Memorial Day - May 31, 2010

Honoring those who gave their lives for our freedom!

Prepping - Being Prepared for Change

Most “preppers” enjoy a relatively common lifestyle. They also enjoy many of the same technological advances as do many of their neighbors. They also have comparatively nice homes with many of the same amenities that people have a tendency to take for granted. The majority are not “doom and gloomers” or “hard-core” survivalists. They are simply people that realize things can and sometimes do change and not always for the better. So what is the real difference between a “prepper” and their neighbor?

It is the self-assurance that they can still get by if a family member becomes unemployed because they have put back an emergency cash fund for the here and now versus the long-term savings plan many have but can’t access until retirement without a penalty.

It is the self-assurance that they can treat an injured family member using their first aid or CPR skills. They know that when a crisis happens you may only have seconds to respond to a medical emergency and that it can make a difference in what could be a life or death situation.

It is the self-assurance that they won’t be stumbling around in the dark, eating a cold meal, or shivering in a cold room if there is a power outage. They realize that power can be interrupted during a disaster or a storm and plan accordingly. They don’t intend to wait days or weeks until the utility companies are able to respond.

It is the self-assurance that they won’t have to wait for the government or someone else to step in and help. They plan on taking care of themselves. They know the value of being personally responsible for themselves and their families.

Preppers are ordinary people who plan just slightly ahead of the curve in the road that lies ahead. They realize there are things that can happen that you won’t see coming. A little extra measure of preparedness and planning is necessary if you plan on being prepared for a change in your normal lifestyle during a crisis or a disaster.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Rio Grande River Gorge

Rio Grande River Gorge - Mountain View

The Rio Grande River is one of the twenty-five longest rivers in the world. It is also the fifth longest in North America. The Rio Grande River begins close to the Continental Divide in the San Juan Mountains and runs approximately 470+ miles through New Mexico and then continues into Texas where it forms the international border between Texas and Mexico for almost 1,250 miles and then empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The Rio Grande River is also between 1,800 and 1,900 miles in overall length. The river does change course from time to time and this affects its length at any given time.

Rio Grande Gorge - River View

This part of the Rio Grande River in New Mexico has had several different names over the years but the names were mainly used to describe this section of the headwaters of the Rio Grande River that runs through northern New Mexico. This is not a typical gorge that has been formed by the river itself but is actually a geological formation known as a rift valley. The rift valley came first and the river simply followed later. Rift valleys are formed when there is a separation in the earth’s crust which is usually caused by faulting. The gorge itself is approximately 650 feet deep in this section and very mild earthquakes still occur along the Rio Grande Rift.

Got rift valley?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Awareness - Changing Conditions

Below the Snow Line

Being aware of your surroundings is a priority in any type of survival situation. Realizing that conditions can sometimes change quickly and drastically will help you be prepared to face any challenges due to those changes. Whether you are hiking a mountain trail or traveling in a rural or urban area your environment change rapidly. These changes can be due to terrain, weather or the presence of others (people, wildlife, etc.).

Maintaining an awareness of changing conditions is largely a mental discipline. Make a mental note of the small changes in your environment and it will help you avoid a big surprise. Abrupt changes in any environmental conditions should be a signal that something could be wrong and you may suddenly find yourself in harm's way or in a situation you may not be prepared for properly.

At the Snow Line

A great example of this is mountain hiking. You can be below the snow line one minute and then suddenly find yourself knee deep in the white stuff. It's best to be prepared ahead of time and have an awareness of changing conditions. Your survival could depend upon it.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Natural Camouflage - Blending in Naturally Part 5

Mountain Trail

Many times when out hiking a mountain trail or traveling through the woods people fail to notice things because Nature has designed it that way. There will be other things present you may be unaware of simply by failing to see what others don't.

Grouse

Many times there are a number of creatures present in your environment that go unnoticed simply because we fail to use our powers of observation. RW, Jr. managed to get this great pic of a grouse while hiking up a mountain trail in New Mexico. These birds blend in quite well with their surroundings and will require close attention on your part if you want to find them.

Grouse in Pine Tree

Once the bird became aware of RW, Jr.'s presence, it immediately took flight up into a nearby pine tree. Even in a fairly exposed position in the tree, it can be still quite difficult to see. even in such an open position it blends in well with it's surroundings.

