Winter Survival Tips

This time of year can produce unexpected survival situations at any time. Simply getting your car stuck in the snow can mean you are going to spend a couple of hours outdoors. A power outage from frozen lines can put your home in the cold for hours or even days. All of the cases of hypothermia I have witnessed were caused by being exposed to the cold for longer than anticipated.

Most of us would rather spend time home in front of the fireplace than hike through the forest during the winter. Attendance at our state and national parks proves this point. Most close through the winter, or at least cut their staff. However, if you are properly prepared, then winter camping can be a beautiful experience. Whether you are headed out for a crisp winter trek or just on your way to work, a couple of simple steps an save you some unnecessary misery.

1. Dress in Layers

   If you get too hot, you can always take a layer off. If you don't wear enough, then you're just out of luck. Also, if your inner layer gets wet from walking, then take it off. While you might be hot and sweating, you will freeze as soon as you stop moving. So strip that bottom layer off and let it dry. At night when you lay down to sleep strip off all of your clothes. That's right, take it all off no matter how cold it might be. Throughout the day your clothes have absorbed moisture from your body. If you sleep in these clothes you may fall asleep toasty, but wake up covered in a thin layer of ice. It would even be better to sleep naked if necessary. Keep an extra set of warm clothes in your car including shoes. You will appreciate it if you have to walk for help with a break-down.

2. Let Yourself Eat

   Winter camping is no time to be on a low calorie diet. Our bodies need calories to produce heat. Sometimes the simplest solution to the cold is a hot meal.
   
   
   

3. Get Off The Ground

   Pile leaves, hay, or even a piece of cardboard on the ground. Then, spread a piece plastic over it, and build your tent on top. This barrier will prevent your body from defrosting the ground below in your sleep and waking up in a puddle of ice cold water.

4. Master the Fire

   I always bring at least three sources of fire on winter camp-outs. If I'm in a situation where my lighter will not work, I still have matches and flint. I also carry dry tender and kindling for getting the fire started. Keep in mind, it may be easier to fetch firewood than to try to start a fire in the dark. That is why I just try to always keep a fire burning.

5. Have The Right Tools For The Job

   It is important to have what you need from the right tent to a good sleeping bag. In the summer, it won't make a difference if you use a ten person tent for just one. However, in the winter it can be a crucial mistake. The human body produces enough heat to warm a small one or two person tent. In a large dome tent, one person's heat would simply dissipate into open air. The extra few dollars spent for a below zero sleeping bag, polypropylene long underwear, and a warm pair of boots are a well spent investment. Don't forget the camera. The snow and ice can make the woods you know look like a whole new dimension.

6. Constantly be Aware of Your Body

   Honestly analyze your condition. No experience is worth the permanent damage caused by frostbite and hypothermia. Keep in mind it will take awhile to safely warm your body, so don't wait until it's too late. It's hard to work a lighter with frozen fingers.

Be safe, have fun, and share.

Summer is Here!

Summer is here, and outdoor activities are on everyone's mind.  We all want to have fun, but it's also important to protect ourselves.  Heat advisories are being issued all over our country, and the dog days of summer aren't even here yet.  Most weekend campers will remember to bring bug spray, but most will neglect to bring sunscreen.  Adding a few items to your day pack can help keep you comfortable while you enjoy the wilderness our country has to offer.

• Water (at least 2 liters)
• Insect Repellent 
• Sunscreen
• Charged Cellphone Turned Off (For Emergencies Only)
• Map Of Area
• Matches and Fire Starters
• Small First-Aid Kit

Adjust your pack for any activities you have planned.  Keep drinking water and be aware of the signs of dehydration in yourself and other members of your group. They are:

1. Dry and Sticky Mouth
2. Drowsiness
3. Swollen Tongue
4. Incredible Thirst
5. Dark and Smelly Urine

Anyone showing theses symptoms should be moved indoors or to a shady area, drink water, and rest.  This person needs to be monitored and a decision made on whether or not they require hospitalization.  

