A WHITE MOUNTAINS OUTDOOR SURVIVAL KIT

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Being prepared for the outdoors

Fall is here in the White Mountains and that means hunting season and plenty of people enjoying the fall colors hiking the backwoods. Last month, we discussed how to get prepared for the big game hunt this fall and mentioned the need for a survival kit but didn’t provide any details. This month, we will cover that topic in more detail -- including the best way to avoid even opening up your survival pack -- by using your common sense instead. If the weather looks sketchy retrieving that big game animal or the hike is longer than you are used to in unfamiliar country, postpone your adventure or make equipment and support personnel changes to fit the situation to avoid needing a rescue.

Staying Found

Telling someone your plans and locations is the best and easiest way to avoid serious problems recreating in the White Mountains. Phone apps like Cairn are a very complete way to plan a hike and make sure someone responds if you do not return as planned.

Use a compass or track the sun to remember the general direction you have been moving. A paper map of your area will allow you to keep track of the general area you are in but some people can imagine that map in their heads and place that little blue dot marking their location very accurately without the map -- if they are familiar with the area. Most of us like to venture into new areas so having that paper map can keep you from becoming lost.

Staying on a trail, if you can, especially a well-maintained one with directional or mileage signs maintained by the volunteer TRACKS organization, is a good idea if it is heading in the general direction you want to go. There may come the time when you have to wander off a trail following game or it just disappears on you and you can become momentarily disoriented. The sense of panic can start as a slight uneasiness but can quickly escalate into a full-blown panic attack with some folks who may not feel prepared for the situation.

Staying Calm

The most important item in any survival pack is free -- doesn’t even take up any space or weigh even a gram even if you pack an extra-large jumbo size. This “item” is staying calm and having a positive attitude about your situation. You certainly want to address a serious situation but you also don’t want to over-react. Panic can scramble your memory and make you forget things like landmarks.

If it makes you feel better, it’s not really a matter of knowing where you are, you’re right here. You might say that it’s your vehicle or the trailhead that is lost! Maintaining a positive attitude, even in bad weather when tired, is the most important tool to use that everybody has in their survival kit.

Getting Back

Retracing your route is usually the safest way back to where you came from -- which you might have to do, even if it wasn’t on the agenda for the day. Taking those “shortcuts” can get confusing, especially if you are dealing with canyons and washes. Using a GPS with a good map will allow you to either take the shortest route back --if you don’t have to rappel any of it -- or you can use the “Track Back” feature to retrace your route exactly.

If you can’t remember how to get back and you sat on your GPS or don’t have one, stay put and make yourself visible and leave a large and obvious SOS or HELP sign out in the open where aircraft can see it. Start blowing a whistle, safely discharging a weapon or shouting, all in bursts of 3 to indicate you need help at your location.

Staying Put

Trying to walk out of the woods at night can be dangerous unless you have a good flashlight to avoid tripping over rocks or logs. It’s better to stay put, look for emergency vehicle lights that could be searching along nearby roads or listen for their sirens. If you see or hear rescue personnel, do everything you can to get their attention by calling back, flashing lights, waving bright clothing or blowing your whistle.

Staying in one place that is visible to rescuers is the best advice to give children if they become lost or separated from their parents or friends. A national program encourages kids to “hug a tree” if lost so they don’t keep wandering but not to pick the largest tree in the area if it is raining. Moving targets are always more difficult to find for search and rescue personnel. The program also emphasizes that the kids move to a nearby open space to become more visible if they hear other people.

Making the Overnight Survival Pack

With the varied topography and tall thick trees of the White Mountains, it is easy to get turned around in some very remote areas. So, rescue personnel recommend people be prepared to always spend a night in the bush as a worst-case scenario on day hikes. More extended camping trips into more remote areas should be prepared for a longer rescue window.

Your survival kit contents will depend on the situation being prepared for. Recommended items can be categorized and prioritized depending on the trip and weather and other conditions, such as the group size. The pack used to contain these items should be comfortable and not overweight and can be split into two packs if hiking with a partner. If you consider the following categories, your survival kit should handle most situations:

First Aid

Basic band-aids, tweezers, compression bandages and tape, a couple pairs of rubber gloves. Additional items: splints, tourniquets, reflective blankets, allergy medications, Pepto-Bismol, Ibuprofen, energy bars, electrolyte fluids, trauma shears, cotton swabs, moleskin, antiseptic wipes and ointment.

Communication and signaling

Whistle, signal mirror, strobe light, compressed air horn, satellite emergency beacon or Garmin inReach, FRS radios, cell phone, portable charger or a power bank with cord.

Navigation

Paper map of the area in a usable scale, compass and GPS. Multiple light sources for nocturnal navigation, including 1 headlamp.

Shelter

Emergency shelter -- especially in the rainy season -- like an emergency bivouac bag, tube tent, space blanket tarp, industrial garbage bag with a face hole torn in the side of the bag about a foot from the “bottom” of the bag, paracord or rope to make a ridgeline when strung between two trees.

Clothing

Hat or cap, raingear or at least a large poncho or industrial sized garbage bag, a set of thermal top and bottom underwear and warm socks, wool or thinsulate gloves or mittens.

Water and Food

Extra water or purification tablets or a water filter or ability to boil water for five minutes if a water source will be nearby, high energy type snacks or MRE type meals.

Personal items, medications and other items

Personal hygiene products, medications, sunglasses, toilet paper, sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent, bandanas, a small multi-tool or Swiss Army knife and other personal items.

Fire starters

Waterproof matches, lighter or a flint and steel, fire starter or fire ribbon

This list should give you the basic outline for developing your own survival pack, depending on what you are planning and where you will be going. Make sure to tell someone your plans and keep an eye on our ever-changing weather.

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