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Since moving to the Pacific Northwest, my partner and I have tried to stay active by doing frequent day hikes in the many local parks and recreational areas.  When possible, we also take our 2 dogs, Snickers and Jasper along for the ride.  Both dogs love to get out and about and really seem to enjoy the hike as much as we do.

Snickers, our long hair dachshund, is very finicky when it comes to getting wet or dirty and will go out of his way to avoid any standing water or mud puddles.  Jasper, our Min Pin, will go full steam ahead and damn the puddles, cliffs or any lake that may be in his path.  He loves to stop at every tree, rock, leaf or branch and smell and or do his business.  He is in constant motion which is exactly what got him in trouble one beautiful day last winter.

We had all decided to go hiking up near Bonneville Dam in Southern Washington.  The Tamanous Trail is a 5.8 mile hike that originates at the Bonneville Trail head and ends at a Gillette Lake.  This trail is a easy hike with only a 648 foot elevation.  At the end of the trail, just as you crest the hill, you are presented with an incredible view of the lake.    

This was Jasper’s first hike with us since adopting him from one of Portland’s local rescue shelters.  Snickers was an old pro by now and started out at his normal leisurely but cautionary pace.  Jasper on the other hand took off like a bat out of you know where.  He had to smell and pee and bark and just plain run havoc all over the place.  We had put him on a 20 foot lead and he made use of every inch of that lead.  In short, he was in doggy heaven. 

Two hours into our hike we crossed an old logging road and climbed a short hill.  At the top of the hill was the overlook to the lake.  It was the middle of January and about 20 degrees with a strong wind coming off the Gorge.  This meant that we had the place to ourselves since there were no other crazy people out hiking that day. 

From the top of the hill, it is a steady downhill trek to the lake.  With Jasper leading the way, we were there in just a few minutes.   The lake is in a small canyon which blocked most of the wind and gave the lake a mirror like surface.  We were all quite taken by the beauty of the lake and we standing there just admiring the view when Jasper bolted and at full speed, jumped into the lake.  Luckily, he still had his lead on and we were able to retrieve him in short order.  However, the look on his face was priceless.  That water had to be about 30 degrees and I can only imagine the shock of hitting that water from a dead run.

We dried him off as best we could and tried to get him warm, but he just shivered and shivered.  Greg ended up putting Jasper in his coat and carrying him the rest of the hike.  But I think Jasper was quite content in being carried and of course, he had to have his head out all the time so he could see all around.

Aside from Jasper’s unexpected mid-winter swim, I think he had a great first hike.  We have been on numerous hikes since then and he is still gets very excited about going.  But there is one thing we have noticed.  Jasper is no longer quite so anxious to go swimming.

Tags: Hiking, Jasper, Personal Adventure

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In the article, How To Dress for Cold Weather Adventures, I addressed how to dress for cold weather activities.  In this article, I will discuses what happens when you don’t follow my advice.

Hypothermia, sometimes referred simply as “exposure”, is a lowering of the body’s core temperature caused by over-exposure to cool or cold air or water.  Most people know that extremely cold weather can cause problems and therefore most hypothermia cases are not seen during the winter months.  Most cases of hypothermia occur during the spring, summer and fall because people do not recognize that it does not take sub-zero conditions to cause hypothermia.

There are three major factors that cause hypothermia: cold, water, and wind.  In a cold environment, the body must work harder to regulate heat.  Body heat is lost in one of or the combination of three ways; convection, conduction and evaporation.  Contact with cold air, water, snow, ground or wet clothing will cause heat loss due to conduction.  Submersion in water will cause heat lost due to conduction and convection. While loss of body heat by evaporation is a major contributor as well.  Wet skin or clothing can cool the body quickly through evaporation, especially if it is windy and or cold.  Wind, in the absence of moisture will cause heat loss due to convection, and will accelerate heat loss due to evaporation.

While the basic effects of air or water induced hypothermia are similar, the speed of which hypothermia set in differs.  A person immersed in moderately cold water can have a drop of core temperature more quickly that a person exposed to cold ambient temperatures and wind.  50 degree water can drain a body’s heat quickly, often lowering the core temperature to less than 90 degrees in the first 15 min.  Shivering sets in quickly in an attempt to increase body temperature.  However, as the body continues to lose heat, the person will soon become unconscious and if the person is not wearing a proper flotation device, drowning is a common outcome. With air or wind induced hypothermia, depending on air temperature and wind speed, the symptoms may not be so apparent.  During the primary stage of hyperthermia, the victim may not acknowledge that there is a problem. Progression begins with a natural sense of cold accompanied by shivering.  A feeling of numbness then occurs while shivering increases to where it’s soon uncontrollable. Speech is garbled or incoherent, and the thought process slows. Body movements are erratic, and uncovered skin swells and appears blue. Unconsciousness follows and death can occur if the cooling is allowed to continue.  

