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Conference moira::naturism

Title:Naturism
Notice:Site report index is in topic 7
Moderator:GENRAL::KILGORE
Created:Tue Jan 26 1988
Last Modified:Thu May 08 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:457
Total number of notes:3687

130.0. "Nude Hiking in New Hampshire's White Mountains" by MOIRA::FAIMAN (light upon the figured leaf) Wed Jan 11 1989 12:58

    Bare backpacking White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire
    from _The Event_, Fall/Winter 1988
    article by John Reid

    Bare backpacking is a wonderful recreation that requires some degree of
    hardiness.  The Bare Backpacking S.I.G. of the New England Naturist
    Association (N.E.N.A.) has just finished its second season of naturist
    exploration in the valleys and mountains of New Hampshire's White
    Mountain National Forest -- tailoring each trip to accomodate the
    fitness and skill levels of thje naturist crews.  Day trips were
    devised, working out of a base camp several miles from the parking
    zone, for a three-day continuous excursion, and camping in a different
    area each night.

    Bare backpacking is a great way to make new friends, too, while sharing
    a fantastic naturist adventure.  There is so much to see that a camera
    should be an essential part of everyone's equipment.  Since everything
    (food, tents, equipment) is carried in on your back, careful
    consideration must be given to what you bring with you.  To ensure that
    everyone is properly equipped, I provide a list of the 26 basic items
    which everyone needs to pack.  To that we also add a share of the group
    equipment for everyone to carry.

    [description of the WMNF]

    ...  Because of its vast size we are ablt to hike through and explore
    this fantastic wilderness _au naturel_.  On some trails you can hike
    all day and not see another person.  Although we have encountered other
    hikers, we have never experienced negative comments about our nudity.
    It is truly a great sensation of freedom to trek with only your hiking
    boots and the pack on your back, feeling the cool mountain air and the
    warmth of the sun on our skin.  We enjoy nature as our naturist spirit
    soars in the ecstasy of it all.

    Streams abound with small pools of crystal-clear waters that invite you
    and your trail companions to stretch out and relax.  We always make
    sure that our campsite for the night is next to one of these pools.
    ...

    Now, at the end of a great hiking season, I begin to review the trail
    maps to plan for next summer's adventure.  We held one trip for each
    month -- June through August -- in 1988, and expect to repeat a similar
    schedule for 1989.  Join us!

    For information on how to participate next summer, or just to receive
    my Bare Backpacking S.I.G newsletter, mail your request along with $3
    to cover postage to:

    	New England Naturist Association
	P.O.Box 3209, Wayland Square
	Providence, RI 02906
	Attn:  John L. Reid
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130.1Don't camp *right* next to those crystal-clear poolsMOIRA::FAIMANlight upon the figured leafThu Jan 12 1989 18:4153
    This note is being entered for a reader of this conference who prefers
    to remain anonymous.

    	-Neil Faiman, Moderator

    [by the way, my personal inclination (shared by this reader) is to give
    the author of the article quoted in .0 the benefit of the doubt, and
    assume that by "next to" he really means "as close to as permissible"
    ... but he felt that it was worth making the point explicit.  -NF]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hi Neil-

i've been one of the anonymous read-only folks following the naturism file for 
a while now...  on the whole i have been impressed with the way the folks in 
the file seem to have a genuine concern for protecting the environment and 
taking care of the places that we all like to go nuding in (the discussion
of the piping plover was a gas!) but i felt like i had to comment on this
last entry...

i have been hiking for many years now all over the white mountain national 
forest...  i have to agree with the article in that it is one of the most 
beautiful spots in this part of the country...  i have often nuded in the 
forest with no problems at all (one of my favorite places!) and the nude 
backpacking trips sound like a lot of fun but there was one bit that really 
bothers me...

