Survival in the Mountains
- Thread starter Calvin42
- Start date
Add a GPS SPOT and a good high watt radio to the list. Your rescue team will get there faster and won't have to risk too many others in a long search. Also they won't have to risk a night rescue if they know where you are and that you are safe and warm.
Also a small pack of tissues is a good idea too. Lots of uses, fire, bandage, and of course, if ya gotta go, ya gotta go.
I also carry a 50' piece of 200lb test cord. Rolls up to about the size of a small cigar but has tons of uses.
Also a small pack of tissues is a good idea too. Lots of uses, fire, bandage, and of course, if ya gotta go, ya gotta go.
I also carry a 50' piece of 200lb test cord. Rolls up to about the size of a small cigar but has tons of uses.
This is the ONE thing I didnt want to be an EXPERT at HOWEVER its happened to me TWICE and both times it SUCKED let me repeat it SUCKED once in cook city and the other in the snowies both at the end of the day we droped into draws way to late in the day and the snow came in,, now we orient ourselves at about 1pm and start looking for ways back by2pm as far as your carry on baggage #1 saw #2 saw#3 auto Flare,, stats fires signals ETC. #4a way to make water YOU WILL be dehydrated at 3am and will cramp just cutting wood my metal shovel worked for this.#5 I now carry a small wind up flashlight #6space blanket for the ground#7can of soup so you can use the can and bulion cubes#9carry small kids plastic snow shoes fits my escape 30 AVpack at three am you will be walking further from the fire as you will have cut down everything within reach by then#10SAW #11 SAW no a leatherman saw will not work#12Dont take your helmet off you will get colder#13candy bars and jerky #14 a pair of DRY socks I would have killed for a pair#15 Did I mention a good saw the longer the betterLOL#16 sence of HUMOR at 4AM you will need it#17 MAKE shure you like your riding buddy#18 pick a FAT one incase you have to filet one of your freindsLOL #18thought about a SAT phone but it wouldnt have helped in mycases#19 toilet PAPER #20 I also have a STERNO can #21 MY gps is on the sled and rope and all the normal stuff toolls etc,,,, Hope this helps and PS dont scrimp on yoour riding gear by the best you can afford as being DRY DRY DRY is your best freind
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All good comments/stories. For those using a Muffpot/Hotdogger, you can use it for cooking/melting snow for water, etc. I've added one of the JetBoil stoves mentioned above. It's great even on those really cold days just to brew coffee or cocoa.
Has anyone considered a Survival SaberCut Saw? Basically a handheld chainsaw. Here's a link to one on Ebay. Weighs 6 oz. with case. Seems like it might be a good idea.
Has anyone considered a Survival SaberCut Saw? Basically a handheld chainsaw. Here's a link to one on Ebay. Weighs 6 oz. with case. Seems like it might be a good idea.
What kinda stove is this? If it weighs under a pound, I'd be all over carrying one of those. Does that one pound include the tank?
[Has anyone considered a Survival SaberCut Saw? Basically a handheld chainsaw.
Thank you!!!!!!
What a great saw!! Just ordered one!!!! I cant stress how important a saw is you can trust !! I broke every pruning type saw I used ,,try cutting with just the blade in your hand after you broke the handle on your cheap saw at midnight !!!
Thank you!!!!!!
What a great saw!! Just ordered one!!!! I cant stress how important a saw is you can trust !! I broke every pruning type saw I used ,,try cutting with just the blade in your hand after you broke the handle on your cheap saw at midnight !!!
I can't speak for spring snow, but the JetBoil is under a lb. with fuel bottle.
Great post Calvin!
I attach a whistle to ALL keys on all of my machines. It comes in handy even on clear days when you get separated and you don't have to dig it out. Ocasionally my oldest zips off in another direction and gets stuck. Sure makes it easier to find him! Keep one in your pack too they are cheap.
-BD1
BD1, you ready for a little rippen this weekend? Spoke with Merino and sounds like he and matt are a go. Of course I'll have my whistle and survival gear incase that steak at the Old Corral doesn't sound good enough and you want a powerbar instead. I'll call ya later.
B
barefooter
Well-known member
Great thread. Great tips.
Never had to spend a night out - but have practicied a couple of times with my daughter last year. She is 12, and since she is starting to ride away from Dad a bit - I wanted her to be able to find shelter, light a fire, etc. I spent time in the military and SAR - so it is second nature for me. Was a lot of fun being able to give her some knowledge.
She got the fire going, and built a shelter under a tree. It was good enough to get her through the night. We then had dinner, and sledded out under a great big full moon at about 11pm. Was a great night.
The one thing that you can practice anywhere there is snow is building a snow cave - just like you were 8 years old again
Never had to spend a night out - but have practicied a couple of times with my daughter last year. She is 12, and since she is starting to ride away from Dad a bit - I wanted her to be able to find shelter, light a fire, etc. I spent time in the military and SAR - so it is second nature for me. Was a lot of fun being able to give her some knowledge.
