Carrie Bobcattie in Muducation

Outfitting: Nope, Better, be prepared, get muddy, rescue, cleanup.



A little dedication goes to the people that I've always enjoyed watching, firstly being Penny Marshmouse, whom was my first muddy inspiration, Taral Wayne for his numerous muddy mainstream furry pictures out there. Railride for his take on muddy furs, Kritterfox, and VanderCat for inspiration and treacherous tales. Kartonis for muddy dragons! seriously! Dragons!!!

And all the rest of you that are kind enough to watch this muddy misfit.
I hope you all enjoy this little field guide.

Carrie, Sara, and Jacob

Jacob, huh, who's Jacob...
You'll see...

Swampfox!

---PB---

Muducation!
This field guide will walk (er, slog) you through some tips, outfitting ideas, clothing solutions, skills to learn, some fun, safety, and cleanup ideas to help aspiring Swampfox Scouts become better scouts, and enjoy their experience all while learning some great things about our world, and themselves too!

Have fun everybody

---PB---



Outfitting

This section I will be breaking down into a few sub-sections, Firstly the section for what I would recommend for girls, and secondly the section that I would recommend for boys. While I have experience on the female front, I have been seeing this fox lately, and he has tips for the guys too! My outfits do work for guys too, just um most guys aren’t into what girls are wearing besides wanting to get into what a girl is wearing

Girls:
For your exploration I would go for jeans as they are more impervious to small sticker-bushes then the thinner material of that of simple leggings. The pants should be loose fitting not too tight as this is only what we wear on top, underneath the jeans I would suggest wearing either a leotard/tights combo or simply a leotard/swimsuit. In regards to swimsuits I always opt for a single-peice suit or at the very minimum, a monokini. My reasoning is a personal experience. I had tried a two piece, but noticed that once a little bit of mud had gotten under the waistband, it became a lost cause trying to keep the suit on, as I was particularly active in the mud, the suit just kept sliding down, enough so that I had to keep tabs on it constantly pulling it back up as it slid down my mud slippery body. The Monokini, is skimpy and provides less coverage than most single-peice suits, but keeps the suit cohesive via either straps, or a front section of the swimsuit so no mud gets down into the panty section of the suit, in short, this design keeps you from loosing your swimsuit in the mud.

So, tights and leotard, no bra, no panties. Why, Bras are expensive, and often times the leotard has some version of a bra or at least some vague hints at support, like a shelf bra lining, or at least a liner thats comfortable. No panties, as really, I'm here to get muddy, the tights and leo keep the mud from getting too intimate if you catch my meaning, and aids in clean up later on. I will often place a pair of knee high sport socks, like soccer socks in a color that matches the tights on underneath which protects your legs from scuffs and minor prickles, then wear a pair of leather ballet slippers on over both socks and tights. This really protects your feet. Sure it may be a little squishy , but in this sort of thing, really getting messy is the least of our concerns and protecting your feet is key!

Something that's uni-sex is the use of latex gloves. I use them frequently, and while they don't protect your hands much, it does make for easier cleanup in the long run, especially your fingernails!!! Keep those short by the way

I also employ the use of a swim cap to keep your hair out of the way and easily washable. I've used Latex or silicon swim-caps before, but have nowadays opted for a simple spandex one that still allows you to feel the wet of the mud, but keeps that same mud from your hair, to make for much easier cleanup, not to mention not having your head feel all sweaty instead of cooled off from the muddy slop that you are playing in.

Boys:
Heya, Jacob Fox here *wave-wave!* I'll be discussing what you guys might wear while out and about mudding, from the do's to the don't and everywhere in between!

For my exploration wear, I choose Carheart pants that I can stand getting a little dirty. These pants are seriously durable and great for pushing the bushes to get off the beaten path. I tend to go for cargo style and stuff a pair of my preferred underwear in one of the cargo pockets. A regular pair of socks in the other cargo pocket, or shorty socks or something. I usually wear gore-tex hiking boots that further my ability to get off trail.

Now for the Mudding outfit!

Carrie likes wearing tight things, and I for one certainly don't mind that she does! But she actually has a very good reason for choosing the ultra tight outfits.