>    Streams abound with small pools of crystal-clear waters that invite you
>    and your trail companions to stretch out and relax.  We always make
>    sure that our campsite for the night is next to one of these pools.

we should take note that the forest lands have been seeing increasingly large
numbers of visitors each year...  this fragile ecosystem has not been 
unaffected by the increased traffic...  the areas hurt the most are these
"small pools of crystal-clear waters" mentioned above...  readers/hikers should
keep in mind that is is ILLEGAL to camp next to these streams!!  in fact forest
service regulations say no camping within several hundred feet of rivers and 
streams (sorry i don't have the reg's here with me at work but depending on 
where we are talking it could be from 200' to 1/4 mile)...  even the most 
ecology minded humans cannot camp close to these pristine streams without 
leaving the area affected in some small way...  in fact many of the streams in
the forest are no longer safe to drink without treatment, thanks in large part 
to folks like us who go to the woods to enjoy nature at its best...

i know the readers of the NATURISM conference would not intentionally ruin 
any of our remaining natural areas...  i would, however like to throw my $.02
worth in and caution folks not to take this line too literally...  (i will
also be composing a similar letter to the gent who put out the letter you 
posted)...  i don't want to discourage anyone from enjoying these beautiful
places-just the opposite!  i would encourage anyone who has never been to 
visit...  but please, let's do what we can to keep these streams in their
"natural state" (like we like to be ;-) ) for generations to enjoy...  
130.2Eeek! We might be camping in the wrong spot!GENRAL::KILGORECherokee WomanWed Jan 18 1989 13:4810
Boy, I'd like to know the specifics on the regulation about camping near
pools/water sources.  Is this a federal regulation?  We usually camp right 
next to a stream (like drop the tire in if we get a 3 feet closer) in Pike 
and San Isabel Nat Forests in Colorado.  These campsites have been used by 
many people and are just a few feet from 4x4 roads.

We do ensure when we have `nature calls' we head in the opposite direction
of any water source...at least 300 feet away.

Judy
130.3WMNF camping rulesMOIRA::FAIMANlight upon the figured leafThu Jan 19 1989 12:3046
    Extracts from the _AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) White Mountain
    Guide_, 24th edition, pages xx-xxiii.  I'm sure that the White
    Mountains are much different from the national forests of the west
    (much less total area and much more intensive use), so your local
    rules may well be different.

        Those who camp overnight in the backcountry tend to have more of an
        impact on the land than day hikers do.  In the past some popular
        sites suffered misuse and began to resemble disaster areas, with
        piles of trash and surrounding trees devastated by campers
        gathering firewood. For this reason backpacking hikers should take
        great care to minimize their effect on the mountains by practicing
        low-impact camping and making conscious efforts to preserve the
        natural forest.  One alternative is to camp in well-prepared,
        designated sites; the popular ones are supervised by caretakers.
        The other alternative has come to be called "clean camping":  to
        disperse camping over a wide area, out of sight of trails and
        roads, and to camp with full respect for wilderness values.  The
        objective of clean camping is to leave no trace of one's presence,
        so that the site will not be reused before it has a chance to
        recover.  Repeated camping on one site compacts the soil and makes
        it difficult for vegetation to survive. 

	...

 ->     If you camp away from established sites, look for a spot more than
 ->     200 ft. from the trail and from any surface water, and observe
        local RUA rules.  ... Wash your dishes and yourself well away from
        streams, ponds, and springs. ... 

	...

        Overnight camping is permitted in almost all of the WMNF [White
        Mountain National Forest].  To limit or prevent some of the adverse
        impacts of concentrated, uncontrolled camping, the USFS has adopted
        regulations for a number of areas in the WMNF that are threatened
        by overuse and misuse.  The objective of the Restricted Use Area
        (RUA) program is not to hinder backpackers and campers, but to
        disperse their use of the land so that people can enjoy themselves
        in a clean and natural environment without causing deterioration of
        natural resources. ... 

