He drives two hours through a snowstorm to deliver a new set of keys to a friend who has lost his in the snow. An outdoor friend breaks trail on the morning after a 10-inch snowstorm. He brings the maps, makes the phone calls and studies the routes so an outdoor adventure can start and end in safety. She is always prepared. Though her pack weighs close to 80 pounds, she always seems to have the safety pin, duct tape, band aid, insect repellent, extra water, filter or trail mix when such items are needed the most.
Outdoor friends make others feel comfortable in a new situation.
They share their skills with novices, build up the confidence of a person who is struggling and offer compliments while never bragging. Outdoor friends ignore differences in religion, politics and basic values. Though they might disagree, they are willing to accept and even celebrate such differences. Such friendships can never be taken for granted because they are such rare treasures. They need to be celebrated, nourished and continued.