Lightning! A storm is quickly blowing into your area. From your vantage point high on the trail you can see a lot of lightning. You estimate you have about five minutes before the storm reaches you.
Blisters! You have a nasty blister on your foot and can no longer carry your pack. You are not even sure you can walk to your campsite.
Bears in the Area! You are on a 3-day backpacking trip, and pass someone on the trail who reported seeing multiple fresh bear droppings near the area where you are planning to camp. You are carrying 3-days’ worth of food and forgot to bring anything to store it properly with.
Waterborne Illness! You are out for a mountain bike ride on a hot day, and you run out of water. You come to a stream crossing and fill your water bottle. A couple of weeks later, you end up with terrible cramping in your tummy and awful diarrhea.
Pack Weight! Your pack did not feel heavy when you left, but now you can hardly move. You’re so tired you would just as soon sit right down and not walk another step.
Lost in the Woods! You are hiking in a new area, and are on a trail that is considered “unimproved.” It keeps fading in and out, and before you know it you are lost.
Broken Equipment! You are rushing to get into your tent at your campsite because the mosquitos are just completely awful! As you are fumbling with the zipper, it catches on the tent door and rips a huge hole in the tent wall. Dang it! Now the bugs can get in and you are going to be battling them all night long!
Solution! You usually hang your food in a tree (in campsites near trees that are large enough) with a system called a “bear bag.” This requires you to carry a rope and stuff sacks to put food in, and you like to use a carabiner to make clipping the stuff sacks to the rope easier. Some areas now require the use of what is called a “bear canister” that is a bear-proof container you place your food in. Always know the regulations where you are going.
Solution! Never head out without some sort of water treatment system that can help you ensure water you drink will be free of parasites and bacteria like giardia, which can cause illness and long-lasting impacts to your digestive system. Some solutions include iodine tablets, Aquamira (a chlorine-based solution), portable water filters, or SteriPens (light pens that kill bacteria).
Solution! Before you left on your trip, you researched lightning safety. You remember that lightning is attracted to the highest point and that water and metal conduct the electrical charge. You take off your metal frame pack, stay away from water and choose a low spot in which to crouch, away from the tallest trees.
Solution! Always carry a map and a compass, and know how to use them! Research the topography of an area before you go so you have a sense of major features (waterways, mountains, roadways) you are near. Some adventurers like to use a GPS (technology that helps find location and offers electronic map systems), but they are technology – they can fail. The should not be your only plan for locating where you are.
Solution! An adhesive felt-like material (moleskin or molefoam) acts like a second skin and can be applied to the feet or other areas of human skin to prevent rubbing. Always carry this with you and break in new footwear BEFORE a trip.
Solution! A basic emergency and repair kit is something your group should always carry. These can include useful items like adhesives that are appropriate for patching tents and other gear; an emergency blanket for unexpected cold/hypothermia; extra parts for critical pieces of gear like your backpack (buckles, for example); waterproof matches; etc.
Solution! The weight of you pack should generally be no more than ¼ of your body weight. Weigh your pack before you leave and leave some items behind if necessary. Some things like food and cooking supplies can be shared by several people in the group.