        In summary, the 1986 RUA rules prohibit camping and wood or
        charcoal fires above timberline (where trees are less than 8 ft. in
        height); or within a specified distance of certain roads, trails,
        streams, and other locations, except at designated sites. ... 
130.4Bare Back Packing the White Mountains of N.H.USWAV1::REIDSat Oct 21 1989 22:2166
    Hello Digital form the New England Naturist BARE Back Packing SIG
    and one of DEC's own. (18 years of DEC). I have read some of the
    naturism notes via my wife who too is a DEC person and uses note.
    She just taught me how. Now I can reach out to those of you out
    in DEC land about bare back packing in the White mountain of New
    Hampshire. 
    I can be reached by:
    USWAV1::REID
    John Reid @OFO
    or
    New England Naturist Association
    P.O. Box 3209 Wayland Square
    Providence R.I. 02906
    Attn John Reid
    (NENA is a non profit family naturist group dedicated to the naturist
    life style. As a SIG leader they will forward mail to my home in
    Ma.)
    If you contact me via DEC or NENA I will pass out my home address
    if you are intrested in back packing with me in the White mountains.
    First let me say that I have been back packing in the White Mountains
    since 1963. I started my SIG in Feburary of 1987 and am now getting
    ready to start my fourth bare back packing season (1990).
    My tentative 1990 schedule is:
    June 21,22,23,24
    July 19,20,21,22
    August 16,17,18,19
    I do this for pleasure and sport I have four tents and can accomodate
    a crew of 14 naturists or non naturists. I do not do this for profit.
    I am trying to boldly expand the horizon on naturism in New England
    by making use of the White Mountain national forest in a fashion,
    Boots and Back pack, that I prefer to hike in.
    In response to the person who wrote the article on Nude hiking in
    the White mountains I would like to say he is correct about the
    info in the 24 th edition of the WM guide book but it is a guide
    line not a hard fast rule. The AMC and all supporting clubs do an
    outstanding job of monitoring the area for wear and tear and will
    relocate camp sites or restrict area as the need requires. But the
    AMC and other clubs do in fact have a number of lean too shelters
    located well with in the 200' guide line. I wont list them out here
    but you can find them on the trail maps. They also have lots ( more
    then 50 ) tent sites that have been in continuous use for many many
    years also right next to the pristine streams. Because of the terrain
    a lot of these sites are left in continuous use to actually lessen
    the overall impact on the area rather then move the sites and create
    another small compacted tent site. Having been hiking up there now
    for over 20 years I can honestly say that the wildlife have greatly
    improved in the last 10 years. Areas that I first hiked in I never
    saw moose tracks. Now we have to be extra careful where we set up
    camp.  I have found tracks going through camp sites. As I tell those
    who join me get behind a tree 6 or more inches thick and dont move.
    A moose can easily out run you with or with out a back pack and
    even if the moose has its own pack. I pratice low impact camping.
    I stopped using fires in 1968 and went to trail stoves. WE carry
    it in we carry out the empties. The only thing that shows after
    we break camp is the dry spot where the tent stood if it rained.
    The White Mountains are a very rugged and tough environment. It
    is not so fragile that you wil with proper respect, common sense
    and trail manners damage the environment. Go out use it enjoy it
    and keep it clean. It will out last us all. By the way back in the
    early part of the century the White mountains was almost stripped
    clean from the logging industry. If you look at the diameter of
    the trees today you will note that they are less then 60 years old
    in most areas. Well if all goes well i hope to get some of you DEC
    folks out there with me on the trail.
    See you on the trail.
    John Reid
130.51898 Bare Back Packing seasonUSWAV1::REIDSat Oct 28 1989 00:0580
    Bare Back Packing in the White Mountains of New Hampshire
    
    My next article I hope since I just mailed it out to the EVENT naturist
    magazine should apppear in their winter addition. But for those
    of you who dont get the Event I will place it here.
    
    Expanding the horizon of Naturism in New England
    
    In Feburary of 1987 I found myself thinking about doing some back
    packing in the White Mountains of New hampshire as I had been doing
    since 1962. I fell in love with the White Mountains and have hiked
    there ever since. This season I found I did not have anyone to join
    me. All my friends had hung up their hiking boots and my wife due
    to a hip problem could never take up the sport. That same day I
    was reading a naturist magazine and saw the listing for the New
    England Naturist Association. I always wanted to hike nude, it was
    obviously more comfortable and efficient. I called N.E.N.A. to find
    out it there was a back packing sig. ..... there wasn't when I started
    the call but when I hung up I and my sig was ready to hit the trail.
    
