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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2017 17:26:35 GMT -5
Some of the recent topics on this forum had made me think that it would be a good idea to share tips on safety in the Rocky Mountains. Although I'm not an expert by far, I've learned things throughout my life spending time in the wilderness. My thoughts are that a thread like this could help/save a reader who finds themselves in a dangerous predicament. Please feel free to add your tips! - I believe one of top topics would be getting lost. It is very easy to get lost in the forest and desert. Especially if your mind is focused on finding clues. Here are some of my tips... 1. Always take note of unusual landmarks while hiking and where you are in relation to the sun. ie. large rocks, hills, trees, anything unusual that stands out. Use these as future reference points. 2. A GPS is best and a must - get one and learn how to use it. 3. The position of the sun is my number one tool for finding my way (aside from a GPS). It has saved my butt many times. 4. A compass - get one and learn how to use it. There are a number of other cool, hardcore ways to find your way ie. ants, moss on trees, using sticks and shadows - I've never had to use these. Most disasters happen when people get lost and panic. When you panic, you can make fatal mistakes. Always remember to stay calm. Another Topic is Weather... Weather in the mountains can change in minutes. It can be beautiful, calm and dry one minute and the next a brutal rainstorm can blow in with extremely high winds. I was caught off guard once by this and spent the night with my tent wrapped around me on the side of a hill. If you get caught in a storm, stay where you are until it blows over. Don't walk, or run. Everything gets extremely slippery. Usually, the storm will stop as quick as it started. Just wait it out. Rivers & Creeks Never underestimate how dangerous rivers and creeks can be. It's difficult, almost impossible to tell how deep they are. Even if they are clear, it's still hard to tell the depth. The rocks are extremely slippery and currents can be incredibly strong, even if they look calm. My advise is to not cross them unless you absolutely have to. If you must, try cross using a fallen tree. If you walk a ways down a creek/small river you will most likely always find one. If you find a tree to hold on to when you cross, walk across on the downstream side while holding onto the branches. If you are on the upstream side of the tree and you fall, strong currents can push you under the tree and pin you under water into the branches underneath and you will drown. more tips to come  |
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Post by kpro on Mar 12, 2017 17:45:51 GMT -5
I asked this question prior to my first botg last year over at cc. It was super helpful, here are some things I recall.
Bring walkie talkies, absolute best splurge, as we like to wonder a bit but always in communication.
Bring a wet bag, we purged over the creek and all our stuff was dry.
Bring an extra change of clothes in the car. It is amazing what you will do when out there.
I chose to only have water on me not food due to bears. There is split opinion on this. Food was in the car.
Waking sticks - especially for hidy holes and to see if snakes are in there. I have been botg twice and both times it helped me get a snake out.
We got caught out in lightening. We stayed as long as possible then literally ran for it. When lightening gets super close it actually is so loud that it is beyond frightening.
On the rivers and creeks - yes! I actually would throw some leaves in there and just watch them float down just to see the direction they went. It was misleading at times.
Don't jump over logs as there may be snakes in the other side. Step up then Over.
Bear bell and bear spray is a must. IMO.
Bandana is also important for Collin off (dip in the river) or for sun protection.
Mosquito repellent , sounds obvious, but important.
Don't go over a mile or so from your car, the TC is not out any further than that. IMO.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2017 17:52:13 GMT -5
Excellent post! Not much I can add you got it all just about.
Dry matches
Drinking tube/filter
Map in a bag (in case GSP fails). NOTE: Do NOT count on a phone working!!!!!!!!!!!
Knife
First Aid kit (and snake bite kit)
GUN (as the man in Wyoming told me, best way to deal with a bear is a "lead spread"
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Post by heidini on Mar 12, 2017 20:04:33 GMT -5
I agree with not bringing food with you. Although I do bring sealed granola bars. When I am finished I put them in a Ziploc bag. I know the Bears can smell me on mile away but at least I made an effort. The granola bars are a miniature meal in case you need one. I tend to bring more water than I need. in one of my hikes I dropped off some water about a quarter of the way through and then halfway. It was really nice to have that water on the way back. And I didn't have to carry it with me the entire way. I feel a large bandanna is a great safety tool. It can be used as a tourniquet or as a splint tie or to block the sun or cool off. It's a good idea to have a lighter or waterproof matches. Knife, sturdy boots, good socks. People underestimate the power of the sun in the mountains. The atmosphere actually protects us from the sun. And high elevation there is far less protection. I got one of the worst parts of my life the first time I went to the Rocky Mountains. I love the idea of hiking poles. The terrain is uneven and it has helped me stay upright. I know I repeated some stuff but I think what I said is good stuff.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2017 22:16:40 GMT -5
I love this subject. Generally it easier on a steady grade to climb up than to climb back down.
