Building an Arctic "Survival Pack" for day hikes.

[Rick]

JC - The big thing to remember in winter is blood will freeze if not dealt with. A lot of blood will keep you just as cold as water since that's mostly what it is. Whether you use a hemostatic agent because of arterial bleeding or just a pressure bandage because of less severe bleeding you want to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Cold is cold regardless of the source.

[jc1234]

I was thinking more along the lines of getting parts of your body substantially wet through an accident of some sort. Besides being hurt, it seems like getting dry quick would be a primary concern in that kind of cold. Just wondering if any special or additional gear was considered as opposed to summer. I constantly go through this process every winter and have to trim down my day pack to keep weight down, but it never seems complete, I always feel like Im missing things, kind of like when you leave the house, know that you have forgotten something, but just cant figure out what it is.

[Alaskan Survivalist]

I was thinking more along the lines of getting parts of your body substantially wet through an accident of some sort. Besides being hurt, it seems like getting dry quick would be a primary concern in that kind of cold. Just wondering if any special or additional gear was considered as opposed to summer. I constantly go through this process every winter and have to trim down my day pack to keep weight down, but it never seems complete, I always feel like Im missing things, kind of like when you leave the house, know that you have forgotten something, but just cant figure out what it is.

I stress not having accidents. I do carry gear specific to terrain and most serves a dual purpose. For example my avalance probe serves to check depth and how solid ice bridges are and it helps to know how deep snow is before digging snow caves, Crevasse rescue kit used more more climbing, Shovel used for snow anchor, etc. I improvise my needs with what I have.

[Rick]

chemical warmers is the main difference for me.

[BENESSE]

I stress not having accidents. I do carry gear specific to terrain and most serves a dual purpose. For example my avalance probe serves to check depth and how solid ice bridges are and it helps to know how deep snow is before digging snow caves, Crevasse rescue kit used more more climbing, Shovel used for snow anchor, etc. I improvise my needs with what I have.

That's real cute AS!
As with anything, there's always the first time. It can be when you're 5 or when you're 65. And it may have nothing to do with how well prepared you are.

[Alaskan Survivalist]

Around here, we'd never think to camp in a river wash just because it might turn into a river over night. That would obviously depend on the weather and the length of the river. Since a good many of those in AK are fed by glacial and snow melt, is a wash safer to camp in up there? Or is that just a winter time thing?

That depends on the wash. This is a vast area that would take a lot of water to to fill. I would not want to build a house here but plenty stable enough for camping. This area is is mostly erosion from contantly shifting streams in the gravel base. Closer to the mouth you need some awareness of tides but not this far up. Like Klkak I know the area well. I even have about 30 hours of flight time exploring area and landed planes in the lake George area. I have lived in the area for about 17 years and for me it's playing in my backyard. You make a good point but in many cases there are exceptions to general rules but unless you know them it would be prudent to play it safe.

[Rick]

I knew it had to be safe or you wouldn't be there. I was just wondering how it was different. Thanks!!

[Alaskan Survivalist]

That's real cute AS!
As with anything, there's always the first time. It can be when you're 5 or when you're 65. And it may have nothing to do with how well prepared you are.

It really is not. At work truck drivers will have "accidents" and try to place blame on the other guy. I try to impose a standard even if it was the other guys fault what could they have done to avoid it. Safety is something urban people have trouble adjusting to and need to take to heart. When I was raised in Alaska it truely was a frontier and no one to save you if you screwed up. The trick is don't screw up!

[BENESSE]

I had idiots run into me on slopes. No evasive techniques on my part could have avoided it. I am pretty good but I don't have eyes in the back of my head.

[BENESSE]

Oh...I could avoid accidents on the slopes if I give up skiing. But that's not gonna happen any time soon.

[Alaskan Survivalist]

I had idiots run into me on slopes. No evasive techniques on my part could have avoided it. I am pretty good but I don't have eyes in the back of my head.

I have a head like an owl.

[BENESSE]

You really are a hoot, AS!

[Alaskan Survivalist]

Oh...I could avoid accidents on the slopes if I give up skiing. But that's not gonna happen any time soon.

You can learn how to fall or ski other areas. Take control of the circumstances that surround you. Where there is a will theres a way, a safe way if you're smart and I know you are. If you intentionally put yourself at risk then be prepared to pay the consequence. I'm not smart and had to learn the hard way.

[Rick]

Safety is something urban people have trouble adjusting to and need to take to heart.

I don't know about urban folks but I do agree with taking it to heart. Most accidents don't have a single cause but several things done wrong that taken together result in the accident. Being observant and trying to think through cause and affect will go a long way in breaking that string of events so the accident doesn't happen.

There were cars off the road this morning because of the snow. You can be pretty much assured that a good number of them left late, drove too fast and were talking on the cell phone. That's what I mean by a string of events.

[Alaskan Survivalist]

Rick I think much of the reason is the fascination urban people have for things they have not seen before. "That bear is so cute I need to get closer for a good picture...should I use a flash?"

[Rick]

No doubt a lack of understanding of the dangers. I've seen goofy folks do those kinds of things. "Will I get shocked if I touch this?" Here's your sign.

That same problem could well hold true for country folks that find themselves in the city. Things we suburbanites think are almost intuitive, like where not to venture, can lead them into trouble as well.

"Excuse me, can you take our picture? ... Uh, where you going with the camera? Hello?"

[Rick]

I'll share a story with you that I'm sure I've posted before. (shrug)

A bus dropped me off in front the visitor center one morning in Fairbanks. Beautiful, new building with a sod roof. The bus pulled away and sitting across the street on park benches and the back of those benches were indigenous folks that had been out all night on benders. They looked pretty sorry. So those folks are everywhere.

[Alaskan Survivalist]

That makes sense. I guess it's just being out of your element. I know I have fallen for many scam in the big city. People lie! Who knew?

[Rick]

I think Alaska would be one of the few places I WOULDN'T pull a scam. You guys are all armed and have a thin sense of humor about stuff like that.

[Alaskan Survivalist]

SD, It's a bit colder now, -35. The kit I used on glaicier hike was mainly to be prepared for a change in the weather and not what I call a winter kit but I decided to use it tonight to see just how cold of weather I could handle with the same clothing to be certain it's up to what ever I run into. I zipped up a lot tighter but plenty warm while on the move. I would have to set up a shelter if I was to stay sedintary for the night.

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I continue to refine this kit and I will be replacing Carhart wool face mask with newer style head gear. I was also feeling the cold on my arms at an uncomfortable level. All I had under gortex is a Carhart vest and a sweater. I think a thicker sweater is in order. Boots rated to -20 were still plenty warm at -35. I do have dedicated Arctic kits but I just wanted show you it's not about having more gear but instead having the right gear.