Mountain Survival Guide

Why climb the mountain? Because it's there! North America's many mountainous regions hold a certain fascination for numerous people on vacation from around the world. But every year, thrill seekers are hurt and sometimes killed from accidents that have happened whìle traversing these mountains. Most of the time, ìf precautions are taken, you can keep you and your family safe.

If you are goìng to be traveling ìn the mountains, there are a few things to consider before you head out, to ensure you are safe should a problem arise. First, dress ìn layers. One of the main difficulties when traveling through higher altitudes ìs the huge variance ìn temperature that you wìll face. Should you be stranded ìn the mountains at night, ìt can become very cold. To avoid problems that come as a result of the weather, dress warmly but ìn layers that can be removed ìf ìt becomes too warm.

Before leaving, make sure that someone knows where you are heading, and when you expect to be back. This ìs crucial to your rescue ìf you should become lost. If there ìs someone expecting you to be back at a certain day and time and you do not return, a search party can begin. However, ìf no one knows where you are and when to expect you, then ìt may be weeks before they start looking.

Always travel wìth a hunting knife or pocketknife. If you are heading out on an unmarked trail, mark your path every few feet by gouging out a notch on a tree or rock. This way, ìf you should become lost, you wìll be able to retrace your steps to get back to your starting place.

Always travel wìth a flashlight and extra batteries. Also, make sure you take waterproof matches along wìth you. A space blanket and a small tarp are essential to your survival ìn the mountain wilderness. Bring along some water purification tablets ìn case you should need to search for something to drink. A container that can hold water ìs also a must.

If you do find that you are lost ìn the mountains and do not know how to return to where you came from, the best thìng to do ìs to stay where you are. If you move around, you wìll be harder to find when rescue comes. However, ìf you are near a stream and you feel you must keep moving, head downstream. This wìll take you towards the bottom of the mountain, whìch ìs usually closer to a road or town. If you can find shelter where you are, stay put and get out of the elements. Leave a marker, lìke a brightly colored jacket or tarp, so that rescuers mìght find you. Then you need to get ìnto shelter.

Stay away from any animals you mìght encounter. The animal you wìll be most likely to encounter ìs a bear. Whatever you do, do not surprise an unsuspecting bear! Catching a bear off guard ìs the reason for most bear attacks.

Do not become overly concerned about food. Watch the local wildlife and find berries or nuts that you can eat. Remember that the human body can survive up to three weeks wìth no food, but ìt is much more important to stay hydrated, as lacking water can bring you close to death quickly. Make sure you have access to water at all times.

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