More than anything, we have been so impressed by the helpful advice in the comments. It’s nice to see community on social media instead of the vitriol seen elsewhere. Lovely!
I do a lot of day hiking and I always carry what others call “a ton” of supplies with me. I can’t begin to tell you how many people I’ve passed over the years that are hiking 6, 7, 9 plus miles with NOTHING 🤷🏻♀️ or as you say a Fanny pack and a plastic water bottle. I passed 8 hikers going up as I was coming down off the Kings Chair in AL last December. It was 3:30 pm and it would take all those hikers at least 2 more hours to summit. As I passed each, I asked them if they were aware of the time to sunset, the time to summit and whether they had a headlamp with them. None had a headlamp and only 2, a father and son, decided to take my advice and turn around; they came back down with me. It was dark before we were all the way down and they were amazed at how well my headlamp worked.
You have to be prepared For your skills at If you're not very skilled you'd better take a lot of stuff I take a lighter Some type of firearm Some water And maybe a couple of Power bars It is good to have a flashlight I have been stuck out In the Woods at night Several times Hunting wheeling Just stop build a fire And slept next to the fire
@@chachi5975 It's a whole lot easier To shoot something Then it is to catch something There is also bears and cougars And we've all seen movies of the psycho hillbilliesIn the woods there are no policemen
I have been a survival instructor for 30 years. What this young man says, listen to him. Outside the compass on a Match case. Get a real compass and use it. If you don’t know how to use it, get a Hersey bar. They weigh the same. In other words know how to use it! I would also always take a space blanket! Even the thin foil one. It saved my life literally when I was young and inexperienced along with a 1” thick candle. And always carry ALWAYS! A dependable lighter. Next a contractor grade plastic bag. A large one! That’s your rain gear!I carry two. I’m going out tomorrow across the desert with several people and can Guarantee that no one will be prepared for an incident if TSHTHF. I can save two of us,maybe three. But it is winter here in Arizona. 73 today and I had frost this morning! Be safe my brothers and sisters! All the above mentioned fits in my cargo pockets!!
@@dizcret He means that having a Hershey Bar is about as useful in finding your way as having a compass that you don’t know how to use. Having a good compass that you know how to use is imperative. Having energy bars and dehydrated meals along with a reliable firestarter is very important too.
Something that was taught to me was to always look back from where you came from. As your going back you'll notice things that you'll remember from looking back.
Yep that's a good call. I do that a lot when hunting in unfamiliar country. And it's reassuring when you recognize those landmarks that you saw on the way in when heading back out. If I'm in thick Timber, definitely a compass.
i almost froze to death once, went hiking and i expected to be back before sunset but no way i was going to make it by then, i wasn't lost but could not travel at night because no light so i was force to sleep in the mountains without the necessary supplies, lesson learned
A emergency blanket should be included in a daypack. It can be used to hold in heat, it can be used to shield you from the heat, it can be used as a temporary shelter from storms and rain and it can be used to signal for help!
Absolutely! I live in norcal and hikers will go on a familiar trail but after a fire there is no shady spots. I'm no expert but exposure has to be definitely at least a top 5 killer in the 100 mile area I live in.
A few big black garbage bags will keep you and your stuff warm and dry, when I used to hitch hike camp I would often buy a box and give extra bags to people. Cut a head hole and some arms and you have a functional rain jacket that you can stuff in the bag and forget about completely till it serves you one day 😉
SAR volunteer here. Great advice, although I would definitely recommend a better compass. I have been involved in many searches where people have gotten lost on vary familiar trails and often in well marked and travelled areas. A couple things I’d like to add: 1: Having a plan ( let someone you know and trust) where you are going and when you are expected to return, and who to call. 2: Know your skill level and the limits of your group. When I hike with others, we have a rule that if anyone feels that progressing further is beyond their comfort level ( within reason) or that proceeding is not safe due to terrain, weather, etc. They can call it and that is where the hike ends. And by no means is anybody one ever left to return or proceed further on their own. I’m amazed at how many searches I have been on where someone was abandoned by their hiking partners.
I'm a moderate hiker and a new backpacker, but in the past, was abandoned 2x by a hiking group I was with. I hike with long term traumatic injuries, so I'm slow and deliberate. Leaving people in your dust is egregious, particularly on trails they are not familiar with.
@@zenkathikes find a better group of hikers. In my area there are a number of great hiking groups and when they plan hikes they will often split the group in skill levels that are appropriate. “ Its the journey , not the destination that’s the goal”.
You added an item he already covered -- tell someone. Your #1 is his #4. He even suggested you give them a copy of your map with your planned route on it, and tell them what time you expect to be back. Even better, tell two people.
@@zenkathikes ditto about being left behind by groups after which I ended up lost each time. I had to call my ex husband to help me get back to a trail I could eventually get to civilization of where I was parked lol. The other times I got lucky obviously because I'm still here but it was hours before I found my way out. I recommend finding slow people for groups. Even if you're more fit, at least people slower than you won't be able to leave you behind and to me I like hiking for the fun of it at places slower than the marathon jerks who want to just plough though fast like it's a competition. They're just focused on the destination, not the journey. Find someone or multiple people who are on the same wavelength.
Letting someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back is paramount. Nobody knowing I was in the swamp was the first thing that went through my head when I had my alligator incident in 2020
Thanks. Also, keep in mind that once truly lost, I've heard it is generally better to stay put, make rough wind barriers with anything around, and think through any additional actions. My wife and I got lost in a blizzard in the Sierra as a young couple, good thing we were walking slowly as when the wind and fog cleared for a few moments we saw we were on the edge of a precipice. Also, while we had a shovel to make a snow cave, we only had one. We got separated in a wide field with tracks being obliterated almost instantly, it was a miracle we bumped into eachother after a while when visibility was only a foot or so. We spent an extra night in a tent and it was better the next day. I've almost died other times, and it is truly humbling to realize how quickly you can get into trouble even when you thought you were prepared. Still love getting out there!
I’ve gotta hand it to all you hikers. I’m envious of your “locator” skills. I am severely geographically challenged and get easily lost leaving the restroom in a restaurant. Needless to say I never PLAN on hiking anywhere ever. That being said, I will be putting together a survival kit for my vehicle in case I get lost going to the grocery store. Thanks for this video.
This is an excellent point and the topic of future videos. Being prepared applies to life even in the urban environment. Something like 75% of people in my country aren’t prepared for a disaster. Even people trapped on the I95 in Virginia recently would have benefited from having some of these items in their car kit. Wool blankets, thermal base layer, food, water, etc.
Totally great advice. Back in 1997 while in the USMC, I went into the San Bernardino mountains near Big Bear mountain to camp with 7 other Marines. We were going to snowboard the next day, so we only had tents with us with the plan to wake early drive down to the pavement, and spend the day snowboarding. We woke up with a heavy snow coming down. We packed up, and started to drive toward the pavement….but the 4wd trail kept forking, and we got lost. We had 2 vehicles…one was a VW Bug….it crashed out in a giant rut, so we had to pile into the back of the other vehicle, a truck. We were lost, cold, had no food, and almost out of gas in the truck with zero visibility…and no one was going to search for us for at least 3 days….guys were ready to fight each other. When we stopped trying to fight each other, we came up with a survival plan which involves setting up camp, making a fire, and waiting til morning so we could follow streams and creeks downhill. Luckily, the visibility improved and we took a fork toward an electric pole we saw in the distance. We made it out….but it could have been worse. We drove for almost 8 hours trying to find our way out. The VW bug was never found….maybe still there for all I know. We were stupid, unprepared, and too over confident. It’s a recipe for disaster. Always be prepared with the stuff in this vid, even if it’s only a “quick scouting hike”. Stuff changes quick….be ready.
@@CollapseCurriculum The fear that started to set in when the gravity of the situation became clear caused the group to resort to blaming, yelling, literally at each other’s throats…..all the things NOT conducive to finding a way out and surviving several days with no food. I don’t remember who it was that rallied everyone to “Calm the %#*+ down” so we could strategize, but that got us focused on the plan to get warm and follow the streams downhill the next day. It was a huge, unbelievable relief to accidentally make it out before our survival plan needed executed, but developing the plan got us in the right mind. What would have been better would have been to have a plan and be prepared before we were under duress! Don’t get cocky, people!
This is so true. I've been to Moab several times and once while walking down from the trail to Gemini Bridges I decided to take a "short cut" and got off the marked trail. Not only did I not find the GB rock formation I couldn't find the trail again. I finally walked up hill to where i could see vehicles. In a matter of 15 minutes I'd gotten several hundred yards off where I thought I was. It actually scared me a little and I will never do that again.
I didn't read all 200 comments but the one item I would recommend for any hiker is a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon). They are light, small and the battery will last for years but more important, they can alert people that you need help and let them know your location so that they can quickly locate you.
@@senadapasic1732 No it’s not a headlamp. It’s an emergency gps device that sends out an emergency SOS. You buy it, register it and if you’re in a life or death situation and don’t have any other means of summoning help, you activate the beacon which will send the SOS to the relevant authorities/rescue teams who can pinpoint your location.
@@stanettiels7367 Thank you for explaining what it is. I will definitely get it for my college daughter. She’s really into hiking, camping etc. Peace of mind 🙏💕
@@doracampos2088 It’s quite expensive - maybe $350 - but a literal lifesaver. If your daughter hikes anywhere where there’s a vast wilderness, even if she sticks to established trails, she should have one. So many trails can be poorly marked and you take what you think is a trail and walk a few miles and realise it’s not the trail, then you could be in massive trouble, particularly if you aren’t adept and comfortable using a map and compass. I know it’s expensive but it’s well worth the money.
@@stanettiels7367 Absolutely! It is expensive but it’s necessary. I’m glad there’s helpful people like you that share their outdoor knowledge. Thank you again and stay safe!
Lack of water has been my fault on two hikes. One time coming up from first level of Grand Canyon running out of water made the end miserable. Hiking in Canyonlands I ran out of water & cotton mouth was so bad I couldn't even spit. Fortunately the hikes were almost over when I ran out of water. One rule I follow if I start to feel lost I track back to known trail markers till I figure out the right way forward. Some trails are marked poorly & what looks like the trail could just be a well worn spur. It's always good to leave a note or sign in at trail heads to indicate where you went. The best solo hikes are always well worn trails you know other people will be along frequently.
You'll also go through a lot more water depending on the temperature. Was hiking in a heat wave 30c+, 15km round trip, I brought 3L. It wasn't enough, ran out on the way back down, was being blinded by sweat and would overheat if I stood still.
Great advice Im a mountaineer and backpacker, the amount of people that I see underestimating nature is incredible, I hope people can take this advice to enjoy better the outdoors, many hikers have gone for days wondering in the wilderness because the lack or navigation.
Excellent list of overnight survival supplies. I would add some light cordage. Paracord is kind of overkill. A couple 50 foot packs of that cheap polyester mini blind cord works fine - usually about 50 pound rating. I buy the 200 pound polyester kite line online. Very cheap and small - same size as the blind cord but much stronger. One of the simplest shelters uses a slanted ridge line from a tree to the ground or the bottom of another tree. You can put a trash bag or small tarp over the ridge line to make a tough little wedge shelter very quickly. People often have trouble getting fire to start. It takes some practice to do with just matches and a knife. You can make it a lot easier by bringing about 20 feet of jute garden twine. Separate the strands and fluff them up into a nest. It lights very easily so you can get twigs started. A little piece of wax has a long burn time to work up from small twigs to medium sticks. The biggest thing is to practice starting a small primitive fire in your backyard. It is not as easy as people think unless they practice it 10 to 20 times. My scouts could start a fire on a 5 foot snow pack in Idaho. It just took one miserable fall campout to make them value fire starting skills. I like the idea of taking 3 of the 55 gallon lawn/leaf trash bags. They roll up really small. You can wear one like a poncho, sit down inside the second and maybe use the third for waterproofing the roof of an otherwise cruddy shelter or fill it with fluffy brush for ground insulation.
Great information. I know this was intended for Americans hiking in America but I’d just add if you’re ever planning to go hiking in Australia to also throw in a snake bite kit. You can use the bandage out of any first aid kit but a dedicated kit has the right type of compression bandage which has colour markers in the stretchy material that reveals as you apply it to show you have the right amount of tension in the bandage. Too tight and you cut off all circulation to the tissue. There’s also snake ID cards and instructions on the correct way to apply the bandage. Useful in panicky situations. Some also have a splint bandage as well as the compression bandages to help immobilise the wounded area and reduce the movement of the venom through the lymphatic system. Even though I’ve only seen 4 or 5 in the wild in 35+ years of bushwalking, the chance of encountering one of our bitey things (we have a real BMF spider too) is real. Rumour has it they can also help with Drop Bear bites, assuming the victim survives the blood loss from the initial attack…
BSA: Prepare, prepare, survive. Gather info about the trail from other hikers, printout a trail map with time/distance marks, leave your own trail markers (Hansel and Gretel) and find a buddy to hike with. 3 hour max out, 1 hr rest/food, 3 hr return, and 3 hours back in case of emergency. All before darkness of night. Be safe and explore!
I'm somewhere between a light weight and ultralight backpacker. But I sometimes feel like more daypack weighs more! I think this is because I want to be prepared to assist someone who may be in a bad situation, as opposed to insurance for myself. My first aid kit is ten times as big as what I would use on a thru hike, my stove setup is much more robust, I have way too much food, and more than enough clothing (extra layers, glove, hat, etc.) I sometimes feel stupid having such a big pack when I meet a fanny pack / handheld water bottle hiker, but better safe than sorry.
That's a real good point. When you are talking with your buddies and really getting into the talk is when you may make the mistake of taking the wrong trail. The trail looked right, but with your attention on Mars or other conversation, you just thought that the trail looked right. I was lost twice in this way.
@@djm7706 I day hike with the same stove that I use for overnight trips. Many of us day hikers go in the winter. 12 miles in freezing temperatures makes me hungry and I want a hot meal with cocoa for lunch and dinner. Hence, the robust stoves.
Biggest mistake in my experience is biting off more than you can chew-planning a hike that’s farther or harder than you thought. Underestimating how rugged terrain takes longer to travel than the flat smooth rail trail back home. Trails that look straight on a map aren’t as straight in reality. Trails switch back and forth, and even more importantly, go up and down. People who aren’t used to altitude (like me) don’t realize how that can sap your strength. Hikes you could do when you were 30, maybe you can’t do now that you’re 50, or at least can’t do at the same pace. There are hikes you can do, but maybe your hiking partner(s) cannot. I’ve made all of these mistakes in the past.
This is a pretty wise video. As a hunter, I always have been prepared to stay days in the woods, even once having to do so because I got lost DEEP in the forest. However, having the items he references saved me, but not until I had travelled about 15 miles in, so it took me another entire day to get out.
My daughter and I did a 10 mile hike on a hot day to a height of 3000 ft. The hike took us 8 hours. At the end of the hike, I removed my outer layers before getting into the car. One gust of a cool wind disabled me for 2 hours - I shivered uncontrollably for 2 hours in the car with the heating turned to maximum. It took me 6 hours to return to normal. Thinking back to that event, I now understand what I did wrong. I was unused to hiking and I had exherted myself beyond my endurance. I had walked too far, for too long on a hot day and it wore my bodily defences down. If I had been more used to hiking, my body would have adapted to the stresses of hiking. If I had been isolated in a remote area when that event occurred, I would not be around today. When you're enjoying yourself in remote places, don't overstretch yourself. Even something simple like a gust of wind can turn a pleasant hike into something potentially life threatening.
It's also when you're sweating a lot, and then you stop moving and then you start to get really chilly, especially that the layers are wet from the sweat. Then you may get really cold. It's best to remove too much layers of clothing when you feel you're getting all warmed up and sweaty, and then put some when you take longer breaks, even before you start to feel the chill.
Nice job! Would have been nice if you enumerated the 10 in the description. It is also important to research and plan the hike to know the routes to safely and where the water sources are, even in the desert. Preparation and training are the keys to survival
The only time I was ever lost, meaning I thought I was going the right way but wasn't, it was due to climbing a hill the night before to scout our path out and being too confident it was the right way. I had a map and had been to this place 2X before. After walking for 7 hours convinced the map was wrong, I happened to find the compass I always have with me on backpack trips in one of the pockets of my old Kelty Anorak backpack. At once it was clear where we were. Was pretty cool hiking the last 2 hours in full darkness without a flashlight. Never lost my cool. That was key.