    We have just finished our third season of bare back packing and
    I am already looking over the maps for next season. The White Mountains
    of New Hampshire are 752,000 acers of scenic mountains and valleys,
    a great area to roam in and expolre nature. With a network of over
    200 trails you can easily get away from the crowds and escape into
    the gentle sounds and sights of nature.
    We had three trips this season June , July and August. Each trip
    into a different section of the white mountains. On each trip we
    carried everything in on our backs tent , food , stove etc. You
    really have to think about what you bring in due to weight. I provide
    a list of 26 items that are all you need if you join me on a trip.
    On top of these items you will receive your share of the group gear,
    food, tent, cook kit, stove or fuel. I do all my cooking on a camp
    stove it is quicker , cleaner better for cooking and zero impact
    on the environment. I do not build fires even at night. Fires are
    nice but to hard on the environment.
    This season we logged 65 miles total for all three trips which now
    brings my total nude hiking up to 170 nude back packing miles hiked
    todate. 
    On the June trip we encountered many overflowing streams which forces
    you to deviate from a normal trail crossing and hike along the streams
    until a safe crossing area if found. You have to be very careful
    crossing swollen streams with a back pack on. The water flows fast
    and the rock strewn bottom is very slippery. I always change into
    my old sneakers when faced with such a crossing. Wet hiking boots
    are miserable. You do have to be alert to land slides. The soil
    is very shallow in the mountains and can tear loose from a lot of
    spring rains. We came across new slides this season. 
    
    On our July trip we spent the night on top of one mountain and searched
    the night sky for as many constellations as we could identify from
    a star chart we carried with us. We had to carry up extra water
    for that trip since there is very little or no drinkablew water
    up top. We each carried three gallons of exctra water which weighed
    24 lbs. That plus our 40 lbs packs made for an interesting climb.
    
    August saw hurricane Chantel hit the Gulf coast area and on the
    second day of the August trip the weather turned to heavy rain in
    the White Mountains. The weather report and weather started out
    great but Chantel moved across the eastern U.S. and passed over
    us on Friday evening forcing us to hike out Saturday in a steady
    rain. That rain caused sever flooding in upper Vermont ,New Hampshire
    and southern Maine. We watched as the streams went from crystal
    clear to opac due to the flooding. Well you take what you get and
    make the best of it you can. The most important thing is making
    new naturist friends and sharing a grreat time. You do have to be
    in good shape since you are hiking in a wilderness.
    For more information on how to join me next summer or just receive
    my bare back packing news letter mail your request along with $3
    dollars to cover postage to:
    New England Naturist Association 
    P.O. Box 3209 Wayland Square
    Providence R.I. 02906
    Attn: John Reid
    
    See you on the trail!
    
    
    
    
130.6CADSE::WONGLe Chinois FouSat Oct 28 1989 02:028
    Just out of curiosity, do you occasionally encounter non-naturists
    while hiking, or is the area big enough so that you don't meet other
    people?  This sort of activity must be a bit different, as there is
    not some officially delineated area for naturists unlike other
    outdoor naturist activities.
    
    B.
    
130.7Hiking nudeUSWAV1::REIDSat Nov 04 1989 19:2517
    Hi B. yes we do encounter other hikers and back packers at times
    while hiking. It has not been a problem. We have met at the most
    on a single trip 10 people. Our experience has been that they take
    us as a bit strange since nudity is not a daily occurance in America.
    But as we stop and chat on the trail for a few minutes you do get
    the feeling that most of the people we have met wuld like to try
    hiking nude but wont by them slves. They do appreciate especially
    on a hot humid day the idea of bein nude vs wraped in wet smelly
    hiking cloths. There is no officially delineated area. I bare back
    pack in the more remote areas so as not to have any problems. We
    very rarely meet any official types and the few we met did not have
    a problem with us. We stay away from the AMC huts or dress before
    getting into visual range of a hut to avoid any problems. Minor
    give and take.
    So want to join us on a trip next season. Reference my notes here
    for tentative dates.
    John
130.8Any intrest out there in Bare Back packing?USWAV1::REIDFri Nov 10 1989 02:2111
    singles,Couples, Families Back packing is a fun sport
    
    If yuou are a single female, or couple with or with out kids have
    you  ever thought about hiking in the White Mountains National Forest
    of New Hampshire and have you thought about doing it in the nude?
    I would like to hear from you on this subject and your intrest level.
    As you can read from my other notes I try to do this every summer.
    I am looking for more people to join me on these trips. I have tent
    space for a crew of 14. So if you think you might be intrested let
    me know.
    John
130.9CADSE::WONGLe Chinois FouFri Nov 10 1989 11:394
    ...thinking...
    
