Wilderness Survival Tips For Mountain Hiking

Why have wilderness survival tips on a hiking web site? Because thousands of people every year find themselves in a wilderness survival situation in the mountains. Most are rescued alive and well - but not all of them. Backpacking or hiking in the mountains is especially risky because of the difficult terrain, the potentially big falls, and the variable weather. Knowing how to prepare and learning a few survival skills can save your life. Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Have an itinerary. Leave a plan behind so rescuers know where to look if you don't show up at the end of your trip. Consider where you want to go carefully, because if you change your plans too much, the note you left behind doesn't help much. Note other options you might consider on your itinerary.

2. Bring technology. I never used to be a fan of bringing cell phones and GPS units backpacking. They can be distracting, and are generally not needed. But if you leave them off they don't bother you, and they are there when you need them. They do save lives. Make sure the phone is charged, and mark the location of your vehicle on your GPS before you leave the trail head.

3. Bring a wilderness survival kit. Your kit should have two ways to start a fire (waterproof matches and a lighter or magnesium fire stick), some aspirin, a small blade for cutting things, some twine, a bit of duct tape, reflector for signaling rescuers, a whistle for the same, dental floss (many uses), pencil and paper, water purification tablets, needle and thread, aspirin, gauze pads, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, safety pins, moleskin for blisters, sun block, bandages and medical tape. That sounds like a lot, but a kit like this can easily weigh six ounces or less. Having sun block can be especially important in the mountains because of the strength of the sun at high elevations.

4. Bring other necessary items. Even on an easy day hike a compass and map are always a good idea. But keep in mind that if you are lost they'll do little for you until you figure out where you are on the map. Have clothing for any situations and weather you might encounter. In mountainous areas this means rainwear and a hat and gloves. I've been snowed on many times in July and August in the Rocky Mountains. Be sure to bring enough water. Food is nice to have, but water is crucial. I prefer to have two water bottles, so one can be drunk from while lake or stream water is being treated in the other,

5. Learn about the weather. Many mountains have regular afternoon thunderstorms in the summer, so it is usually best to go high early and try to get off of the peaks and high ridges by noon. Learn to recognize storms and where they are headed.

6. Learn the basics of staying warm. Hypothermia, the loss of body heat, is the biggest killer in wilderness survival situations. If you get lost or injured, make staying warm your first priority. Always be thinking about how to get out of the wind, how to stay dry, and how to insulate yourself. Dead air space is what insulates. This can be created by stuffing dry grass into your jacket, or by crawling under a pile of dry leaves, or by using cattail fluff in plastic bags as mittens. Learn a few tricks that can save your life. Also, remember that in mountains low places and high places are often colder at night. Make camp somewhere between the peaks and valleys.

7. Practice fire making. A fire is an unnecessary luxury on most wilderness trips, but in a survival situation it can be a life saver. Learn how to start a fire with one match, or without matches. Then practice at home before you are in an emergency situation.

8. Learn some basic shelters. A basic lean-to can keep rain and snow off of you. A brush shelter can quickly give you protection from cold desert nights. A snow cave or tree-well shelter can keep you warm in winter conditions, and these two are especially useful in mountains. Learn about these and other shelters and practice making one or two of them.

9. Learn about edible plants. You don't need to be an expert to use edible wild plants for food. In fact, most don't give you enough calories to bother with, and food isn't usually a priority in a survival situation. But knowing a dozen of the most common and highest-calorie wild foods (cattails, pinyon pine nuts, blueberries and raspberries, for example) can be a great comfort, and having food does make it easier to combat your biggest enemy: the cold.

10. Have the right attitude. Time and time again we see that attitude determines who survives as much as skills or strength. Use these wilderness survival tips then, but also decide ahead of time that if you get lost or injured, you'll find a way to make it. Carry a photo of a loved one for motivation, and read a few inspirational survivor stories that you can recall when necessary.

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