The treatment for hypothermia is the same regardless of the cause.  It requires that the body core temperature be raised to a normal level.  Some recommended suggestions include:

• Removing wet or damp clothing
• Placed into a sleeping bag along with someone who is not suffering from the same symptoms
• Huddling near a fire or some other heat source.  Care must be taken here because, if frost bite has set in, the victim may not be able to feel the heat from the fire and a bad burn may result
• If available, place warm containers in the arm pits and groin of the victim.  Place a dry hat and socks on the victim if available.
• DO NOT GIVE ALCOHOL
• If the condition is so severe that it appears that the victim is not breathing, start CRP and maintain a proper airway.  Do not stop the CRP.  If possible, have someone else continue the warming attempts while CPR is in progress.  Most often, a person who is in severe hypothermia will respond to CRP once the body core temperature raises. 
• If the victim stops shivering but appears to still be hypothermic, he may be experiencing the onset of shock.  The treatment is the same as for hyporthermia except raising the legs above the heart is a good first step. 
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

  To prevent hypothermia, simply follow this advice:

• Dress properly for current and possible conditions. Have at least one wool garment for the upper and lower parts of your body. Wool is the only material with any insulating value when wet. Carry or wear a windproof, waterproof garment. Always have a wool hat and wool mittens. Have extra clothing available especially mittens and hats. A large proportion of body heat is lost through the head. Wear suitable boots, insulated if necessary; wear wool socks, and always carry extra wool socks. Avoid getting overheated and perspiring; this cools you down – fast. Wear layers and remove clothing as necessary. Better having extra than too little. Dress sensibly and expect the worst
• Sit out bad weather. Better waiting than be overtaken by a blizzard or thunderstorm. Do not push on through the night. Make camp early and rest thoroughly. You can continue tomorrow with a much greater safety margin.  Do not get exhausted. Exhaustion promotes heat loss, and thus hypothermia. Besides, if your exhausted, you are probably drenched
• Do not get in over your head. If your experience is limited to day hikes on moderate trails, do not try to go out and tackle Mt. Washington in February. Be smart. Learn to use a map and compass. Learn fire starting techniques. Learn first-aid. Be calm. Be prepared
• Be prepared for sudden weather changes especially at elevations
• Lastly, learn about hypothermia. Know the causes, warning signs, and treatment. Learn how not to get cold.

Tags: Camping, Clothing, Hiking, Hyperthermia, Jasper Mountain Outfitters, JMOutfitters, Outdoor Supply, Supplies

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This time of year, outdoor activities can be more of a challenge then a recreational event. In my area of the country (Pacific Northwest) October through January is our normal wet season. It rains pretty much all the time and when it is not raining it is cold and damp. To most people, going outdoors in this kind of environment is just plain crazy. But to those of us who enjoy the great outdoors, this time of year can offer a real chance to get away from all the crowds and tourists that usually take all the available camping spots during the summer months. However, weather like this can and usually does present some definite problems. The cold temperatures and all the rain can present dangerous conditions for the adventurist that is not prepared. Staying dry and warm is the key to having a fun and relaxing cold weather outdoor experience.

Below are some tips to keep in mind when venturing out during the cooler months.

Your activity level will determine what kind of clothing you should wear while venturing into the cold weather. The key is to wear multiple layers of clothes so that you can remove or add clothing as the environment and your activity level changes. Your clothing should be designed to keep your body heat at a stable level and equal out heat loss and heat gain. You should be able to be comfortable whether you’re are moving around or sitting still.

In cold, wet weather, cotton is not your friend. Cotton holds moisture, whether it be from the wet environment or from sweating. As we all know, persistent moisture can not only cause things like blisters and skin irritation, but can cause loss of body heat as well. Wet clothing is the number one cause of hypothermia in cold weather activities. Every effort must be taken to keep your clothing dry while in cold weather conditions.

Like I said before, layering is the key to determining what kind of clothing you should wear. Basically, you should have 3 layers of clothes with each providing a different purpose.

The first layer should employ clothing that will remove moisture away from your skin. This will prevent heat loss due to moisture build up. Clothing comprising polypropylene or some other kind of synthetic is best suited for this purpose.

The second layer is the insulation layer. This should be clothing that will keep the heat in and the cold out. This is best material suited for this is fleece. It is light and warm, but does not shed water readily so the last layer of clothing is very important.

The third layer is for keeping the water and wind out. It should comprise of water proof materials such as Gore-Tex. This material is light weight, very wind and water resistant and warm. And for all you who are designer conscious, it comes in many different styles and colors as well.