Know your route thorough! On your paper map, have the path marked out with colored stickers so your eye can readily focus on the anticipated trail. Have a compass, know how to use it, know how to use a map and know how to align yourself on the map. Bring electrolyte drink--at least 500 ML for a day hike, more for a strenuous hike. Take a 10 minute break for every 50 minutes hike. Bring at least 2 L water. Using an app that aligns yourself to the trail, but as the guy says, phones go dead. Wear sufficient clothing; too much clothing is better than not enough; you cannot put on what you didn't bring. So a 40 L backpack would be most helpful to carry that clothing that you take off. Trekking poles. A good video.
Thanks for the tips. I have gone on many hikes long or short but mostly day hikes, even that I still bring essentials just because you never know. You are so right about people who are experienced hikers whom get too comfortable. I went on a 7.5 miles hike on a national forest that I’ve never been to and with 3 other ppl. one of the girl I was hiking with wore a short, a fanny pack and waterbottle. It wasnt a hard hike and im sure she’s been there many times so she was familiar. However, i wasnt gonna take that chance; I took a backpack with the essentials minus a campus or map as the group was familiar with the trail, amongst other things. I even shared my snacks with one of them who was lagging behind me. We had tons of fun and nothing happened as there was other hikers around but better to over prepared than under.
Ive been doing day hikes for a couple months now. I bring my 10c's and medical. Sustainment for several days. Always be prepared. Never know what can happen. Something as simple as getting lost, or injury can lead to a survival situation. It can happen at any time
Better to have and not need than to need and not have. Good video. Another mental guide to go along with this would be the Rule of Threes: 1) Three minutes without air. 2) Three hours without shelter (in extreme heat/cold). 3) Three days without water. 4) Three weeks without food. It gives you a good priority list to go by when preparing for hiking and/or camping in the wilderness. Another guide that also contributes is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
Another tip from an old scout and scoutmaster....Wool retains 90% of its insulation properties, even if wet. Wool shirts, underwear or sweaters will keep you both warm in the cool and cool in the warm. Another benefit is they do not retain body odors. They also dry out quickly....even while you are wearing them. While often more expensive than cotton clothing. My old scoutmaster always remarked “COTTON KILLS”. Meaning it will not prevent you from going into hypothermia. Most people really ever freeze to death, they die long before that of hypothermia as the body’s core temperature drops below 82° F. So as you check the weather forecast, don’t believe you are safe because the night temps are only in the 60s.
I recruited someone once to be my failsafe; gave them all my hiking plans and told them they should hear from me before dark. I wound up losing my phone and was not able to tell them I made it back down safely. They had taken no action at all because they assumed I was spending the night up in the mountains. The lesson for me is if I'm using a non-hiker for this safety measure, I should also provide them with instructions on what to do if I do not contact them and they cannot reach me on my phone.
I've never been truly lost or in a serious situation. I have been ah ... fairly significantly "not where I wanted to be" several times and have even turned a one or two hour jaunt into an all day adventure. I like lesser used trails, the gotcha there is losing the trail becomes a real possibility. I've never had to stay out overnight, but I carry all these items (and more) even on day hikes. I have used my first aid kit and extra water when others in my party or met on the trail were in need. He said it - be prepared.
I'm so glad this topic has got it's truth brought to life. People who hike thru the woods with next to nothing are definitely green. Survival skills must be practiced regularly. On your day hike try doing some skill. Build a buck saw. Build a shelter. Try to build a bird's nest. Tinder bundle. Carry a good knife.
20 years ago it was harder to carry emergency gear for day hikes because it was so bulky - and ultralight stuff was out of reach for most. But these days there are a lot of budge options for ultralight items (like a budget down puffy jacket that stuffs into a coffee-cup sized bag). Ultralight 10x10 tarps for less than $20. I think my first set of frogg toggs rain gear was in the $20 range - those things weight almost nothing and perform really well. Good options and reasonable these days. I've been trying to spread map/compass skills to my camping friends, it's surprising how most of them have never had any map/compass exposure - even the ex-military friends. They typically hike 1 phone drop away from being lost.
Good points although 20 to 30 years ago when my personal hiking was pretty much limited to day hikes I always carried some basics: Compass, matches, a jacket for unexpected weather, extra water and food more than others + extra socks. I also studied one or more maps of my hike area whether I had a packable map or not. Maybe all that makes me atypical, but I feel like I've always been more at home outdoors than others and I have never ever been lost.
Can someone link a place to get an ultralight 10’x10’ tarp for less than $20? I was looking for 1 about 2 weeks ago and they were $80 to $180 from what I found.
@@jwalters9089 go to Academy Sports. i was looking for a rain fly for hammock camping. you can probably find more and better ones but i like mine. the 10x10 pop up covers for a yard sale or beach are there. look around and find the side panels to ad onto them. one is just big enough and costs either $15 or 20. i wanted a little bigger so i got another and had them sewn together. after that i was way too far into the price but i love it. its light and rolls up small. sadly i think it is 6x8? my 2 are 8x12? still its great.
I used to live three miles from the start of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. People with little to no experience get lost with some regularity, and I had a Black-N-Tan coon hound we took up on search and rescue several times. Hambone, the hound would run in circles while my two Rottweilers walked with me in case we scared up a black bear. I retired in Thailand where we have elephants, lions, Tigers, bears, and 34 poisonous snakes. It isn't a good place for novice hikers or campers,..but it is heaven for sport motorcycling, if your bike is fast enough to outrun a tiger.
Knowing our limits is also so important. One time I went to bandelier np in NM. My partner n I did three trails then decided to do one more and watch sunset. Since we want to catch sunset my partner started to push me like faster faster. I have fear of height and I didn’t expect that trail is narrow and on the edge of cliff… so eventually I completely broke down and started to cry lol and told my partner I can’t do it… i have fear of heights but I can still do it as long as there’s no one is pushing me and I can take my time.
I once got lost in the Australian outback, pre-GPS, in an area where the unmarked path I followed ran over some rocks through a very dry forest. The map was useless there, as was the compass because I had no idea in which direction the path was. I decided to memorise every detail where I had stopped, and then started circling the spot in an outward spiral. After about 30 minutes, I finally found the path again. During the entire hike I did not encounter anyone else. I felt very lucky.
That is a similar story to something that happened to me & a friend in central Oregon, coincidentally a region known as "The Oregon Outback" as it is very remote and dry being in the rain shadow of the Cascade mountains. We were driving home from a camping trip and we decided to stop and look for a feature called "hole in the ground", an ancient volcanic crater that looked from the map to be close to the main road. We got off the main road and drove around a few gravel roads and couldn't find it. Then we tried another location in the area, thought we were right there. So I parked the car and we were going to get out and look for it - just going a short ways from the car. The car was parked in a bit of a depression, so when we walked out and then turned around to come back, nothing looked familiar. And it was late afternoon on the high plateau in a dry forest with nothing but sand and pine trees and rolling hills, and the terrain looked the same everywhere. We were completely unprepared and it would get quite cold at night, even in August. Luckily I had a good memory of the road atlas and where the main road was relative to our position, and I had an REI keychain compass. We tried following our tracks back but that led nowhere. We knew we were not far from the car so we tried the "spiral method" exactly as you described. After a ways, we found some power lines, then a utility road, then a gravel road, followed some tire tracks and eventually got within eyesight of the main road. We had to hitchhike back to the car, but boy were we lucky we did not have to spend the night in that environment. Like your situation, nobody was out there except for on the main road. But where we got lost, it was a Sunday and nobody was out there. Fortunately we really lucked out.
@@mushroomsteve that’s terrifying. That’s why it’s good to get a bearing when you go in a direction from your vehicle, and also to have all the gear that would get you through the night if things don’t go right. You can also use a land feature as a “railing.” Like if a large mountain or a creek or road is always on your left or right, then you can follow it back. Thanks for comment!
@@CollapseCurriculum Yes, it was definitely a frightening experience. There actually was a ridge way off in the distance that gave us some sense of direction, but it was so far away as to be of little help in navigation. Since the terrain was so rolling, it was hard to get up high enough to get the lay of the land, and we didn't want to wander off too far and get even more lost. I remember seeing areas of dirt that looked like a road, but could have been just dirt. We didn't want to start wandering off towards features that looked like roads, only to get more lost. It was definitely a scary situation. In hindsight, what may have worked is hitting the "panic" button on my car's key. We may have been close enough to the car to set off the alarm and locate it that way, but it didn't occur to us to do that. We had just parked the car in a depression, went up on a small side road for about 50 feet, then another 100 - 200 feet off that side road and we were lost. That side road just petered out, and we couldn't locate it again. Totally unprepared because we were only expecting to step out of the car for 5 minutes and come back.
@@mushroomsteve We were all lucky, I guess. I wonder how many people you were and whether you could make use of that in any way, maybe with (initially) one person staying put, and another or others searching, while always staying within shouting distance. Was that an option? Did you have a compass with you?
Garmin inreach, spot device or some type of locator. Tell someone your route and ETA of return and notify that person when your back in. Family and friends love to help track you. The elderly are the best at this.
I do a lot of multi day trips, but even on a day trip, I usually take my full set up. Since I do ultralight backpacking, this whole set-up weighs just 9.6lbs and for that you get a shelter, warm clothes, rain gear, headlamp, battery, a cooking set, a sleeping system, first aid, gear repair, water filtration, and a PLB. Plus food and water. For a few extra pounds. One thing about a map and compass. They are totally useless to you if you don't know how to use them. When you are lost, it's not the time to try and figure out how to use them. That time was before you left for your hike. I don't believe that it's enough to simply watch a video or read a book on the subject. It requires actual practice to learn.
Two additional things to remember. First, you should always hike with at least on other person. If something happens, you can have help immediately. Also, some areas have cougars, bears, and other wildlife which are less likely to attack if you travel in groups. If you get lost, two heads are better than one in finding your way. Secondly, check the weather before starting your hike. Weather can change quickly and make an enjoyable hike into a nightmare. Lightening, hail storms, flash flooding are known to happen on what seems to be an otherwise nice day. On a cold day, a sudden layer of snow can make a trail unrecognizable. If you anticipate snow, or you are going off trail, use bright strips of tape to mark your route so you won’t have to rely on landmarks to find your way back. Happy trails!
I don't do "always hike accompanied." Much of my 50 years hiking/tramping/climbing in New Zealand has been solo, and I have not suffered a mishap - except when accompanied by insistent companions, who have made autocratic erroneous navigation decisions, are unfit, inexperienced or overextend themselves. I unscrew my headtorch and enclose it in a surgical rubber glove with a half knot in it. It keeps it dry and together. All I need do to turn it on is twist it a quarter turn to close it. Some experienced hikers have learned insufficiently as they may defer to their (often male) companion, and are unable to read a map, choose a good route, source suitable fire-making material, light a fire, determine what water is safe to drink, river-crossing, pitching their own tent, cook a meal, equipment capabilities, etc. Help them by giving them the opportunity to share.
YES! I live in the Pacific Northwest where there are lots of people who love to hike. Multiple times very year, every month, even, I read or hear in the media of hikers that don't get back and die. The overwhelming majority of the dead are solo day hikers.
@@Ferndalien That may be true, but solo hikers like myself hike solo. It's like a circular thing. I'm not going to find someone to hike with if I hike alone. Shit happens. Be prepared.
I went on a solo road trip to nat’l parks. Even though there were lots of people around there were times when I didn’t see anyone or I didn’t have cell reception while hiking or driving (hello, WY :) So, I bought a device (Zoleo) where I could check in every night with a designated person (mom, of course) by just pushing a button. There’s also a protected SOS button that can send coordinates to emergency services. But the caveat is that you need to be in an open space so the satellites can pick it up. I like how the blue light confirms the message was sent. Mom was happy and that’s gold! It’s awesome to have multiple ways to help yourself or get help. I definitely want to learn how to use a map and compass. Orienteering seems like fun and super useful. I’ve hiked for so many years with minimal to no supplies on day hikes. Not wise. Thank you for all the good advice!
Good advice. Take a bandana. When it's hot and dry, a damp bandana around the neck or tied on like a babushka feels really good. Use a walking stick. It really helps, esp going downhill.
One mental trick is to admit your mistakes. A lot of people will deny the reality of their situation in an effort to avoid panicking, but that in itself is panicking. In the mean time, they keep moving and become more lost, and make repeated poor decisions. If you're unsure, stop, admit you're unsure, pause and compose yourself with water, food, or just sitting still. Then look at a map, and try to orient yourself. Take another pause for a few minutes and look again. The point being to not make a stressed decision. You can also use a note pad along with the map and time stamp your progress: 1000 hrs, crossed Ryman Creek; 1130 hrs, rested at Hickok Trail Junction. This will help give you a rough estimate of travel in case you need to backtrack. Trail journals are also fun mementos to have.
A backpacking buddy taught me a great lesson ... ALWAYS BRING EXTRA FOR YOUR COMPANION ... It is diffucult enough to be sure I am prepared for myself, but if your buddy is unprepared you are both going to be miserable. Bring double of everything you can afford to carry. Had a hike two weeks ago with a guy who forgot gloves, and didn't think to bring snow spikes. He ended up using my extras.
Here's one of my stories that can illustrate how easy it is to get lost: I got lost at the 15 minute mark once. The trail became quite open and unclear, the map showed some small clearings, but not that one had been made by the maintenance team earlier that year. The best match for that clearing on the map put my pace back quite a bit, so I just adjusted my time calculations based on that and ended up on the wrong side of the canyon. No biggie as I had not been hiking more than an hour from the parking, but do that in the middle of a through hike and good luck! I never trust a compass other than a Silva or Suunto I always have a regular and small compass + map I check my compass and map every break and every doubt I can estimate time to destination to +/- 10 minutes per hour I still got lost next to a ski hill. Actually, I could clearly see it on the map, so I took that way out.. double diamond hip high grass and been raining most of the time. Gore-Tex does have limits...
Seems by your comment that you have a very sensitive threshold for your definition of lost. Getting off trail isn't lost although I have known folks who never leave a trail for days on end and are lost 24/7 bc they actually never have any sense of where they are. They just mindlessly follow some app and a trail cluelessly. I'm being a bit critical, but not so much critical of your skill as one can infer that you always maintained a sense of where you had been and where you needed to go. My real critique is against an idea that some people fall into where they take a simple unplanned turn and then panic leading to really being lost when often it isn't necessary for them to cross that threshold which can end in disaster. Keeping a cool head and maintaining good situational awareness is often all a person needs. It worked out for you right?
@@treebeardtheent2200 Well summed up; to me being lost is not being able to pinpoint my location on the map AND not having any marker to go by. You could still have a general sense of direction but if you have no certainty of reaching your destination, one step in the wrong direction could mean ending up in the very wrong place.
@@Flashahol One of the old school manskills is knowing where North is at all times. To oversimplify, it's either a way of life or it isn't, but to me it's a worthwhile thing. That doesn't mean I don't temporarily get disoriented at times, but those times are brief and rare. I typically also carry key tools (map compass) and use them, but it's really cool when the map and compass inside one's head are working nice and smooth.
@@treebeardtheent2200 I agree with you. My point is, despite all my skills, I still ended up on the wrong side of a cliff in an easy to deal with situation. The warning is really for those who don't even carry a compass...
Yes I know that from sailing - suunto is the best, but actually there is one even better. It is called Sun during the day, and Moon during the night. If you know the time - you should know exactly where N, S, E and W are. You actually need only one gadget with you at all times - your brain ( so don't forget it at home ).
Excellent video. I hike mainly in the Northeast, but the preparation and rules you emphasize still apply. Water scarcity is usually not a problem, except some caution should be taken on the Katahdin massif and the Presidential range in summer. The only other point/preparation I would state, for pretty much everywhere, is that All active layers, down to socks and underwear, should be polypro/dri-fit/wool or some combination (and for the desert, there are good choices in long pants and long-sleeve shirts). I'll also make my recommendation here that a very thin pair of liner socks, in addition to my Darn Toughs, has saved me from countless blisters(also used in soccer and basketball).
One thing to do is always look up, and turn around and look backwards at your path… So you see landmarks from the return aspect… and you will notice if you are being stalked by predators.
One point NOT mentioned here that someone on Facebook brought to my attention. BRING MEDICATION or other treatments prescribed for medical conditions. You don't want to be out somewhere long and not have your glucose tabs if you are diabetic for example.
