certain a bear was about to eat me. When nothing happened I dared to look up. A golden eagle was sitting right in front of me, its head tilting from side to side as it studied me. Thankfully it was curious and not hungry! It's one of the best memories of my life.
Eastern Canadian here. You're right. Been in the woods my whole life, and I have no fear of the animals around here - but we also don't have wolves or grizzlies. (that being said, a pack of coyotes at 0200 can give me the absolute F'n willies!) People cause me much much more anxiety when camping alone - because, as you said, they shouldn't be there - so if they are, they know the area and are drunk and tooling around and usually likely to fuck with someone. Chances are indeed minimal, but also, it only takes once.
Aussie here. Yes we have spiders the size of your head, but it's the little ones you have to watch out for. Oh, and all the venomous snakes. And Cassowaries with the massive horn on their head & feet like a Velociraptor. And the crocs in the rivers. And the sharks in the sea. Plus a lot more. But we don't usually camp unarmed. Almost all of us camp with a pair of thongs, and an Aussie with a thong in his hand can be deadly.
good video, its hits on a lot of points dork made on one his podcasts. Also I like how some footage from the dual sport grom came back. Those were my favorite dork in the road videos. I appreciated the bike even though most viewers didnt.
@checkingreality it truly was a masterpiece build and great way to prove you can ride what you want. Last year there were 2 guys riding Honda Monkies through the trails at Wailin Wayne Weekend. It was awesome.
This is going to sound silly but.... The few times I've camped really remotely by myself I've convinced myself that if I die overnight I'm ok with that and that I've had a good life and died doing something I like doing. Not to say I would just give up in a life threatening situation because obviously you'd do what you can. Maybe that's a bit extreme but it's helped me. Good luck out there, and don't let the boogeyman get you fellow motocampers!
Świetny film ! Widzisz mój amerykański przyjacielu, jestem starszy od Ciebie i wiem dużo o lesie. W Polsce niedźwiedzie są tylko w górach, u mnie na nizinach wilki. Nie boję się ich. A pomimo to nigdy nie nocowałem w lesie, choć bardzo bym chciał. Strach jest silniejszy , wiem , że to irracjonalne. Twoje porady są super. Jeżeli lubisz czytać mam dla Ciebie propozycję : "Sekretne życie drzew" autor :Wohlleben Peter. Jeszcze napisał" Nieznane więzi natury" i "Dotknij, poczuj, zobacz" i "Duchowe życie zwierząt", na pewno Ci się spodobają te książki ! pozdrawiam serdecznie z Polski
I went up into the Olympic national forest and tried camping alone. I ended up packing up at 11 pm and riding home. I was almost asleep when I heard large rocks shifting that woke me all the way up kept me from relaxing again. I even posted a video about it lol.
Good logical advices but somehow difficult to apply. I personally feel ok camping in a tent somewhere in a high desert, however in the woods I couldn't sleep at all. Our mountainous forests in PNW are full of bears, I see them almost every time I'm out exploring. I found for myself is the only option to sleep in a hard shell - in a car or in a truck canopy. Surely every person has a different level of ignorance...
I get the intent, but I wouldn't recommend a first experience at a commercial campground (0:45) because at least for me, that not only guarantees the worst possible first experience, it also maximizes the odds of a hostile encounter with dangerous two legged varmint species (Hilbillicus intoxicatia, Megabrood noxious, Bombastic boomboxia, Generatus allnightus, etc.)
Commercial campgrounds , Yuck !. Loud music , cars running , TV set blasting , drunks walking thru camp , it's quieter at home. Which reminds me , always test your gear at home before going to the woods so camp there for a night or two. I backpack or canoe and camp in a jungle hammock off some wooded path or river. I have had all sorts of wild critters walk under my hammock and never bother me. Here in Florida at 3 in the morning an armadillo or a couple of them walking thru the palmettos will make you think a tank is coming and we are being invaded. Then you have to remember the critters out there don't want a darn thing to do with you and will leave you alone , especially if you leave them alone. If you drank those beers he mentioned and have to visit a thirsty tree then sprinkle some of the recycled beer around your camp marking your territory. Preferable when isolated in the woods and not in a populated campground , campground hosts frown on that. I take Bear Spray ( primary defense ) with me and being retired law enforcement a firearm (old habit ) and have not used either of them. As far as firearms , at 13 , I would take a single shot 22 rifle with me , now a handgun and I'm 80 , as I said , An Old Habit.
One thing you did wrong in my opinion was place your tent/bike in the roadway. Yeah, it's a cul-de-sac, how many drunks crash through the end of a dead end road? I'm especially conscious of this in high usage desert areas like SoCal as folks love to run their vehicles at night and at speed. Just sayin. I went camping last year in the forest not far from NorCal BDR section 5, and spent the night in my tent with my pit bull and yorkie. The yorkie didn't care, just cuddled and snored. But my pit bull was up all night listening to every whisper. 2nd night she slept with mom in the trailer.....
