Cooped Up? Get Uncooped.

The temperatures are steadily plummeting and winter is upon us. Though frostbite nipping at the nose sounds like a playful welcoming of winter, the condition is in fact very serious. Here's some information. Frostbite occurs in cold temperatures when your tissue freezes. Frostbite can cause permanent damage and could necessitate amputation of affected areas. Prevention: -Layer yourself in a 3-layer system and dress warmly. Cover up all exposed skin in cold, windy environments. -If you get wet, get out of wet...

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Photo: Joe Shlabotnik As I made my way to the Snowbird ticket counter this past Sunday, I overheard the guy in front of me trying to return his ticket because the Tram was closed down indefinitely. At first, news was that it was due to wind, but it was quickly revealed that an in-bounds avalanche had trapped a skier. The rest of the day on the slopes was abuzz with the shattering sound of rescue...

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Make it a habit. That means daily. Check the weather where you ride. Watch the forecasts. And read the daily avalanche reports. Here are a few spots to get you started: Colorado Avalanche Center Bridger Teton Avalanche Center Utah Avalanche Center There is no guarantee you will not end up in something like this or this Information kills ignorance. NEVER go into the backcountry without: The Ten Essentials Avalanche beacon, probe, shovel, inclinometer The knowledge...

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I'm not a huge fan of bracelets on men. (When I see a guy wearing one, I invariably think of the Friends 'bracelet buddies' episode.) But I may have changed my mind. For this bracelet, anyway. First, it looks cool--no twinkling silver or gold--and second, it could save your life. Each bracelet is constructed of 15 to 20 feet of 550-pound test paracord that can be unraveled in an emergency situation. If you do ‘use’...

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Hypothermia's a term that you've probably heard more than once, but never really thought too much about. Out in the wild, in the middle of winter, you should be familiar not just with the term, but with what it is, how it happens, how you'll know and what can be done to address it. If left unchecked, hypothermia can quickly inflict unconsiousness and even death. Preventing against hypothermia and dealing with it if it should occur are vital. Here's...

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Photo: greenbroke Tornadoes are ridiculously awesome forces of nature. If you live outside of Tornado Alley in a place where they never strike, the very thought of a tornado likely fills you with anxiety and wonder. Imagine for a second that you're nowhere near shelter and there's nothing but open ground between you and an oncoming tornado. What the hell do you do? You've seen what a tornado can do to a house, imagine how vulnerable you are with...

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  Skier: Andre Charland Photo: Pat Mulrooney   The other side of the coin. The most important part of surviving an avalanche is the rescuer(s). Avalanches largely render self-saving measures like digging out impossible. Therefore, if your buddy is trapped, the only hope for rescue is YOU. Avalanche research has shown that chances for survival plummet after the first 15 minutes. There's no time to get help, and no time to waste--rely on your knowledge and...

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Photo: Joe Schlabotnik The thought of getting caught in an avalanche is terrifying. So much time is spent meticulously studying conditions, analyzing snowpack and avoiding risky descents that you may have never thought of what you'd actually need to do if you did trigger an avalanche and were caught. Here's some advice derived from the National Snow and Ice Data Center, How to Survive Anything, Anywhere by Dr. Chris McNab and the United States Forest Service...

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Now’s the best time to prepare yourself for the harsh effects of the winter season. If you intend to do any driving to ski resorts or distant backcountry skiing/snowshoeing destinations, be sure to prepare a winter kit for your car to protect yourself in case of a breakdown or weather issues. Here’s some items to pack in your trunk: 1.       Blankets 2.       First Aid Kit 3.       Jug/Gallon of water 4.       Non-perishable can of food and...

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The Heat Sheet takes advantage of its generous 60" x 96" size by having survival and first aid instructions printed directly upon it. The 2.88oz blanket reflects up to 90% of radiated body heat and sports a bright reflective stripe to get attention when you need it. It's available through Adventure Medical Kits and through local retailers for about 6 bucks. Via.  

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A survival kit should be inexpensive, simple, small enough to carry with you, and contain items, you know, that could actually help you survive. This one's designed for the wilderness, in cool to warm weather conditions. Fishing line Whistle Chemical light stick Emergency Candles (optional) Small LED keychain flashlight Tinfoil Piece of paper Duct tape Bic pen Razor blade Box of WATERPROOF matches Water treatment Poncho, OR a space blanket.

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Crickets like it warm. And the warmer it gets, the faster they chirp. A gentleman by the name of Amos Dolbear noticed this fact back in 1898. He came up with a cricket chirping temperature formula, which is know as Dolbears Law. The equation is as follows: T = 50 + (N - 40) / 4, where T = temperature in degrees Fahrenheit and N = number of chirps per minute. If that seems like...

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Dedicated can openers popped up 50 years AFTER the advent of the tin can. Before then, cans were pried open with various utensils, including knives, which brings us to this video.

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Okay, you're out in the woods. You're lost and your food supply is down to nothing. What's a starving Uncooper to do? Find these edible nuts. Black Walnut: Season: late September, October Grows in the Midwest and East Look like little green tennis balls Inside meat tastes fruity Butternut: Season: late August through September Grows in the East and Southeast Twice the size of a grape, tapered at both ends Taste like pecans Hazelnut (aka filbert) Season:...

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According to The Don't Die Out There Deck from Mountaineer Books, Seattle, Wash., the real-world needs of a survival kit will vary with real-world situations, but the basics for every survival kit, which everyone should carry whenever they head out, are the following: Bandages, small First-air or duct tape Firestarter (paper, candle and/or manufactured product) Matches, lighter, flint Map, compass, altimeter, or GPS Safety pin Sunscreen Pocket tool (with pliers, wire cutter, screwdriver, tweezers, scissors,...

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Multi-tools, as we know, are very handy. Here’s a couple that might be worth the bucks. First up, the carabiner 13 in 1 multi-tool from Crazy about Gadgets. It includes among other things a mirror, thermometer, compass, and whistle. Not too expensive at about $20 U.S.   For something with less bells and–literally–whistles but much more durable is Kershaw’s 5 in 1 carabiner. It’s made of Teflon-coated aluminum and features a 3 1/4" partially-serrated stainless...

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If you ever find yourself out in the woods near a spring and without a cup, this would come in very handy...assuming you have a piece of paper with you. Still, a good thing to know! (If you can't see the viewer below, click here.)  

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"It fits in a one-gallon Ziploc. It weighs just a couple of pounds. It costs a fraction of what one of those GPS-equipped cell phones costs. But this survival kit could save your life." Coupled with a first-aid kit and some careful planning, you'll be good to go on your next adventure.  Shelter: Large plastic garbage bags, an 8-by-12-foot plastic drop sheet, and 25 feet of parachute chord. Fire: Waterproof matches in Ziploc bags, a lighter...

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Tuck a small piece of copper wire in your pack, just in case. For batteries, grab one from your flashlight or mobile phone. Gather some tinder, then following these directions: "1. Straighten the copper wire. Next twist the middle of the wire. You should get the twisted part to be shaped into coil-like. 2. Now, place both ends of the wire to both ends of the batteries. Quickly let the coil come in contact with...

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Lou Dawson has a great series of articles describing the little (in)essentials you should know that will help you out in a bind. Excerpt:10. Jump start a car without blinding yourself. 9. First-aid a serious laceration. 8. Rip skins in the wind without giving your scalp a bikini wax. 7. Fix a broken ski pole with duct tape and pocket knife. 6. Do a jump turn in the face of danger. 5. Start a fire...

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