Dear intrepid explorers,
After unexpectedly being invited to join this long-standing annual expedition, the first thought on my mind was survival! Where do I get all the necessary equipment needed and how would a city dweller like myself avoid the dangers I could face in the Pyrenees. Thankfully the Lion times has proven a real treasure trove of information ahead of the trip.
As a rookie explorer I have decided to build on some of the survival pieces that were added to the Lion Times in 2013 and 2014 by going into a bit more detail on surviving an unplanned night in the mountains. I have scoured the internet for help and will try to succinctly outline some of the key ingredients in making it through cold, rain and darkness. In order of importance: shelter, fire, and finally water. I think all of us should be able to survive one night without food!
- Shelter: For shelter dig deep snow pit, of around 5 feet. Skis, branches and hiking poles are useful to create scaffolding for the roof. Large leaves and foliage as well as small branches are then stacked on top of the scaffolding to complete the roof. Inside the shelter, snow benches covered in branches are best to allow all members of the team to sit and huddle up together in the shelter to preserve warmth. Positive communication, teamwork and keeping the mind busy with tasks will go a long way in preventing everyone from getting caught up in negative thoughts. Please look at the diagrams below for both snow and forest shelters.
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- Fire: Fire provides an endless list of functions from light, to warmth to purifying water and grilling meat, as well as to signal for help. A fire, however, must be planned, prepared, coaxed, laboured, fed and watched. The ability to make fire in varied conditions with varied tools is a critical survival skill and one that involves practice, trial, error, failure and patience. From natural materials to modern tools, it is wise to be knowledgeable in a variety of fire starting methods. Hopefully there will be a smoker amongst us which would save us a lot of hassle in having to do this.
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- Water Sources:
- Clear flowing water ideally not originating from a polluting source. If you come across a spring or stream while outdoors, take advantage of it and top off your water bottles. Lakes, ponds and rivers are less ideal. The first two are stagnant, which may mean increased levels of bacteria and other gross things, while large rivers are typically full of pollution.
- Snow and ice can provide a good, readily available source of clean water in the winter. Never eat snow or ice, doing so will lower your body temperature while not doing as much for hydration as melted water will. To melt snow, put it in a container with a little water in the bottom and bring that up to temperature, adding more as the snow melts.
- Never drink seawater or urine, but if they're all you've got, you can boil them and collect the steam with a plastic sheet or bag. A solar still works similarly, but much, much, much slower.
- Wrap branches in plastic and, over time, condensation will form and small amounts of water will collect at low points in the plastic. Never do this with a poisonous plant.
By Patrick Fietje