The basic old timey principles still stand the test of time. If anything has changed it's that lots of people are more soft, pampered and less situationally aware than ever before. Reliance on "smart" gizmos is a mistake. They can be useful, but they don't deserve life and death trust. They are too fragile, and that's just one thing. The thing that that I see getting people killed is the all too common idea of a Schedule. Events that happen out in the wilderness do not conform to the artificial schedules people like to prioritize. Weather changes, injuries, chance encounters or even opportunities (exploration, etc.). A pre-conceived schedule is the justification people use for going out unprepared. - Cold Kills - Nature is Neutral - Mountains Don't Care.
Mostly good information here, in fact I give a lot of the same instructions, but I would definitely make one change: don't wrap your lighter with duct tape. Use press-and-seal. btw props on flipping the battery, I've taught my entire family this for years, but you are the first person I've ever heard give out the same instruction. One modification though: a lot of headlamps have 3 batteries, so I always say flip the one in the middle. Then if it is dark, or the person is forgetful, or having issues or whatever the case may be, it is much easier to remember the one in the middle, then try to figure out which one, left or right is inverted.
I don’t flip the battery but I leave a piece of paper with a “pull tab” in between one of them and the positive contact point. It’s pretty easy to feel what you need to do in the dark to get it out.
Day hiking or backpacking in steep terrain, like steep mountains or deep canyons, trekking poles are worth their weight in gold. They provide stability and support on the downhill trek, and take some of the load off the legs on the uphill. A lightweight tarp, some paracord, and poles make a shelter.
Another valuable thing worth mentioning is purchasing and having a SPOT beacon with you. The beacon works even when there is no cell phone coverage. Once activated in an emergency, your GPS coordinates are relayed to the GEOS Headquarters which I believe is in Texas. Then, based on where you are, they decide which agency is the best one to send out to rescue you whether that be the state police, a nearby army base, the nearest forest ranger station, etc. Members are covered by the GEOS Member Rescue Benefit which will cover up to $50,000 in expenses that are incurred as a result of a member getting rescued. That should cover the bill for the rescue chopper!
Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places thanks for mentioning this! I have looked at a few of these plans. It’s been a while, but there is something of an annual fee, plus an upfront fee for the device. A bit pricey, but if you can swing it, it could certainly save your life. I may do a video about options for these at some point. Do you have a particular recommendation for a product?
Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places looks like SPOT is the brand... but they have different options. I’ll have to research and see if other brands offer comparable systems.
Justin & Aimee I have heard that SPOT is not the best device out there for this type of thing. But, due to the price and the fact that I already own one, I am stuck with it. I have been happy with it for the most part. I actually did have to use my SPOT beacon once a couple years ago. I was out in remote Nevada at an abandoned mine site with a buddy of mine. That evening, I decided to leave our campsite and head back down the three mile or so dirt road to the paved highway to go 30 miles north to the nearest town to get more ice. When I got about 600 feet from the paved highway, I navigated a deep rut in the dirt road incorrectly and ended up with my front wheels of my 2WD sedan down in the rut. I was unable to back up or go forward. I still had a cell phone signal there, but had no idea who to call. Luckily, I had my SPOT beacon on me and decided to activate it. After I activated my beacon, the GEOS headquarters in Texas called me back within a few minutes. I spoke to that person and told them my situation and they got me on a three-way call with the Nevada state police. I relayed my information about where I was located to the Nevada state police and then they contacted a towing company in the town that was 30 miles to the north. The towing company then called me back on my cell phone. It took the tow truck driver over an hour to get down to me, but he got me out of that rut in 30 seconds. I thought for sure he was going to charge me some outrageous amount like $1200 or something like that for his service. However, I think he only charged me a couple hundred dollars. While I was waiting for him to get to me, the guy at the GEOS headquarters kept calling me back to check on me and to make sure that I was still OK. I was impressed with that! I remember asking him what their protocol was if I did NOT have cell phone service after activating my SPOT beacon and they were unable to actually call me back. He said they always try to call the person once they get a notification that a SPOT beacon has been activated. If they can reach the person by phone, then they don’t bother notifying that person‘s emergency contact about the situation. If they can’t reach the person by phone because that person is somewhere where there is no signal, then they do go ahead and notify the person‘s emergency contact. Regardless, the SPOT beacon does send them the GPS coordinates of where the person is stranded at. Using those, the GEOS headquarters then figures out what agency is the best one to contact to get the quickest response.
I carry an EPIRB for the same thing and have had to use it for critical injuries I have come up on. Their phone died because they did not invest in a solar charger.
Always funny to see something posted years ago pop up in the algorithm feed! This is pretty much a 10 Essentials video presented from angle of hiking mistakes. The stats on day-hiker SAR runs is sad but unsurprising. Go to a trailhead at a popular Nat’l Park and do some people watching - surprised we don’t have to do way more SARs. I believe in everyone getting outdoors and enjoying our public lands, but have the common sense to know what your capabilities are and how to do it safely. I’m going to sound callous, but I actually have little sympathy for people getting lost or not having enough water for their hike. It’s not like they were dropped from a plane into a circumstance they had no ability to prepare for. They woke up and headed out with the very purpose of going into nature, but in most cases utterly failed at the most fundamental level to plan and prepare for what they were about to do.
People don't know what they don't know. I've been hiking my whole life. My parents were outdoorsy people who camped in the Sierras long before I was born, in the 60s and 70s. But, I hadn't heard of the 10 Essentials til I was in my 30s, and didn't make a point to have each and every one til after the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge, near Portland, Oregon. We inadvertently drove right past it, mere yards away from the flames, moments before they closed the highway, on our way back from an off-the-grid weekend in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It was super scary. But, what really stuck with me was that a group of day hikers were stuck near Punch Bowl Falls overnight completely unprepared. Only one person out of a couple dozen or so had the 10 Essentials with them. What should have been a short hike to cool off at the falls on a hot summer day turned into an epic overnight ordeal and a very long hike out the back route to safety the next day. Some were wearing nothing more than swim attire and flip-flops. A lot of folks simply don't know any better. They underestimate risk. It's just a walk in the forest, right?! "I'll be back before dinnertime," they think, not realizing how easy it is to become disoriented or lost. No one heads out thinking that some dumb shit teenager is going to set the gawd damned forest afire fucking around with fireworks in an area with dry brush. That would be insane, right?! Well, it happened. It's up to those of us who know better to educate others, to help out fellow hikers if they are distressed, and to never leave anyone behind on the trail if you start out with a group. It's up to us to learn how to handle emergencies in the wilderness, not just for our own safety, but the safety of others around us.
The long underwear is really a good tip. When our legs get cold they fasten the process of losing body heat. I've been wearing them a lot during the winter and it's just awesome. When layered up well and covered with a decent coat.. you feel invincible.
Excellent advises ! I am a day/ section 🚶♂️ hiker. I live in Socal which means hot during the day & even in summer it is very cold at night. #1) I always carry fleece pants. When it gets cold & tired, when my legs are cold I get leg cramps. I wear short pants most of the times. #2) I always carry rain coat one with windproof & hoody. When I hike 2 to 3 miles & 😓 sweat I get cold. Lots of times, when I put on hoody, it is sufficient enough. Ocassionally, it gets windy & tempeture drops, that windproof raincoat will do the work for me. These stuff for hiking in a summer. #3) For firstaid, I aways carrys aspirin. Asprins covers pretty much everything. #4) where ever I go 🚶♀️ hiking, I do exensive research on the area I am going to the hiking.#5) it is rare but on occasion I do turn around come home, to hot, to cold, not enough water. It is better to be safe than sorry. #5) yes, I always carry headlamp. A flash light is better than nothing but a headlamp is significantly different than a flashlight.Get out there! Have fun 👍 & enjoy! You always glad to see your car. You always feel great that you done the hiking when you take that hot shower at home. Don't forget to wash your feet thoroughly, 😉 you will never have those foot fungus or what not. We are blessed to live in this country this big & 😍 beautiful. I don't think I ever going to run out of place to hike.
Having a compass and not using it. A lady was walking the Appalachian Trail, walked off the trail to pee, got turned around and lost. Her body was found a year later. Reportedly she had poor navigation skills and I believe had a compass. If leaving the trail take a compass bearing, walk it in a straight a line as possible and reverse follow that heading back. You cell phone has a GPS receiver built in. There are apps that allow you to read your GPS position regardless if there is a cell phone signal or not. That and a map and compass will get you back. Some of these apps have a compass feature and I believe shows true north rather than magnetic north. As you travel you can make notes about land marks you pass and make a note including it's GPS position. With a little math you can navigate back to that point.
Dude, that was fantastic! Thanks so much for offering such a simple guide to avoiding hazards. I'm planning to take my 12 year son on a day hike soon and I am trying to prepare and this was very helpful! Thanks Again!
I went for a 3 hour hike in a FL State park alone when I first started hiking. It got hot quick and I ran short on water and had to drink less than I wanted. Even though I wasn't near a river or lake, I walked up on a 12 foot alligator. I still shudder but thankfully, the gator wasn't interested and ran to a shallow ravine that wasn't on the map. I did see the ravine but didn't think it was deep enough for a gator that size. After that, I did more studying about hiking preparedness. This video is a great help.
Yes, we have been watching a lot more preparedness videos and think there’s a lot more to say too. Thanks for the great story from the Florida outback.
GREAT video. I subscribed kind sir. I'm out and about Vegas outskirts as a weak amateur hiker once in a while, so the video is much appreciated. This new year's weekend had so many families picnicking it wasn't really a hike for me LOL.... I rather be alone or with only a few companions, but that sets up the catch-22 of higher risk on my safety. More people that seem to not even know why they're in the mountains besides bringing all their crap and littering, playing loud music and generally disturbing the whole reason for leaving the city drives me crazy, but at least there were witnesses for where I went.
Good video. Thanks. I always travel and hike with two large trash bags . What are you going to say to that other person or couple who isn't prepared? I've used trashbags as blankets and ponchos. I always travel with long pants and long sleeves. If I'm going hiking in the desert when it's over 100° I'll be wearing my long travel or hiking pants and my long sleeve travel shirt. (I'm a sailor I bought some cheap and very dorky looking thin balaclavas to keep off the sun. And cruisers always have a bimini or dodger over their cockpit. ) Take a couple of cheap slings. They cost very little, take up no space. They work as both slings and as bandages. They can wrap around your foot if you're getting a blister. One or the more common injuries for cyclists and in life is you fall forward stick out your hands to break you fall and fracture you collar bone. For the first, and most critical 24 hours, this painful and debilitating - if you don't have a sling. (I had a bicycle accident, broke collarbone, ribs, torn ligaments, bruises and scraps. Initially the collarbone was the worst but after a day or two it mended very quickly - then I noticed my ribs really hurt. ) Headlamp? I'd get a good one. The cheaper ones, like those sold in sets of three at Costco are just not bright enough. And once you have a good headlamp you'll use it all the time. They're just really handy. Yes to the water bladder. I've found that the clear Platypus bags are the best for me, the light shining into them keeps mold and bacteria from growing and they're tough. (I have two 3L bladders one for clean water the other for collection. This way if I need or want I can carry at least 6 liters of water - I'll just have to filter/treat that second bag before we drink it. I have a Sawyer filter (and made some quick connections so I can filter from the bag, or bag to bag.) (I took an MSR filter to England and whatever was coming out of the butts of sheep beat that filter (and me). I tried to find out what went wrong - they wouldn't even respond. I think all of these filters are oversold and under perform. I always use Aquamira drops after I filter the water. Belt and suspenders. And probably just replace the filter every year or so. I've also learned from experience that even if it's 106° and your water is also hot, nevertheless you can and will survive. Sunshade, sun block, water and you'll make it. To extend your water suck on a pebble or a piece of grass, it keeps your mouth closed and the fluid in your mouth going to your stomach. Often when I've done this I've hardly felt thirsty. I ran out of water once on a hot day, got heat stroke. I had a map and compass - it took me 20 minutes to do a very simple two lines position. I recommend everyone try a keto diet for at least a few months. When your body is burning fat, it easily shifts between what you've eaten and body fat. When, as most people do, you live on mostly carbs at some point you will 'hit the wall,' you feel exhausted and hungry you think you might not be able to make it back, you're feet are dragging... That's the glycogen supply in your liver being used up. I used to consistently 'hit the wall' at 90 minutes, while sea kayaking. Eventually I figured out that I just slow down a little, feel 'wrecked and desperate, but I always make it back. Now that I'm keto I never hit the wall, what does happen is I get interested in something and forget to eat. I will stop eating the day before by 4 pm, get up in the morning go for a paddle (black coffee), paddle hard 3-4 hours, 8-14 Nmiles, then drive home and only begin eating at 1 pm. If you get lost for a week so long as you're warm enough, have water you don't even need to worry about eating. The skinniest person you know has more than enough body fat for two weeks without food. You'll feel very hungry that first day, but when you fall asleep or rest that night you'll stop feeling it and the next day you'll wake up and not give it much thought. 24 hour fasts are really hard for people who eat carbs- I never could do one. With keto, I started doing them because I didn't feel hungry and noticed that if I just waited another hour or two that would make it 24 hours -so I did it.
Good information. I always take 10' of duct tape wrapped around something, and zip ties. You can fix a lot of gear issues with those. I also leave a note in my car with contact info of myself and someone at home, the date/time I left, where I'm going and when I plan to be back. I also make it a point to talk to people on the trail. That info may make it back to Search and Rescue.
I went on a "quick" scouting walk for some climbing cliffs on a 2,000 foot ridge once. It was getting near sundown (within 1 hour) but it was supposed to be quick and I had plenty of light. Guess what, a fog rolled in suddenly and everything looked the same, along with a serious diminishment of light. Needless to say, when I finally got out, walking on a logging road ... at 11:30 that night, I was a 15 minutes drive from my car, which was graciously supplied by the owners of the cabin I unexpectedly "visited". It was a "rough" night.
Similar incident happened to me in the forest. Just took a wrong turn and wound up hiking for hours upon hours. Pretty miserable but a valuable experience to learn from.
In the desert on hot days I bring a umbrella. It's a game changer. So much so I went from using a cheap one to purchasing a expensive Zpack sun umbrella. Very light and made for keeping the sun away.
Another item to consider is a strong pair of gloves. Strong footwear is important. Hiking poles. Snake bite kit. Carry more than one fire starting item. These are some of what I would want to carry during a hike. Take good care.
Sue Clemens daughter has a series of vlogs about her mother's disappearance. It's very heart breaking, but a good reminder of what the family goes through during a SAR mission.
Thank you. I’ve never had an issue, I don’t expect to ever have an issue, but I watched this video. Why? To maybe learn something Incase I ever get lost. I knew most of this, so it was a good reminder. Thanks again 😎🤙
My boy was an Eagle. When he joined the Marines as a Navy medic he was surprised at how many Marines had not been in Scouts, NOR had ANY woodcraft skills. It fell upon him to teach his pals how to start a fire, how to set up a campsite and all that. !
Great advice. I also subscribe to the “Scout’s motto”. On a recent hike in Zion National Park’s The Narrows trail which is a hike in a river. Temperature was in the low 60s f. Water temp was probably in the 50s. I wore dry pants, boots and carried my gear in a dry bag style backpack. It’s a 6-7 mile hike round trip for most day hikers. I was coming out around 3:30 and people in shorts and sweatshirts were just going in. Hikes in canyon-like terrain gets dark much faster because the walls block out light. None of them thought about bringing much more than a bottle of water. Amazed that there wasn’t more casualties with such disrespect for Mother Nature. She’s beautiful but also dangerous.
Yes! I’ve been in that canyon. In fact my great great great grandfather named Zion, and was first European settler there. It’s a beautiful place but can be dangerous. Thanks for commenting!
Hiking the Sonoran desert in Arizona I saw so many in light clothes with just a 16 ounce water bottle. I can’t even count the liters of water and First Strike rations I had to give out while leading them to safety. One group of six had a critical injury. I had to use my EPIRB to get them help. People think they have dominion over everything and are narcissistic in preparation. They actually have bragged to me they went out with minimal gear. My ruck may be slightly heavy, but that beats being dead.
One game changing item that no one thinks about is a candle 🕯 Pair it with the emergency blanket, drape it over you and have it touching the floor all around making a tent. Fire up the candle inside and that can keep you from freezing overnight. It could be below freezing outside but 60-70 underneath the makeshift tent cocoon. You could also use it to help start a fire for warmth and or to help signal a rescue with smoke. Stay safe out there 🍻
those blankets are an amazing item. You can use them to keep sun off you, stay warm when needed, collect water, signal for help, make cover and who knows what else. My only suggestion is given they are so inexpensive, get a good one. Don't buy the $1.99 version from amazon, get the $5.99 version that is noted for durability. Some of these things come apart so easily they are not worth it, especially when your life is on the line.