    B.
    
130.10YesAUSSIE::BELLCharitas Patiens estMon Nov 13 1989 21:3314
    Yes, I'd love to come, now check finances, Hmmmm....
    
    Airfare Sydney-Boston-Sydney  $2500
    Transport in USA		   $100
    Accomodation (2 nights)        $180
    
    				  $2780
    	Bank Balance              $ xxx
    
    	Leaves                   $-xxxx
    
    Anyone for backpacking in the *Blue* Mountains?
    
Peter.    
130.11G'day, Mates!CGHUB::WILSONYou CAN Tuna friend's nose!Tue Nov 14 1989 15:5811
    RE: .10 (Peter)  Count ME in!  The Blue Mountains are absolutely
    Gorgeous!  Think of the Grand Canyon, only filled with lush Blue
    vegetation, cascading waterfalls, and a top notch restaurant (The
    Fork and Knife, Peter?)!  I'm not sure they wouldn't frown on a
    group of nude backpackers, though.  :-(
    
    Unfortunately, my finances are a bit like Peter's, only more so!
    So I'll have to settle for the White Mountains.  But Not for about
    6 months or so!
    
    Jack
130.12Saving money on Bare Back packing in the USAUSWAV1::REIDSun Nov 26 1989 20:2513
    Peter seems like you need to transfer to the home office in Maynard
    Ma. USA (MINI Computer Capital of the World) as it used to be known
    for those of us who have 15 plus years at DEC. When I worked in
    LDP in the seventies as a product manager for the GT40/ VT11 graphic
    systems and also as a marketeer I meet several fellows from Australia
    who transfered in for the experience. That way DEC will foot the
    cost to join me for some bare back packing in the whitew mountains
    of New Hampshire. 
    If you do find your self comming into the corporate offices for
    what ever reason let me know maybe we can if the weather is good
    set something up. 
    Take care 
    John Reid
130.13Bare Back Packing on a tight budgetUSWAV1::REIDSun Nov 26 1989 20:4533
    Funding is a bit rough when you arent from the area. In my news
    letter that I produce on Bare Back packing in the white mountains
    of New Hampshire I have through the Event magazine have people from
    different areas of the U.S. subscribing and they to are intrested
    in joining me on one of my trips but to just come out here for a
    Thursday through Sunday back packing trip is a bit costly. So far
    most of the people who have joined me have been from the New England
    area. The most distant being Connecticute. On top of that you have
    the New England weather to contend with but that is what makes life
    intresting.
    As far as costs go if you join me on a trip the costs are just food
    and gasoline. Last year it cost $35 dollars per person for food.
    I use trail food for weight as well as items from the store. Its
    not steak etc by any means but it fills the belly. Generally a four
    day trip will cost each person between $35 and $45 dollars. I will
    be going to EMS to see what the costs will be for their trail food
    for this season will be. Each year they have raised their prices
    by 10 to 20%. I use their trail meals for the dinners since that
    is where you get the biggest weight problem. Breakfast is stuff
    like instant oat meal , gronola bars etc. easy fix easy clean up.
    Lunch is peanut butter/ jelly or underwood deviled ham etc. 
    I have found over the years that meals that require a lot of cooking
    on a back packing trip are noty worth the weight they represent.
    The new dyhydrated trail meals are fairly good but choose the brand
    carefully. Some are real foul.
    So if its costs you are concerned with so am I I would love to nude
    hike in the rockies but my wife who is not into hiking wont give
    me to funds to go. Its not her definition of a vacation. 
    So I settel for the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the costs
    are very resonable.
    See you on the trail 
    John Reid
    
