BC30cal,
Good points.
On your second point, I always stress that one's attention and awareness must never stray from it.
On your first point, seems that this pair's mindset or experience were NOT prepared for the hazards. Since they were traveling by canoe, a rifle or shotgun would not added any additional hardship to travel for the potential protection it afforded.
A Canadian hiker once told me that the difference between Americans and Canadians in the Wilderness was that Canadians carried bells and Americans carried guns...
Seems that the famous Canadian bells might have been utilized to potentially give some warning if attached to the tent opening/perimeter wire? Ever hear anyone doing that?