I am an experienced hiker/backpacker and agree with you 100%. Here's a few things I would add. No. 1 for me since I hike alone a lot is do not get off the trail. I have to admit this has happened to me a couple of times when I lost the trail but since I knew the landmarks very well it was easy to find the trail again. 2nd, a mirror would be very handy if someone is searching for you. Letting someone know where you are going but I have found on several occasions that my original plans had to be scrapped and I had to do an alternate route and it was impossible to let anyone know since I was out of cell phone range. Your list of things to carry on a day hike is great so I made myself a list following yours. I have these on backpacking trips but have decided to make a day hiking "kit" as well since I don't usually dig into my backpacking gear to take things with me on a day hike. I have a good compass and use All trails. That is one of my favorite take aways from this video.
I actually use a Suunto compass and will recommend something with more capabilities than the one featured in the video. More coming soon on that. Definitely think it’s good to have a separate kit for day hiking. For just good readiness for emergency preparedness, it’s probably good to have this bag with you or in the car daily anyways. Really appreciate the comment and insights.
Great video. Essential number 11: brains - aka common sense. A lot of people leave them in the car at the trailhead. I belong to the 10+ essentials club ☺
Your video was posted on our hiking group FB. Thank you, I updated for a couple of things in my pack. So. Nevada requires a bit more prep as we don't have abundant water sources.
Great video. Thanks. Although better than nothing, the compass/whistle/ waterproof match holder is a bit of a gimmick (I have one and I wouldn’t rely on the compass) I’d recommend a Silva or Sunto compass if you want something to rely on.😀
Yes, regardless of the duration of the hike, bring enough to be able to shelter overnight in a snow storm. I carry both my main backpack and also a little kit attached to my belt with a head lamp, emergency blanket, knife, and Bic lighter. If I get separated from my pack in a fall or similar accident, I will hopefully still have access to my safety kit attached to my belt and will still be able to survive. Also, if you do get lost and need rescue, make it easy for the rescue team by making yourself visible. Create an SOS sign in big letters in an open meadow so planes can see it, hang a colorful blanket or tarp on an open mountain peak, and start a fire to create a smoke trail. It seems as though many people who have died out in the wildness never tried to help the rescue team find them. Lastly, I recently went on an "off trail" hike through a canyon that I have never hiked before. I measured the canyon on aerial maps to be about 3 miles long. No problem, I thought. That is an easy 1 hour hike. The hike ended up taking 8 hours. The bottom of the canyon was nothing but dead fall and boulders. I was moving forward at a 2 to 3 mile per hour pace the entire time I was hiking, but I was also zig zagging across the bottom of the canyon the entire day. I calculated that for each foot I moved along the length of the canyon, I had to deflect sideways by 8 feet to get around boulders and dead trees. Moral of the story is be prepared for some hikes to take much longer than you thing, especially if you are going off-trail.
I would add a couple things. As I hike I’m always looking for landmarks if I’m off trail along with the overall lay of the land. High points, canyons coming in, types of rocks, vegetation, etc. Experience clarifies things, but as he mentioned, we are often the ones that get in trouble. Well, speaking for myself, I often just carry a bottle of water and a hiking pole. Of course, it all depends on the type of hike, and the hiker. If I’m climbed a peak by myself out in the middle of Nevada, then I’m usually very well prepared. But when I get ‘lost’ it’s usually because I’m caught up in a conversation with someone. I’ve never been really ‘lost’ for more than a few minutes. Of course, I’ve never done overnight, very long hiking trips. Nor do I plan to in the future. Hiking guide books help. I finally bought a Fanny pack to carry a guide book if I think I will need one. Much easier to access than in a backpack. A downloaded map from All Trails is very helpful because it shows exactly where you’re at in relation to the trail. Make sure you download before starting out… Of course, if you’re climbing most desert peaks, for example, there are no made or worn trail, and certainly no All Trails map. It also helps to know the area. Remember that wherever you are, some people call it home and know it well. There is a Benchmark Atlas for every western state. Have one for every state you’re hiking in so you know where the towns, roads, mountains, valley, etc. are. Of, course, these are not useful on the trail, but are very useful in the planning/preparation stage of hiking in an area. I have in mind to know all the western states like my own backyard, so I have all the Benchmark Atlases. So far, I can only say I know Ca, Or, and Nv pretty well. Working on Arizona and Washington this year, with hiking stops on the way in the aforementioned states. Lots of trails out there and lots of points of interest, museums etc. Be careful, and enjoy!
When the ground is not frozen, I'm usually out alone hiking and prospecting in the Nevada desert two or three days every week. A dusting of snow on the ground can be very revealing as you backtrack to your campsite. Coyotes commonly follow you, but they usually keep their distance. They only make noise in the evenings or if there are a few younger pups in the group. Cougars follow you on the uphill side of your trail. I never go out unprotected. Without a dusting of snow you're probably unaware of their presence. All good points in your video.
Hi. I would like to add a couple of points; thanks for telling folks about hypothermia in the 10°C (50°-ish F). It is not just rain that can get you wet enough to become hypothermic; night mist, dampness from dew, fog or even your own sweaty body are all moisture sources. To make things really bad very fast is a seemingly refreshing breeze. You can go from "ah, feels good" to chattering your teeth in minutes. If you feel shivery, light a fire out of the wind and get warm - this is early warning that your core body temperature is no longer able to keep up with heat loss and is a potential life-threatening stiuation. Be wary of those space blankets or other plastic-like waterproof things. They are great for short-term use only. Because they are non-permeable, they hold moisture in your clothes which makes you damp (see point #1). For even a cool overnight stay, your clothes are your insulation, NOT the space blanket. Use the space blanket, a thin mylar plastic sheet, to wrap loosely around you to keep the wind off and to reflect your body heat back to you, but allow enough air circulation to keep moisture to a minimum. I suggest you learn stuff at home first. Practice until you are proficient in a safe place like home; if you mess up you can just try again. The last place you want to "try" something is when you really need it. Enjoy the outdoors. It is not as scary as you think IF YOU ARE PREPARED! The two most important tools you can carry is a well-prepared mind and practiced hands. Greetings from Alberta, Canada.
Great addition. I’ve been thinking of taking a wool blanket and wrapping with a decent survival blanket and see how well that gets me through a night down to say 40-30 degrees F, especially if I have a decent wool base layer and clothing.
@@CollapseCurriculum In my opinion, natural fibre is always the best choice especially wool for close-to-skin/inner-wear clothes or blankets. It is heavier and more bulky, but you will be thankful and not care about that if you fall in water or are caught unprepared in a downpour. I'm sure you know wool retains the majority of its insulative value even soaking wet and is spark resistant. Outer wear is less important if it keeps you dry and breathes so you stay that way. There is a company here in Canada, in Quebec I think, that sells woolen goods, not blends (large, thick blankets, anoraks etc). Unfortunately, I can't remember the name, though. As far as your idea for the wool blanket goes, if you can stay out of the wind with reasonable layers of clothes, you should be okay. Add a small, smokeless fire and a toque(lots of Americans call them beanies) and you should be pretty snug for the night even if the temperature drops close to freezing. However, If you are stuck out over night and need to sleep, try to insulate yourself from the ground. The earth is a giant heat sink and will continually absorb body heat and can cause hypothermia as well. Cheers.
Great video. I've ordered a bivvy bag for overnight emergency sleeping and I bought a wrist watch that has paracord as part of the strap so if you need paracord you can unravel it in an emergency can help you make a tarp tent setup. It also has a scrapper built in so you can scrape a tree for kindling and and whistle of you fall somewhere where people cannot see you in the trail. I will be adding a bin bag as an emergency item to that list going forward thanks for the tips!
Newer hiker here: was on a 3.5 mile hike, the trail was not well marked I ended up going half a mile on a side trail before realizing it. Turned around and retraced my steps, found out the trail leading to the trailhead was closed via metal map in the trail. So my shorter hike ended up being a bit longer than planned! I was glad for extra water and snacks. I always carry 10 essentials even in a day hike even though others think it's silly
Belated thanks; I just saw this, and it was very sensible and clear. Maps are great; if you know where the creeks are, where height of land is, and any other permanent physical realities, you have a good chance of locating yourself and finding a way out. Thank you.
I see so many people just hike with a water bottle. I prepare for the worst, a small effort that can have a big impact. I check the weather and water resources before I leave. I have a small bag of different types of tinder to help make a fire. Besides a mylar blanket, I have a bivy (one step up, made of similar material). A whistle is important to draw attention to your location. Also, don't forget to bring a power bank. I do bring a Garmin Inreach just in case all else fails and the situation is pretty dire. I bought it for overnight trips and more remote (no cell phone service) locations.
You can get dehydrated in the cold as quickly as you can in the heat. Moving in winter waterproof/breathable gear, you sweat more making your clothes slightly damp, but you are also using that water to produce heat in your body. I always add a three tiny pieces of pink salt to my 28oz water bottle just for shopping trips. You could do this for your hiking water too, but don't overdo the salt. I carry those essentials on me every time I go out. Great vid on the subject of day hikers.
My brother and I were driving. He pulled over to get a closer look of a rock formation that looked a few hundred feet away. After an hour hiking, while debating Mars colonization, we were big time lost! It can happen to anyone.
No, it can not, but it will most likely happen to people who are debating colonisation of Mars. Those are already lost in life .....and bought deception and lies.
@@thomza ....Are you just another space cadet or Star Wars fan ? Don't forget your vaccination and medication when going to Mars or national parks..... Ups I nearly forgot - your World is Virtual....
@@brawndothethirstmutilator9848 You won. But you must agree with me, this kind of nerds, even with help of map and compass, would get lost in city park, not to mention national forests....
I fully agree with you ! Maybe you said it already, but anyway here it is … How one should hike . I’ve seen mega times hikers taking off like rockets and promptly end up being totally shot and dehydrated after 2-3 hours. This obviously does not favor ones chances to survive a night out when being lost !
An ages old tip I learnt, decades ago, in dealing with blisters...don't get them in the first place! Rubbing alcohol (Surgical spirit) doesn't cost much. The pharmacist may ask why you want to purchase it. Don't be afraid to tell them. Apply it twice, daily, to any areas likely to be chaffed, using cottonwool to dab it on, if need be, or a small amount, just enough to swiftly cover the area, poured into one palm, then, equally quickly, rubbed in as it will rapidly evaporate. Tbe skin will go cold for about 30 seconds, but it's nothing to be concerned about and will do you no harm. Doing so for 10 - 14 days, before wearing new footwear, will temporarily toughen the skin, allowing callouses to slowly and gently form underneath, as you are breaking in the new footwear. That also applies to shoes, highheels, etc. By the time the treated skin starts to return to normal the new callouses will have formed, but the footwear will also have softened enough to be comfortable to wear. Some folk find their backpacks can cause chaffing. Check the strapping and cushioning first, adjust them, if applicable, then, if necessary, apply the spirit to the areas likely to be affected. Planning on building a log cabin, digging a latrine and so on? Break out the spirit to toughen up your hands, making it more difficult for splinters to penetrate and sharp stones to slice. That's where I was first taught the benefit of surgical spirits, a timber merchants, where we carried beading, boards, planks, rail sleepers, etc, on our shoulders and any newbie was given sound advise to save themselves from a world of pain and visits to the emergency dept. The bonus is you can use what is left over in an alcohol stove. The amount of ladies that have thanked me, because their dancing or fashion shoes haven't destroyed their feet, following my advice, is untold. 😉😎😂 Thanks for uploading the video.
In the desert , with water , bring a pack of mint candies ,it makes the water nice and cold , also Vick's menthol ointment . Bring a high power , laser flashlight , to be able to signal for help and a long range CB walkie talkie, to be able to call for help .I also have an orange whistle , like the one shown here , it has a mirror on the inside of it .
I like you reference to people in desert countries keeping covered up. I deployed to the Middle East a few times and we would wear out DCU uniforms. Most people ditch the blouse or roll the sleeves up but I always kept mine on and the sleeves down. I used the same point you did. I pointed out that a lot of people there are wearing robes despite the heat. They no better.
Im not hiker. I probably will never go hiking but i watch a lot of Mr.Ballen and he often tells stories of hikers going missing and I’ve recently been watching a lot of Everest documentaries so i think thats why this video popped up on me 😆👍🏻👍🏻
I live in Nevada and hike often here. I always carry sturdy gloves and a hiking pole too. My pole folds up and tucks in my backpack if I don't need it. ✌
Great vid, liked it a lot. One thing I might add.....even if you have a map, you might not be prepared for obstacles that can create hazards for a human. I hiked a trail for which my contour map showed zero elevation change (at 20' contour intervals). Well, I almost got trapped crossing a dry wash that was only about 5' deep, but with very steep, muddy sides; was VERY difficult to get out of!!!
Excellent point. A map has limitations. I have a follow up video I'm working on with maps (already did compass). This is a story I may reference. Appreciate your input.
One thing that wasn't addressed here is for the chronically ill. If you take regular medication, the standard rule is to always pack at least 3 days' more medication than you expect to need, which means if you don't think you'll need any, you take 3 days' along anyways. Also, if you are diabetic or have a seizure or migraine disorder, you cannot go 30 days without food, so pack 3 days' extra there, too, and depending on your condition, you may need more water than the average person. Yeah, the pack can get too heavy for our little broken bodies to carry lol. That's one reason why for those of us who are chronically ill, it's not the best idea to hike alone. So if you do decide to go out alone day or night, a satellite phone and personal locator beacon are good ideas. Remember, it's only overkill until you need them. For the most part, safety isn't something granted from above. It's usually a product of our own planning. Make yourself safe out there!
That poor family that died on the trail in the Sierra Nevadas last August--mom, dad, 1-yr old baby, and dog--from dehydration and hyperthermia. Steep exposed trail on a 100-degree day, they were found around the 2.2-mile mark with an empty 85 oz water container. It's important to be prepared, including choosing your hike wisely.
![Дон ДОН, Алаудинов и СБЕЖАВШИЕ из под Курска ахматовцы 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dEfCf5IK26Q/mqdefault.jpg)
More than anything, we have been so impressed by the helpful advice in the comments. It’s nice to see community on social media instead of the vitriol seen elsewhere. Lovely!
I do a lot of day hiking and I always carry what others call “a ton” of supplies with me. I can’t begin to tell you how many people I’ve passed over the years that are hiking 6, 7, 9 plus miles with NOTHING 🤷🏻♀️ or as you say a Fanny pack and a plastic water bottle. I passed 8 hikers going up as I was coming down off the Kings Chair in AL last December. It was 3:30 pm and it would take all those hikers at least 2 more hours to summit. As I passed each, I asked them if they were aware of the time to sunset, the time to summit and whether they had a headlamp with them. None had a headlamp and only 2, a father and son, decided to take my advice and turn around; they came back down with me. It was dark before we were all the way down and they were amazed at how well my headlamp worked.
I know that feeling, it's frustrating. You are seeing at potential lost people or even worse and there's nothing you can do to stop them.
You have to be prepared For your skills at If you're not very skilled you'd better take a lot of stuff I take a lighter Some type of firearm Some water And maybe a couple of Power bars It is good to have a flashlight I have been stuck out In the Woods at night Several times Hunting wheeling Just stop build a fire And slept next to the fire
@@erikguevara8256
couldn’t happen to me! You see it everywhere not just on the trail.
@@oldcountryboy how is a firearm used to survive? I understand water, food, ability to build a fire for heat but, why should I carry a firearm?
@@chachi5975 It's a whole lot easier To shoot something Then it is to catch something There is also bears and cougars And we've all seen movies of the psycho hillbilliesIn the woods there are no policemen
Good tips. I would add “Don’t wear denim.” It doesn’t dry out easily if it rains and any breeze or wind will chill you severely.
When I was young, I learned the phrase "cotton Kills", referencing that you shouldn't be wearing denim and cotton clothing for just that reason.
I have been a survival instructor for 30 years. What this young man says, listen to him. Outside the compass on a Match case. Get a real compass and use it. If you don’t know how to use it, get a Hersey bar. They weigh the same. In other words know how to use it! I would also always take a space blanket! Even the thin foil one. It saved my life literally when I was young and inexperienced along with a 1” thick candle. And always carry ALWAYS! A dependable lighter. Next a contractor grade plastic bag. A large one! That’s your rain gear!I carry two. I’m going out tomorrow across the desert with several people and can Guarantee that no one will be prepared for an incident if TSHTHF. I can save two of us,maybe three. But it is winter here in Arizona. 73 today and I had frost this morning! Be safe my brothers and sisters! All the above mentioned fits in my cargo pockets!!