Why Take Chances?

When I was a young scout, my troop went for a day hike that lasted for two.  It was no emergency, we were prepared as any good scout should... we were just lost.  An old map combined with our inexperience, was all it took to double the length of our stay.  Our handbooks had taught us what to pack, which turned out to be essential, but we forgot one crucial step.  Tell somebody.

A good friend or loved one ALWAYS has a map of my intended route with a rough timeline.  I also tell them that if they have not heard from me by a certain date and time, then I need them to take action.  The type of trip will dictate the action I ask them to take.  If I'm fishing at a local park I may ask them to drop by to make sure I haven't drown.  If I'm taking a month long hike down the Appalachian Trail, then I may ask them to contact authorities in the event I'm unreachable.  No one has ever had to take action for me, but I still make sure that safety net is in place.  

If I plan for a day hike, I pack for at least two days.  I keep in mind temperature changes from day to night.  I don't plan on being out after dark, but I'm still ready for it.  Depending on my destination, my pack might include;

1. At least two pairs of socks ("take care of your feet and they will take care of you")
2. One complete change of clothes
3. Two full 2 quart canteens
4. First Aid kit
5. Space blanket
6. Several protein bars (or Snickers depending on my mood)
7. Current maps (GPS doesn't always work / batteries die)
8. Charged cell phone turned off (for emergencies only)
9. Water purification tablets or water filter
10. Lighter and matches in a waterproof bag
11. Camera (not everything has to be for emergencies)
12. Notebook and pencil
13. Pocket knife
14. Two meals
15. Flashlight

I pack things as tightly as possible, buy dehydrated meals, and keep things as light as possible.  Typically, I can keep it all contained in a sturdy school backpack.  One important item I forgot to mention is to be sure to include plenty of any medications you might be taking and any treatments you may require for allergic reactions.

The outdoors can be an amazing place even to get lost, but being caught off-guard can make it a miserable experience.  Why take chances?  If you get lost, let it be a time you remember unexpectedly communing with nature.... not a time you recall being caught with your pants down and battling the elements.  

Burnin' Down the Forest

The type of fire layout I use depends on where I'm camping, and the types of materials available.  First, I ensure there are no fire safety warnings in the park.  Usually there will be a sign at the entrance indicating the current fire hazard level.  If not, then I simply ask the park ranger.  NEVER start a fire if there is a campfire ban in effect.  Not only do you risk burning down the whole forest, but you will also get a steep fine.

Photo Courtesy of the US Army

Here you can see four simple layouts.  I prefer the pyramid.  If I build it properly, then I can light it and leave it alone.  The others require a constant adding of logs to keep them burning.
However, when the fuel is wet a tepee or lean-to might be the best answer.
In dry or windy conditions I may have no choice except to dig a cross-ditch.
The only right answer is to build a layout with the tinder in the center, the kindling around it, and the logs on the outside.  Just make your layout work for the conditions you find yourself in.

Photo Courtesy of the US Army

During the winter and windy conditions, I'll build a fire wall as illustrated here.  Not only does it protect my fire from the elements, but it also reflects the majority of the heat back to me.  

Get Your Fire Started

My Pack

I'm starting to re-stock my pack for my first spring adventure.  Since I'm planning on a spring trip, I'm also planning on chilly nights and rainy days.  I find the best way to prevent spending a night shivering in the tent is to anticipate the worst.  Wet and sparse firewood and insufficient fire starters are common problems.  So I carefully pack the right equipment.

I always begin this process by preparing my fire source.  I include three lighters, a water proof container filled with wood stick matches, and a flint and steel fire starter.  Remember to pack some dryer lint or dry tender to catch the sparks from the flint and steel set.  Conveniently, my favorite coffee comes in the perfect can to keep all of these things safe and dry.

I also make my own kindling to sustain a fire.  They are easy to make and will be well worth the effort on a forty degree morning without any hot coffee ready.