Grouse Close-Up

Here's a close-up pic of the grouse that RW, Jr. took before he moved on up the mountain trail. He was headed on up to the snow line.

Snow Line on the Mountain

My special thanks to RW, Jr. for these great pics!

Got powers of observation?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Here's a view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico that I recently visited on my travels.

Enjoy the view!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Mountain Survival Shelters - The Debris Hut

Debris Hut 001

Debris Hut 002

Shelter is one of the main requirements for survival and Nature provides plenty of building materials for you. Building a survival shelter can be hard work. If done properly, it can make a big difference in your survival. Here are some pics of an actual debris hut.

Nature will supply you with the materials needed for your survival. The rest is up to you.

Got debris hut?

Staying above the debris line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - RW Snowman

While out on the mountain trail, I took a little time to build a quick snowman in some of the snow that hadn't melted yet. There was still quite a bit of snow left at around the 10,000 foot level.

Staying above the snow line!

Riverwalker (aka, Mountainwalker)

A High Country Adventure - Part One - A Snowy Surprise

Snow on the Cabin

Snow on Trees

Snow on Woodpile

We got a snowy surprise upon our arrival at the mountain cabin. There was a light snow of about 4 inches during the night that left most everything covered in the white stuff. Apparently I didn't wait long enough for the snow to melt. There was an easy solution to this problem.

A warm fireplace!

A Warm Fireplace

The snow melted pretty fast and the snow melt could be seen running off the mountains in numerous places. This left most of the streams running pretty fast.

Mountain Snow Melt

The Rio Pueblo was running quite swiftly due to the run-off and was quite impressive when compared with it's usual water flow.

Rio Pueblo at Sipapu

This was a great start to a high country adventure!

Staying above the snow line!

Riverwalker (aka, Mountainwalker)

Riverwalker's Pics - Cabin in a Mountain Valley

Cabin in the Valley

Be gone for a few days. The trout are waiting for me.

Staying above the tree line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Going Up the Mountain

Going Up the Mountain

Time for a little hiking! The plan is to be Mountainwalker for a while.

Staying above the tree line!

Riverwalker

Hiking and Walking Tips - Avoiding Blisters

Blisters are one of the more common foot ailments that can affect people when out hiking or walking, especially over rugged terrain. Taking the time to properly care for your feet will save you a lot of misery when on a long hike or if you're just taking a short walk. Proper care of your feet is a necessity. You won't go very far if you don't.

Tips to Avoid Blisters

1. If you feel a blister starting, take off your hiking boots or shoes and give your feet a chance to cool down and dry out.

2. Treat any areas where you feel a blister starting by covering them with moleskin, a band-aid or duct tape to prevent further chances of blistering.

3. Put on clean, dry socks. You need to carry an extra pair with you. Wet feet will blister quickly.

4. Empty any sand, dirt or rocks from your hiking boots or shoes on a regular basis.

5. Reduce the swelling in your feet that occurs during hiking or walking by stopping to rest your feet at regular intervals.

Remember to take care of your feet and they’ll take care of you!

Got blisters?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Emergency Survival Rations - Pemmican Recipe

Pemmican, which was originally a food of Native Americans, has become a very nutritious food item that works well as an emergency survival ration. It is generally made from several different types of foods that can be combined to suit the personal tastes of almost everyone. Here is a simple recipe that can be used to make pemmican.

Pemmican Recipe

1/2 cup Fruit (raisins, apples, apricots, etc.)

1/2 cup Cereal (wheat germ, graham crackers, granola etc.)

1/2 cup Seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.)

1/2 cup Nuts (walnuts, peanuts, cashews, etc.)

1/2 cup Powdered milk

1/4 cup Honey

2 teaspoons Lemon juice

Option: Add shredded jerky or dried sausage to make a meat pemmican. You will need to make sure that the sausage or jerky has a very low fat content.

Use at least one item from each of the different kinds of food. Coarse grind the dry ingredients and then combine with the dried milk, lemon juice, and honey. Thoroughly mix all the ingredients together and shape your pemmican mixture into small rolls about the size of your finger. Wrap each individual roll of pemmican separately using either foil or plastic wrap to make your own emergency survival rations.

The choice of ingredients can be varied to suit the individual tastes of your family members.