130.14Bare Back Packing Equipment ListUSWAV1::REIDSun Nov 26 1989 21:2544
    Bare Back Packing Equipment List:
    To help you get ready for one of my Bare Back Packing trips I prepared
    a list of 26 items that you will need. I have been providing this
    information to those who join me and and the the input back was
    that it covered everything that they needed.Most of the items are
    already in your home only three items back pack , hiking boots and
    sleeping bamay not be your normal house hole item. But even these
    can be rented if you dont want to invest until you are sure this
    is a sport you want to do again.
    First the schedule for next 1990 Summer season.
    These are tentative dates but it shows I am serious about this sport.
    June 21,22,23,24 , July 19.20,21,22 and August 16,17,18,19
    
    Next what does the best undressed hiker need on a trip?
    Back Pack with Aluminun frame, Hiking Boots (cleated soles),Sleeping
    bag(down or thinsilite),3 one quart canteens,pocket knife,light
    weight poncho, 4 pairs of hiking socks,plastic bowl,soup spoon,thermal
    cup(I call these last 3 one item),matches,old sneakers, wool
    mittens,winter ski parker,one pair long pants and one pair of
    shorts,sweatshirt (two), toilet paper,towel and face cloth,hat,thermal
    vest,personal first aid kit, 3 large plastic garbage bags,Dr. Scholls
    Mole Skin Plus(pink color), tie cords for the sleeping bag, ground
    pad, tooth brush, handkerchief(2) and a Day pack (incase we decide
    to work out of a base camp).
    You dont need a lot of gear on a trip. I have spent 32 years trying
    to shrink this list down. One thing I forgot to add, flash light
    (the very small size) Even though the White Mountains are very old
    and very worn and therefore not very high (average altitude 4200'
    above sea level) if you carry more then what you need you just make
    your self more tired lugging it with you. Those mountains may not
    look as formidable as the rockie mountains but they will give you
    a real run for your money humping it up one side down the other
    and then onto the next.
    If you would like to get on my newsletter mailing list send me your
    postage to cover the 8 news letters that I write. I do one a month
    March thur October. Contact me via vaxmail at USWAV1::REID if you
    are intrested and we can exchange home addresses so that you can
    send me your stamps and I can send you my newsletter. You can also
    reach me through the New England Naturist Assocation  , Inc.
    Box 3209 Wayland Square Station Providence, R.I. 02906 if you feel
    more comfortable writing to me that way. My news letter is for those
    who are intrested in hiking with me or just intrested in information
    on hiking in the white mountains of New Hampshire.
    
130.15Job wanted !AUSSIE::BELLCharitas Patiens estSun Nov 26 1989 23:1411
    Hi John, 
    
    I was in the USA (merrimack NH) for just over a month last July/August,
    but did not manage to arrange to stay permanently (something about
    spending cuts :-), I am open to any job offers, (principal/senior
    software engineer, communications/realtime) that would pay my way
    back, and enable me to stay for a year or three.
    
    regards
    
Peter.    
130.16Job areas to check intoUSWAV1::REIDSun Dec 03 1989 19:5031
    Hi Peter, to pass on some information to you, the VMS and ULTRIX
    software engineering groups are located in Nashua New Hampshire
    just down the road from the Merrimack facility. I do not know of
    what positions there may be, I am in sales. I would recomend that
    you contact the Nashua corporate software engineering at 110 Spit
    Brook Road the telephnone number is 603-881-2211 the operator DTN
    if you have DTN is 381-2211 and ask for personel. Also at this facility
    is RSX11M+ software engineering. O.I.S. (office information systems)
    engineering is also located in the same area you may want to try
    personel there also telephone # 603-884-5111. I dont have any contact
    names. You might be able to fine several openings but there is still
    a budget crunch but that does not mean there is not any opportunities.
    If you do fine your self in the US and up in Merrimack next summer
    I have listed my tentative bare back packing schedule in an earlier
    note in this file 130. I am not sure if you have access to the
    corporate VTX which also lists various jobs, if you do you should
    also check there. Another thing would be to talk your managers into
    rotating you into an engineering group back here for the knowledge
    and experience. 
    Good luck.
    Now how are the beaches down your way for nude sunning and do you
    also try to nude back pack? I am trying to expand my SIG (special
    intrest group) via this notes file to see if I can get more people
    into trying some nude back packing with me in northern New Hampshire.
    I also belong to a nudist organization called New England Naturists
    which covers all 6 of the New England States. So far through that
    group I have gotten 15 people to join me on my various trips though
    no more then 4 hae joined me on any one trip. But hopefully I will
    get others interested.
    Take care in Australia and give the competition hell!
    John Reid
130.17AUSSIE::BELLCharitas Patiens estMon Dec 04 1989 01:4518
    Thanks for the information, John. 
    
