Surviving the Call of the Wild

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It began as a harmless weekend hike and turned into a fight for survival. Teri Smith and a friend were hiking at 9,000 feet in Yosemite when an early-winter storm blew in.

The pair awoke to find their tent surrounded by snow and their return route concealed. Despite being an experienced adventure racer trained in navigation, Smith found herself deep in the backcountry, with food supplies dwindling, wondering if she would ever see her two sons again. 

Teri Smith was lucky. After four desperate days in the woods, a helicopter search party found her and her partner and airlifted them to safety. Other adventurers haven’t been so fortunate. The Pacific Northwest is the perfect example: Recent events on Mt. Hood (Oregon) have made national news, with the death of one climber topping the headlines. A snowboarder in the backcountry on Mt. Bachelor (Oregon) lost her life after falling into a tree well, and Mt. Rainier (Washington) claimed the lives of several more climbers.

Backcountry recreation is on the rise as skiers, snowboarders, mountaineers and snowshoers heed the call of the wild. But going off trail also increases the chances of getting off track. Before you head into the woods this winter, learn what it takes to come back safely.

Dress for Success

"Your most important piece of survival gear is your brain," says Joe Whittington, a veteran winter recreation guide and owner of Oregon Peak Adventures. "If your core body temperature deviates more than a few degrees, your ability to make good judgments deteriorates rapidly."

Dressing for the outdoors is about more than staying comfortable. Your clothes could save your life. Use the three-layer approach to conserve body heat. Against the skin, wear a wicking layer like Polypropylene. These fabrics allow moisture to escape while providing a layer of insulation against the skin. Avoid cotton because it retains rather than transports moisture.

The second layer is an insulating layer, like fleece or down, which trap the heat generated by the body to help maintain warmth while still allowing moisture to escape.

The third, outer layer is a protective shell, like Gore-Tex. The purpose of the shell is to retain inner heat while blocking rain and wind, which otherwise would rob the body of its warmth. Ideally, this outer shell should be windproof, waterproof and breathable.

Cap off that winter wardrobe with a warm hat, sock liners and wool or wool-blend socks, waterproof boots and glove liners plus waterproof gloves. Fingered gloves offer more dexterity, but mittens will keep your hands warmer.

The Rule of Cool

Maybe you already know the basics of what to wear into the woods. But do you know when to wear it? Whittington, who’s led hundreds of groups on winter treks, says most people don’t.

"They typically dress too warmly when they are moving, and not warmly enough when they are stopped," says Whittington. If you’re not adding or removing layers of clothes several times during an outing, you’re not stopping enough. In groups, individuals may be reluctant to change because stopping slows others down. But getting too hot — and wet — is the fastest way to get really cold.

"The best way to stay warm is to stay cool," advises Whittington.

Gearing Up

What’s in your pack is just as important as what’s on your body.

"I’ve seen people in the woods, miles from the trail, with nothing more than a fanny pack," says Whittington in disbelief. "They look at my backpack and ask how many days I’m out for. My answer is: ‘I don’t know, but I do know I’m prepared.’"What you bring depends on the duration of the trip and the weather you expect to encounter. If exercise is your goal, go ahead and load up. Just remember that the more you carry, the slower you’ll go.

Whittington recommends packing for the worst conditions, then hoping for the best. He always takes a fanny pack, and adds items to his backpack based on the trip.

In his fanny pack, Whittington carries food and water, plus a space blanket, butane lighter and sunscreen. He never takes the fanny pack off, so even if his backpack becomes lost, he always has these items with him.

In his backpack, he carries the "Ten Essentials," (see sidebar) along with a gear repair kit (duct tape and a multi-tool), a collapsible shovel, waterproof "bivvy sack," a foam sit pad, telescoping hiking poles, and — on longer trips — a portable stove and pot.