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PART TWO

JOURNEY’S END:

SIX WAYS TO DIE ON THE TRAIL

One can survive everything, nowadays, except death, and live down everything except a good reputation.

— Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)

There are many more ways to live in the wilderness, comfortably and secure, than there are ways to die. The abruptness of tragedy along the trail compels us to be more wary. Wilderness is not the arena in which you always learn from your mistakes. And mistakes are not patented by the uninitiated or foolish alone; they are often perpetrated by seasoned adventurers who should know better. The section titled Journey’s End purposely extracts all that is good about the adventure; the intrinsic pristine beauty of the landscape, the friendly camaraderie, the experience, and replaces it with the unmasked realities of life along the trail. It is not with the intention of dissuading the adventure-seeker from embarking on a journey, but to make him aware of the ease in which misadventure may take hold if unprepared. Living comfortably and peacefully in the wilds depends on a reliance of accrued knowledge, accepting all and any possibilities, and being humble in the face of Nature.