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Oregon and Washington are both on the top ten list for missing persons and a lot of that is due to heavily forested and remote areas. Every year there are at least one or two stories about bodies found of long lost hikers or unidentified persons found in the woods

Anyone who believes this can’t be taken seriously.

Their "10 essentials" is a must have for forest wanderers.

Literally remove any and all coverings & scorch with propane weed burner. Even with that I still squish a few a week, this last year has been horrendous

If you heard half the stories about the shit their god got up to, you'd realize that it's not a joke.

Your biggest issues as far as wildlife are concerned would be cougars and bears. Elk can be dangerous if spooked. Just be aware of your surroundings, especially when filtering water or relieving yourself.

Then move to a state that doesn’t have them and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Right, but it’s not worth doing if you don’t make good money. What you just described isn’t actually very much, so without tips, it’s unlikely people will do this job.

I still identify as a cradle Catholic, but have walked myself and my money away from the church. You don't get my money and get to preach while you're protecting abusers. Abusers who have hurt children, nuns, and who knows who else. Don't be surprised why people have walked away (for other reasons too).

I have lived in Eastern Washington my whole life, bears most likely won’t but a mountain lion will. I have know two people where I lived that have died from them. Granted that is not a lot but they are seen almost every couple months or so. Not all of Eastern Washington is the same.

Sorry, but you’ve got it completely backwards. If it’s black, fight back is because you have a chance of at least getting out alive and because black bears typically aren’t predatory. They’re straight up docile compared to grizzlies and most black bears will steer clear of humans.

Grizzlies on the other hand you absolutely don’t mess with. You wouldn’t be able to out fight them for starters. And so you should just play dead and cover your midsection.

I wonder if you’re out and about in this region much? Black bears are EVERYWHERE and as long as you don’t threaten their cubs or surprise them at a close distance, they’re too busy munching on insects and berries to bother people.

Stop the excuses and mandate reporting of abuse.

It's not just a venal sin. It's also a felony.

Gee I wonder what could be making them want to do that...

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/10/child-sex-abuse-claims-san-diego-catholic-church

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“Turn out”?

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/r/pastorarrested will explain why. Christian clergy have a long and ugly tradition of abusing children.

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Your biggest risk is something on two legs, whether it’s someone with bad intentions or a hunter making a mistake. Consider wearing bright colors. A knife a bear spray can offer peace of mind but statistically it’s unlikely you’ll need them.

Keep hiking off trail, especially in the national forest land, that’s what it’s for. Don’t listen to all these dummies telling you to stay on trail. That is only relevant inside the national park in high traffic areas. Bushwhacking is good for the soul.

Give them a couple thousand years to refine their techniques. I’m sure they’d get there.

An E-Meter can’t rape a kid. I guess at least the Scientologists have improved something.

Ok so do you want to kill the nonnative moose that entered Ranier National Park this winter? Moose are way more dangerous than goats.

Confession is to exert power over group members by requiring them to bare their deepest darkest secrets to an authority figure on pain of eternal damnation. Plenty of cults use the same tool. It’s shockingly effective at keeping people obedient and amenable.