You're LOST 5 Tips That Could Save Your Life

1.       Situational assessment:

a.       Stop, don’t panic. (time of day-shelter or rescue the priority, try to get bearings climb a hill to get a vantage point)

2.       Self-assessment:

a.       Injuries?

b.      What do you have available to you (water, food, shelter, compass, whistle etc)

3.       Area assessment:

a.       Better to stay or move- What’s available, will you be found at your location?

4.       Prioritize:

a.      Rescue

b.      Shelter

c.       Water/Food- 3days without water 3 weeks without food

5.       Rescue vs. Self-Rescue-

a.       Actively signaling help (flag, fire, whistle, leaving trace of direction)

b.      Self-rescue- Get out head in a known direction, follow streams etc

What would you add to this list?

Guest Blog: Top 10 pieces of Wilderness Survival Gear for Children by Play Outside Gal

It's never to early to teach your children wilderness survival skills. what if little Johnny gets lost on your next big hike? Or there is a mudslide and you're cut off from camp or each other (it has happened!)? Maybe you're not doing hard core stuff right now, but what about next summer? It's easy to read headlines and think "that could never happen to us", but you just never know. It's best to have a plan in case you are separated (we've taught our kids to stay in one place and signal for help), discuss it with all members of your group/family, and ensure everyone is carrying their own wilderness survival gear, and that they know how to use each item.

Also known as a bug-out bag, your wilderness survival kit should contain everything you need to survive for three days. This list is different from what an adult would carry and is targeted to children aged 4-8 since they are a) old enough to carry their own small backpack, b) not big enough to carry larger items such as a bivvy/Siltarp, and c) usually not mature enough to carry a knife or fire making kit (essentials in any survival kit). Add other items (such as Epipen, medications, fire making kit, knife) at your discretion. Note that thesignalling devices (whistle, mirror, and flashlight) are critical. If your child is quickly found, she won't have to use the other items!

1. Marine Whistle on a lanyard: Get a high quality pealess marine whistle. A pealess whistle will work when wet and has no parts that can freeze together. Encourage your children to blast the whistle as loud as possible if they are lost or in trouble. Let them have some fun practicing (to make sure they know how to use it) then let them know it is for emergency use only. You may need earplugs for the practice session as high quality whistles are louder than 100 decibels! 


2. Signalling mirror: Teach your child how to use the mirror to signal for help and who/what the signal should be directed at (flash the mirror at helicopters, vehicles, signs of civilization such as fire lookouts or cabins; sweep the horizon if no signs of people). At night, use your headlamp and shine light on the mirror sweeping the light quickly across the mirror for a short flash and slowly for a long flash. The Universal distress signal is S.O.S. (3 dots, 3 dashes, 3 dots) and can be signalled with 3 short flashes, 3 long flashes, 3 short flashes. If you don't have a mirror, you could use your hand and a flashlight or the flashlight switch to make long and short flashes. Practice at home with your children to see what method works best! The SOS signal can also be made with stones on the ground by making 3 round pile of rocks, 3 dashes (horizontal line) and 3 more round piles of rocks. 


3. LED headlamp / flashlight - We prefer headlamps so the kids can be hands-free. Most models these days are LED which is great as the batteries last forever, but be sure to replace low batteries and carry replacements.

   

   Princeton Tec BOT Headlamp

4. Water bottle and purification tablets: Teach your children how to use water purification tablets and attach a note/picture to the package. For example, a hand-drawn 1 tablet + 1 bottle of water makes it easy for a panicking child to understand. If the quantities are different, e.g. half a tablet per Nalgene bottle, break the tablets in half and draw a picture of 1/2 tablet + 1 bottle of water. I trust Potable Aqua products to purify my drinking water.

   

   Trusty Nalgene bottles never leak!

5. Snacks: Make sure your child has a few high cal snacks such as protein bars or granola bars in her pack. Although you can survive a few days without food, a snack is comforting while you wait for help to arrive. Make sure it's something yummy that your child likes, but not something with a strong odor that may attract bears.

For more please click here and make sure to check out the rest of her blog!!