It is a judgment thing. Consider there is an easier path down.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2017 7:22:31 GMT -5
Wear layers of lightweight shirts/jacket. Air between will insulate and if you get hot you can take a layer or two off.
If you get stuck with no water, find a fast moving stream to drink from. Don't drink still/stagnate water.
If you come across a half eaten deer or elk carcass, leave the area. Grizzlies are always close to their lunch.
If you have an iPhone, install the 'find my iPhone' app. Give your login info to someone who can use it to find you if needed. It works off satellite and cell service isn't needed to find you with it.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2017 18:22:52 GMT -5
Do not pay 150 on boots and take them off to be courteous because they are muddy.
Do not leave them on top of the small vanity trash can perpendicularly.
The help will not understand the courtesy.
May not save your life but you will not be out 150.
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Post by heidini on Mar 13, 2017 20:01:36 GMT -5
Do not pay 150 on boots and take them off to be courteous because they are muddy. Do not leave them on top of the small vanity trash can perpendicularly. The help will not understand the courtesy. May not save your life but you will not be out 150. I covered the tub drain in my hotel room with toilet tissue. I filled it up with about 2 inches of water and proceeded to get all the mud off of my boots. OMG it was like plaster with tiny little rocks. I practically could've built an Adobe out of what I got off of my boots! I let the water drain out of the tub blocking the debris with the tissue. Then I cleaned out all the rocks and debris with more tissue and threw it in the trash. It actually all rinsed quite clean including my boots. It was pretty hilarious. I dried my boots actually in the tub. Another time I had a pair of waders that I had cleaned the same way. I used the shower curtain bar to attach the overall part of the waders to it so they would dry up right. In the middle of the night, I went to the bathroom and was startled thinking that there was someone in there but it was just the waders! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2017 20:28:36 GMT -5
Lol. Memories.
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Post by heidini on Mar 13, 2017 23:07:47 GMT -5
You remind me of Merrill Streep. What was it white water. You are the coolest. Are you referring to me? Lol. I'm not cool. I look mainstream but I am a giant nerd. I am just athletic enough to be accident prone! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2017 3:44:32 GMT -5
Develop outdoor skills, It is hard nowadays. It is progressive, there is no short course. Judgment comes with experience, and experience is loaded with mistakes.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2017 6:32:34 GMT -5
Develop outdoor skills, It is hard nowadays. It is progressive, there is no short course. Judgment comes with experience, and experience is loaded with mistakes. I agree, worth it also to take a basic survival course. I took one when I was a kid. It was invaluable. |
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Post by heidini on Mar 17, 2017 9:13:22 GMT -5
When I was in Girl Scouts we learn how to use a compass. As far as knowing which way is north south east west I can do it but I cannot navigate with a Compass. I have picked up things with survival shows like Dual survival and man vs wild. What I have concluded is I need Bear Grills in my survival pack!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2017 9:49:31 GMT -5
I did orienteering. I was a top notch cub scout. However, sometimes even a compass will not help. I will do some deep channeling. Forrest I think, leaves things around that help him navigate. Lol. I have developed blazing intelligence. I was in cub scouts too, my mother was our den mother (Jon Bonjovi was in my troop, his mom worked with mine in a business selling). We went on to Boy Scouts but I joined a troop in Sayerville. This will sound stupid because well I was a stupid typical kid, but I never made it to Eagle Scout because my friends laughed that I would first have to be a "Weblo". Since these are also your teen years, hormones kicking in, I wanted chicks not scouts (although at summer camp Jon and I once raided the Girl Scouts). Man I miss those early 70's. Here's a pic of me, won't say which one is me and which is Jon though... My sister had to jump in to the frame, we are at Mystic Seaport. This was probably 1971?  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2017 10:38:17 GMT -5
I did orienteering. I was a top notch cub scout. However, sometimes even a compass will not help. I will do some deep channeling. Forrest I think, leaves things around that help him navigate. Lol. I have developed blazing intelligence. I was in cub scouts too, my mother was our den mother (Jon Bonjovi was in my troop, his mom worked with mine in a business selling). We went on to Boy Scouts but I joined a troop in Sayerville. This will sound stupid because well I was a stupid typical kid, but I never made it to Eagle Scout because my friends laughed that I would first have to be a "Weblo". Since these are also your teen years, hormones kicking in, I wanted chicks not scouts (although at summer camp Jon and I once raided the Girl Scouts). Man I miss those early 70's. Here's a pic of me, won't say which one is me and which is Jon though... My sister had to jump in to the frame, we are at Mystic Seaport. This was probably 1971? that's an awesome pic - what's a Weblo? |
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