Northwest Hiking

Taking a brief break from the survival series and getting back to the weapon and tool series, it is now time to take a look at another weapon and hunting implement that works exceedingly well when out hiking and stranded, or for personal protection.  The bola has been around for years, and has remained an effective device for those who are skilled in using it.  A bola is a weapon comprised of a rope that splits off into other ropes that have rocks attached to the end.  These can range from numbers of two to nine, but are effective in most variations.

Making one:
To make one, cut a length of rope about two-three feet long.  This will be your “handle.”  Then knot three more ropes about four feet of length on one end of the one rope.  From there, cut two foot off of two of the ropes that are knotted to the “handle.”  Tie a heavier rock about the size of a small, curled fist to each of the short ropes, and a lighter stone to the longer rope that is left over.  Voila, you have a bola.  The two smaller weights fly in front, catching the target by surprise.  The third longer one wraps around and immobilizes the target.

Remember to be careful and practice on a stake in the ground to gain skill.  Then use it to gain practice and aim for better use while hiking.  More information is below, and until next time, happy hiking!

More Information

Specifically, day hiking first-aid kits are going to change from region to region if you like to customize and change things to better suit your liking and environment.  In general, there are a few things that should remain constant from one kit to another, however.  These are the essentials that will let you treat injuries that may be inflicted from short hikes.  Kits like this should be able to be improvised to treat both minor and moderately serious injuries, such as fractures.  Below is the contents of a kit that I acquired a number of years ago from the product’s web page that can be improvised to suit almost any minor first-aid situation:

REI Hiker First Aid Kit:

• Zippered nylon case corrals contents, with hang loops for easy carrying or storage
• Comes with ”The Wilderness First Aid Manual” by Dr. William Forgey for quick reference while on the trail
• Wound materials: five 0.75 x 3 inch adhesive bandages, five 1 x 3 inch adhesive bandages, five knuckle elastic bandages, five fingertip elastic
• Two 2 x 2 inch gauze pads, 5 x 9 inch abdominal/pressure pad, six butterfly closure strips
• Two 4 x 4 inch gauze pads, two 2 x 3 inch non-adherent pads, 2 inch x 4.1 yards stretch gauze roll
• Sanidex wipe, four antibacterial wipes, three triple-antibiotic ointment packets, two pvp iodine wipes, three Soothe A Sting wipes
• For sprains and blisters: 2-inch elastic bandage, two 3 x 4 inch moleskin, 1 inch x 10 yards porous tape
• Medications: four Cetafen Extra®, four Nutralox®, four Proprinal®, two antihistamine, plus two pill vials and two labels
• Equipment: 4.5-inch stainless-steel bandage scissors, 3.5-inch splinter forceps, NeoPro latex-free gloves, 3 safety pins, accident report form, pencil

This kind of kit will let you treat most injuries without too much of a problem, and still be comprehensive enough to improvise for more serious ones.  On that note, be safe and have fun hiking!

It is essential to always have ample medical gear with you when hiking.  Whether you have a broken leg, or need a band-aid, a medical kit should provide you with enough supplies to at least improvise almost any emergency medical device or technique needed.

We’ll take a look over the next few posts on several different aspects of medical kits and which ones will be suitable for you.  The three categories are:

• Short Term Day Hikes
• Extended Hiking
• Camping
• Backpacking

Each have their own unique need when it comes to medical supplies, and great respect should be dealt with the handling and putting together of medical supplies for each.  In one case, a large medical supply kit might be necessary, but in another, a simple day first-aid kit should be ample.  Either way, stay tuned for the breakdown of survival and what it can do for you when hiking in the Northwest.  Happy trails!

Wilderness survival is a must for all advanced hikers and backpackers.  Some prefer to stay out for a few days, while others will go on long extended backpacking trips.  Either way, it is extremely important to know wilderness survival past more than a day hike.  And even then, such knowledge is valuable and lifesaving in the event of being stranded.  We’ll focus on a few different aspects of wilderness survival in this series, and touch on the important points that you should focus on.

If you feel like you need on-hand experience with wilderness survival, I would definitely suggest taking a course with your local sportsman’s club or outdoor recreation center/trainer.  The information gained is extremely precious when in a survival situation, and you can learn a lot from even a short introductory course.  Stay tuned for more!

Pets can be an awesome companion on the trail, with their infectious personality and need to explore the world around them.  For hikers, a dog can make a trip better and worth the while to get out for some exercise.  Some of the best memories can be made when hiking or backpacking with an ever faithful dog.  There are some things to remember out of courtesy to others, however.

When taking a pet out on the trail, remember that there are appropriate trails and areas to take an animal on.  These should be marked, but always check beforehand to avoid disappointment and to be respectful of other hikers.

Also remember that animals make messes, and these are the obligation of the owner to clean up and pack out.  Many recreational areas and regions even have stringent laws on the picking up of animal feces on the trail.  Take plastic bags or a doggy scooper to solve this problem.

Also remember that an animal must be leashed when on a trail unless otherwise stated.  This is not only wise, but it will also save a lost pet and keep one from wandering off.  Remember, be safe and have fun with your pet on the trail!

When you’re out in the forest and you need a good rope, you sometimes realize at that moment that it is one of the items you should have taken along with you.  That’s okay, though.  For years people made rope out of improvised methods, and the lack of rope serves the golden opportunity to try out your own rope making skills.  The easiest method is as follows:

1. Gather lots of thin strips of bark, grass, thin green vines, or other natural fibrous material.
2. Braid or weave it, then weave those smaller ropes again into a larger rope.
3. Always make sure the rope is bound tight and test at a low height for breaking strength.

Remember that in order to be successful, the best way to make rope is to start small and work your way up.  Depending on what you are doing with it, you can easily braid a small rope for tying things in a few minutes.  Remember to always be safe and have fun out there!

 Resources

Remember that when you are out hiking, there are plenty of ticks out there with you on the trail.  For those in colder regions, this isn’t a problem, but warmer areas can have ticks year-round.  This presents a considerable problem while out in nature.  Here are some important tips to consider and remember when you are outside:

• Where a Hat:  Always where a hat while hiking if you are going to be in trees, brush, or other dense cover.  This will help keep ticks from climbing into your hair.
• Use Repellent: Whether you use a DEET spray or not, make sure it is rated to repel ticks.
• Check Your Head and Clothing:  After a hike or outdoor activity, always check your head, body, and clothing for ticks.

Remember to be safe out there and have fun!