Also see my 15 Essentials here

Platypus SoftBottle

My son and I recently tested out the Platypus SoftBottle on a day hike in the Arizona desert.

We loved its pack ability, light weight design and the fact that it is quiet while in motion even with water in it! Simply squeeze out the air before replacing the cap and you can sneak up on wild critters like a ninja.

The SoftBottle comes in multiple colors, for those of you who like to match your gear, in a .5 or 1 liter capacity.

On the down side I would like to see the thread design be a standard so filters like the Sawyer Mini can fit on it.

Specs:

• Platy’s most flexible water bottle.
• Lightweight and packable – 80% less weight and bulk than a hard bottle.
• Taste-free and BPA-free.
• Food-grade liner with rugged exterior is pliable and durable.

Oasis 2100 Hydration pack by Teton Sports

   I recently upgraded from my Camelback hydration pack to the Teton Sports Oasis 2100. I can have to say this is the best day pack that I have ever used. Plenty of storage space, a 3 liter hydration bladder, a safety whistle built into the chest buckle, a large internal compartment with a couple of quick compartments and 2 waist zippered pockets. It even has a built in rain cover, and clip for your keys.

This pack is not only stylish, but incredibly comfortable and has a well thought out design. The padding on the back is not only designed for comfort, but airflow.  A mesh pocket on the back is perfect for those wet socks or in my case the dog bowl allowing the contents to dry while you are on the move.

I would recommend this pack to anyone who hikes, walks, trail runs, or is just looking for an excellent pack for family outings. 

  

Specs

• Dimensions: 19.5" x 12" x 9.5"
• Shell: 600D Dobby / 210D Polyester
• Hydration Capacity: 101-Ounce (3 Liter) Large Mouth Bladder Included
• Capacity: 1200 Cubic Inches / 20 Liters
• Color: Blue | Black
• Pack Weight: 2.45 lbs (unfilled)
• Waist Belt: Expandable up to 60"

I'm Back!!

Its been a while since I posted on this blog, and a lot has changed. My family and I moved out to Arizona, to an area that has lots to explore. With a new addition to our family, Jack an Australian Cattle Dog, we are off on new adventures. I will also be posting gear reviews (Teton Explorer 4000 backpack, Sawyer Mini Water Filter and several others that I have recently received from manufacturers), book reviews and anything else that I find interesting.

Your input is always welcome. While I do not claim to be an expert, I will give you my input on gear, books, hikes etc that I have personally used, read, and completed.
I look forward to starting this new adventure, lets see what lies beyond the pavement.

Mountain Lion Stalks Woman and Her Son in OC

By Adolfo Flores

An aggressive mountain lion that had lurked in the brushy hills of southern Orange County was shot and killed after it began stalking a mother and her two children after they set off on a day hike.

The woman, and a growing number of fellow hikers and passing mountain bikers, were unable to scare off the cougar, which at one point came within yards of her son.

Authorities said the cougar was hiding in the brush near a grade school when they arrived and then marched directly toward them, seemingly unafraid. The animal was shot and killed by a game warden.

The popular hiking trail, shaded by towering oaks and head-high brush, was the site of a fatal mauling in 2004, an incident that forced animal control officers to seal off the wilderness park. The wilderness park, which sits on the edge of suburban Lake Forest, was posted with warning signs again in February, when a cougar was spotted along the trail.

Madison Smith, 35, of Mission Viejo said she heard rustling in the bushes as she hiked with her two children Sunday along a stretch of trail near Foothill Ranch Elementary School.

She said the animal, described later by game officials as a 1-year-old, 60-pound male lion, suddenly pounced behind them, racing up within several yards of her 5-year-old son.

Another hiker, Joe Fleischaker, said he unsuccessfully attempted to scare away the mountain lion by yelling, putting his arms up and holding a branch. Rangers tell visitors who encounter cougars to hold their ground, stretch out their arms to appear big, yell or wave their arms.

But when the cougar didn't retreat, Smith said, she told her son Jackson to come toward her.