    I was at the Merrimack facility for a month during last July and
    August, so I know the area. I have discussed posibilites of moving to
    the USA several times with various people, but it would be very
    expensive for someone. 
    
    Regarding Australian nuding, I have written some notes earlier in this
    conference, (do a DIR /AUTHOR=BELL), I don't know of any organised nude
    hiking, but there is plenty of space and few people in much of
    Australia! 
    
    If (thats a big IF) I do end up in the USA at the right time, I will
    come along with you. 

    Regards
Peter.    
    
130.19Seasons greetings from New EnglandUSWAV1::REIDFri Dec 08 1989 02:007
    I look forward to you joing me some day on a trip up this way Peter.
    In the mean time have a great Christmas and new year. Who knows
    we may have another DECathelon in Australia and I hit the big one
    and go. If so I will call you to find out where to go for a great
    beach and tan.
    Take care
    John
130.20Expanding the Boundries of Naturism in New EnglandUSWAV1::REIDFri Dec 08 1989 02:1114
    Expanding the boundries of naturism in New England can only be done
    it you want to just go out and do it. I have submitted my second
    article to the Event East Coast (of the USA) naturist magazine.
    My article covers the 3 trips that I did in the White Mountains
    of New Hampshire this summer. I have also provided the Event with
    4 photos. We had a good time on each of the trips and I have expanded
    my hiking terraine into a new area of the White Mountains, the Sabaday
    trail off the Kankamagus Highway. Next season I plan to hike into
    several new areas that I have not been to yet. So if you receive
    the Event watch for us in the winter edition.
    Hope you can join me next season in expanding the boundries of naturism
    in New England.
    See you on the trail.
    John
130.21I hope you don't mind my asking, but..TALLIS::JBELLZeno was almost hereThu Dec 28 1989 17:134
    Don't you have problems with chaffing?

    I get raw enough wearing shorts on a hiking trip.  Does lots of
    talcum make up for it?
130.22I've got the same problem -1!GENRAL::KILGORECoyote Clan MemberFri Dec 29 1989 02:425
I've never tried talcum powder, maybe I should!  My legs (thighs) rub together 
quite a bit and which causes a rash (diaper?) ;-)!  So usually I just hike
topless and wear jeans.  

Judy
130.23CHAFFINGUSWAV1::REIDSat Dec 30 1989 21:0125
    You can get chaffing from your pack straps if you are not careful
    but most pack straps are of a smooth nylon material that does not
    cause serious chaffing. As you pointed out you do get chaffed from
    shorts. That why I started the New England Naturist bare back packing
    SIG so that I could hike nude and do it with others who enjoyed
    a naturist life style. Can you join me on one of my trips this summer?
    The dates that I am targeting are:
    June 21-24, July 19-22, August 16-19
    I joined the New England naturists (N.E.N.A.) 4 years ago there
    is a note file in the naturist notes on the group. I publish a news
    letter for bare back packing if you would like to receive it. The
    cost is 8 stamps to cover postage and it runs March to October.
    If you do send your mailing address and the 8 stamps to
    N.E.N.A. Inc.
    Box 3209 Wayland Sq. Station
    Providence, R.I. 02906 
    The NENA group will forward your letter to me at my home in Mass.
    If you want to communicate directly VAXmail me your address and
    I will send you mine. Some people are still concerned about the
    world knowing about our naturist life style. If you get the Event
    magazine I have an article comming up in the winter adition. That
    will give you an idea of the White Mountains. 
    Thank you for your intrest and hope you can join us on the trail.
    Have a safe New Years!
    John
130.24cure for chaffingUSWAV1::REIDSat Dec 30 1989 21:1319
    Chaffing while nude hiking or back packing can be a problem the
    best thing to use is vasoline. I discovered this from my jogging.
    The vasoline put on in a thin layer on the area that is prone to
    chaffing will protect you all day. Sweat will not effect vasoline
    and turn it into a paste on your body. It will just stay on the
    skin until you wash it off. So if you do have a chaffing problem
    use vasoline and not vasoline skin care. Stuff like the vasoline
    skin care is absorbed into the skin and also has some evaporation.
    It wont protect you. Old fashion vasoline patroleum jelly will just
    stay on the skin.
    