She got the fire going, and built a shelter under a tree. It was good enough to get her through the night. We then had dinner, and sledded out under a great big full moon at about 11pm. Was a great night.
The one thing that you can practice anywhere there is snow is building a snow cave - just like you were 8 years old again
my stove is a piezo igniter made by primus......similar to this.
http://www.rei.com/product/643058
the stove and fuel can fit into this cup.of the 3 piece set I just use the cup.
http://www.rei.com/product/668926
this is the fuel, it will boil at least 10 cups of water....more if you can warm it up http://www.rei.com/product/643061
the stove weighs 3.5 oz, the fuel about the same....the cup is ti and just a few grams.....add some cocoa, a pack of oatmeal (killer energy/weight ratio) and bit of instant coffee and a mountain house....and you are still less than a pound. and about half the size of a pair of goggles
T
theultrarider
Well-known member
I am always amazed by the number of people that have safety gear and cannot even start a fire!!! I have made all my kids and my wife start a fire sustianable fire with nothing than what they have on their sleds. They can now all do it without question, but were very humbled alone the way. I have also done this with buddies when guys start slinging bs and it turns into a bet. I have won far more bets than I have lost unfortunately. Fortunately, I can now count on them to start a fire in a bad situation. Just like beacons guys....practice practice practice. Being able to start a fire, build a wind break or shelter of some kind and melting snow for water. If you can do this, you can make a night an inconvienance, not a nightmare. It is easier said than done. One more important thing, stay calm!!! Don't panic.
S
Snow Fox
Guest
Great thread, something that everyone should know. IMO the biggest thing to wilderness survival is to not panic and keep your head. I carry a small survival book in my pack just for this reason. I have studied and know I have the knowledge, but to have the book to read will slow your heart rate and help so you don't panic. I also found a waterproof pamphlet that has several different types of knots, this is another good tool to be able to keep your head. Carry lots of rope, I use 550 chord (parachute chord).
Go to Walmart and they sell small survival kits for cheap, I think I paid $12. They have a lot of useful items like emergency blanket,etc. and are compact. Also go to a military surplus store and buy a canteen/with metal canteen cup. You can also get a metal mess tray kit that is great for starting fires in, melting snow, using as a shovel, etc. I have a saw in the shovel handle on my sled, I also carry a small hatchet, handwarmers, candles, firestarter sticks, toilet paper, I carry all of this on my sled along with an old poncho which can be great to make a half/shelter out of . In my pack I carry an additional survival/firstaid kit, this kit has whistle, cable saw, emergency blanket,waterproof matches, magnesium fire starter, mirror, fishing line, hooks, firstaid items,etc., more TP, handwarmers, maps, gps, compass, survival book, food, bottled water, two extra pair of gloves/socks, two stocking hats, cell phone, knives, rope, sunglasses (snow blindness) and a Gerber saw where the blade slides into the handle. I probably carry more than a lot of people but I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. That can mean life or death in the worst case scenario. I also used to carry MRE's, Meals Ready To Eat. I have food allergies now, so they are a no go. I now carry food like jerkey, dried fruit, fruit juice, mainly small, light food items that won't spoil.
Go to Walmart and they sell small survival kits for cheap, I think I paid $12. They have a lot of useful items like emergency blanket,etc. and are compact. Also go to a military surplus store and buy a canteen/with metal canteen cup. You can also get a metal mess tray kit that is great for starting fires in, melting snow, using as a shovel, etc. I have a saw in the shovel handle on my sled, I also carry a small hatchet, handwarmers, candles, firestarter sticks, toilet paper, I carry all of this on my sled along with an old poncho which can be great to make a half/shelter out of . In my pack I carry an additional survival/firstaid kit, this kit has whistle, cable saw, emergency blanket,waterproof matches, magnesium fire starter, mirror, fishing line, hooks, firstaid items,etc., more TP, handwarmers, maps, gps, compass, survival book, food, bottled water, two extra pair of gloves/socks, two stocking hats, cell phone, knives, rope, sunglasses (snow blindness) and a Gerber saw where the blade slides into the handle. I probably carry more than a lot of people but I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. That can mean life or death in the worst case scenario. I also used to carry MRE's, Meals Ready To Eat. I have food allergies now, so they are a no go. I now carry food like jerkey, dried fruit, fruit juice, mainly small, light food items that won't spoil.
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if you look in this pic....lower left corner there is my stove in an older and dang near as light cup......the new cup is smaller and lighter, but more $$$ a stainless one would be fine. this was my pack contents for a week long high country hunt.....in a bit warmer weather. notice the micro fire stick on top of a mini first aid kit....in the kit is hand sanitizer, also good fire starter.
B
buck50
ACCOUNT CLOSED
i've added a deck of playing cards this year as well to all the goodies already mentioned. my brother-in-laws dad spent the night a few years ago, and he said that once they were squared away and quite comfy, the biggest problem they had was boredom!!!!!! thus the cards, to help keep everyone's mind occupied, for a bit at least
Calvin,
Save your power bar. I have had one of those steaks at the old corral. It was incrdeible. Can't wait to ride...
-BD1
X2!!!