What do you mean by 'get a hersey bar' in reference to a compass? lol U mean, {minds well} get some food energy of you're not bringing a compass?
@@dizcret He means that having a Hershey Bar is about as useful in finding your way as having a compass that you don’t know how to use. Having a good compass that you know how to use is imperative.
Having energy bars and dehydrated meals along with a reliable firestarter is very important too.
Can the plastic bag be used in a way to shiled the head, too, in a rain?
@@brighteyes6559 I feel dumber for have reading this. :) 'almost' like my question.
@@dizcret Indeed. It should be "having read this."
Something that was taught to me was to always look back from where you came from. As your going back you'll notice things that you'll remember from looking back.
Yep that's a good call. I do that a lot when hunting in unfamiliar country. And it's reassuring when you recognize those landmarks that you saw on the way in when heading back out. If I'm in thick Timber, definitely a compass.
Poignant in more ways than one. Very wise!
i almost froze to death once, went hiking and i expected to be back before sunset but no way i was going to make it by then, i wasn't lost but could not travel at night because no light so i was force to sleep in the mountains without the necessary supplies, lesson learned
I always buy a new lighter before entering the woods Ben stuck out too
A emergency blanket should be included in a daypack. It can be used to hold in heat, it can be used to shield you from the heat, it can be used as a temporary shelter from storms and rain and it can be used to signal for help!
or a pocket...hiking wear clothes with pockets!!!
if you turn the shiny side toward the sun, it's less hot?
Maybe from the sun but i wouldn’t recommend trying to shield yourself from a fire with it
Absolutely! I live in norcal and hikers will go on a familiar trail but after a fire there is no shady spots. I'm no expert but exposure has to be definitely at least a top 5 killer in the 100 mile area I live in.
A few big black garbage bags will keep you and your stuff warm and dry, when I used to hitch hike camp I would often buy a box and give extra bags to people. Cut a head hole and some arms and you have a functional rain jacket that you can stuff in the bag and forget about completely till it serves you one day 😉
SAR volunteer here. Great advice, although I would definitely recommend a better compass. I have been involved in many searches where people have gotten lost on vary familiar trails and often in well marked and travelled areas. A couple things I’d like to add:
1: Having a plan ( let someone you know and trust) where you are going and when you are expected to return, and who to call.
2: Know your skill level and the limits of your group. When I hike with others, we have a rule that if anyone feels that progressing further is beyond their comfort level ( within reason) or that proceeding is not safe due to terrain, weather, etc. They can call it and that is where the hike ends. And by no means is anybody one ever left to return or proceed further on their own. I’m amazed at how many searches I have been on where someone was abandoned by their hiking partners.
I'm a moderate hiker and a new backpacker, but in the past, was abandoned 2x by a hiking group I was with. I hike with long term traumatic injuries, so I'm slow and deliberate. Leaving people in your dust is egregious, particularly on trails they are not familiar with.
@@zenkathikes find a better group of hikers. In my area there are a number of great hiking groups and when they plan hikes they will often split the group in skill levels that are appropriate. “ Its the journey , not the destination that’s the goal”.
You added an item he already covered -- tell someone. Your #1 is his #4. He even suggested you give them a copy of your map with your planned route on it, and tell them what time you expect to be back.
Even better, tell two people.
@@zenkathikes ditto about being left behind by groups after which I ended up lost each time. I had to call my ex husband to help me get back to a trail I could eventually get to civilization of where I was parked lol. The other times I got lucky obviously because I'm still here but it was hours before I found my way out. I recommend finding slow people for groups. Even if you're more fit, at least people slower than you won't be able to leave you behind and to me I like hiking for the fun of it at places slower than the marathon jerks who want to just plough though fast like it's a competition. They're just focused on the destination, not the journey. Find someone or multiple people who are on the same wavelength.
Letting someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back is paramount. Nobody knowing I was in the swamp was the first thing that went through my head when I had my alligator incident in 2020
Thanks. Also, keep in mind that once truly lost, I've heard it is generally better to stay put, make rough wind barriers with anything around, and think through any additional actions. My wife and I got lost in a blizzard in the Sierra as a young couple, good thing we were walking slowly as when the wind and fog cleared for a few moments we saw we were on the edge of a precipice. Also, while we had a shovel to make a snow cave, we only had one. We got separated in a wide field with tracks being obliterated almost instantly, it was a miracle we bumped into eachother after a while when visibility was only a foot or so. We spent an extra night in a tent and it was better the next day. I've almost died other times, and it is truly humbling to realize how quickly you can get into trouble even when you thought you were prepared. Still love getting out there!
I got lost for 20 minutes while walking to a water source 30 meters away, without my head lamp which was in my pack at camp. That's my lesson learnt.
I’ve gotta hand it to all you hikers. I’m envious of your “locator” skills. I am severely geographically challenged and get easily lost leaving the restroom in a restaurant. Needless to say I never PLAN on hiking anywhere ever. That being said, I will be putting together a survival kit for my vehicle in case I get lost going to the grocery store. Thanks for this video.
This is an excellent point and the topic of future videos. Being prepared applies to life even in the urban environment. Something like 75% of people in my country aren’t prepared for a disaster. Even people trapped on the I95 in Virginia recently would have benefited from having some of these items in their car kit. Wool blankets, thermal base layer, food, water, etc.
@@CollapseCurriculum I used to have all kinds of emergency supplies in the truck I used to have. Don't now because I try to stay home in bad weather.
Totally great advice.
Back in 1997 while in the USMC, I went into the San Bernardino mountains near Big Bear mountain to camp with 7 other Marines. We were going to snowboard the next day, so we only had tents with us with the plan to wake early drive down to the pavement, and spend the day snowboarding.
We woke up with a heavy snow coming down. We packed up, and started to drive toward the pavement….but the 4wd trail kept forking, and we got lost. We had 2 vehicles…one was a VW Bug….it crashed out in a giant rut, so we had to pile into the back of the other vehicle, a truck. We were lost, cold, had no food, and almost out of gas in the truck with zero visibility…and no one was going to search for us for at least 3 days….guys were ready to fight each other. When we stopped trying to fight each other, we came up with a survival plan which involves setting up camp, making a fire, and waiting til morning so we could follow streams and creeks downhill. Luckily, the visibility improved and we took a fork toward an electric pole we saw in the distance. We made it out….but it could have been worse. We drove for almost 8 hours trying to find our way out. The VW bug was never found….maybe still there for all I know. We were stupid, unprepared, and too over confident. It’s a recipe for disaster.
Always be prepared with the stuff in this vid, even if it’s only a “quick scouting hike”. Stuff changes quick….be ready.
This was a fantastic story. I told my wife about it. I think it would make a good film. Too bad about the VW bug. lol
@@CollapseCurriculum The fear that started to set in when the gravity of the situation became clear caused the group to resort to blaming, yelling, literally at each other’s throats…..all the things NOT conducive to finding a way out and surviving several days with no food. I don’t remember who it was that rallied everyone to “Calm the %#*+ down” so we could strategize, but that got us focused on the plan to get warm and follow the streams downhill the next day. It was a huge, unbelievable relief to accidentally make it out before our survival plan needed executed, but developing the plan got us in the right mind. What would have been better would have been to have a plan and be prepared before we were under duress! Don’t get cocky, people!
This is so true. I've been to Moab several times and once while walking down from the trail to Gemini Bridges I decided to take a "short cut" and got off the marked trail. Not only did I not find the GB rock formation I couldn't find the trail again. I finally walked up hill to where i could see vehicles. In a matter of 15 minutes I'd gotten several hundred yards off where I thought I was. It actually scared me a little and I will never do that again.
i did something similar at a state park in my home state. Learned how important it really is to stay on the trail.
But you kept your witts & formed a plan. That's the ticket.
People go off trail all the time, just requires good physical condition and the appropriate training/equipment.
@@JeepCherokeeful ua-cam.com/video/wDQV2N6l_k8/v-deo.html
@@Gizziiusa i agree but at the same time, i have a very keen sense of direction in the woods. Idk how anyone gets lost in the desert tho
I didn't read all 200 comments but the one item I would recommend for any hiker is a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon). They are light, small and the battery will last for years but more important, they can alert people that you need help and let them know your location so that they can quickly locate you.
a head lamp?
@@senadapasic1732
No it’s not a headlamp. It’s an emergency gps device that sends out an emergency SOS. You buy it, register it and if you’re in a life or death situation and don’t have any other means of summoning help, you activate the beacon which will send the SOS to the relevant authorities/rescue teams who can pinpoint your location.
@@stanettiels7367 Thank you for explaining what it is. I will definitely get it for my college daughter. She’s really into hiking, camping etc. Peace of mind 🙏💕
@@doracampos2088
It’s quite expensive - maybe $350 - but a literal lifesaver. If your daughter hikes anywhere where there’s a vast wilderness, even if she sticks to established trails, she should have one. So many trails can be poorly marked and you take what you think is a trail and walk a few miles and realise it’s not the trail, then you could be in massive trouble, particularly if you aren’t adept and comfortable using a map and compass. I know it’s expensive but it’s well worth the money.
@@stanettiels7367 Absolutely! It is expensive but it’s necessary. I’m glad there’s helpful people like you that share their outdoor knowledge. Thank you again and stay safe!
Lack of water has been my fault on two hikes. One time coming up from first level of Grand Canyon running out of water made the end miserable. Hiking in Canyonlands I ran out of water & cotton mouth was so bad I couldn't even spit. Fortunately the hikes were almost over when I ran out of water.
One rule I follow if I start to feel lost I track back to known trail markers till I figure out the right way forward. Some trails are marked poorly & what looks like the trail could just be a well worn spur.
It's always good to leave a note or sign in at trail heads to indicate where you went.
The best solo hikes are always well worn trails you know other people will be along frequently.
You'll also go through a lot more water depending on the temperature. Was hiking in a heat wave 30c+, 15km round trip, I brought 3L. It wasn't enough, ran out on the way back down, was being blinded by sweat and would overheat if I stood still.
Great advice Im a mountaineer and backpacker, the amount of people that I see underestimating nature is incredible, I hope people can take this advice to enjoy better the outdoors, many hikers have gone for days wondering in the wilderness because the lack or navigation.
Excellent list of overnight survival supplies.
I would add some light cordage. Paracord is kind of overkill. A couple 50 foot packs of that cheap polyester mini blind cord works fine - usually about 50 pound rating. I buy the 200 pound polyester kite line online. Very cheap and small - same size as the blind cord but much stronger. One of the simplest shelters uses a slanted ridge line from a tree to the ground or the bottom of another tree. You can put a trash bag or small tarp over the ridge line to make a tough little wedge shelter very quickly.
People often have trouble getting fire to start. It takes some practice to do with just matches and a knife. You can make it a lot easier by bringing about 20 feet of jute garden twine. Separate the strands and fluff them up into a nest. It lights very easily so you can get twigs started. A little piece of wax has a long burn time to work up from small twigs to medium sticks. The biggest thing is to practice starting a small primitive fire in your backyard. It is not as easy as people think unless they practice it 10 to 20 times. My scouts could start a fire on a 5 foot snow pack in Idaho. It just took one miserable fall campout to make them value fire starting skills.
I like the idea of taking 3 of the 55 gallon lawn/leaf trash bags. They roll up really small. You can wear one like a poncho, sit down inside the second and maybe use the third for waterproofing the roof of an otherwise cruddy shelter or fill it with fluffy brush for ground insulation.
Excellent additions to the conversation. Thanks for being a scout!
In a pinch you can use part of your shoelaces (they're always too long anyway- just leave what you need to keep shoes on)
Like the idea of jute or polyester twine too.
Great information. I know this was intended for Americans hiking in America but I’d just add if you’re ever planning to go hiking in Australia to also throw in a snake bite kit. You can use the bandage out of any first aid kit but a dedicated kit has the right type of compression bandage which has colour markers in the stretchy material that reveals as you apply it to show you have the right amount of tension in the bandage. Too tight and you cut off all circulation to the tissue. There’s also snake ID cards and instructions on the correct way to apply the bandage. Useful in panicky situations. Some also have a splint bandage as well as the compression bandages to help immobilise the wounded area and reduce the movement of the venom through the lymphatic system. Even though I’ve only seen 4 or 5 in the wild in 35+ years of bushwalking, the chance of encountering one of our bitey things (we have a real BMF spider too) is real. Rumour has it they can also help with Drop Bear bites, assuming the victim survives the blood loss from the initial attack…
BSA: Prepare, prepare, survive. Gather info about the trail from other hikers, printout a trail map with time/distance marks, leave your own trail markers (Hansel and Gretel) and find a buddy to hike with. 3 hour max out, 1 hr rest/food, 3 hr return, and 3 hours back in case of emergency. All before darkness of night. Be safe and explore!
I'm somewhere between a light weight and ultralight backpacker. But I sometimes feel like more daypack weighs more! I think this is because I want to be prepared to assist someone who may be in a bad situation, as opposed to insurance for myself. My first aid kit is ten times as big as what I would use on a thru hike, my stove setup is much more robust, I have way too much food, and more than enough clothing (extra layers, glove, hat, etc.) I sometimes feel stupid having such a big pack when I meet a fanny pack / handheld water bottle hiker, but better safe than sorry.
That's a real good point. When you are talking with your buddies and really getting into the talk is when you may make the mistake of taking the wrong trail. The trail looked right, but with your attention on Mars or other conversation, you just thought that the trail looked right. I was lost twice in this way.
@Bill So thoughtful of you to take extra clothes, food and the water.
Robust stove setup? You're on a dayhike!
@@djm7706 I day hike with the same stove that I use for overnight trips. Many of us day hikers go in the winter. 12 miles in freezing temperatures makes me hungry and I want a hot meal with cocoa for lunch and dinner. Hence, the robust stoves.
probably better to carry more water than anything. i keep extra mylar blankets
People sometimes forget it's not just about having fun. They're in the wilderness and should prepare accordingly. Great video.
Biggest mistake in my experience is biting off more than you can chew-planning a hike that’s farther or harder than you thought. Underestimating how rugged terrain takes longer to travel than the flat smooth rail trail back home. Trails that look straight on a map aren’t as straight in reality. Trails switch back and forth, and even more importantly, go up and down. People who aren’t used to altitude (like me) don’t realize how that can sap your strength. Hikes you could do when you were 30, maybe you can’t do now that you’re 50, or at least can’t do at the same pace. There are hikes you can do, but maybe your hiking partner(s) cannot. I’ve made all of these mistakes in the past.
This is a pretty wise video. As a hunter, I always have been prepared to stay days in the woods, even once having to do so because I got lost DEEP in the forest. However, having the items he references saved me, but not until I had travelled about 15 miles in, so it took me another entire day to get out.
My daughter and I did a 10 mile hike on a hot day to a height of 3000 ft. The hike took us 8 hours. At the end of the hike, I removed my outer layers before getting into the car. One gust of a cool wind disabled me for 2 hours - I shivered uncontrollably for 2 hours in the car with the heating turned to maximum. It took me 6 hours to return to normal.
Thinking back to that event, I now understand what I did wrong. I was unused to hiking and I had exherted myself beyond my endurance. I had walked too far, for too long on a hot day and it wore my bodily defences down. If I had been more used to hiking, my body would have adapted to the stresses of hiking.
If I had been isolated in a remote area when that event occurred, I would not be around today. When you're enjoying yourself in remote places, don't overstretch yourself. Even something simple like a gust of wind can turn a pleasant hike into something potentially life threatening.
It's also when you're sweating a lot, and then you stop moving and then you start to get really chilly, especially that the layers are wet from the sweat. Then you may get really cold. It's best to remove too much layers of clothing when you feel you're getting all warmed up and sweaty, and then put some when you take longer breaks, even before you start to feel the chill.
Nice job! Would have been nice if you enumerated the 10 in the description. It is also important to research and plan the hike to know the routes to safely and where the water sources are, even in the desert. Preparation and training are the keys to survival
The only time I was ever lost, meaning I thought I was going the right way but wasn't, it was due to climbing a hill the night before to scout our path out and being too confident it was the right way. I had a map and had been to this place 2X before. After walking for 7 hours convinced the map was wrong, I happened to find the compass I always have with me on backpack trips in one of the pockets of my old Kelty Anorak backpack. At once it was clear where we were. Was pretty cool hiking the last 2 hours in full darkness without a flashlight. Never lost my cool. That was key.