Nope:

Baggy shorts and a t-shirt are just asking the mud to practically strip ya down. I once wore a pair of baggy trail shorts and they got so heavy as I slogged through the mud and picked up more and more mud. It got to the point that I had to hold on to the waist to keep them from sliding right off. These were baggy swim-shorts so there was nothing underneath but a mesh liner brief that needed the shorts in order to work.

Suffice to say, it got heavy, till eventually I just gave up and went skinny dipping in the mud.This does feel wonderful, but you'll practically always be pointing north, heh, heh, at least for me that is. The mud often feels quite nice, but if your mudding with friends, you probably want to keep your shorts on. (maybe)

So what I recommend for mudding shorts is usually not shorts at all but a simple speedo swim-brief, or a pair of cheap bike shorts. Or ask your girlfriend/boyfriend for some tight clothing suggestions, as they might like to see you in something else entirely, or nothing at all for that matter too

If ya look online to any mud events on you-tube or whatever video source you’ll often see guys holding the waistbands of their shorts, while girls are care-free and trouble free with body conforming suits that while coated with mud, aren’t troubled or weighted down by it.



Up top:

I go for a loose t-shirt or tank top, between the two I tend to go for a t-shirt. These can be loose or tight, loose gives you this heavy drawing pull that eventually makes it feel as if you are wearing a dress or something as they stretch down from the weight of the mud. If you go for a tight fitting t-shirt that is a size or two too small, then the mud doesn't cling so heavily. In this option I tuck the hem of the shirt into the briefs essentially creating a bodysuit combination. (Ok, Ok, it looks like a short sleeved leotard, but with guys clothing!)
I have even tried one, on (a leotard of Carrie's) and truly they are quite tight but pink is completely not my color not to mention that thing was TIGHT in awkward ways.*blush* (she seemed to like it)

Another reason I chose the swim-brief idea is that if your on the road, its just as easy to use the restroom vs Carrie's leotards, even if Carrie has her own solution to this problem. This is some real-world stuff here people. Think about your outfits if you wear them under your 'street' clothing.

I opt for briefs, she goes for leotards, but she does something neat with her leotard, she only pulls it up so far as having the brief of it on her form, she rolls the top half of the leotard up stuffs the arms into the roll, and tucks it under the waistline of her pants.

Why? Ok, girls leotards are super inefficient at being easy to remove (which is why they are great in the mud) but girls have this issue when it comes to restroom use. They can't just whip it out and go *a-hem* but the full body aspect of the leotard makes it so that if they were fully wearing it and street clothing on top of it. they would pretty much have to strip fully before utilizing the restroom!! That means taking off jacket, and shirt just to get to the leotard before then having to pull that down and pulling their regular pants down besides (thats normal, but still inconvenient in my opinion. Such a process just for going to the bathroom, then getting it all back up and back on, its like having to start over with the dressing process. And believe me thats not a quick process, her getting dressed that is. (gets slapped over the back of the head, "Whhhat?!")
For me, when I have to use the restroom, its just the normal process, no worries! (ok, now she's glaring at me) Sooo when she has to use the restroom, she just pulls the combo of rolled up-leotard/tights and pants down, and does her thing, its not a complicated process or one that takes time and or leaves her exposed from waist up. (not that I mind looking at her bewbies! heh heh)

(Carrie intrupting here; hey ladies, if you have a better solution to this above issue, let me know!)

(this is My section Carrie *push*)
I too opt for soccer socks like she recommends, and have even tried a pair of those leather ballet slippers, weird as they were, they really did help. The thing about those kind of shoes, is that they are merely like a second skin, and don't have any bulk to them, yet still provide protection to the elements. I for one usually just go for sock-footed or I have used soccer cleats too. A little tidbit for the ballet slippers, they have no traction whatsoever, but provide some awesome flexibility. if trying to walk up a muddy incline in ballet slippers, its a challenging lost cause because as slippery as the mud is, you in these slippers makes it even moreso! Slippers is a great name for them as they are at least telling the truth. Slip is all you do in em’
It is possibile though, as Carrie showed me once, while she skittered up an embankment on sorta a hands and knees and feet almost crawl, while I slipped and slid trying to walk normal, She ended up helping me up the slope! (failed hero position here)

So once you’ve arrived at your location, getting changed is quick and easy and you don’t even have to carry any extras

Ok, I’m back, Its Carrie here, Thanks Jacob!