    How are you doing Judy? I read your notes and hope you are doing
    well from your operations. How is the bare back packing out in your
    neck of the woods? Have you ever considewred putting an article
    in the EVENT or Naturally Nude (CWS) naturist publications? If you
    get the EVent I haVE submitted another article on new england hiking.
    I also had an article in CWS 8.1 I am the one with the hat.
    Have a safe New Year.
    John Reid
130.25Bare Back Packing in New HampshireUSWAV1::REIDSat Dec 30 1989 21:2723
    Bare BAck Packing in New England.
    If you are intrested in joining me on one of my back packing trips
    this summer the shcedule is:
    June 21,22,23,24
    July 19,20,21,22
    August 16,17,18,19
    
    I am a member of the New England Naturist Association Inc. and am
    the SIG leader for bare back packing. I have enough trail tents
    to accomodate a crew of 14. You only need your actual hiking equipment.
    I publish a news letter that runs March thur October and only cost
    8 25 cent stamps. If you are intrested send me a vaxmail with your
    home address and I will send you mine or you can send your 8 stamps
    and mailing address to N.E.N.A. Inc. Box 3209 Wayland Sq. Station
    Providence, R.I. 02906 The NeNA members handling the mail will send
    your letter to my home.
    I have an article comming out in the winter edition of the Event
    which will give you an idea of the areas we hike in. So if you are
    intrested in expanding your naturist experiences that you join us
    on one of our trips. If you are uncertain get in touch with me and
    we can talk over the phone about back packing and if its for you
    or not. Dont know until you give it a try.
    John Reid
130.26Back Packing TripsUSWAV1::REIDSat Mar 03 1990 23:297
    Well spring is just around the corner so we shall see how many naturist
    start climbing out of their winter dens to shead that pale winter color
    and regain that warm tan that only summer brings on. How many of you
    out there are intrested in bare back packing in the White Mountains of
    New Hampshire? If you are let me know I have three trips planned for
    this summer Date are in Note .25 If you are intreated let me know. 
    Until I hear from you I hope you have a long lazy warm summer!
130.27Back Packing in the White Mountains of N.H.USWAV1::REIDMon Mar 26 1990 02:3815
    Bare Back Packing in the White Mountains of New Hampshire
    New England Naturist Association Bare Back Packing SIG
    Trip Schedule:
    June 21,22,23,24  July 19,20,21,22   August 16,17,18,19
    
    Looking for something different to do this summer join us on a bare
    back packing trip into the White Mountains National Forest of new
    england. I am the SIG leader for the back packing SIG. If you are
    intrested you can contact me through the NENA organization or via VAX
    mail. I have tents to support a crew of 14 people and provide a list of
    equipment that you will need for a trip. If you would like to receive
    my newsletter it is only the cost of 8 postage stamps. Send me your
    mailing address and 8 25cent stamps to cover the 8 mailings.
    See you on the trail.
    John
130.28Renting Back Packing EquipmentUSWAV1::REIDMon Apr 09 1990 00:5913
    Rental equipment can be obtained from REI outdoor sporting specialists.
    They compete with EMS and carry a full line of camping gear. They sell
    and rent. They are located ar 279 Salem Street Reading , Ma. Telephone
    # is 617-944-5103.
    Directions from RT 128: Take exit 40. follow rotary to RT 129 West.
    This is Salem Street. REI will be immediately on your left. 
    Store hours: Mon-Fri 10-9,Sat.9:30-6,Sun.12-5
    
    If you are thinking about joining me on a trip but dont want to invest
    a lot of money for equipment if it is not something you want to do much
    of in the future this will allow you a cost effective way to enter the
    sport of back packing.
    John