Know your route thorough! On your paper map, have the path marked out with colored stickers so your eye can readily focus on the anticipated trail. Have a compass, know how to use it, know how to use a map and know how to align yourself on the map. Bring electrolyte drink--at least 500 ML for a day hike, more for a strenuous hike. Take a 10 minute break for every 50 minutes hike. Bring at least 2 L water. Using an app that aligns yourself to the trail, but as the guy says, phones go dead. Wear sufficient clothing; too much clothing is better than not enough; you cannot put on what you didn't bring. So a 40 L backpack would be most helpful to carry that clothing that you take off. Trekking poles. A good video.
Thanks for the tips. I have gone on many hikes long or short but mostly day hikes, even that I still bring essentials just because you never know. You are so right about people who are experienced hikers whom get too comfortable. I went on a 7.5 miles hike on a national forest that I’ve never been to and with 3 other ppl. one of the girl I was hiking with wore a short, a fanny pack and waterbottle. It wasnt a hard hike and im sure she’s been there many times so she was familiar. However, i wasnt gonna take that chance; I took a backpack with the essentials minus a campus or map as the group was familiar with the trail, amongst other things. I even shared my snacks with one of them who was lagging behind me. We had tons of fun and nothing happened as there was other hikers around but better to over prepared than under.
Hoping to spread this idea of #readyculture. Just be ready. Thanks for watching.
Ive been doing day hikes for a couple months now. I bring my 10c's and medical.
Sustainment for several days.
Always be prepared. Never know what can happen.
Something as simple as getting lost, or injury can lead to a survival situation.
It can happen at any time
Same here. I always have my pack ready to help me survive several days if I was to become lost or injured.
Better to have and not need than to need and not have. Good video.
Another mental guide to go along with this would be the Rule of Threes:
1) Three minutes without air.
2) Three hours without shelter (in extreme heat/cold).
3) Three days without water.
4) Three weeks without food.
It gives you a good priority list to go by when preparing for hiking and/or camping in the wilderness.
Another guide that also contributes is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
Another tip from an old scout and scoutmaster....Wool retains 90% of its insulation properties, even if wet. Wool shirts, underwear or sweaters will keep you both warm in the cool and cool in the warm. Another benefit is they do not retain body odors. They also dry out quickly....even while you are wearing them. While often more expensive than cotton clothing. My old scoutmaster always remarked “COTTON KILLS”. Meaning it will not prevent you from going into hypothermia.
Most people really ever freeze to death, they die long before that of hypothermia as the body’s core temperature drops below 82° F. So as you check the weather forecast, don’t believe you are safe because the night temps are only in the 60s.
I recruited someone once to be my failsafe; gave them all my hiking plans and told them they should hear from me before dark. I wound up losing my phone and was not able to tell them I made it back down safely. They had taken no action at all because they assumed I was spending the night up in the mountains. The lesson for me is if I'm using a non-hiker for this safety measure, I should also provide them with instructions on what to do if I do not contact them and they cannot reach me on my phone.
I've never been truly lost or in a serious situation. I have been ah ... fairly significantly "not where I wanted to be" several times and have even turned a one or two hour jaunt into an all day adventure. I like lesser used trails, the gotcha there is losing the trail becomes a real possibility. I've never had to stay out overnight, but I carry all these items (and more) even on day hikes. I have used my first aid kit and extra water when others in my party or met on the trail were in need. He said it - be prepared.
I'm so glad this topic has got it's truth brought to life. People who hike thru the woods with next to nothing are definitely green. Survival skills must be practiced regularly. On your day hike try doing some skill. Build a buck saw. Build a shelter. Try to build a bird's nest. Tinder bundle. Carry a good knife.
20 years ago it was harder to carry emergency gear for day hikes because it was so bulky - and ultralight stuff was out of reach for most. But these days there are a lot of budge options for ultralight items (like a budget down puffy jacket that stuffs into a coffee-cup sized bag). Ultralight 10x10 tarps for less than $20. I think my first set of frogg toggs rain gear was in the $20 range - those things weight almost nothing and perform really well. Good options and reasonable these days. I've been trying to spread map/compass skills to my camping friends, it's surprising how most of them have never had any map/compass exposure - even the ex-military friends. They typically hike 1 phone drop away from being lost.
Good points although 20 to 30 years ago when my personal hiking was pretty much limited to day hikes I always carried some basics: Compass, matches, a jacket for unexpected weather, extra water and food more than others + extra socks. I also studied one or more maps of my hike area whether I had a packable map or not.
Maybe all that makes me atypical, but I feel like I've always been more at home outdoors than others and I have never ever been lost.
Two👍🏼👍🏼for Frogg Toggs.
Can someone link a place to get an ultralight 10’x10’ tarp for less than $20? I was looking for 1 about 2 weeks ago and they were $80 to $180 from what I found.
@@jwalters9089 Ultralight = ultra priced 90% of the time.
@@jwalters9089 go to Academy Sports. i was looking for a rain fly for hammock camping. you can probably find more and better ones but i like mine.
the 10x10 pop up covers for a yard sale or beach are there. look around and find the side panels to ad onto them. one is just big enough and costs either $15 or 20. i wanted a little bigger so i got another and had them sewn together. after that i was way too far into the price but i love it. its light and rolls up small. sadly i think it is 6x8? my 2 are 8x12? still its great.
I used to live three miles from the start of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. People with little to no experience get lost with some regularity, and I had a Black-N-Tan coon hound we took up on search and rescue several times. Hambone, the hound would run in circles while my two Rottweilers walked with me in case we scared up a black bear. I retired in Thailand where we have elephants, lions, Tigers, bears, and 34 poisonous snakes. It isn't a good place for novice hikers or campers,..but it is heaven for sport motorcycling, if your bike is fast enough to outrun a tiger.
Knowing our limits is also so important. One time I went to bandelier np in NM. My partner n I did three trails then decided to do one more and watch sunset. Since we want to catch sunset my partner started to push me like faster faster. I have fear of height and I didn’t expect that trail is narrow and on the edge of cliff… so eventually I completely broke down and started to cry lol and told my partner I can’t do it… i have fear of heights but I can still do it as long as there’s no one is pushing me and I can take my time.
I once got lost in the Australian outback, pre-GPS, in an area where the unmarked path I followed ran over some rocks through a very dry forest. The map was useless there, as was the compass because I had no idea in which direction the path was. I decided to memorise every detail where I had stopped, and then started circling the spot in an outward spiral. After about 30 minutes, I finally found the path again. During the entire hike I did not encounter anyone else. I felt very lucky.
Interesting with the spiral method!
That is a similar story to something that happened to me & a friend in central Oregon, coincidentally a region known as "The Oregon Outback" as it is very remote and dry being in the rain shadow of the Cascade mountains. We were driving home from a camping trip and we decided to stop and look for a feature called "hole in the ground", an ancient volcanic crater that looked from the map to be close to the main road. We got off the main road and drove around a few gravel roads and couldn't find it. Then we tried another location in the area, thought we were right there. So I parked the car and we were going to get out and look for it - just going a short ways from the car. The car was parked in a bit of a depression, so when we walked out and then turned around to come back, nothing looked familiar. And it was late afternoon on the high plateau in a dry forest with nothing but sand and pine trees and rolling hills, and the terrain looked the same everywhere. We were completely unprepared and it would get quite cold at night, even in August.
Luckily I had a good memory of the road atlas and where the main road was relative to our position, and I had an REI keychain compass. We tried following our tracks back but that led nowhere. We knew we were not far from the car so we tried the "spiral method" exactly as you described. After a ways, we found some power lines, then a utility road, then a gravel road, followed some tire tracks and eventually got within eyesight of the main road. We had to hitchhike back to the car, but boy were we lucky we did not have to spend the night in that environment. Like your situation, nobody was out there except for on the main road. But where we got lost, it was a Sunday and nobody was out there. Fortunately we really lucked out.
@@mushroomsteve that’s terrifying. That’s why it’s good to get a bearing when you go in a direction from your vehicle, and also to have all the gear that would get you through the night if things don’t go right. You can also use a land feature as a “railing.” Like if a large mountain or a creek or road is always on your left or right, then you can follow it back. Thanks for comment!
@@CollapseCurriculum Yes, it was definitely a frightening experience. There actually was a ridge way off in the distance that gave us some sense of direction, but it was so far away as to be of little help in navigation. Since the terrain was so rolling, it was hard to get up high enough to get the lay of the land, and we didn't want to wander off too far and get even more lost. I remember seeing areas of dirt that looked like a road, but could have been just dirt. We didn't want to start wandering off towards features that looked like roads, only to get more lost. It was definitely a scary situation. In hindsight, what may have worked is hitting the "panic" button on my car's key. We may have been close enough to the car to set off the alarm and locate it that way, but it didn't occur to us to do that. We had just parked the car in a depression, went up on a small side road for about 50 feet, then another 100 - 200 feet off that side road and we were lost. That side road just petered out, and we couldn't locate it again. Totally unprepared because we were only expecting to step out of the car for 5 minutes and come back.
@@mushroomsteve
We were all lucky, I guess.
I wonder how many people you were and whether you could make use of that in any way, maybe with (initially) one person staying put, and another or others searching, while always staying within shouting distance. Was that an option? Did you have a compass with you?
Garmin inreach, spot device or some type of locator. Tell someone your route and ETA of return and notify that person when your back in. Family and friends love to help track you. The elderly are the best at this.
I do a lot of multi day trips, but even on a day trip, I usually take my full set up. Since I do ultralight backpacking, this whole set-up weighs just 9.6lbs and for that you get a shelter, warm clothes, rain gear, headlamp, battery, a cooking set, a sleeping system, first aid, gear repair, water filtration, and a PLB. Plus food and water. For a few extra pounds.
One thing about a map and compass. They are totally useless to you if you don't know how to use them. When you are lost, it's not the time to try and figure out how to use them. That time was before you left for your hike. I don't believe that it's enough to simply watch a video or read a book on the subject. It requires actual practice to learn.
Making a video about map and compass basics this week. I’ll emphasize that nothing replaces practice. Thanks for the tips.
Two additional things to remember. First, you should always hike with at least on other person. If something happens, you can have help immediately. Also, some areas have cougars, bears, and other wildlife which are less likely to attack if you travel in groups. If you get lost, two heads are better than one in finding your way. Secondly, check the weather before starting your hike. Weather can change quickly and make an enjoyable hike into a nightmare. Lightening, hail storms, flash flooding are known to happen on what seems to be an otherwise nice day. On a cold day, a sudden layer of snow can make a trail unrecognizable. If you anticipate snow, or you are going off trail, use bright strips of tape to mark your route so you won’t have to rely on landmarks to find your way back. Happy trails!
No fun hiking with anyone else. The whole purpose of the hike is to enjoy yourself and do a little exploring.
I don't do "always hike accompanied." Much of my 50 years hiking/tramping/climbing in New Zealand has been solo, and I have not suffered a mishap - except when accompanied by insistent companions, who have made autocratic erroneous navigation decisions, are unfit, inexperienced or overextend themselves.
I unscrew my headtorch and enclose it in a surgical rubber glove with a half knot in it. It keeps it dry and together. All I need do to turn it on is twist it a quarter turn to close it.
Some experienced hikers have learned insufficiently as they may defer to their (often male) companion, and are unable to read a map, choose a good route, source suitable fire-making material, light a fire, determine what water is safe to drink, river-crossing, pitching their own tent, cook a meal, equipment capabilities, etc. Help them by giving them the opportunity to share.
YES! I live in the Pacific Northwest where there are lots of people who love to hike. Multiple times very year, every month, even, I read or hear in the media of hikers that don't get back and die. The overwhelming majority of the dead are solo day hikers.
or thread
@@Ferndalien That may be true, but solo hikers like myself hike solo. It's like a circular thing. I'm not going to find someone to hike with if I hike alone. Shit happens. Be prepared.
I went on a solo road trip to nat’l parks. Even though there were lots of people around there were times when I didn’t see anyone or I didn’t have cell reception while hiking or driving (hello, WY :) So, I bought a device (Zoleo) where I could check in every night with a designated person (mom, of course) by just pushing a button. There’s also a protected SOS button that can send coordinates to emergency services. But the caveat is that you need to be in an open space so the satellites can pick it up. I like how the blue light confirms the message was sent. Mom was happy and that’s gold! It’s awesome to have multiple ways to help yourself or get help. I definitely want to learn how to use a map and compass. Orienteering seems like fun and super useful. I’ve hiked for so many years with minimal to no supplies on day hikes. Not wise. Thank you for all the good advice!
Good advice. Take a bandana. When it's hot and dry, a damp bandana around the neck or tied on like a babushka feels really good. Use a walking stick. It really helps, esp going downhill.
One mental trick is to admit your mistakes. A lot of people will deny the reality of their situation in an effort to avoid panicking, but that in itself is panicking. In the mean time, they keep moving and become more lost, and make repeated poor decisions. If you're unsure, stop, admit you're unsure, pause and compose yourself with water, food, or just sitting still. Then look at a map, and try to orient yourself. Take another pause for a few minutes and look again. The point being to not make a stressed decision. You can also use a note pad along with the map and time stamp your progress: 1000 hrs, crossed Ryman Creek; 1130 hrs, rested at Hickok Trail Junction. This will help give you a rough estimate of travel in case you need to backtrack. Trail journals are also fun mementos to have.
A backpacking buddy taught me a great lesson ... ALWAYS BRING EXTRA FOR YOUR COMPANION ... It is diffucult enough to be sure I am prepared for myself, but if your buddy is unprepared you are both going to be miserable. Bring double of everything you can afford to carry. Had a hike two weeks ago with a guy who forgot gloves, and didn't think to bring snow spikes. He ended up using my extras.
Here's one of my stories that can illustrate how easy it is to get lost:
I got lost at the 15 minute mark once. The trail became quite open and unclear, the map showed some small clearings, but not that one had been made by the maintenance team earlier that year. The best match for that clearing on the map put my pace back quite a bit, so I just adjusted my time calculations based on that and ended up on the wrong side of the canyon. No biggie as I had not been hiking more than an hour from the parking, but do that in the middle of a through hike and good luck!
I never trust a compass other than a Silva or Suunto
I always have a regular and small compass + map
I check my compass and map every break and every doubt
I can estimate time to destination to +/- 10 minutes per hour
I still got lost next to a ski hill. Actually, I could clearly see it on the map, so I took that way out.. double diamond hip high grass and been raining most of the time. Gore-Tex does have limits...
Seems by your comment that you have a very sensitive threshold for your definition of lost. Getting off trail isn't lost although I have known folks who never leave a trail for days on end and are lost 24/7 bc they actually never have any sense of where they are. They just mindlessly follow some app and a trail cluelessly.
I'm being a bit critical, but not so much critical of your skill as one can infer that you always maintained a sense of where you had been and where you needed to go.
My real critique is against an idea that some people fall into where they take a simple unplanned turn and then panic leading to really being lost when often it isn't necessary for them to cross that threshold which can end in disaster. Keeping a cool head and maintaining good situational awareness is often all a person needs. It worked out for you right?
@@treebeardtheent2200 Well summed up; to me being lost is not being able to pinpoint my location on the map AND not having any marker to go by. You could still have a general sense of direction but if you have no certainty of reaching your destination, one step in the wrong direction could mean ending up in the very wrong place.
@@Flashahol One of the old school manskills is knowing where North is at all times. To oversimplify, it's either a way of life or it isn't, but to me it's a worthwhile thing. That doesn't mean I don't temporarily get disoriented at times, but those times are brief and rare.
I typically also carry key tools (map compass) and use them, but it's really cool when the map and compass inside one's head are working nice and smooth.
@@treebeardtheent2200 I agree with you. My point is, despite all my skills, I still ended up on the wrong side of a cliff in an easy to deal with situation. The warning is really for those who don't even carry a compass...
Yes I know that from sailing - suunto is the best, but actually there is one even better. It is called Sun during the day, and Moon during the night.
If you know the time - you should know exactly where N, S, E and W are.
You actually need only one gadget with you at all times - your brain ( so don't forget it at home ).
Excellent video. I hike mainly in the Northeast, but the preparation and rules you emphasize still apply. Water scarcity is usually not a problem, except some caution should be taken on the Katahdin massif and the Presidential range in summer. The only other point/preparation I would state, for pretty much everywhere, is that All active layers, down to socks and underwear, should be polypro/dri-fit/wool or some combination (and for the desert, there are good choices in long pants and long-sleeve shirts). I'll also make my recommendation here that a very thin pair of liner socks, in addition to my Darn Toughs, has saved me from countless blisters(also used in soccer and basketball).
One thing to do is always look up, and turn around and look backwards at your path… So you see landmarks from the return aspect… and you will notice if you are being stalked by predators.