I'm completely harmless to anyone/anything that isn't a threat, but in that case, I plan to be the most dangerous thing on the scene. I certainly agree that firearms training is needed before carrying a firearm, but I'm 63 and I'm *always* armed and so far, nobody has been hurt and I plan to keep it that way. On the other hand (7:38) your femoral artery is slightly to the left, Ben. 😀
🔫 I sleep like a baby with my AR pistol. 😁 (Yes, I’m that guy) Likely need it? No. But likely need all your safety gear every ride? No. But we prepare for the worst and hope for the best right? 😁
I go camping to get away from people. The idea of camping in campgrounds next to people is anathema to me. It may be good advice for others but it's not for me. When I hear something outside my hammock at night, it's more annoying than threatening. Everything does sound much bigger and noisier in the woods at night. It's usually my camping buddy whose 65 year old back doesn't like tent camping so he's milling about in the middle of the night.
If anyone is afraid, just Come to Danmark.. the most dangerus Thing we have is a ladybug😂😂 No.. thats not True ofcurse..just killing.. its probberly ticks that are the most dangerus.. and we do have a few wolwes, but i think its les than 30 in the whole country.. and I talk to sevel campers, and nowone ever head about anyone getting murder or attackt or Even gone missing.. and no one ever gets lost becurse we only have 15% forrest spread round the whole contry..😂 And if your still afraid we have lots of free campgrounds, were there most liekley always are a few other people.. and you can Even use our small shelters fore free😊
You don't want to watch the documentary "Old Growth M_rder" to make the fear worse. A French bike-packer was killed right in his tent at a campground (now closed) along the Oregon Coast in 1987.
I wasn't scared of camping alone until I watched this 😂
Many, many years ago I was camping with my Boy Scout troop. My friend woke me up by whispering my name. When I looked up the first thing I saw were big claws less than a foot from me. I froze in sheer terror, certain a bear was about to eat me. When nothing happened I dared to look up. A golden eagle was sitting right in front of me, its head tilting from side to side as it studied me. Thankfully it was curious and not hungry! It's one of the best memories of my life.
Talking about wild animals while a giant mountain stalks him from behind! 😂
Good advice, thank you! 🙏
Eastern Canadian here. You're right. Been in the woods my whole life, and I have no fear of the animals around here - but we also don't have wolves or grizzlies. (that being said, a pack of coyotes at 0200 can give me the absolute F'n willies!) People cause me much much more anxiety when camping alone - because, as you said, they shouldn't be there - so if they are, they know the area and are drunk and tooling around and usually likely to fuck with someone. Chances are indeed minimal, but also, it only takes once.
Aussie here. Yes we have spiders the size of your head, but it's the little ones you have to watch out for. Oh, and all the venomous snakes. And Cassowaries with the massive horn on their head & feet like a Velociraptor. And the crocs in the rivers. And the sharks in the sea. Plus a lot more. But we don't usually camp unarmed. Almost all of us camp with a pair of thongs, and an Aussie with a thong in his hand can be deadly.
That's why you guys invented roof top tents :)
Id have called them chazzwazzers
GREAT INFO!!!
Excellent advice, thank you. As I'm soon to embark on my first solo moto camping adventure, I needed to hear this.
@@kentuckyadv you got this!
Great idea for a video!
I just did my first solo camp and it's definitely a whole other experience when by yourself
good video, its hits on a lot of points dork made on one his podcasts. Also I like how some footage from the dual sport grom came back. Those were my favorite dork in the road videos. I appreciated the bike even though most viewers didnt.
@checkingreality it truly was a masterpiece build and great way to prove you can ride what you want. Last year there were 2 guys riding Honda Monkies through the trails at Wailin Wayne Weekend. It was awesome.
Thanks Ben for that awesome video. Great tips on a first camping.
Good stuff Ben 👊 thanks for sharing
This is going to sound silly but.... The few times I've camped really remotely by myself I've convinced myself that if I die overnight I'm ok with that and that I've had a good life and died doing something I like doing. Not to say I would just give up in a life threatening situation because obviously you'd do what you can. Maybe that's a bit extreme but it's helped me.
Good luck out there, and don't let the boogeyman get you fellow motocampers!
@@chrisparsons3141 Acceptance is one of the stages lol so it sounds legit
Only 1 recorded cougar related fatality in Oregon but that doesn’t take into account the people not found classified as missing persons.
Świetny film ! Widzisz mój amerykański przyjacielu, jestem starszy od Ciebie i wiem dużo o lesie. W Polsce niedźwiedzie są tylko w górach, u mnie na nizinach wilki. Nie boję się ich. A pomimo to nigdy nie nocowałem w lesie, choć bardzo bym chciał. Strach jest silniejszy , wiem , że to irracjonalne. Twoje porady są super. Jeżeli lubisz czytać mam dla Ciebie propozycję : "Sekretne życie drzew" autor :Wohlleben Peter. Jeszcze napisał" Nieznane więzi natury" i "Dotknij, poczuj, zobacz" i "Duchowe życie zwierząt", na pewno Ci się spodobają te książki !
pozdrawiam serdecznie z Polski
Good stuff!
6:35 bro, watch out, behind you, get out of there 😱
That was a close call with that terrifying beast. Stay safe out there!
