how does one classify themselves as a experienced backcountry person

[raceu4it]

we've all had this talk about being the well experienced outdoor person, and now more than ever that term is being used as much as the guy with the brand new ford escape, new rockport hikers, and backpack with wine and cheese looking for some remote adventure. some examples true and false. and please add in

1 - can you read a compass
2 -watched and practised all survivor man episodes
3-would stay cool if lost, and not turn into a nut case
4-even with gps/or spot, still have bush smarts in case the first 2 fail or get lost.
add in your tips and tricks to the good ole backcountry. some true some false just to make us think

 

[LID]

5- Did you bring a lighter and some tickets to start a fire?

 

[Scrambled]

Remember land marks goin in(mountains,streams,anything cool or alittle different),keep a mental map in your head,and always be prepared tp spend the night atleast.

 

[Mongrol]

Not loosing your car/truck keys while playing. LOL

 

[Modman]

Do you have basic first aid training or equivalent?
Do you know how to make a shelter?

 

[Vertical-Extreme]

Great post Dusty
some good points already,
make metal notes of landmarks,
always have at least 2 ways to start a fire,
pack powerbars/ chocolate / water to get you through a night at least,
know first aid
tell someone where you are planning on going and return time

 

[kokanee 800]

make sure your on a ski-doo

 

[raceu4it]

if you have a METAL avy shovel, you can melt snow for water in the shovel part, once you have a fire going.
and fires are always.

 

[moto 4]

can ya ridde to the ten dallar buffay witout gps

 

[Taminator]

We have an emergency kit (light and small) with firestarter, thermal blankets, teabags, pkg boullion, granola bars and first aid items. Also we each have in our packs- folding saw, shake flashlight, emergency flasher. Hubby always has the 'tools' required and as a typical woman, I always have chocolate in my pack! While we try and stay as light as possible, we make sure we have items to ensure a safe stay overnight as it's quite often we're travelling in the dark and last ones out of areas. Sometimes all it may take is to get turned around in an unfamiliar area.

Friends of ours have those pen-sized flares which seem like a great thing to have. They're 'refillable'. I coulda used one of those last year when I got stuck in the trees and noone could find me...hubby made me get a brighter helmet after that and there was talk of one of those orange bicycle flags.

 

[Pistonbroke]

make sure your on a ski-doo This way, you will be assured of spending many unscheduled nights in the splendor of the mountains, thereby honing your survival skills

fixed it for ya. :d

 

[JoHNI_T]

I make sure I am always equiped with some one like threadkiller, modman, pistonbroke or other wise sure as chit I would die out there

 

[Guest101]

An experienced backcountry person has very good knowledge of slope aspect, wind direction, sun, temperature increase and the effects that these factors have on the snow and its stability. Also an experienced backcountry person knows how to dig a pit properly and understands the different layering in the snow and the effects that those layers have on snow stability!! LOcal knowledge and mountain experience are a big must have on any outing.

 

[Modman]

I make sure I am always equiped with some one like threadkiller, modman, pistonbroke or other wise sure as chit I would die out there

I was relying on you to be the experienced one!!!

 

[raceu4it]

i'm sure glad i pack a space blanket in my backpack, cause i would need that as a seperation wall if i had to spoon johni-T in a snowcave for the nite.

on a side note, does anyone know where to get the old style cp rail flares to burn . they were about 15 inches long came in 3 different colors. and those suckers burn long and bright in the nite. and all we did was pack them in a piece of 1 1/4" plastic pipe to keep them dry and free from damage.

 

[sumx54]

I think its important for an experienced backcountry person to know the weather. You should always know the extended forecast for the area your in and be able to read the changes and trends in cloud cover, wind and temperature.
I bought those roadside flares at Acklands Grainger in Whitecourt. I never stored then in plastic tubes though. I found them to be bullet proof and will even burn under water. Just don't let you friends get ahold of them

 

[canuck5]

Actually lead a group of people in and out of an area in socked in conditions. Been the guy who still has bearings with no GPS in a whiteout and stayed calm. Tools and mechanical know how. This along with many of the other things stated above is an experienced back country person.

 

[ferniesnow]

i'm sure glad i pack a space blanket in my backpack, cause i would need that as a seperation wall if i had to spoon johni-T in a snowcave for the nite.

on a side note, does anyone know where to get the old style cp rail flares to burn . they were about 15 inches long came in 3 different colors. and those suckers burn long and bright in the nite. and all we did was pack them in a piece of 1 1/4" plastic pipe to keep them dry and free from damage.

Why are those called CPrail flares?? Do you not think that the CNR, WP, Reading, Ohio, Burrlington, etc., etc., used them???

Being from a "railroad town", I know they are still around (just like the short necked beer bottles) but I don't know where to get them....

 

[frock]

Some great points on here guys. Here are a few of mine:

A fold up saw for cutting firewood and building a shelter. A knife, rope, first aid kit, water bottle to fill with snow you melted in your shovel, a 10x12 tarp, a survival blanket, extra gloves & socks, touque. I carry wooden matches in a water proof plastic container. Something that I tried years ago and found out works the best of anything for getting a fire going. I buy those fire lighting sticks that look like they're made of compressed wood fibre soaked in a wax substance (Canadian Tire cheapies) then I put them into a one litre water proof plastic container and fill with diesel. Let this soak for a couple days then dump out most of the fuel (less weight). These sticks will light the wettest of wood in a rain storm (I've proven this):d

 

[Iron Horse Racing]

Great Thread

Try a little test.....next time it rains...take out your trusty pack of safety matches and see if you can start a fire….

Next time it’s too cold to go sledding, put on the same gear you would ride in, head out into your back yard and build a shelter and sleep in it.

Just like the advice from the Avy course, practice…..read a book, take a course

There was a thread a while back about what items to carry and there was some good ideas...

As a matter of course, I always take a compass reading in the parking lot and note the dircetion of roads and or land marks. That way if the GPS failed and long before we had them, you would have a heading to aim to if you do get turned around.

Sledding, backpacking, horseback riding, climbing, or quadding we carry the same first aid and survial paks.

First aid kit
Flares
hand warmers
space blankets
small emergency tarp
candle
fire starter
Tin foil
Matches
Toilet paper
Flash light Crank type
Compass
Cable saw
Duct and electrical tape
Knife or Leatherman
2 – Carabineer’s
rope
Wire
Whistle
Lighter and safety matches
Tie wraps
Bags for feet
Hose clamps
Extra bungee cords
Medicine
sunglasses
spare gloves
spare socks

Freeze Dried Food pack
Power aid Crystals energy drink
trail mix
water(water tabs, water filter)
Beef jerky
Cup o soup
power bars



Misc items for sledding and Quadding
spare goggles
batteries
GPS
Thermos’s
Shovel
Probe
Fuel line/
Tow rope
Ratchet straps
2 way radio