One point NOT mentioned here that someone on Facebook brought to my attention. BRING MEDICATION or other treatments prescribed for medical conditions. You don't want to be out somewhere long and not have your glucose tabs if you are diabetic for example.
The basic old timey principles still stand the test of time. If anything has changed it's that lots of people are more soft, pampered and less situationally aware than ever before. Reliance on "smart" gizmos is a mistake. They can be useful, but they don't deserve life and death trust. They are too fragile, and that's just one thing.
The thing that that I see getting people killed is the all too common idea of a Schedule. Events that happen out in the wilderness do not conform to the artificial schedules people like to prioritize. Weather changes, injuries, chance encounters or even opportunities (exploration, etc.). A pre-conceived schedule is the justification people use for going out unprepared.
- Cold Kills
- Nature is Neutral
- Mountains Don't Care.
Seizure meds … blood pressure … psyc meds …
Epi pen!!
gun.
Mostly good information here, in fact I give a lot of the same instructions, but I would definitely make one change:
don't wrap your lighter with duct tape. Use press-and-seal.
btw props on flipping the battery, I've taught my entire family this for years, but you are the first person I've ever heard give out the same instruction. One modification though: a lot of headlamps have 3 batteries, so I always say flip the one in the middle. Then if it is dark, or the person is forgetful, or having issues or whatever the case may be, it is much easier to remember the one in the middle, then try to figure out which one, left or right is inverted.
I don’t flip the battery but I leave a piece of paper with a “pull tab” in between one of them and the positive contact point. It’s pretty easy to feel what you need to do in the dark to get it out.
Day hiking or backpacking in steep terrain, like steep mountains or deep canyons, trekking poles are worth their weight in gold. They provide stability and support on the downhill trek, and take some of the load off the legs on the uphill. A lightweight tarp, some paracord, and poles make a shelter.
Another valuable thing worth mentioning is purchasing and having a SPOT beacon with you. The beacon works even when there is no cell phone coverage. Once activated in an emergency, your GPS coordinates are relayed to the GEOS Headquarters which I believe is in Texas. Then, based on where you are, they decide which agency is the best one to send out to rescue you whether that be the state police, a nearby army base, the nearest forest ranger station, etc. Members are covered by the GEOS Member Rescue Benefit which will cover up to $50,000 in expenses that are incurred as a result of a member getting rescued. That should cover the bill for the rescue chopper!
Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places thanks for mentioning this! I have looked at a few of these plans. It’s been a while, but there is something of an annual fee, plus an upfront fee for the device. A bit pricey, but if you can swing it, it could certainly save your life. I may do a video about options for these at some point. Do you have a particular recommendation for a product?
Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places looks like SPOT is the brand... but they have different options. I’ll have to research and see if other brands offer comparable systems.
Justin & Aimee I have heard that SPOT is not the best device out there for this type of thing. But, due to the price and the fact that I already own one, I am stuck with it. I have been happy with it for the most part. I actually did have to use my SPOT beacon once a couple years ago. I was out in remote Nevada at an abandoned mine site with a buddy of mine. That evening, I decided to leave our campsite and head back down the three mile or so dirt road to the paved highway to go 30 miles north to the nearest town to get more ice. When I got about 600 feet from the paved highway, I navigated a deep rut in the dirt road incorrectly and ended up with my front wheels of my 2WD sedan down in the rut. I was unable to back up or go forward. I still had a cell phone signal there, but had no idea who to call. Luckily, I had my SPOT beacon on me and decided to activate it. After I activated my beacon, the GEOS headquarters in Texas called me back within a few minutes. I spoke to that person and told them my situation and they got me on a three-way call with the Nevada state police. I relayed my information about where I was located to the Nevada state police and then they contacted a towing company in the town that was 30 miles to the north. The towing company then called me back on my cell phone. It took the tow truck driver over an hour to get down to me, but he got me out of that rut in 30 seconds. I thought for sure he was going to charge me some outrageous amount like $1200 or something like that for his service. However, I think he only charged me a couple hundred dollars. While I was waiting for him to get to me, the guy at the GEOS headquarters kept calling me back to check on me and to make sure that I was still OK. I was impressed with that! I remember asking him what their protocol was if I did NOT have cell phone service after activating my SPOT beacon and they were unable to actually call me back. He said they always try to call the person once they get a notification that a SPOT beacon has been activated. If they can reach the person by phone, then they don’t bother notifying that person‘s emergency contact about the situation. If they can’t reach the person by phone because that person is somewhere where there is no signal, then they do go ahead and notify the person‘s emergency contact. Regardless, the SPOT beacon does send them the GPS coordinates of where the person is stranded at. Using those, the GEOS headquarters then figures out what agency is the best one to contact to get the quickest response.
I bought a garmin gps and it has given me unbelievable peace of mind. It’s worth every dollar I had to spend on it!
I carry an EPIRB for the same thing and have had to use it for critical injuries I have come up on. Their phone died because they did not invest in a solar charger.
Always funny to see something posted years ago pop up in the algorithm feed! This is pretty much a 10 Essentials video presented from angle of hiking mistakes.
The stats on day-hiker SAR runs is sad but unsurprising. Go to a trailhead at a popular Nat’l Park and do some people watching - surprised we don’t have to do way more SARs. I believe in everyone getting outdoors and enjoying our public lands, but have the common sense to know what your capabilities are and how to do it safely. I’m going to sound callous, but I actually have little sympathy for people getting lost or not having enough water for their hike. It’s not like they were dropped from a plane into a circumstance they had no ability to prepare for. They woke up and headed out with the very purpose of going into nature, but in most cases utterly failed at the most fundamental level to plan and prepare for what they were about to do.
I was astonished to log in as see like 22K views. This had a few hundred views a few weeks ago. IDK? LOL
It has to be surreal. Someone/something got the views snowballing and next thing you know, you’re officially trending. Pretty cool though!
People don't know what they don't know. I've been hiking my whole life. My parents were outdoorsy people who camped in the Sierras long before I was born, in the 60s and 70s. But, I hadn't heard of the 10 Essentials til I was in my 30s, and didn't make a point to have each and every one til after the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge, near Portland, Oregon.
We inadvertently drove right past it, mere yards away from the flames, moments before they closed the highway, on our way back from an off-the-grid weekend in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It was super scary. But, what really stuck with me was that a group of day hikers were stuck near Punch Bowl Falls overnight completely unprepared.
Only one person out of a couple dozen or so had the 10 Essentials with them. What should have been a short hike to cool off at the falls on a hot summer day turned into an epic overnight ordeal and a very long hike out the back route to safety the next day. Some were wearing nothing more than swim attire and flip-flops.
A lot of folks simply don't know any better. They underestimate risk. It's just a walk in the forest, right?! "I'll be back before dinnertime," they think, not realizing how easy it is to become disoriented or lost. No one heads out thinking that some dumb shit teenager is going to set the gawd damned forest afire fucking around with fireworks in an area with dry brush. That would be insane, right?! Well, it happened.
It's up to those of us who know better to educate others, to help out fellow hikers if they are distressed, and to never leave anyone behind on the trail if you start out with a group. It's up to us to learn how to handle emergencies in the wilderness, not just for our own safety, but the safety of others around us.
The long underwear is really a good tip. When our legs get cold they fasten the process of losing body heat. I've been wearing them a lot during the winter and it's just awesome. When layered up well and covered with a decent coat.. you feel invincible.
Excellent advises ! I am a day/ section 🚶♂️ hiker. I live in Socal which means hot during the day & even in summer it is very cold at night. #1) I always carry fleece pants. When it gets cold & tired, when my legs are cold I get leg cramps. I wear short pants most of the times. #2) I always carry rain coat one with windproof & hoody. When I hike 2 to 3 miles & 😓 sweat I get cold. Lots of times, when I put on hoody, it is sufficient enough. Ocassionally, it gets windy & tempeture drops, that windproof raincoat will do the work for me. These stuff for hiking in a summer. #3) For firstaid, I aways carrys aspirin. Asprins covers pretty much everything. #4) where ever I go 🚶♀️ hiking, I do exensive research on the area I am going to the hiking.#5) it is rare but on occasion I do turn around come home, to hot, to cold, not enough water. It is better to be safe than sorry. #5) yes, I always carry headlamp. A flash light is better than nothing but a headlamp is significantly different than a flashlight.Get out there! Have fun 👍 & enjoy! You always glad to see your car. You always feel great that you done the hiking when you take that hot shower at home. Don't forget to wash your feet thoroughly, 😉 you will never have those foot fungus or what not. We are blessed to live in this country this big & 😍 beautiful. I don't think I ever going to run out of place to hike.
Having a compass and not using it. A lady was walking the Appalachian Trail, walked off the trail to pee, got turned around and lost. Her body was found a year later. Reportedly she had poor navigation skills and I believe had a compass.
If leaving the trail take a compass bearing, walk it in a straight a line as possible and reverse follow that heading back.
You cell phone has a GPS receiver built in. There are apps that allow you to read your GPS position regardless if there is a cell phone signal or not. That and a map and compass will get you back.
Some of these apps have a compass feature and I believe shows true north rather than magnetic north.
As you travel you can make notes about land marks you pass and make a note including it's GPS position. With a little math you can navigate back to that point.
Dude, that was fantastic! Thanks so much for offering such a simple guide to avoiding hazards. I'm planning to take my 12 year son on a day hike soon and I am trying to prepare and this was very helpful! Thanks Again!
I went for a 3 hour hike in a FL State park alone when I first started hiking. It got hot quick and I ran short on water and had to drink less than I wanted. Even though I wasn't near a river or lake, I walked up on a 12 foot alligator. I still shudder but thankfully, the gator wasn't interested and ran to a shallow ravine that wasn't on the map. I did see the ravine but didn't think it was deep enough for a gator that size. After that, I did more studying about hiking preparedness. This video is a great help.
Yes, we have been watching a lot more preparedness videos and think there’s a lot more to say too. Thanks for the great story from the Florida outback.
Interesting story and was your hike in Florida during late May and into the entire Month of June?
GREAT video. I subscribed kind sir. I'm out and about Vegas outskirts as a weak amateur hiker once in a while, so the video is much appreciated. This new year's weekend had so many families picnicking it wasn't really a hike for me LOL.... I rather be alone or with only a few companions, but that sets up the catch-22 of higher risk on my safety. More people that seem to not even know why they're in the mountains besides bringing all their crap and littering, playing loud music and generally disturbing the whole reason for leaving the city drives me crazy, but at least there were witnesses for where I went.
Good video. Thanks. I always travel and hike with two large trash bags . What are you going to say to that other person or couple who isn't prepared? I've used trashbags as blankets and ponchos. I always travel with long pants and long sleeves. If I'm going hiking in the desert when it's over 100° I'll be wearing my long travel or hiking pants and my long sleeve travel shirt. (I'm a sailor I bought some cheap and very dorky looking thin balaclavas to keep off the sun. And cruisers always have a bimini or dodger over their cockpit. )
Take a couple of cheap slings. They cost very little, take up no space. They work as both slings and as bandages. They can wrap around your foot if you're getting a blister. One or the more common injuries for cyclists and in life is you fall forward stick out your hands to break you fall and fracture you collar bone. For the first, and most critical 24 hours, this painful and debilitating - if you don't have a sling.
(I had a bicycle accident, broke collarbone, ribs, torn ligaments, bruises and scraps. Initially the collarbone was the worst but after a day or two it mended very quickly - then I noticed my ribs really hurt. )
Headlamp? I'd get a good one. The cheaper ones, like those sold in sets of three at Costco are just not bright enough. And once you have a good headlamp you'll use it all the time. They're just really handy.
Yes to the water bladder. I've found that the clear Platypus bags are the best for me, the light shining into them keeps mold and bacteria from growing and they're tough. (I have two 3L bladders one for clean water the other for collection. This way if I need or want I can carry at least 6 liters of water - I'll just have to filter/treat that second bag before we drink it. I have a Sawyer filter (and made some quick connections so I can filter from the bag, or bag to bag.) (I took an MSR filter to England and whatever was coming out of the butts of sheep beat that filter (and me). I tried to find out what went wrong - they wouldn't even respond. I think all of these filters are oversold and under perform. I always use Aquamira drops after I filter the water. Belt and suspenders. And probably just replace the filter every year or so. I've also learned from experience that even if it's 106° and your water is also hot, nevertheless you can and will survive. Sunshade, sun block, water and you'll make it. To extend your water suck on a pebble or a piece of grass, it keeps your mouth closed and the fluid in your mouth going to your stomach. Often when I've done this I've hardly felt thirsty.
I ran out of water once on a hot day, got heat stroke. I had a map and compass - it took me 20 minutes to do a very simple two lines position.
I recommend everyone try a keto diet for at least a few months. When your body is burning fat, it easily shifts between what you've eaten and body fat. When, as most people do, you live on mostly carbs at some point you will 'hit the wall,' you feel exhausted and hungry you think you might not be able to make it back, you're feet are dragging... That's the glycogen supply in your liver being used up. I used to consistently 'hit the wall' at 90 minutes, while sea kayaking. Eventually I figured out that I just slow down a little, feel 'wrecked and desperate, but I always make it back. Now that I'm keto I never hit the wall, what does happen is I get interested in something and forget to eat. I will stop eating the day before by 4 pm, get up in the morning go for a paddle (black coffee), paddle hard 3-4 hours, 8-14 Nmiles, then drive home and only begin eating at 1 pm. If you get lost for a week so long as you're warm enough, have water you don't even need to worry about eating. The skinniest person you know has more than enough body fat for two weeks without food. You'll feel very hungry that first day, but when you fall asleep or rest that night you'll stop feeling it and the next day you'll wake up and not give it much thought. 24 hour fasts are really hard for people who eat carbs- I never could do one. With keto, I started doing them because I didn't feel hungry and noticed that if I just waited another hour or two that would make it 24 hours -so I did it.
Great video I bring all these. You may have saved someone's life with this awareness. Good job
Thanks Nick. I think we’ll follow up with more.
Good information. I always take 10' of duct tape wrapped around something, and zip ties. You can fix a lot of gear issues with those. I also leave a note in my car with contact info of myself and someone at home, the date/time I left, where I'm going and when I plan to be back. I also make it a point to talk to people on the trail. That info may make it back to Search and Rescue.
Good point about always being ready to spend the night, even if you don't plan on it.
I went on a "quick" scouting walk for some climbing cliffs on a 2,000 foot ridge once. It was getting near sundown (within 1 hour) but it was supposed to be quick and I had plenty of light. Guess what, a fog rolled in suddenly and everything looked the same, along with a serious diminishment of light. Needless to say, when I finally got out, walking on a logging road ... at 11:30 that night, I was a 15 minutes drive from my car, which was graciously supplied by the owners of the cabin I unexpectedly "visited". It was a "rough" night.
Similar incident happened to me in the forest. Just took a wrong turn and wound up hiking for hours upon hours. Pretty miserable but a valuable experience to learn from.
In the desert on hot days I bring a umbrella. It's a game changer. So much so I went from using a cheap one to purchasing a expensive Zpack sun umbrella. Very light and made for keeping the sun away.
Not just an Umbrella, but a brightly colored one, as it will really stand out visually in a worst case scenario when people are looking for you.
Snowflake generation
@@johnswanson3741 Well into my 60s and I have hiked thousands of miles. More like very experienced.
Another item to consider is a strong pair of gloves.
Strong footwear is important.
Hiking poles.
Snake bite kit.
Carry more than one fire starting item.
These are some of what I would want to carry during a hike.
Take good care.
Sue Clemens daughter has a series of vlogs about her mother's disappearance. It's very heart breaking, but a good reminder of what the family goes through during a SAR mission.
Thank you. I’ve never had an issue, I don’t expect to ever have an issue, but I watched this video. Why? To maybe learn something Incase I ever get lost. I knew most of this, so it was a good reminder. Thanks again 😎🤙
My boy was an Eagle. When he joined the Marines as a Navy medic
he was surprised at how many Marines had not been in Scouts, NOR
had ANY woodcraft skills. It fell upon him to teach his pals how to start
a fire, how to set up a campsite and all that.
!
I’m glad I was in the program. It has served me well my whole life.
Great advice. I also subscribe to the “Scout’s motto”. On a recent hike in Zion National Park’s The Narrows trail which is a hike in a river. Temperature was in the low 60s f. Water temp was probably in the 50s. I wore dry pants, boots and carried my gear in a dry bag style backpack. It’s a 6-7 mile hike round trip for most day hikers. I was coming out around 3:30 and people in shorts and sweatshirts were just going in. Hikes in canyon-like terrain gets dark much faster because the walls block out light. None of them thought about bringing much more than a bottle of water. Amazed that there wasn’t more casualties with such disrespect for Mother Nature. She’s beautiful but also dangerous.