Materials:
Paraffin Wax
Large Cardboard Egg Carton
Saw Dust (Enough to Fill The Egg Carton)

Steps:
First, evenly spread the saw dust in the egg carton,
Next, You need to melt the wax.
You must begin with a few simple facts about wax.  You do not want to use soy wax.  This is a softer wax that will melt on hotter days.  There is nothing worse than putting in this effort just to end up with an oily mess in a plastic bag.  You'll want to use a refined or fully refined paraffin wax.  Also, paraffin has a flash point of 184 to 199 degrees depending on how many additives it contains.  So, use a wax thermometer and be safe.

Then, pour enough wax into each cup of the egg carton to fill it three quarters of the way.
Finally, cut out each individual cup of the egg carton once the wax has hardened.
These little cups may not look like much, but they work great.  They light easily with smoldering tender, they burn for at least twenty minutes, and I've gotten them to light even when wet.
Next time I'm going to focus on building the perfect fire.

If you're ever in a pinch, you can always make a fire with steel wool and a 9 volt battery.  Use steel wool with no soap, and touch it to both terminals on the 9 volt.  The steel wool will begin to smolder, and you can use it to catch your tender on fire.

I'm Glad It's Not Just Me!

I've been a touch concerned for about the past two years.  I've been noticing the weather and wondering, "Am I going crazy, or are the seasons becoming more extreme?"  After our fifth weekend snow storm in a row, I finally did some research.  I wasn't able to find much in American main stream media, but I did find some interesting articles about a recent experiment.  You can read about it yourself at The Register. 
The first thing I learned is that 2012 was the hottest year in American history.  Yes, you read that right.  The hottest year ever.  However, I don't really care about the heat right now (I'll worry about that in a couple of months).  I want to know where all this (expletive deleted) snow is coming from. 
Vladimir Petoukhov of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research explains that the Arctic is now closer in temperature to the areas around it.  The temperature difference creates wind which pushes air masses across our globe.  The bigger the temperature difference, the more wind you get, and the faster the weather travels around the world.  Makes sense, right?
Well, with the Arctic warming and a smaller temperature difference to the areas around it, the weather is slowing down and even stalling out in places.  Possibly right over your house.
The next time you are looking out the window and wondering if it's ever going to stop, the answer is.... Maybe not this time.
More to the point, this will affect most of my outdoor activities.  I am going to adjust my packing lists for more extreme weather, and be more aware of the local forecasts. 
I guess in the end, I am left with more questions than answers.  Will the media report on this research?  What are the effects on plant and animal life?  Are these changes temporary, or have we permanently damaged the Earth around us? 

Welcome To My Adventure

This is my new blog on one of my favorite topics... The outdoors.  I've been an outdoors-man my entire life.  My family's yearly vacation was a camping trip from the time I was a boy.  A tradition I plan to continue with my own family.  I joined the Cub Scouts in elementary school, and became an Eagle Scout at seventeen.  I was a member of an active troop whose years of outdoor education was priceless.  I am also a Veteran and survivalist.

For the past few years I've spent more time in big cities than in any other time in my life.  Two things have occurred to me.  First, I miss rural America.  No matter how big or beautiful, a city park can't quench that thirst for the American wilderness.  Second, I'm in shock at how many people have lost their connection to mother nature.  I'm baffled at how many adults I know who can't start a fire, have never been camping, or even spent a night outdoors. 

Mother Nature shapes our lives regardless of where we live.  Everyone from New York City to the hills of Eastern Tennessee can feel her touch.  She has an affect on politics, current events, our safety, and much more.  The purpose of this blog is simple.  I want to help educate both young people and adults about our true national treasures.  All across our country are nationally and state owned lands set aside for the specific purpose of your enjoyment and the preservation of wildlife.  I want to bring the outdoor experience to anyone who is curious.  I will post my excursions, offer helpful tips, and point out relevant news stories.  I look forward to sharing my adventure with you.