Another Nope:
This is a big one, if you have an article of clothing that you like, like the colors, or couldn’t stand the thought of loosing/ruining, than DO NOT take it out for a romp in the swamp, this includes your clothing to get you to your favorite location!!! There is no amount of washing that can save your favorite whatnot.

I had on this awesome hoodie that I absolutely loved, thumb loops and everything, and I slid down this embankment thinking it was a perfectly controlled slide, and uh, no. I wasn’t sliding down fast, it was a slow slip, and oops, fell flat on my ass, second, I braced my impact with my hands of course, and caught my sleeve on the ground, and It ripped the right sleeve, and not even on seam-lines, outright ripped them. And then the fall and continued sliding even ripped my jeans! not saying anything about the jeans, they were jeans, I lost the back ‘pocket-like thing’ in the fall, so the seam that is stitched into the butt, that makes the pants look like there are pockets, actually ripped a seam-line of about three inches or so on my butt!!! For the rest of the hike however, the hoodie well covered my backside, cause yup, there was some panties showing! Pockets on jeans, heh, funny. (glares at Jacob) (note, girls jeans have virtually no pockets, or if they do, they are ‘fashion pockets’ Ooh I might fit a car key into them at best, grumble grumble grumble.)

So here’s are some lessons for you,
Don’t wear cute jeans, seriously, no joke!
If its cute, sexy, or in fashion whatsoever, its not gonna hold up for poo! It will rip, (easily in some occasions) and leave you in a bit of a situation, which you may wish to pack some further back-up clothing for.
Never wear something you can’t live without. Purchase clothing on clearance, and something that might list ‘working’ or anything other than ‘fashion quality’ for clothing that you do your initial exploration or hiking in to your site. This outfit may get dirty, a little. The one that WILL get dirty is underneath, so /try/ to keep the outside clothing in one piece!
One last little thing, socks: If the you are wearing socks that are of anklet, or not knee-highs or that range, than kiss them good-bye. I’ve yet to encounter a short pair of socks that have any hope of staying on your feet once you get into the depthes. They are a lost cause, believe me, I’ve lost many a pair to the muck!




Alrighty, so we’ve covered the clothing aspect of what to bring along, what to wear, what not to wear, and some precautions about all of that, now we’ll move into the more educational side of this project.

Be Prepared

Learning stuff about your territory! Maps n’ stuff and being PREPARED! Listen kiddies, this stuff is important!

A little bit of research about the area around you is key to finding that yucky mucky paradise! Where are you located, near any streams, rivers, lakes, swamps, marshes, or wetlands. Or are you near any coastal territories, tide flats, or areas effected by tide?

There are many awesome tools freely available online, from Google Earth, to phone apps and GPS programs, personally
Google Earth is one of my favorite tools I use, coupled with Google Maps set to Terrain mode. With these two programs, so many places can be scouted. Another resource is a local atlas for your region, paper maps, and trail guides can also be helpful. It really helps to enjoy exploration! I drive all over the place, following the lay of the land, watching for natural valleys where water would collect and drain. Trails and natural scenery which make for great pictures (helps that I’m a Photographer) Use books such as (in the US) the Thomas Guide for scouting.

Something to keep in mind is that where rivers flow into lakes, and lakes turn into rivers, often where two bodies of water meet, there is often mud or other sedimentary deposits, sand, clay, or silt. Each of these has their own look and feel to them, and often their own unique challenges to would-be mud-hunters. There are dangers here so be aware of your surroundings at all times!! During various times of the year areas of the shore may be exposed or not exposed at all, its all a matter of time, tide often, and season.

While I do understand some of us do this purely for the rush of escape and the potential danger of ‘scary quicksand’ it can be really quite dangerous if not prepared, or not having a method of escaping readily available. Don’t count on a Cel-Phone as where your at may not always be readily accessible for service, nor for people to get to you. This isn’t exactly a public sporting event or anything. (lucky on you if you have a good mud event near-by) While I do enjoy the occasional rescue by my foxie friend, thats more of a team sport if anything. I prefer being able to wrench myself from some sucking mire, just me myself and I, all on my own!

If you see a potential place be sure to try and find out if the area has any local ‘history’ or possible reasons that you strictly shouldn’t explore it with any intent on trying out its possible muddy situations.

For Instance:

I found a place that looked perfect for further exploration, but on looking to research about the place, found that ages ago it had been the site of a fertilizer processing facility, and that many many years ago it was part of something called a ‘Superfund Cleanup’ The area had been contaminated with mercury, lead, and various levels of toxic nasties, just think chemicals, lots of not so friendly chemicals. The surrounding area was a dead zone for wildlife and aquatic creatures. Such areas that have been ‘cleaned’ still experience high levels of toxins in their soil. EPA surveys of the area years since the cleanup, still suggest that the site is too toxic for use. Given the age of the site and how long it had since been abandoned, there was no indication of the former environmental wasteland that once was here. Rapid filling deciduous trees filled in the territory, wild blackberries, common ground-cover and weeds overcame the area, there was a sporadic chain link fence that dotted the perimeter of the zone and the main road that serviced the facility was now only a beat to hell gravel path. I did walk the site after finding out about its history to see if there were any photo-worthy works of rust and decay showing the death of this facility. There wasn’t much of anything besides a few signs that perhaps there had been some concrete pads here and there from former industrial complexes.

I saw only one sign indicating anything of any hazardous nature, that of an old ‘NO SWIMMING, (with the skull and crossbones emblem below that)’ sign It sat at the edge of a grassy field at the edge of the region. Last thing I need is another eye, or head, even though two heads are better than one, Toxic is NOT for me. Maybe that area used to be a retention pond for something, (shrug)

Suffice to say this discovery was a real eye-opener about researching the area prior to setting foot in a potential waste dump. While I realize this is on the extreme side and that this kind of thing isn’t /everywhere/ but as we (the United States) is an industrialized nation, there are lot of places pockmarked throughout the maps that have industrial history that didn’t necessarily work within EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards, if there was even an EPA at the time of their operation. History, yup, its important!!!


Well, once you’ve got something plotted on your map, (and its not hazardous level death) make sure your vehicle has all the right licenses/permits for the area you are exploring. For me I purchase something called ‘The Discovery Pass’ which ensures that I get into all State-Parks without paying the $10 daily pass rate. My pass cost me $30, but that is for the entire year and I definitely get my moneys worth as I’m always visiting local State Parks.

Next up you want some supplies that are for your safety in the long run. A first-aid kit is something that I rate as a necessity! also you should have a basic pocket knife, or something with some functionality like a ‘Swiss Army’ or Leather-man utility knife. This is pretty much a small survival kit, and its really been helpful to me in the past.

Another thing I carry is a spool of high-test Fishing line. The fishing line may seem extremely odd to everyone, but its absolute essential in my opinion. If you are trekking off the beaten path, you do eventually want to get back to the trail you started off on. Ya don’t want to get lost in your quest to find the ultimate muck! GPS is awesome, but if it can’t find at least three overhead satellites, than you are screwed.

The fishing line is something I clip (using a mini clip pre-tied to the end of the line)clip neatly to something within easy viewing distance of where the trail is. (I can see the trail, or know that its just ahead of where the line is tied to. And the trail users can’t necessarily see the clip) And I hold the spool loosely in a pocket or pouch and let it unroll as I walk and scout through the woods on my muddy expedition.
Keep letting it unroll as you walk, and when you reach your destination, set it down and secure the reel. When you are ready to head back to the trail, Tada, you aren’t lost, just wind in the reel as you walk back to your destination following the line as you go. You end up getting back to the trail and have a full spool of line for the next time you want to explore a new route! Fishing Line makes a personal trail map just for me! While I have a decent sense of direction.Just dont pull too hard on it, and watch that it doesn't get caught up on anything, this is foolproof! . (unless you break the line. Duh)

Further Education:

Your obviously online, so if you have the chance go online to You-Tube and look for Bear Grylls videos. He has several where he single handedly escapes from a variety of muds and quicksands. This is some seriously educational works by this crazy dude. Look up the subject of how to get out of quicksand. Again there will be many good examples on how to escape.

Hiking in:
When I go hiking, I often carry a walking stick. I found a neat one that breaks down to a small size for easy packing, it literally fits into a waist pouch. These sticks also do wonders for when you are actually getting involved in a swamp. More on that subject later