Yes! I’ve been in that canyon. In fact my great great great grandfather named Zion, and was first European settler there. It’s a beautiful place but can be dangerous. Thanks for commenting!
Hiking the Sonoran desert in Arizona I saw so many in light clothes with just a 16 ounce water bottle. I can’t even count the liters of water and First Strike rations I had to give out while leading them to safety. One group of six had a critical injury. I had to use my EPIRB to get them help. People think they have dominion over everything and are narcissistic in preparation. They actually have bragged to me they went out with minimal gear. My ruck may be slightly heavy, but that beats being dead.
Useful info, well-presented. Direct, clear, no excess.
One game changing item that no one thinks about is a candle 🕯
Pair it with the emergency blanket, drape it over you and have it touching the floor all around making a tent. Fire up the candle inside and that can keep you from freezing overnight. It could be below freezing outside but 60-70 underneath the makeshift tent cocoon. You could also use it to help start a fire for warmth and or to help signal a rescue with smoke. Stay safe out there 🍻
100% on the candle. Underrated item that can make the difference between miserable and cozy.
those blankets are an amazing item. You can use them to keep sun off you, stay warm when needed, collect water, signal for help, make cover and who knows what else. My only suggestion is given they are so inexpensive, get a good one. Don't buy the $1.99 version from amazon, get the $5.99 version that is noted for durability. Some of these things come apart so easily they are not worth it, especially when your life is on the line.
Yes! I can vouch for the value of a candle to keep you warm, but they are surprisingly effective.
when I was a kid ,In Arizona, my father used to carry a snakebite kit as well with the daily carry.
I am an experienced hiker/backpacker and agree with you 100%. Here's a few things I would add. No. 1 for me since I hike alone a lot is do not get off the trail. I have to admit this has happened to me a couple of times when I lost the trail but since I knew the landmarks very well it was easy to find the trail again. 2nd, a mirror would be very handy if someone is searching for you.
Letting someone know where you are going but I have found on several occasions that my original plans had to be scrapped and I had to do an alternate route and it was impossible to let anyone know since I was out of cell phone range.
Your list of things to carry on a day hike is great so I made myself a list following yours. I have these on backpacking trips but have decided to make a day hiking "kit" as well since I don't usually dig into my backpacking gear to take things with me on a day hike. I have a good compass and use All trails. That is one of my favorite take aways from this video.
I actually use a Suunto compass and will recommend something with more capabilities than the one featured in the video. More coming soon on that.
Definitely think it’s good to have a separate kit for day hiking. For just good readiness for emergency preparedness, it’s probably good to have this bag with you or in the car daily anyways.
Really appreciate the comment and insights.
Refreshing delivery, like a buddy Boy Scout talking to you before a hike. Great commenters, too. Not so hype-y. Will share with family and friends.
Great video. Essential number 11: brains - aka common sense. A lot of people leave them in the car at the trailhead.
I belong to the 10+ essentials club ☺
Also: gut feeling!
If something feels wrong, then there might be something wrong!
If in doubt, let it be!
Your video was posted on our hiking group FB. Thank you, I updated for a couple of things in my pack. So. Nevada requires a bit more prep as we don't have abundant water sources.
Susan Kelly Thank you! Is there anything else you’d recommend?
Great video. Thanks. Although better than nothing, the compass/whistle/ waterproof match holder is a bit of a gimmick (I have one and I wouldn’t rely on the compass) I’d recommend a Silva or Sunto compass if you want something to rely on.😀
Yes, regardless of the duration of the hike, bring enough to be able to shelter overnight in a snow storm. I carry both my main backpack and also a little kit attached to my belt with a head lamp, emergency blanket, knife, and Bic lighter. If I get separated from my pack in a fall or similar accident, I will hopefully still have access to my safety kit attached to my belt and will still be able to survive.
Also, if you do get lost and need rescue, make it easy for the rescue team by making yourself visible. Create an SOS sign in big letters in an open meadow so planes can see it, hang a colorful blanket or tarp on an open mountain peak, and start a fire to create a smoke trail. It seems as though many people who have died out in the wildness never tried to help the rescue team find them.
Lastly, I recently went on an "off trail" hike through a canyon that I have never hiked before. I measured the canyon on aerial maps to be about 3 miles long. No problem, I thought. That is an easy 1 hour hike. The hike ended up taking 8 hours. The bottom of the canyon was nothing but dead fall and boulders. I was moving forward at a 2 to 3 mile per hour pace the entire time I was hiking, but I was also zig zagging across the bottom of the canyon the entire day. I calculated that for each foot I moved along the length of the canyon, I had to deflect sideways by 8 feet to get around boulders and dead trees. Moral of the story is be prepared for some hikes to take much longer than you thing, especially if you are going off-trail.
I would add a couple things. As I hike I’m always looking for landmarks if I’m off trail along with the overall lay of the land. High points, canyons coming in, types of rocks, vegetation, etc. Experience clarifies things, but as he mentioned, we are often the ones that get in trouble. Well, speaking for myself, I often just carry a bottle of water and a hiking pole. Of course, it all depends on the type of hike, and the hiker. If I’m climbed a peak by myself out in the middle of Nevada, then I’m usually very well prepared. But when I get ‘lost’ it’s usually because I’m caught up in a conversation with someone. I’ve never been really ‘lost’ for more than a few minutes. Of course, I’ve never done overnight, very long hiking trips. Nor do I plan to in the future.
Hiking guide books help. I finally bought a Fanny pack to carry a guide book if I think I will need one. Much easier to access than in a backpack.
A downloaded map from All Trails is very helpful because it shows exactly where you’re at in relation to the trail. Make sure you download before starting out… Of course, if you’re climbing most desert peaks, for example, there are no made or worn trail, and certainly no All Trails map.
It also helps to know the area. Remember that wherever you are, some people call it home and know it well. There is a Benchmark Atlas for every western state. Have one for every state you’re hiking in so you know where the towns, roads, mountains, valley, etc. are. Of, course, these are not useful on the trail, but are very useful in the planning/preparation stage of hiking in an area. I have in mind to know all the western states like my own backyard, so I have all the Benchmark Atlases. So far, I can only say I know Ca, Or, and Nv pretty well. Working on Arizona and Washington this year, with hiking stops on the way in the aforementioned states. Lots of trails out there and lots of points of interest, museums etc. Be careful, and enjoy!
Thanks, I'll try to be more prepared from now on.
When the ground is not frozen, I'm usually out alone hiking and prospecting in the Nevada desert two or three days every week. A dusting of snow on the ground can be very revealing as you backtrack to your campsite. Coyotes commonly follow you, but they usually keep their distance. They only make noise in the evenings or if there are a few younger pups in the group. Cougars follow you on the uphill side of your trail. I never go out unprotected. Without a dusting of snow you're probably unaware of their presence. All good points in your video.
Hi. I would like to add a couple of points; thanks for telling folks about hypothermia in the 10°C (50°-ish F). It is not just rain that can get you wet enough to become hypothermic; night mist, dampness from dew, fog or even your own sweaty body are all moisture sources. To make things really bad very fast is a seemingly refreshing breeze. You can go from "ah, feels good" to chattering your teeth in minutes. If you feel shivery, light a fire out of the wind and get warm - this is early warning that your core body temperature is no longer able to keep up with heat loss and is a potential life-threatening stiuation.
Be wary of those space blankets or other plastic-like waterproof things. They are great for short-term use only. Because they are non-permeable, they hold moisture in your clothes which makes you damp (see point #1). For even a cool overnight stay, your clothes are your insulation, NOT the space blanket. Use the space blanket, a thin mylar plastic sheet, to wrap loosely around you to keep the wind off and to reflect your body heat back to you, but allow enough air circulation to keep moisture to a minimum.
I suggest you learn stuff at home first. Practice until you are proficient in a safe place like home; if you mess up you can just try again. The last place you want to "try" something is when you really need it. Enjoy the outdoors. It is not as scary as you think IF YOU ARE PREPARED! The two most important tools you can carry is a well-prepared mind and practiced hands. Greetings from Alberta, Canada.
Great addition. I’ve been thinking of taking a wool blanket and wrapping with a decent survival blanket and see how well that gets me through a night down to say 40-30 degrees F, especially if I have a decent wool base layer and clothing.
@@CollapseCurriculum In my opinion, natural fibre is always the best choice especially wool for close-to-skin/inner-wear clothes or blankets. It is heavier and more bulky, but you will be thankful and not care about that if you fall in water or are caught unprepared in a downpour. I'm sure you know wool retains the majority of its insulative value even soaking wet and is spark resistant. Outer wear is less important if it keeps you dry and breathes so you stay that way. There is a company here in Canada, in Quebec I think, that sells woolen goods, not blends (large, thick blankets, anoraks etc). Unfortunately, I can't remember the name, though.
As far as your idea for the wool blanket goes, if you can stay out of the wind with reasonable layers of clothes, you should be okay. Add a small, smokeless fire and a toque(lots of Americans call them beanies) and you should be pretty snug for the night even if the temperature drops close to freezing. However, If you are stuck out over night and need to sleep, try to insulate yourself from the ground. The earth is a giant heat sink and will continually absorb body heat and can cause hypothermia as well. Cheers.
Great video. I've ordered a bivvy bag for overnight emergency sleeping and I bought a wrist watch that has paracord as part of the strap so if you need paracord you can unravel it in an emergency can help you make a tarp tent setup. It also has a scrapper built in so you can scrape a tree for kindling and and whistle of you fall somewhere where people cannot see you in the trail. I will be adding a bin bag as an emergency item to that list going forward thanks for the tips!
Newer hiker here: was on a 3.5 mile hike, the trail was not well marked I ended up going half a mile on a side trail before realizing it. Turned around and retraced my steps, found out the trail leading to the trailhead was closed via metal map in the trail. So my shorter hike ended up being a bit longer than planned! I was glad for extra water and snacks. I always carry 10 essentials even in a day hike even though others think it's silly
Belated thanks; I just saw this, and it was very sensible and clear. Maps are great; if you know where the creeks are, where height of land is, and any other permanent physical realities, you have a good chance of locating yourself and finding a way out. Thank you.
Much appreciated!
I see so many people just hike with a water bottle. I prepare for the worst, a small effort that can have a big impact. I check the weather and water resources before I leave. I have a small bag of different types of tinder to help make a fire. Besides a mylar blanket, I have a bivy (one step up, made of similar material). A whistle is important to draw attention to your location. Also, don't forget to bring a power bank. I do bring a Garmin Inreach just in case all else fails and the situation is pretty dire. I bought it for overnight trips and more remote (no cell phone service) locations.
You can get dehydrated in the cold as quickly as you can in the heat. Moving in winter waterproof/breathable gear, you sweat more making your clothes slightly damp, but you are also using that water to produce heat in your body. I always add a three tiny pieces of pink salt to my 28oz water bottle just for shopping trips. You could do this for your hiking water too, but don't overdo the salt. I carry those essentials on me every time I go out. Great vid on the subject of day hikers.
Fantastic point. I swear I have learned a lot from the comments on this video. I think this speaks to the good nature of the outdoor community.
My brother and I were driving. He pulled over to get a closer look of a rock formation that looked a few hundred feet away. After an hour hiking, while debating Mars colonization, we were big time lost! It can happen to anyone.
No, it can not, but it will most likely happen to people who are debating colonisation of Mars. Those are already lost in life .....and bought deception and lies.
@@thomza ....Are you just another space cadet or Star Wars fan ? Don't forget your vaccination and medication when going to Mars or national parks.....
Ups I nearly forgot - your World is Virtual....
istra70, I bet you’re a lot of fun at parties…
@@brawndothethirstmutilator9848 You won.
But you must agree with me, this kind of nerds, even with help of map and compass, would get lost in city park, not to mention national forests....
istra70, Lol, it could be worse. They could be like Marcus Brody, who got lost in his own museum.
I fully agree with you ! Maybe you said it already, but anyway here it is … How one should hike . I’ve seen mega times hikers taking off like rockets and promptly end up being totally shot and dehydrated after 2-3 hours. This obviously does not favor ones chances to survive a night out when being lost !
An ages old tip I learnt, decades ago, in dealing with blisters...don't get them in the first place!
Rubbing alcohol (Surgical spirit) doesn't cost much.
The pharmacist may ask why you want to purchase it.
Don't be afraid to tell them.
Apply it twice, daily, to any areas likely to be chaffed, using cottonwool to dab it on, if need be, or a small amount, just enough to swiftly cover the area, poured into one palm, then, equally quickly, rubbed in as it will rapidly evaporate.
Tbe skin will go cold for about 30 seconds, but it's nothing to be concerned about and will do you no harm.
Doing so for 10 - 14 days, before wearing new footwear, will temporarily toughen the skin, allowing callouses to slowly and gently form underneath, as you are breaking in the new footwear.
That also applies to shoes, highheels, etc.
By the time the treated skin starts to return to normal the new callouses will have formed, but the footwear will also have softened enough to be comfortable to wear.
Some folk find their backpacks can cause chaffing.
Check the strapping and cushioning first, adjust them, if applicable, then, if necessary, apply the spirit to the areas likely to be affected.
Planning on building a log cabin, digging a latrine and so on?
Break out the spirit to toughen up your hands, making it more difficult for splinters to penetrate and sharp stones to slice.
That's where I was first taught the benefit of surgical spirits, a timber merchants, where we carried beading, boards, planks, rail sleepers, etc, on our shoulders and any newbie was given sound advise to save themselves from a world of pain and visits to the emergency dept.
The bonus is you can use what is left over in an alcohol stove.
The amount of ladies that have thanked me, because their dancing or fashion shoes haven't destroyed their feet, following my advice, is untold. 😉😎😂
Thanks for uploading the video.
I enjoy the narrator's calmness.
Thank you!
In the desert , with water , bring a pack of mint candies ,it makes the water nice and cold , also Vick's menthol ointment . Bring a high power , laser flashlight , to be able to signal for help and a long range CB walkie talkie, to be able to call for help .I also have an orange whistle , like the one shown here , it has a mirror on the inside of it .
I like you reference to people in desert countries keeping covered up. I deployed to the Middle East a few times and we would wear out DCU uniforms. Most people ditch the blouse or roll the sleeves up but I always kept mine on and the sleeves down. I used the same point you did. I pointed out that a lot of people there are wearing robes despite the heat. They no better.
Did you ever sport a shemagh? A lot of service guys do, I've noticed. Tells you something right there.
Im not hiker. I probably will never go hiking but i watch a lot of Mr.Ballen and he often tells stories of hikers going missing and I’ve recently been watching a lot of Everest documentaries so i think thats why this video popped up on me
😆👍🏻👍🏻
I live in Nevada and hike often here. I always carry sturdy gloves and a hiking pole too. My pole folds up and tucks in my backpack if I don't need it. ✌
Great vid, liked it a lot. One thing I might add.....even if you have a map, you might not be prepared for obstacles that can create hazards for a human. I hiked a trail for which my contour map showed zero elevation change (at 20' contour intervals). Well, I almost got trapped crossing a dry wash that was only about 5' deep, but with very steep, muddy sides; was VERY difficult to get out of!!!
Excellent point. A map has limitations. I have a follow up video I'm working on with maps (already did compass). This is a story I may reference. Appreciate your input.
One thing that wasn't addressed here is for the chronically ill. If you take regular medication, the standard rule is to always pack at least 3 days' more medication than you expect to need, which means if you don't think you'll need any, you take 3 days' along anyways. Also, if you are diabetic or have a seizure or migraine disorder, you cannot go 30 days without food, so pack 3 days' extra there, too, and depending on your condition, you may need more water than the average person.
Yeah, the pack can get too heavy for our little broken bodies to carry lol. That's one reason why for those of us who are chronically ill, it's not the best idea to hike alone. So if you do decide to go out alone day or night, a satellite phone and personal locator beacon are good ideas. Remember, it's only overkill until you need them.
For the most part, safety isn't something granted from above. It's usually a product of our own planning. Make yourself safe out there!
That poor family that died on the trail in the Sierra Nevadas last August--mom, dad, 1-yr old baby, and dog--from dehydration and hyperthermia. Steep exposed trail on a 100-degree day, they were found around the 2.2-mile mark with an empty 85 oz water container. It's important to be prepared, including choosing your hike wisely.