Be careful under those enclaves, and over hangs. You never know when one might detach.
Also be careful about building a hot fire under it, as it can cause a spall, and hot shards of rock can go flying all over the place, and it might be enough to make it detach a big chunk. Try to keep your fires small, for a number of reasons. If on ground, dig a hole and build your fire in that. You can make a cross hatch of limbs, and thicker stuff, on the first layer, and then on up to the lighter stuff for each layer, and make it like a pyramid, and then light the top part, and as it burns, it drops coals, down to the next layer, and it burns, and so forth, and it lasts longer, and you don't have to keep getting up and putting more wood on.
You don't want to draw too much attention, on your adventure, be careful, and legal when you can.
The Church is a good idea, and you just might find food, and work through that avenue also. Of course they might shake you down for a donation.....
But it is a good place to get info, and help, and a little prayer wouldn't hurt your Trip either. Again watch your back trail, stay out of certain patches of big green bushes......
Could get a bit dangerous, some are bobby trapped with fish hooks, and other nasties, should you stumble upon them. And if you smell chemicals, like acetone, etc. around an old barn, farm house etc. beat feet elsewhere. There are a lot of Meth labs popping all over. Montana has a problem with them. Those people are very easily spooked, and suspicious, and not the friendliest to speak of, keep on keeping on.
Don't get curious ! It could be very dangerous to do so. Just keep on walking, and don't even glance that way, and keep going for a few miles, before stopping. Do try to obey the no tresspassing signs.
Some people don't have a sense of humor, if they catch you on their land.
Other than that just the regular common sense cautions, always be aware of your surroundings, and people about you.
Always have at least two escape routes from your camps, should there be a reason to beat feet. Always, keep your pack packed and ready to go when you bed down, so if the need arises, for what ever reason, you can grab your hammock, sleeping bag, etc, and your pack, and boogie to places elsewhere without having to leave anything. You might want to get some iodine tabs, to keep with you, and take some tea bags, it helps with the taste when you boil water. Some peppermint tea bags, or some real peppermint oil, will help with that. Also Peppermint helps with indigestion, and is slightly antibiotic, and a diluted drop or two will ease an ear ache. I would take a small bottle of Australian Tea Tree oil with you. Make sure it is 100% pure malaluca alternafolia. NOt diluted with alcohol, or other oils. You can get it at Wally World, in the Vitamin section. It is the strongest over the counter antifungal, and antibacterial you can buy. Don't get it in your eyes, or in your nose, or mucal areas. A little rubbed under your nose will open clogged sinuses. A little rubbed on your socks, and shoes, pants, etc. and the chiggers, ticks, and other little critters will stay away. Smells pretty strong, like camphor and turpentine. Do you have a mosquito net? You can get them surplus pretty cheap from Sportsmansguide.com. Under the military section. Or a therma cell. If you run into some skeeter country. Stay away from the marshes and such, when camping for that reason, but take your light, and a gig and get some frogs. Also don't camp too close to still water, as it could have a nice crowd of skeeters. I am assuming you have all your fire starter material, magnesium bar with striker, steel wool, etc.
Good luck and keep us updated, and keep that journal going, and take more than one note book, and pen. And keep your folks updated, on where you have been, and where you are going, and on anything that has happened along the way.
Enjoy it guys, you won't be able to do this later on, go for it, and have fun. Oh, take a deck of cards.
Wayne
