Wilderness Skills - Olympia Mountaineers

During cold weather, it is even more important to consciously drink water, because you don't see or feel
yourself sweating like you do when it's hot. Furthermore, because cold air doesn't hold as much moisture as
warm air, your body must use its moisture to warm the cold air that you breathe before it gets to your lungs.
Drinking warm water will conserve body heat and energy. Consider carrying an insulated water bottle carrier
and put hot water in your bottles before you leave (you can add boiling water to a polycarbonate (Lexan) bottle
as long as the bottle is not too cold). You may want to carry a thermal bottle in cold weather.
In freezing weather, carry or store your water bottle upside down; if the water begins to freezes, the ice will
form at the top of the up-side-down bottle where the air is, and won't freeze the threads. The drinking tube of a
water bladder can quickly freeze and become useless in very cold temperatures. Be prepared to access the
water without the tube. On overnight trips when the night time temperature is at or below freezing, there may
be no running water available in the morning. You will likely need to melt snow or ice with your stove and then
filter the water for safe drinking. Boiling the water is an option, but will require considerable time and fuel.
Clean your water containers regularly, especially if you use them for sugary drinks: mold or bacteria can grow
on bottle threads or in drinking tubes, and may make you sick with dysentery.
Clothing and Equipment
This section and the accompanying lecture is meant to offer
additional information on clothing and equipment -- what it costs,
where to get it, what you will need for success during the course’s
required field trip, and what factors you should consider for a
lifetime of enjoyment in the backcountry. We will look at your
equipment during the upcoming outdoor workshop and if you
wish, during lectures when appropriate, to be sure your
equipment will meet the demands of this course. Your instructors
may also be able to make recommendations on practical ways to
minimize your expenditures.
With new gear being developed as you read your materials, you
need to remember this information is not up-to-the-minute. Having
the right equipment can be a life-long pursuit. There’s always new
and improved gear available to consider. Many people enjoy
researching and shopping for the “right” gear to help improve their
performance and enjoyment.
As a student, you’ll notice some experienced outdoor travelers have become first-rate technical experts on
clothing and equipment. Their opinions are valuable to you, since you’ll probably be making substantial
purchases in the near future. You may also find their opinions very useful in purchasing “experienced” (used)
equipment. Please feel free to ask questions and compare opinions.
You may notice the occasional “Gearhead” who has simply overdone the quest for gear. Gearing Up can be a
sport in itself. But it’s not really necessary unless you are planning a solo expedition to an uncharted
wilderness or an epic backpacking trip into a very remote location.
At the other extreme is the ”Minimalist” who enjoys the challenge of carrying as little as possible and relying
on wits and resourcefulness to overcome any emergency. Duct tape and painkillers don’t really serve well as a
first aid kit, nor does a trash bag serve as extra clothing and rain gear. It’s nice to know you can improvise in a
pinch, but the lack of basic backup equipment can be very hazardous. By making it a habit to carry only what is
absolutely going to be used, a person is not really prepared for the unexpected and is likely to become a
liability to companions or other encountered on the trail.
Wilderness Skills Module Page 18 of 73
Olympia Mountaineers - Hiking, Alpine Scrambling and Basic Climbing