At 12 years old, my dad put me on a trail deep in the backcountry of the Cascades in pursuit of some beautiful Roosevelt elk. On our second day at elk camp, a snowstorm rolled in. We are both fans of hunting in the snow, so out we went. We parted ways to get the best chance of harvesting our big game. I headed out northeast — and he went northwest. I found a good spot with favorable wind and a decent game trail. The snow was dumping. I sat there as long as I could, waiting for a prize elk to walk by. I ate a few snacks and waited.
Nothing.
No elk.
Just a slow, peaceful day in the snow-covered mountains.
Eventually, it was time to join my dad back at our truck.
Thick snow clouds blotted out the direction of the sun. My footprints? Long gone under the inches of snow that dropped in my time out there. GPS? Nope. On X Maps? Still many years from launching. Yet, my life depended on me making it back to that truck. It occurred to me then that maybe I should consider packing a few more essential supplies next time: more snacks, a wet-weather firestarter, a compass, an emergency blanket, and a tarp. These are just a few items that came to mind that chilly day.
Backcountry adventures offer thrilling escapes into nature's vast, untamed beauty, but they also demand a keen awareness of safety due to the unpredictable nature of these wild environments (looking at you, Snowstorms). As you venture into remote landscapes, the weather can change in an instant, paths may blur, and unexpected challenges can arise, making good preparation vital.
This guide focuses on equipping you to rely on your car's trunk as a mobile base or pack your backpack for a trek deep into the wild. By understanding and preparing for each setting's unique demands, you can embrace the adventure with confidence and peace of mind.
Learning simple backcountry skills will significantly minimize your chances of encountering an emergency. Learn and practice skills like:
Starting a fire in wet conditions
Filtering water from natural resources
Building shelter with whatever resources you have available
Foraging for medicinal and edible plants
Navigating the terrain with a paper map and an analog compass (non-digital)
These skills can be the difference between a fun-filled adventure and a near-death experience. “In 2022, the National Park Service conducted about 3,400 search and rescue operations nationwide…” This averages over nine daily search and rescues needed! SAR teams are an incredible asset to the community of outdoor enthusiasts — but being adequately prepared can significantly decrease your likelihood of needing such a team.
Essential Safety Gear
Curate the gear listed below according to your needs. Some items would be wise to always keep in your vehicle — and others you would be wise to put in your pack. When preparing your gear, consider your basic physical needs: food, shelter, and warmth.
Keep in mind the Rule of 3 when it comes to survival. On average, a person can survive 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter in extreme conditions, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food.
Emergency Kit Minimums
First Aid Kit: Include bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, tourniquet, etc.
Flashlight and Batteries: Two reliable sources of light for the dark.
Blanket: This is for warmth in case of unexpected overnight stays.
Non-perishable Food and Bottled Water: It goes without saying that these are lifesavers.
Mobile Battery Pack for Jumping a Car: Jumping your battery without relying on a passerby is a huge win. If you are far out in the wilderness, you may not have the luxury of lots of help from other people.
Spare Tire and Tools: These are essential for everyday preparedness but critical in the backcountry.
When preparing for an adventure, equipping your car and/or backpack with a well-stocked emergency kit is crucial for ensuring safety and peace of mind. Start with a comprehensive First Aid Kit that includes essentials like bandages, antiseptics, and pain relievers to handle minor injuries and ailments that may occur in remote settings. A dependable Flashlight and extra Batteries are indispensable, offering a reliable light source when navigating in the dark or during power outages. I prefer to keep at least two headlamps. Pack a Blanket to provide warmth and comfort in case of unexpected overnight stays, especially in cold conditions. Opt for a high-quality emergency blank like a military-grade “woobie.”
Together, these items form the backbone of your emergency preparations, enabling you to handle unforeseen challenges with greater confidence and security.
Navigation and Communication
Map and Compass: A reliable backup to electronic devices.
Portable Phone Charger: Ensure communication devices remain functional.
PLB (Personal Locator Beacon): Having on hand a personal locator beacon can help Search and Rescue teams locate you faster in the event of an emergency
On X Maps: A great phone app with real-time tracking and detailed maps.
It can be so easy these days to rely on our electronic devices. But if your device loses all its charge, breaks, or has zero cell service, you can find yourself in trouble quickly. You may have all the right snacks and waterproof gear, but none of those things can help you from getting lost in the woods. It is paramount that you always carry an emergency paper map in the event that you are unable to use your electronic devices for directions.
That being said, I still love to use On X Maps regularly. Yes, keep a backup map and compass and know how to use them! But if you have a working device, On X Maps is an excellent tool with real-time tracking, detailed maps of current weather conditions, and more. You can explore more from On X Maps here.
Keep a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) for emergencies. These compact devices can send out an SOS to Search and Rescue (SAR) if you are in need of rescuing. A PLB drastically reduces the time it takes to locate and rescue victims. Hopefully, you will never have to use it, but in the event that you do need a SAR team, you will be so glad you were prepared. Additionally, some PLBs allow you to send out pre-written texts to saved contacts even when there is no cell service so that you can tell loved ones that you are doing well or that you will be home late. You can purchase a PLB from places like REI or Amazon. The Garmin In Reach is a reliable option and can be purchased here.
Food and Water
Non-perishable Snacks: High-energy items like beef jerky, nuts, and energy bars.
Water Bottles: Several liters of water stored for emergencies.
Water Filtration System: Keep a water filter to replenish water storage needs.