You can also find an excellent recipe for making pemmican here:

http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/how-to-make-pemmican/

Got DIY emergency survival rations?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Gearing Up

Things are going be a little hectic around the Riverwalker household as the process of gearing up for our mountain trip gets started. RW, Jr. and myself were checking some gear yesterday prior to the trip. It's important to get things lined up in advance as far as equipment goes. From our hiking boots to our walking sticks, first aid kits to survival kits and everything in between, it's a lot of stuff to check.

Since we're going to be a long way from home, we need to make sure our bases are covered when it comes to gearing up.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Flood Survival Tips

Floods and flash floods are a common occurrence in my area and are an almost daily fact of life. During unusually heavy rains or spring snow melts, flash floods will often develop suddenly and unexpectedly catching many people unaware. Flash floods alone cause hundreds of deaths each year due to drowning. Most of these deaths are caused by people driving their cars into high water areas during the flooding and could have been avoided. While most property damage cannot be easily avoided, knowing a few basic facts about floods and the effects of moving water can drastically increase your chances of survival.

Flood Survival Tips

1. Be alert to weather forecasts in your area during periods of excessive rainfall and know the terminology used to describe the hazard levels.

Flood Watch: Flooding is possible in your area.

Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible in your area.

Flood Warning: A flood is occurring or will happen soon as stream or river levels rise.

Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring. Move to higher ground immediately.

2. Be aware of your flood risk and have an evacuation route planned in advance.

3. Never cross a road or highway that has been flooded.

4. Turn off the power to avoid possible electrocution hazards.

5. Avoid contact with flood waters as they may be contaminated.

6. Avoid driving your vehicle during flood conditions.

7. Abandon your vehicle immediately if it becomes flooded.

8. Don’t walk through flood waters as it is difficult to judge water currents.

9. If you are caught in flood waters, go over obstacles and keep your feet pointed downstream.

10. If you are stranded above the flood waters, stay there till rescued.

Know that driving your vehicle during flood conditions is extremely hazardous. The saying “Turn around, don’t drown!” if followed may save your life.

Always remember these simple facts:

Six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

Twelve inches of water can cause your vehicle to float.

Two feet of water can sweep your vehicle completely off the road.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Summer Survival - Avoiding Dehydration

The effects of dehydration can lead to death during a disaster, a crisis or even a common everyday activity. It doesn’t matter if you are in an outdoor or an urban setting. You can also suffer the effects of dehydration in both hot and cold weather. The lack of sufficient fluid for your body will be devastating in either case. The effects of severe dehydration are quite often fatal. The most disturbing thing is that quite often a little advance planning and a decent knowledge about the effects of dehydration and how to treat it can save a life. Except in cases of severe dehydration, the average person can usually treat minor cases of dehydration until proper medical help can be obtained. Without a doctor present or a hospital which is readily available, everyone needs to learn how to recognize and treat the effects of dehydration.

Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration:

One of the first things you should learn is the signs and symptoms of dehydration. You need to be able to recognize dehydration when it occurs in order to start effective treatment as soon as possible. The signs and symptoms may include any or all of the following:

Thirst

Dark colored urine

Lack of, infrequent urination or an inability to urinate

Muscle cramping

Little or no sweat

Dry mouth or nose

Dry skin that feels tight

Weakness, dizziness or a feeling you may faint

Persons at High Risk for Dehydration:

The next thing about dehydration that everyone should know is that the risk factors are different for individuals depending upon your age, the type of activity you are involved in and your physical condition. Persons at risk include the following:

Infants and small children have a high risk factor and are highly susceptible to the effects of dehydration.

Persons that may have current health problems and are taking medications that may contribute to or cause dehydration.

Elderly persons or those persons with weakened immune systems.

Persons involved in strenuous physical activities.

Persons active in extremely hot or cold environments are also highly susceptible to the effects of dehydration.

Avoiding Dehydration

Another important aspect you should be aware of is the simple things you can do to avoid the effects of dehydration. The best treatment for dehydration is to avoid it if at all possible.

Stay hydrated at all times. Making drinking plenty of water on a frequent basis part of your normal routine.

Drink extra water if you are eating dry or salty foods.

Allow time for a water break when involved in any type of strenuous activity.

Always have plenty of safe drinking water available.

Regularly include fresh fruits and vegetables with a high water content in your diet.

