Lichter - Mountains

WELCOME to all the information you need to know to Survive Mountains!

Knowing basic survival skills is critical to feeling comfortable and confident in the outdoors, no matter if you are heading out backpacking, snowmobiling through the backcountry, or even just driving on a remote dirt road through the mountains. The serenity and enjoyment of being in nature can quickly change into fear. Mother Nature can be very unforgiving, especially in the mountains. Storms, cold, steep terrain, whiteouts, swift rivers, and quickly changing weather are some of the threats. High elevations and mountainous terrain create additional challenges, but they can also create opportunities for shelter and safety if you know what to look for.

Knowing when and where to turn back is just as important as the skills to handle unforeseen circumstances. Sometimes unplanned situations are inevitable. Typically it will take multiple mistakes in sequence to compound a situation into a dangerous survival scenario. With the proper thought process and a correct decision, these can often be nipped in the bud and sent back on the right track. This book will explain the skills you will need to cope with these worst-case scenarios in mountainous environments.

The size and structure of the book is intended for quick reference, easy reading, and the ability to be tossed into your car or backpack with minimal encumbrance.

This entire book is streamlined and filled with how-tos, tips, and skills specifically focused on survival in the mountains. Initially it covers the essential survival kit and how to supplement if you are caught without any of these items. From there we move on to detail basic first aid and then a variety of survival shelters for various seasons and locations and how to stay warm and dry, including building a fire. The next step in your safety would be to find water and food. These will both be described in detail, including what to look for and what to avoid. Ultimately the book will conclude with orienteering, navigation, signaling tactics, and how to get located.

The most critical aspect of a survival situation is keeping a clear head and not panicking. This may seem trite, but it is 100 percent true. If you are in the moment without being terror- stricken, you will be able to think on your feet and adapt to the situation. In fact, that is part of the fun of an unexpected situation. Rely on your education and experience to be prudent and resourceful. Be confident and level-headed, and most importantly, optimistic. This book will prepare you for the worst and is written assuming that you have no equipment with you except the clothes on your back. Clearly this is not normally the situation if one is stuck in their car or lost while backpacking. The accessible gear should only make your survival situation easier and can easily be substituted in to make each step faster and more straightforward.

My goal is to get people outside. We need to reconnect with wilderness and value the remote places that we have left. I want you to have fun and experience the backcountry safely so that you arent too intimidated to head out. Hopefully this book will help you accomplish that. It is streamlined so you can carry it to read in the backcountry, and even bring it along to try out the skills. Get comfortable with the techniques and the thought processes throughout the book and the situations will become second naturein case the scenario really happens.

P.S. Remember to pack it in, pack it out; tread lightly; take only pictures, and leave only footprints; and practice Leave No Trace outdoors ethicsunless you are actually in a real survival situation and trying to signal for help. Visit LNT.org for more info.

Your best chance of survival comes from simply staying calm, remaining positive, and keeping your thought process clear. If you get too stressed and worked up, your decision-making process will not be ideal. There is no definitive checklist for a survival situation because conditions change and potential injuries may come into play. It is important to have mental clarity in order to be adaptable to the situation. Remember to STOPstop, think, observe, plan.

Another good acronym on how to handle an emergency situation is from the US Army Survival Manual : SURVIVAL.

S size up the situation, including your surroundings, physical conditions, and equipment.

U undo haste makes waste; use all of your senses.

R remember where you are and the details of the route you decide to take.

V vanquish fear and panic.

I improvise and adapt tools and equipment for new purposes.

V value living and never give up.

A act like the natives and figure out how they survive.

L live by your wits, but for now learn basic skills.

Most survival experts say that your best chance of rescue will occur within the first 72 hours of the missing persons report and the beginning of the search and rescue (SAR). This is often true, but SARs can be drawn out in mountainous regions because of bad weather conditions, and as a result it is essential to know how to maintain your safety for a few extra days. The easiest method to guarantee that a search will be started in a timely and efficient manner is to leave a detailed plan of your route and itinerary with somebody. Make sure to note the intended return time and then call that individual immediately when you exit the wilderness safely. This will ensure that you have a backup system in place, and SAR will be notified quickly and have a strategy of potential search locations.