I went up into the Olympic national forest and tried camping alone. I ended up packing up at 11 pm and riding home. I was almost asleep when I heard large rocks shifting that woke me all the way up kept me from relaxing again. I even posted a video about it lol.
Good logical advices but somehow difficult to apply. I personally feel ok camping in a tent somewhere in a high desert, however in the woods I couldn't sleep at all. Our mountainous forests in PNW are full of bears, I see them almost every time I'm out exploring. I found for myself is the only option to sleep in a hard shell - in a car or in a truck canopy. Surely every person has a different level of ignorance...
I get the intent, but I wouldn't recommend a first experience at a commercial campground (0:45) because at least for me, that not only guarantees the worst possible first experience, it also maximizes the odds of a hostile encounter with dangerous two legged varmint species (Hilbillicus intoxicatia, Megabrood noxious, Bombastic boomboxia, Generatus allnightus, etc.)
Twilight is the creepiest time in the bush, all sorts of shadows appear out of nowhere.
The last thing that freaked me out making noise at night turned out to be an Armadillo. They root around, so make a noise bigger than they are, LOL.
@@DualSportDuffer squirrels and deer with all the crunchy leaves in fall sound massive! 😆
I carry a small air horn as my first defense, pepper spray as secondary.
G20 👍
Commercial campgrounds , Yuck !. Loud music , cars running , TV set blasting , drunks walking thru camp , it's quieter at home. Which reminds me , always test your gear at home before going to the woods so camp there for a night or two. I backpack or canoe and camp in a jungle hammock off some wooded path or river. I have had all sorts of wild critters walk under my hammock and never bother me. Here in Florida at 3 in the morning an armadillo or a couple of them walking thru the palmettos will make you think a tank is coming and we are being invaded. Then you have to remember the critters out there don't want a darn thing to do with you and will leave you alone , especially if you leave them alone. If you drank those beers he mentioned and have to visit a thirsty tree then sprinkle some of the recycled beer around your camp marking your territory. Preferable when isolated in the woods and not in a populated campground , campground hosts frown on that. I take Bear Spray ( primary defense ) with me and being retired law enforcement a firearm (old habit ) and have not used either of them. As far as firearms , at 13 , I would take a single shot 22 rifle with me , now a handgun and I'm 80 , as I said , An Old Habit.
Firearm, bear spray and gps satellite device ftw. Also if you are doing car/over-landing and have a dog bring your pup.
One thing you did wrong in my opinion was place your tent/bike in the roadway. Yeah, it's a cul-de-sac, how many drunks crash through the end of a dead end road?
I'm especially conscious of this in high usage desert areas like SoCal as folks love to run their vehicles at night and at speed. Just sayin.
I went camping last year in the forest not far from NorCal BDR section 5, and spent the night in my tent with my pit bull and yorkie.
The yorkie didn't care, just cuddled and snored. But my pit bull was up all night listening to every whisper. 2nd night she slept with mom in the trailer.....
I'm completely harmless to anyone/anything that isn't a threat, but in that case, I plan to be the most dangerous thing on the scene. I certainly agree that firearms training is needed before carrying a firearm, but I'm 63 and I'm *always* armed and so far, nobody has been hurt and I plan to keep it that way. On the other hand (7:38) your femoral artery is slightly to the left, Ben. 😀
🔫 I sleep like a baby with my AR pistol. 😁
(Yes, I’m that guy)
Likely need it? No.
But likely need all your safety gear every ride? No.
But we prepare for the worst and hope for the best right?
😁
Bourbon ✅
Bear spray ✅
Earplugs ✅
Blindfold ✅
Revolver✅
I go camping to get away from people. The idea of camping in campgrounds next to people is anathema to me. It may be good advice for others but it's not for me. When I hear something outside my hammock at night, it's more annoying than threatening. Everything does sound much bigger and noisier in the woods at night. It's usually my camping buddy whose 65 year old back doesn't like tent camping so he's milling about in the middle of the night.
is that a Sasquatch over your left shoulder?...camping tip number 12, cook at your buddies tent :)
@@BruceTenHoeve 😆
Samsquanches, Ricky!
I bring a 31' camper with me.
Just take a bunch of trips, deal with the anxiety. Then you’ll be ok.
less skill should not be a position you seek to obtain, whether it be a firearm or bike skills, or whatever
Overthinking, just go to sleep
If anyone is afraid, just Come to Danmark.. the most dangerus Thing we have is a ladybug😂😂
No.. thats not True ofcurse..just killing.. its probberly ticks that are the most dangerus.. and we do have a few wolwes, but i think its les than 30 in the whole country.. and I talk to sevel campers, and nowone ever head about anyone getting murder or attackt or Even gone missing.. and no one ever gets lost becurse we only have 15% forrest spread round the whole contry..😂
And if your still afraid we have lots of free campgrounds, were there most liekley always are a few other people.. and you can Even use our small shelters fore free😊
You don't want to watch the documentary "Old Growth M_rder" to make the fear worse. A French bike-packer was killed right in his tent at a campground (now closed) along the Oregon Coast in 1987.