Don’t drink untreated water. Water from ponds, streams, rivers etc. that hasn’t been properly treated will probably cause you to become sick. This may make you even more susceptible to the effects of dehydration.

Treating Dehydration

There are some simple steps to help treat dehydration in minor cases that don’t require immediate medical help. In cases of severe dehydration you should always seek immediate medical attention.

Give individuals showing signs of dehydration small and frequent amounts of water, juice or electrolyte solutions (sports drinks, etc.) until their symptoms get better.

Limit the physical activity of persons exhibiting signs of dehydration.

Treat critical areas of the body such as armpits and groin areas with moist cloths to minimize further dehydration.

Try to minimize the dehydrating effects of environmental conditions by moving the affected person to either a cooler environment, in the case of extremely warm temperatures, or a warmer area, in the case of extremely cold temperatures.

In an emergency situation, you can make an expedient oral rehydration solution by mixing 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 3 tablespoons of sugar to a quart of safe drinking water.

Always seek proper medical attention if there is severe dehydration. Extreme dehydration can be fatal if left untreated.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - In the Wrong Place

Did you ever get the feeling that maybe you were "In the Wrong Place"? Sometimes you have to trust your "gut" instincts in a survival situation.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

DIY Gear Repair - How to Fix a Tarp with a Rock

Being able to make field expedient repairs to your gear is a necessary survival skill. One of the pieces of gear that can cause problems is your tarps. There is a simple way to fix one of the more common problems that occur with tarps. Realizing that shelter is always one of the first priorities in a survival situation makes knowing how to repair this common problem a good way to make your survival a little easier.

Tarps are great for making a shelter but the grommets that are located on the corners and along the edges sometimes fail. In order to keep your tarp from tearing when tying it off or due to high winds, etc. there is a simple fix for the problem. Use a rock!

Wrap the corner or edge of your tarp where the grommet has busted out or is missing around a rock and then tie it off with rope or paracord. It will actually hold better than the original grommet would have secured it. Don't have any rope or paracord? Just use a bigger rock to weigh the edge of your tarp down!

Got busted tarp? Get a rock!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Survival Tips

Safety is always first. Never trust your safety to others. Ultimately you are responsible for your own safety. Remember, safety is no accident!

Understand your limitations. Your knowledge of varying circumstances and how you are able to cope with them will be vital elements for your survival.

Respect the weather. Always check weather conditions and don’t take any chances where weather is concerned. Weather conditions can change very abruptly and can be very unforgiving when your survival is at stake.

Verify your plans beforehand. Know where you’re going, know how to get there and know when you plan to be back. Make sure others are aware of your plans and avoid last minute changes.

Inspect your gear regularly. Check all your gear to make sure it is functioning properly. You need to know it will do the job when it is needed.

Value your knowledge and skills. Your brain is your best survival tool. Your mind will often be able to save you when your gear will not.

Always remain calm. Panic will not allow you to function rationally and will only make your situation worse.

Leave no doubt in your mind that you will survive. The will to survive is often a refusal to give up!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Wilderness Awareness - High Altitudes

When going on a wilderness outing and there is a significant change in altitude involved you should always take time to acclimate. You can experience acute mountain sickness if you move too quickly above altitudes of more than 8,000 feet. Some people may even experience problems or become stressed at altitudes much lower than this height. The symptoms of altitude sickness may include shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, headache and loss of appetite. You may also experience problems sleeping.

In order to minimize problems with altitude sickness you should follow some simple guidelines.

1.) The first thing to do is get in shape. You won't last long without the proper physical conditioning.

2.) The next thing to do is to allow yourself sufficient time to acclimate to the higher altitudes. This may take several days depending upon your physical conditioning and the altitude involved.

3.) Stay hydrated and reduce or limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages. Wait until you come down off the mountain to do any celebrating that involves alcohol consumption.

If you do experience symptoms that you are unable to tolerate, remember the first rule for treating altitude sickness is to "go lower". Head down the mountain till you start to feel better. A small change of a couple of thousand feet can make a world of difference in how you feel.

Another good thing to remember is to breathe deeply. Most people tend to take shallow breathes that limit their uptake of air into their lungs. Deep breaths will get more air into your lungs.

Upon reaching my known destination, a couple of days to get acclimated to the change in altitude is going to be one of the first priorities.

Altitude at my known destination: 7,249 Feet

Got attitude about altitude?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker