Backcountry Survival: Do you know what to do?

Many of us often get side-tracked with our exploring.  That trail ahead just looks mighty boring compared to the rugged rocky peak that lingers right off the path…Come on now, we have all done that.

Would you know what to do if you actually lost your way though?  The Outside Blog is currently running a few pointers over the course of three days, if you would indeed find yourself in this situation.

The first tip they have offered if you are lost is to stop.  Give yourself time to relax.  It seems that getting lost makes us lose our sense of what is going on around us.  It also makes our heartrate go haywire.  In order to get our minds back to where they need to be–which is thinking rationally, they suggest stopping for a half hour or so, drinking some water, and then think about what is going on.  This will give your body the chance to calm down, as well as relax the mind a bit. 

I think that is a good idea.  Any of us who have been caught in this position can relate..we want to find the quickest way out possible, yet, almost always, we just get more frustrated and even more lost. 

Their second segment  talks about a few of the biggest killers known to the Outdoor Adventurer…that is right, Bees, Wasps, Spiders, and Ants.  For some reason we all here about the killer bears, but never the Bees, Wasps, Spiders, and Ants that tragically kill more people in a year than has ever been killed by bears in the wild.

Actually I did learn something with this information that I did not know.  Did you know that a Bee sting actually carries Pheromones that attracts other bees?  This is where the trouble begins.  One Bee hits you then before you know it, your swatting at a slowly gathering swarm.  The safest thing to do for Bees and Wasps is to either get inside, get covered, or Go underwater.

Also, it is noted that a Bee or Wasp sting can bring up a highly alergic reaction which could cause Anaphylactic Shock.  If you are aware of any allergic reaction to this type of sting, it is recommended that you carry an Epi Pen (which is available by perscription only) with you anytime you are out and about.

As far as Spiders go, they only attack when they feel threatened.  There are close to 50 different Spiders that are known to bite people in the US–with the feared Brown Recluse being the most dangerous.

The Brown Recluse Spider can deliver a devastating bite that will actually start dissolving your tissue and can lead to death in severe cases. 

The best advice they give for a spider bite of any kind is to get away and seek medical attention as soon as possible. 

In order to tell if it is actually a Brown Recluse or not, you will have to look at the spider’s back.  There is a tell-all sign–the weird marking that actually looks like a violin found on it’s back–even if that little sign is there, don’t fret to much if you discover the bite right away.  In most cases you will not die and it can be treated.

Here is a real life example:  I work with a lady who was working on her farm.  She tripped going into their grain silo and landed on a whole nest of Brown Recluses.  She got bit close to 200 times.  She did not die, but she does have some nerve damage from this unfortunate event.  Needless to say, the best advice is to seek medical attention for any kindof spider bite.  For the most part, you will not even know what got you, as spiders tend to hide pretty well.

As The Outside Blog posts more to this ongoing series, I will update you.  There is definately some good information, and who knows, perhaps one of these tips could just save your Life.

Summit Stones: Giving Back Adventure Joy

DSD over at Summit Stones & Adventure Musings has been embarked on a quest to bring a little bit of light to all of us Adventurers.  The mission is what it is..

DSD has seemingly been placing these very artistic stones where ever the adventure takes us..and part of the fun is discovering where they are found….Somehow DSD gets there first…haha

Nobody is really sure who DSD is..the website is pretty vague, only giving in to the cause:

My ‘Profile’…?

After being asked about this a few times in comments, I still am of the opinion that my profile is really not what this Blog is about…

I’m simply another average adventurer you might meet out on the trail, see wandering across the backcountry, maybe say hi to as we paddle towards each other, or share a few jokes at a common belay station…

What DSD does though, on the site, is emblazen that adventure spirit in all of us.  Those brightly colored stones, when found, become something more…a piece of an adventure….a wondering of who…it drives us to get out and find another, wondering where the story will lead.

The stones have been found in various places of adventure…mountain tops, trails, ect., and now these findings are also making their way across the web.

A recent topic in a forum on Outdoorsy.com brings this search and findings to light.  It is entitled “A Summit Stone.”

It is nice to know someone like DSD exists.  Someone who has embarked on the challenge of giving back something they consider small, yet has such a big place in our hearts.

As if the Summit Stones are not enough, DSD has also put together a very well written Website discussing this journey of Adventure that we all share.  Here is just a small piece…

Adventure is not just about the choice of activity, nor only about wilderness talent, or just one’s outdoor skills, and is not really at all about age… I used to think that to be an adventurer it was necessary to bag summits, count climbs, record stats, accumulate kayak exploits, even tally up many epics… but that kind of collecting, while serving a purpose, doesn’t always sustain us…

Adventure can be about being the person you want to be in a geographic place… as in what we may find in Geomancy… and that gets us closer to the essence of being an adventurer… as in what is reflected in our attitudes, desire, enthusiasms, and motivations… These things are more about energy, feelings, and emotions…

The next time you are wanting a heightening of spirits–something to really make you think—something to give you that new, refreshing bit of drive….head on over to Summit Stones and Adventure Musings, you won’t be disappointed.

