Cold Weather Survival
Thinking Warm Thoughts Won’t Help…
Surviving in the cold weather is probably one of the hardest things to do when you are inexperienced. Many outdoor enthusiasts have perished in unexpected mountain weather. Hikers, climbers and campers have all faced this axiom when unprepared for ill weather. Experience is the only way to insure your survival. But what does that mean?
Simply put, surviving cold weather requires knowledge of the outdoors, expedient bushcraft skills, and yes, you could use some equipment. Getting that knowledge means going out into the cold and practicing cold weather techniques. I know, it's not the most convenient way to do things but it is the only way to gain that lifesaving experience.
First, know how to dress for the occasion. Cold weather clothing should be selected for its ability to keep you warm, whisk away humidity, dry quickly if it gets wet, and be comfortable in layers. There are many fabrics that are not up to the task. Cotton is one of them you should avoid. Why, because cotton compresses as its heats up, takes forever to dry when it gets wet and is not the best insulator compared to other materials.
Wool is a great choice for cold weather clothing, as is polyester or fleece. All have excellent insulation properties and dry quickly when wet. There are also commercial products such as Under Armour Cold Gear that are excellent choices to fight the chill or if you're lucky, you can find a “bear suit” used by the US Military for many years as extreme cold weather gear. In fact, the US Military has a system known as ECWCS-Extended Cold Weather Clothing System, a seven-piece layering system used by American soldiers. I have to say this, the BDU pattern Gore-Tex Parka made by Tennier Industries is one of the most effective cold weather implements ever made for the US Military and if you can get one in good shape, they are excellent items to have in cold weather.
Newer systems like the Arcteryx cold weather layering system or a combination of base layers, shirts, jackets, and coats will do just fine. Standard cold weather gear from Outdoor Research, North Face, REI, and Columbia are all great options. Just make sure to pay attention to the waterproof shell needed to insure protection from rain and snow. These layers are typically Gore-Tex or a similar waterproof material. Remember to stay warm, your socks, hats, gloves and boots are equally as important as your core layering system.
Gore-Tex is great for boots, but they must have a way to breath for them to be effective. The same goes for gloves which are also susceptible to the negative effects of sweat. Fleece hats and socks are great as are natural fibers like lamb's wool, alpaca, and other wools. Research your materials and try them in the field to determine what works best for you. Some of us sweat more than others and different materials produce different results in the field. Remember that when considering your gear.
Knowing what and how to do things to combat cold weather is a must. Simply relying on gear is not going to cut it. In fact, there are many tales about experienced hikers, skiers, and campers that have died when they were not prepared for sudden adverse weather. One such case involved an individual that perished during a snowstorm because they did not know how to burrow into a hillside snowbank or build a Quinzee that could have been lifesaving. Learning these techniques is easy if you take the time and effort to learn through practice. Start in moderate temperatures and progress to colder weather as you learn to operate in those zones.
The type of campfire you build is just as important as what you wear. Pay particular attention to the placement of your campfire, too much wind and your fire will burn very fast and you will burn most of your wood. Exposure to less wind will result in a slow burning fire, burning less wood throughout time. Remember, that weather related pressure also affects campfires so keep that in mind when selecting your campfire site.
You may think that there is not much difference between a long fire versus a tee-pee fire, but nothing could be further from the truth. A long fire built with 4-to-5-foot lengths of wood offer more heat than a smaller tee pee campfire. In the frigid cold nothing is better than a long fire. Of course, the way you gather wood changes because you have to source longer strips of wood to build a long fire. But you will reap the benefits of your hard work once you start your long fire. That should make you feel warm already.
Other campfires like the Dakota hole fire, the T Fire and the Keyhole fire are designed for use when you don't want a campfire out in the open. Keep in mind that these fires still give off light, especially when under a tree canopy. The lighter colored underside of leaves can act as a beacon and give away your position many miles away. Be mindful of that when siting a campfire.
Not thirsty, regular hydration is a must, as many people believe you need less water in cold weather than you would need in hot weather. That is simply not true, and you can easily dehydrate during a winter exercise. Not a good outcome in the cold- so drink plenty of water. Please do not put snow directly to your mouth, melt it in a cup then drink it from there. Cold ice in your mouth can lower your core temperature and that is obviously not a good idea when you are battling bitterly cold temperatures.
Speaking about cold temperatures, you will need shelter from the cold. In the snow you should opt for a snow shelter and in other instances you will need a tent. Is there such a thing as a cold weather tent? Of course there is. These tents are known as four season tents, or expedition tents known for their heavier fabric and stove pipe access. These tents have a very high hydrostatic head rating, also known as the point at which water permeates the fabric. The higher the rating the more resistant to water the tent will be. Yes, they are more expensive, but you get what you pay for.
Hungry, well foods should be lite, heavy foods like steak force your body to expend lots of energy breaking down the red meat. If you are on the move it is better to enjoy an easy to digest and lighter meal. I see many YouTube videos with folks eating massive steaks. This is a bad idea if you are on the move and in very cold weather. Lighter meals will suffice, just don’t gorge on anything heavy that will make you sluggish. Pasta is great because of the high energy offered by this meal.
Let's talk about essential equipment like lighters, matches, aluminum shovel, glycerin cotton balls or any other form of tinder with an accelerant. Always keep some on hand and learn how to use natures fire starters. An axe, knife, and hand warmers can come in handy as well, just select your gear judiciously and only carry what you know you will need. Opt for the lightweight options, avoid heavy items that will make the trip regrettable. Include a lighter and matches in every kit. Carry tinder in a tin case to protect it from the elements. If you don’t like axes opt for a hand saw that you take apart after use. It is lightweight and easily stored in your pack. I like the versatility of a good axe, but keep it sharpened and sheathed for when you need it.
Of course, there’s more but you will do well to get out there into the wild blue yonder and learn by doing. You will find that you may need more of less depending on your physical shape and your will to be as good as you can be at getting through these tough cold times. In any case, stay warm and safe trails out there…