"As soon as Jackson moves back to me, the lion moved into a crouching position, bares its teeth and is ready to pounce on him," Smith said.

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE ARTICLE

MS Hiking for a Cure

Reposted from Ms-MegaVenture 
I recently came across Megans webpage quite by accident. Megan is hiking from Mexico to Canada on the PCT to raise money to find a cure for MS. Check out her story and support her quest.

Hello! I am hiking 2,650 miles on the pacific crest trail in honor of my father who has lived with multiple sclerosis since the year 2000. The hike starts on April 24, 2014 in Campo, CA and ends in Manning Park, B.C. It will take about 4-5 months to complete. With my home and few necessities strapped to my back, this is bound to be a wild ride!

My father has always taught me to work hard, be adventurous, and love others. It is the simple love one shows to smile, laugh or have a small conversation with a perfectly good stranger.
Multiple Sclerosis affects people in the prime of their lives, between the ages of 20 and 50. Every hour someone is newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. More than 2.5 million people worldwide live with this unpredictable disease. The symptoms of MS are different for everyone - the only certainty is that it will affect yet another person every hour of every day.




Visit my other pages for more information: 
https://twitter.com/MS_Trek
https://www.facebook.com/PacificCrestTrekForMs
http://ms-megaventure.blogspot.com/p/mission.html

Collecting rain drops

CLICK FOR FULL SIZE

I thought this was a great diagram of how to build your own rain water collection system for your home. Provided of course you have rain gutters and an HOA that would allow this. Even so this is a very cool idea. I might try this as a project with the kids on a weekend where I hear, "I'm bored" Of course where I live it would have to be on a smaller scale.

I think, given that this collects rain gutter water, you may have to filter it to make it potable. I am thinking of the cute little birds that are chirping outside right now, possibly pooping in the gutters. Still a great idea!

Has anyone tried this or made something similar and had success?

Taking care of your hiking feet

Taking care of your hiking feet- Guest Post

Reposted from HikingintheSmokys.com

Spring has finally arrived, and with it comes hiking season. As we prepare for our first hikes of the year, now's a good time to take some proactive steps to help prevent unwanted blisters. The following are a few tips, suggestions and strategies for taking care of your feet before and during a hike to help ensure that it isn’t ruined as a result of blisters

Toenails: Make sure you take the time to trim your toenails before a big hike, especially one that involves long descents. It’s best to clip your toenails as short as possible so that there’s no extra nail length. If need be, file the nails down until they’re flush with the skin. Sometimes I forget to do this and end up with a long nail digging into the flesh of a neighboring toe!

Socks: One way of preventing blisters is to wear proper socks. This means staying far away from 100% cotton socks which absorb sweat and can lead to blisters. It’s best to wear socks made from synthetics, or a blend of synthetics and cotton, which wicks moisture away and keeps your feet drier and cooler. Also, make sure you wear socks that fit properly. Socks that are too big can bunch together in boots and create friction areas that result in blisters.

Finally, I always keep an extra pair of socks in my backpack just in case the ones I’m wearing get wet.

Boots: Much has already been written on boots and walking shoes, including what type to wear, proper fit, etc. That discussion is beyond the scope of this article, but if you’re looking for an informative article on the subject I highly recommend this one. Also, my wife has had problems with blisters, and even lost a toenail while hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon several years ago. She’s since discovered that as a result of her narrow feet, she wasn't wearing boots that fit her properly. This article on Backpacker Mag offers solutions for people who have similar issues.

Boot laces: One way to help prevent blisters from forming on your heels, and toes from hitting the front of your boot, is to make sure your boots are properly laced, especially on descents.

What under your boots?

I recently purchased my first pair of Smart Wool Medium Crew socks, and I have to say I LOVE them!

Made from 74% Yarn, 25% Merino wool, and 1% Elastane these socks keep my feet dry, cool and provide the prefect amount of cushion that I need for my thru-hikes. Whether I use my hiking boots or my trail runners these are by far the best socks that I have worn.

Around $20 per pair they are definitely not cheap, but if your feet are uncomfortable your whole trip can suffer. What do you wear?

Check out Smartwool here