The next time you are heading up that trail or looking over that mountain, remember that all great things won’t be seen above…take a momment to look down…perhaps you will even find a Summit Stone at your feet…

The Adventurist: A Call to All Outdoor Writers and Photographers!

I have just put the finishing touches on a new “Submit & Contact” Page here at The Adventurist.  I am hoping that this new feature will be accepted and used by all of my great readers.

This page goes into detail about a few things I am looking for here at The Adventurist–and ways you might be able to get involved.

Do you love Adventure Writing or perhaps Great Outdoors Photography?–Help me share your incredible talents with a much bigger audience!

Head on Over to the “Submit & Contact” Page, found on a tab right up above this article, and Share your Adventures with the World!

Also, if you are looking to put me to work, there is info there as well….

Cheers-

J. Alan Hendricks, Editor

$5000 Charge for Wilderness Rescue Ignites Debate–Again.

A Kansas man has been billed $5000 for a wilderness rescue after he injured his ankle while hiking along a steep hillside.

This debate has been raging for well over a year now–whether or not people in the wilderness, when accidents happen, should be liable to pay for their rescue.

Kansas is only one of a number of states who have been looking in to billing people that have come to need a rescue involving local authorities.  Colorado also has a similar law in place and one is also currently making the rounds in Utah.

The great Blog, Two-Heel Drive ran by Tom Mangan, tipped me off to the forementioned article featured in the June 18th issue of Rocky Mountain News discussing this incident, as well as the debate raging in Kansas.  You may read the whole article HERE.

As far as Colorado is concerned, there has recently been news that another individual will be billed $7500 for his subsequent rescue as well.

This is reigniting a big debate amongst outdoor enthusiasts.  Should they be charged or shouldn’t they?  I have already expressed my own opinion on this matter as it pertains to climbers needing rescued–(please see story posted HERE, for my opinion.)  How much is to much?

Alot of us go out and try to enjoy the peace and solitude of the outdoors for 1) it is great exercise, 2) it gets you away from the hustle and bustle of cities…and PEOPLE, and 3) It is alot cheaper to walk a trail then drive a car.

If all of us ran the risk of having to pay $7500 for rescue after a badly twisted ankle PLUS our own medical bills, would we still be outdoors?

Alot of the previous debate over this issue has occured mainly over climbers getting stranded high on mountains, as in the two incidents that have occured in the past year on Mt. Hood. More and more though, we as individuals are seeing this pop up for some things that seem–dare I say mundane?

I think the political motivation behind this issue has jumped from saving lives to making money, and in a sense, infringing upon our own freedoms to explore nature and the outdoors.

Perhaps a few people have taken advantage of the system.  Perhaps a few have ended up where they never should have been in the first place without the experience or guidance they needed to be there.  Is this a reason to Pigeonhole a whole section of the American population? Instead of going out to “Get Away From It All”, that “All” is slowly trying to step in and even take away the essence of being out there.

Read more

Celebrate National Trails Day! June 2, 2007

The Adventure Blog Casually  reminded me that June 2 is National Trails Day. 

What a better way to enjoy a quiet bit of sunshine, bask in nature’s wonders, and get a bit of the ol’ exercise that the Doc always seems to recommend–by hiking up or down your favorite trail!

My personal favorite trail happens to be no further than a mile from my house, right smack dab in the middle of town.  The funny part about this trail is that any time of day there is virtually nobody there..it rolls and meanders for a couple of miles tracing the trail of  a river that always keeps you close company.

I only mention this because when a lot of us think of “Hiking Trails”, our minds automatically wonder towards the great scenic trails of the National and State Park Systems–sometimes the most exclusive and rewarding trails can be found right in our own backyards, so to speak, if we only search them out.  They don’t have to be no 48 mile trek into no man’s land, even though we all know that these hikes can be very rewarding as well–as long as you are prepared accordingly.

If, by chance, you have a job that you just might not be able to get away from, then at least take some comfort in reading the following list of the Top 100 Trails in the Nation as voted by the members of Trails.com.

I guess one of the big surprises on this list were the three sections of the Appalachian Trail listed in the Top 10.  In a way, it isn’t a surprise as this is some of the most beautiful backpacking and trail hiking country in the world, but I would have thought for sure that some of the great trails in California and Alaska…and even Utah would make it in the Top 10.

I also understand that nearly 60% of the country is within a days drive of some of these classic Appalachian Trails…now there is absolutely no excuses for not checking these out.  Take a weekend, grab your boots and water bottle and hit the trails!  I plan to do just that the last week of June..in the Great Smoky Mountains..

The Adventurist: New Directions Leading to the Same Horizon

Many of you have noticed over the past couple of months that I have pretty much been exclusivly covering the Mt. Everest Season.  Well, that season is beginning to wrap up and it will be time to venture out into a few new directions.

I guess in order to comprehend my goals with this site, first you must realize what Adventure means to me.  Adventure comes in many shapes and forms, but most generally when speaking of Adventure, it involves the outdoors.

I have previously covered stories from the North and South Poles, Mt. Everest and the world’s highest mountains.  This will continue as always, but for many of you the thought of venturing to these places is merely a dream or positive thinking.