Ensuring adequate food and water resources is critical when venturing into the wilderness. These items sustain energy levels and hydration and can be lifesavers in emergencies. Here are some key considerations for packing food and water supplies:
High-Energy Items: Packing non-perishable snacks is a must for any backcountry adventure. Foods like beef jerky, nuts, energy bars, and freeze-dried meals are excellent choices due to their high energy content and long shelf life. These snacks are lightweight, easy to pack, and can provide the necessary calories to keep you fueled during demanding hikes or unexpected delays.
Water Bottles
Emergency Water Storage: Water is key when exploring remote areas. Carry several liters of water with you at all times, stored in durable, reusable water bottles. Extra water ensures you remain hydrated, which is crucial for maintaining physical and mental performance. In emergencies where you may be delayed or lost, having extra water can be the difference between a manageable wait and a dangerous situation.
Water Filtration System
Replenishing Water Needs: Despite carrying several liters of water, conditions may arise where your initial supply runs low, especially on longer trips. In such cases, a water filtration system becomes indispensable. You can safely replenish your water supply without risking exposure to harmful pathogens by purifying water from natural sources like streams or lakes. Portable water filters are compact, efficient, and easy to use, making them essential to any backcountry emergency kit. Sawyer Water filters are some of the best and most reliable filters on the market. This is a great lightweight option for traveling, backpacking, hunting, and more. Head over to www.sawyer.com to see all they have going on!
By preparing with these essential food and water resources, you are better equipped to handle unforeseen challenges in the wilderness. These items ensure your immediate survival needs are met and enhance your overall adventure experience, providing peace of mind and confidence as you explore the great outdoors.
Tools and Equipment
Multi-tool or Knife: Versatile tool for various situations.
Fire Starter Kit: Matches, lighters, or fire starters for warmth and cooking.
Portable Cooking Stove: a compact cook stove will drastically simplify meal prep.
Having the right gear is essential. But checking your gear before every outing is equally important — and maybe even your buddy’s gear.
Some years ago, my husband, brother-in-law, and I went on a 24-mile backpacking trip through some of the most beautiful backcountry just outside Leavenworth, WA. Peak backpacking season just happened to fall in peak wildfire season, too. When we arrived at the trailhead, we saw signs that we could not have any fires and that only certain camp stoves were acceptable for cooking. Check—we had the right gear. Our small cook stove was on the approved list.
So off we went on an adventure into the mountains to Lake Margaret. We got to our desired destination with great satisfaction and a beautiful view. We were ready for our hardy meal. The problem? Our cookstove wouldn’t work. We had the stove. We had the fuel. But something was broken with the stove, and it would not operate. With the fire ban and only so many pre-made snacks, we were sorely disappointed not to have a functioning cookstove.
These days, you better believe I check my camp stove and all my other essential gear to make sure they are in prime and functioning condition before I set out into the woods.
Shelter and Warmth
Keep these on hand:
Emergency Tarp/Shelter: Lightweight and waterproof.
Rain Gear: Waterproof jacket and pants for sudden weather changes.
Preparing with essential items like a tarp or emergency shelter and rain gear is crucial when exploring the wilderness. Weather conditions can change rapidly, and having a lightweight, waterproof tarp can provide immediate protection from rain or wind, ensuring your safety and comfort. Additionally, wearing waterproof jackets and pants helps keep you dry, reducing the risk of hypothermia and enhancing your overall survival chances. Proper preparation with these items allows you to focus on your adventure while minimizing the risks associated with unexpected weather.
Emergency shelter:
Keeping a simple waterproof tarp with strong grommets to tie off will be a huge blessing if you need quick emergency shelter.
Paracord:
Paracord is a staple in my hiking and hunting pack. Whether I need to build a quick shelter, tie up my camp food in bear country, or attach my hunting tag to my wild game, it is a versatile outdoor resource.
Ferro Fire Starter:
Ferro fire starters, or ferro rods, are essential for outdoor enthusiasts due to their reliability and versatility. They produce high-temperature sparks, allowing fire ignition in damp or windy conditions. Unlike matches or lighters, they are water-resistant and can be used in any weather. Lightweight and compact, they easily fit in backpacks or emergency kits. With a lifespan of thousands of strikes, ferro fire starters are crucial for warmth, cooking, and signaling in the wilderness.
Conclusion
In case you are still wondering… I made it out of the backcountry alive from the cold snowstorm I encountered many years ago during elk camp. Though I safely escaped that snowstorm, I reevaluated the gear I now bring.
Venturing into the wilderness offers breathtaking escapes into nature's raw beauty but requires careful preparation to ensure safety amidst unpredictable conditions. This guide underscores the importance of equipping yourself with essential safety gear, whether your journey relies on your vehicle as a mobile base or involves trekking deep into remote landscapes. This guide better prepares adventurers to tackle unforeseen challenges with confidence by highlighting crucial items such as a comprehensive first aid kit, reliable navigation tools, adequate food and water supplies, and versatile tools and equipment. Learning basic survival skills, like starting a fire in wet conditions and navigating with a map and compass, to enhance safety will also improve the quality of your adventure. Tailor your gear to specific trips, take inventory, and prepare thoroughly before embarking on any adventure to ensure safety and peace of mind.
Adventure wildly - but do it safely!
If you are interested in learning more about survival, check out our upcoming Women’s Wilderness Summit, where we will be learning essential survival techniques, Wilderness First Aid, animal butchery and processing, pistol fundamentals, concealed carry basics, animal tracking and identification, onX mapping essentials, backcountry health and fitness, and more!
Statistic from Fox 13 Now: https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/thousands-of-national-park-visitors-need-rescue-every-year-and-its-costing-taxpayers
*Please note that this post may contain affiliate links, which means that, at no extra cost to you, HOJ may get a small commission from the sale should you choose to purchase any of the items recommended in this post.
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