Staying dry and warm can mean the difference in having a great time while hiking or camping and being found by a rescue party 2 weeks after setting out. If you follow the advice above, not only will you have a great time in your outdoor activity, but you will look like you are having a great time as well.

Tags: Camping, Clothing, Gore-Tex, Hiking, JMOutfitters, Outdoor Supply, Supplies

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Packing a backpack seems like a simple task, but are you really packing correctly and including the things that you should? If you plan to take a backpacking trip there are certain things to think about like the length of your trip, the weather etc. The information about your trip will then help you know what you need and how much you need to pack. Aside from understanding what you need, how much you need and how to pack everything into your backpack. Learning and understanding what items are of the upmost importance could in fact save your life if you find yourself in a sticky situation.

Tags: Camping, Equipment, GPS, Hiking, JMOutfitters, Supplies

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Being the type of person who loves the outdoors, I love to get out and just go. I love to go places that few have been.  Withme there does not have to be a reason to just get away from the city with all of the congestion and rushing around and people who are living too fast to actually enjoy their lives.  With me, it’s all about taking some time to actually enjoy my life.

Quite a while ago I came across this “past time” called geocaching. I will admit that at first I thought the concept was silly.  However, now that I have done it a few times, I really see the fun in it.  What little child doesn’t grow up playing pirates? Who doesn’t relish matching wits with other ourdoor adventurists?   Welcome to the world of geocaching.

Geocaching is a popular outdoor adventure that is one of the fastest growing outdoor hobbies in the US.  Well that is, of course, just my opinion.  But, if it is not, then it should be.

So what is geocaching?  It is a world wide “treasure hunt” or hide & seek.  Basically, someone takes a plastic, waterproof container out into the woods somewhere and hides it.  Within that container is some simple little trinket or “Treasure” along with a log book for people to sign once they find my treasure.  And then, using my handy little Garmin Colorado, 400T GPS, I mark on a map the exact coordinates of my treasure. Then, once I get home, I log on to the geocaching website, and place the information about my treasure location there.

At that website, you can post the exact coordinates or a series of clues that will lead some one to that spot.  It all depends on how hard you wish to make it.   Just remember that you want to challenge the person trying to find it without making it impossible to find.  Sometimes people will make up some form of simple riddle that you would have to solve before you would know where to go.  These riddles can be quite complicated and require some research to find while other will make the riddle very simple to follow.

An example would look like the following:

Down by the river there is an old knotty tree that looks like a dog with two backwards knees. The dogs first leg will get you wet.  If you search the second or third then zero is what you get. The fourth is where to start so prepare to hike and don’t loose heart. Walk 50 paces due east from this twisted leg and find the stump hidden in the hedge.

This example, at first glance, makes no sense at all but given more information it would be fairly easy to decipher. If the author was to give a park name or specific river or even a location of the tree then this cache would be a fairly simple find.

Some people will get very creative with their clues so be prepared to think. If you are still having trouble figuring out the riddle there are usually hints located under them to help you figure them out. Sometimes they are written in code and you have to work to get the hint right. If you are STILL having issues with the hints there is a decipher button that will tell you what the hints are and you can figure out the clues from there.

So what items are placed in the cache? Well, it is important to remember that not everyone is honest so don’t place anything in a cache that you can not afford to lose.  The idea is to place something in the cache for people to find and then report back to you what it is that they found.  Another example is a “take something and leave something” policy.  Meaning that the once the original object is found, you then replace it with a new object for the next person to find. 

A third technique involves, “Travel bugs.”  These are small metal ID tags that are etched with a number and a picture of a bug. These travel bugs are meant for you to take and go to the website and tell where you found it. Then, when you find your next cache, you replace the bug in that cache for the following person to do the same thing. This way the bug travels from place to place (hence the name). 

Sometimes people will even place disposable cameras in the case for the treasure hunter to take a picture of himself.  Then, at some future date, the film is developed and the pictures are posted on the geocaching site.  The possibilities are endless and it is very fun to “match wits” with the hider of the case.

Geocaching is done easiest with a GPS unit.  Some units are programmable and will lead you to the exact location of the case.  However, don’t be fooled.  Even though you may know the exact location, it might not be easy to fine. Some will be hidden rather well and others will have elaborate coverings. They can be well hidden and will take patience and persistence to find.

Geocaching is fun, but can be very challenging at times.  It’s a great outdoor activity for all ages and can be a great opportunity for a family to spend some quality time together in the outdoors.  Just be very careful.  It can become very addicting.

Tags: Colorado 400T, Garmin, Geocaching, GPS, Hiking, JMOutfitters, Outdoor Supply