Adventure to many of us can be found much closer to home.  Mountain Biking, Trail Running, Hiking, Camping, Fishing, Kayaking–on and on.  We are all attracted to the great outdoors, but many of us aren’t neccessarily the “Ironman” type.

With this in mind, I will be broadening my approach around here in the coming weeks and months ahead.

Each day will bring coverage of a new topic–and perhaps daily themes as I get this off the ground and start heading in the direction I want this site to go.

There are many places to explore–sports that just about any of us can take part in–Gear to help us along the way–and issues that we all believe in and respect–such as the environment, that I will be delving into.

It will be a journey for all of us.  Yes, it will be a little bit different, some things will stay the same…but it will all lead to that one goal I first set out with–Adventure.

On another note, this past week I surpassed the 75,000 visitors mark to this site and have done so in 6 months!  That is incredible to me.  When I began this site 6 months ago, my first goal was to get 100 readers–haha.  Little did I know the far reaching abilities that a site like this could garner.

This just goes to show that there were and are a large number of people interested in the very things that I have come to value.

Adventure is about setting goals.  Achieving the unachievable.  Seeing places as no others have seen them before, but in a sense, Adventure is also, quite simply, about having fun.

Everest 2007: Mostafa Salameh Calls it Quits

Mostafa Salameh, The man trying to become the first person from Jordan to ever summit Everest, has called it quits.

Mostafa’s attempt had generated wide spread publicity when it was learned that the reigning King of Jordan was sponsoring his expedition.

Mostafa was climbing with the Mountain Madness team this season but had been battling sickness, pretty much since arrival.  Early on Mostafa was suffering from nausea and a persistent cough.  He tried to go to the lower camps for a couple of days, but even the lower altitude seemed to not have an affect on his cough.

In a statement to ExplorersWeb, Mostafa exclaimed “I want to stay, but my body won’t let me.”

I have previously covered Mostafa’s attempt, with background on his expedition you may find this post by clicking the following:

King Abdullah of Jordan Sponsors First Everest Attempt

I am sure that he will be missed in the Mountain Madness team.  The Adventurist wishes him a speedy recovery and hopefully a return to Everest next season.

Just some Numbers…A Look Back and a Step Forward

Complete 2007 Everest Coverage!  Click Here! 

It is always interesting to take a look back while keeping a firm foot pointed forward.  Alan Arnette’s Site is great in that Alan has been covering Everest for a few years now and gives some of the most detailed reports around.

I decided to check back and see what was taking place on Everest last year and years previous and try to see how it relates to today…

Last year at this point, April 16, there had already been one death on Everest as a result of HAPE, or High Altitude Sickness.  The death occured to a Sherpa upon returning from a high altitude climb on the North Side. Read more

The Complete Coverage! Everest 2007!

The Complete Coverage!  Everest 2007!  Click here!

As many of you might know, a couple of months back I mentioned that I would be setting up a Page on The Adventurist for the Everest 2007 Climbing season.

This page will be similar to the page covering the Mt. Hood Tragedy I covered in 2006 offering up all the links and stories as we publish them in one easily located space.

What this does is it allows all of my loyal readers an easier way to follow along with the Everest 2007 season as it happens, as well as lets you keep track of what HAS happened up to the latest story.  At the top of this site, you will now see a headline that reads “The Complete Coverage!  Everest 2007!  Click Here!”, by clicking this, you will now have access to every story concerning the 2007 Everest Climbing season.

I hope you enjoy this convenient way of staying on track with the happenings on Everest this season.  It is really shaping up to be a great season with many stories breaking daily.  You will now find them all here!

How many Expeditions to Everest in 2007?

A visitor stopped by and posed this question:  “How many people will be climbing this year?”

As most of you will probably know there has been a great debate raging over whether or not there is getting to be to many people trying to scale Everest.  Well, here are a few numbers for you:

As I have it right now, there are going to be 32 teams trying to ascend this year..as far as a team is concerned, it can consist of 0ne person or well over twenty or more. 

David Tait is going by himself, as is Gavin Bates…but then you have HIMEX or the 7 Summits team that are well equipped with over 20..so at this point it would really be hard to put up an exact number. 

Take in to account all of the Sherpa people that are involved with each climb and team, plus that some people going will presumably have to turn back due to sickness at basecamp or above, and you can see where I am coming from…

Last year there were 410 summitters, and 11 deaths.  The ratio of summits per deaths has risen substantially over the last few years..it use to be one in four would die trying…now it is more like 1 in 10 as an average.

The reason why there seems to be a lot of deaths as of late could very well correspond with the number of climbers attempting to summit, all within about a two week period.

The race will be on once again this year with HIMEX leading the way and laying the ropes, as they usually do, and setting the climbing schedule for most of the teams.

The camps are being set and stocked as we speak, teams are arriving in Kathmandu and the surrounding areas by the day–and before long there will be a full blitz to basecamp.

Hopefully this year will be a safe climbing season–but going on statistics alone–it might be interesting to see how this season compares to last year and whether or not any slight changes will be made if a climber does go down on the mountain.

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