Photo by Dana Meek

Wilderness survival isn’t just for guys on television. Ask anyone who has survived being lost or injured in the wilderness and they’ll tell you they never thought it would happen to them. In fact, it’s often the more experienced adventurers who end up being rescued as they get over confident and take risks that novices wouldn’t attempt.

With 54 mountain peaks at or exceeding 14,000 feet – not to mention hundreds with lower summits – Colorado country attracts scores of hikers, mountain bikers, high lakes fishermen, climbers and horsemen each summer. Dana Meek with Custer County Search and Rescue is trained in both high ropes rescue and wilderness first aid. He and the CCSAR team have rescued – or recovered – numerous subjects over the years, both those who have summited the treacherous Crestone Needle and those who simply hunt mushrooms in the nearby Wet Mountains. “There are some very simple steps everyone should take before heading into the wilderness,” he says. “Statistically speaking, people missing beyond 24 hours have about a 50 percent survival rate. Each additional day drops your chances again by close to 25 percent. After four days our rescue efforts usually turn into a recovery mission.”

Meek says there are five must-dos that anyone planning on entering the wilderness should undertake to increase their chance of survival in the event they get injured or lose their way.

1.    Be aware of weather patterns. In the high country the monsoon season starts around the beginning of July, meaning that a cloudless morning can turn into a stormy afternoon. “If you are going to climb mountains in Colorado in July, leave early and plan on summitting by noon,” Meek advises. That way, if you’re caught in a storm, you’re already on your way down the mountain, away from the peak where lightning strikes occur often. Meek recommends www.14ers.com where climbers log in conditions frequently after outings.

2.    Dress appropriately. “Search and Rescue communities have a saying, ‘cotton kills’,” says Meek. That’s because once wet, cotton is slow to dry and can lead to hypothermia. “It’s best to dress in layers of wool, which is a great insulator, or quick-drying synthetics,” he says. If you end up having to spend the night in the wild, being warm and dry greatly increases your chance of survival.

3.    Prepare to hydrate. Colorado’s cool mountain temperatures can be deceiving. In fact, Meek says, “southern Colorado is actually considered high desert” with very low humidity. Be sure to bring enough water along – or bring a water purifier as streams can contain Giardia, a water-borne parasite that can cause chronic intestinal problems. “Take plenty of water breaks and if you begin to feel nauseous, disoriented or headache pain, start moving to a lower elevation – that’s the only way to cure altitude sickness.”

4.    Share your plans. Meek recalls a mission that his team embarked upon when the family of an out-of-state climber on a solitary adventure reported – days past when he would have descended - that he did not arrive home at the airport as planned. “Always let someone know where you plan to be, and when you plan to return,” he says. If you’re climbing, be sure to sign in at trailheads – it will help rescue teams track your movements to best determine the scenario that may have led to your getting lost. “We often see the same patterns, so letting us know where you’ve been can lead to us finding you faster.”

5.    Pack survival essentials. In addition to water or a purifier and appropriate clothing, Meek suggests bringing, at a minimum, a good pocketknife, waterproof matches, a rain poncho, energy bars, string or light rope, and a whistle. “With these six things you can build a fire and shelter, stave off hunger to stay sharp, and alert rescuers as to your location.”

In the event you do get lost, Meek advises to stop wandering any farther. “Your instinct is to keep moving, thinking you can find your way out. But nine times out of 10, you’ll end up moving farther away from your entry point, adding to rescue time. Make your shelter, build a fire, stay hydrated and blow your whistle for five minutes every hour.” For more information, visit any Colorado Search and Rescue site or register for a survival class with Colorado’s Wilderness Survival Institute.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also be interested in other topics about Colorado country life such as what do do in July, what to drive in the country, and tips for relocating to the country.

Dina Meek lives in the Colorado country town of Westcliffe where she writes, parents and tries to stay as safe as possible. You can read more about her country life at www.thecrisischronicles.blogspot.com.