Night Hike in the Sam Houston National Forest, Lake Conroe, Texas
Join me in a night hike at the Sam Houston National Forest, Lake Conroe, Texas. I'm not talking about using flashlights or vision goggles. I'm talking about going the same way our ancestors did. I'm talking about opening my eyes, ears and nose and operating efficiently in nature without the need for technology. Tonight is perfect. There will be a full moon, so after my eyes are adapted, it will be easy to navigate the trails. To hike at night, is to intentionally allow yourself to slip out of your comfort zone and connect with the forest in new and interesting ways.
The secret to a successful night hike is PREPARATION. For example, although it's hot, I'm wearing a long sleeve shirt, long pants and plenty of insect repellent. Snakes and insects are out at night, and I'm safer with less exposed skin. Also, the clothing will protect me, if I accidentally run into poison ivy.
Let's check-out what's in my backpack. Since I plan to hike all night, I'm carrying a lot: two water bottles (one is a Katadyn bottle purifier, so I can safely drink water from Lake Conroe), sack lunch, insect repellant, first aid kit, sanitary package with trowel, rain poncho, extra socks, Moskito hammock, three flashlights with red filters, water shoes, swimming trunks, swimming towel, two cameras and portable tripods, GPS and cell phone.
Poem by Michael Carlson, 1994, 2008
The black of night
Gives most people fright
But me
I feel free
in the black of night
In the black of night
Most people lose their sight
Because they cannot see
Without their precious light
In the black of night
Most people think the black of night is not right
But to me the black of night
Is one of the most grandest sights!!
Every day I wait and wait
Waiting to see that beautiful sight
Every day I wait and wait
For the black of night
Videography by Ken Kramm, 12-13/8/2011; Canon Vixia HFS20 Camcorder; Canon PowerShot SX10IS. Many of the "night shots" in this video were filmed at dawn or dusk, so that the viewer could see what I was demonstrating.