A Survival Tips and Techniques Blog | UrbanWoodsman.com

Warning: Don’t not attempt advanced hikes unless you are in a very good physical condition and have the proper equipment, training and have taken emergency response procedures for the event of a medical situation etc…. The hiker in this video is a Risks Inc. Instructor who has many years experience of living in the field and moving cross country on foot. We can provide hiking, land navigation & wilderness survival courses to fit your needs and requirements. Whether your are looking for corporate team building or intensive SERE training we are able to provide you with programs to fit you timetables, fitness and skill levels. The hiking, land navigation and survival training courses and cover emergency survival skills, survival kits, food, hiking gear selection and survival shelters, and the use of map and compass. We also provide SERE training and military survival courses. The courses would be held in South Florida or at your chosen location Regards, Orlando Wilson Specialist Security & Tactical Consultant Risks Incorporated: www.risks-inc.com “Stay low and keep moving”

Enjoying quality time with nature is a priceless gift for the outdoor enthusiast. One way to make sure you enjoy a memorable outdoor vacation is to get the best possible value from the hiking and camping gear you acquire and use. Here are some ways to get the most out of your hiking and camping gear – and your outdoor wilderness experience.

- Purchase the best survival and adventure gear you can possibly afford. If you are willing to spend months carefully planning your next vacation adventure, spending hours getting into great hiking shape, take three weeks off from work for you camping experience, purchase an airline ticket, and so forth – then why are you using the least expensive backpack and hiking boots you can find? A good pair of hiking boots and socks will make all the difference in the world. This applies to all of your camping gear. Whether it’s your GPS unit, rafting gear, sleeping bag, rain gear or dual-fuel portable stove, set your budget to carry the best outdoor equipment you can afford – in order to get the most value for your money.

- Get comfortable using all of your safety and survival equipment and practice using it the correct way. It is not the time to start learning how to navigate with a compass and map after you are already lost. It’s not the time to learn how to start a fire with a 6 year old flare you’ve been carrying forever in your pack. It’s not time to learn about safe rafting and best survival practices after you’re in danger. Put aside some time to learn about all the features of your camping gear before you head out to your favorite campground. You might be surprised to learn how incredible your GPS really is, once you understand how to use the backtrack feature. You will also be mighty thankful when you learn the proper weight distribution for your backpack. Take time to learn about your camping gear – practice around your home before you venture into the great outdoors.

- Your camping gear isn’t just for outdoor adventure – keep your gear with you and use it as much as possible. It has unlimited uses in your daily life. Never go on a road trip without your outdoor pack. In all likelihood, you’ll find an opportunity to use your camping – hiking – survival equipment close to home. It never fails – if you don’t have your camping gear with you, you will need it.

- Take pride and take care of your outdoor gear. Hopefully you’ve learned this from your parents and not necessarily from experience. Take good care of your camping gear, and the camping gear will take good care of you! If you’re careless with your gear, it will let you down when you need it the most. That’s one adventure you can do without. Carefully inspect each piece of your outdoor equipment – hiking, rafting, camping, safety and survival gear before you embark on your wilderness adventure. Upon your return, clean and properly store all of your camping gear. Make a habit of periodically checking your gear’s safety straps, fuel, waterproofing, batteries and overall condition. Taking good care of your outdoor equipment is an important part of enjoying your hiking, rafting and/or camping trip.

- When you’re done with your camping gear, donate it – and some of your time – to a local scout troop. Your local youth scouting groups are always on the lookout for a helping hand from outdoor enthusiasts. You will feel great satisfaction knowing that your trusty old gear will help benefit others!

Optimize your time in the back country wilderness. The easiest way to ensure maximum outdoor enjoyment is to get the best possible value from your gear. Let these hints guide you in getting the most out of your outdoor recreational equipment – and your outdoor wilderness experience.

In conclusion, selecting an online recreational equipment store can be fun, but it’s important to do your research prior to selecting where you will ultimately make your purchase.

Hiking is a mini-adventure. It lets you take a break from your normal routine without the time and expense involved in “real” vacations. You can see new things, have new experiences, and, if you want, challenge yourself physically. If you live in Colorado, you never lack for Colorado hiking opportunities. The State has an abundance of world-class hiking trails, far enough to give that remote feeling yet still relatively nearby.

Like any other activity, Colorado hiking is a great way to enjoy yourself and just have fun. However, if you want to get the most out of it and have the best experience over it, safety comes first. Below are some tips to help you remain safe and secure even while Colorado hiking:

Be Prepared!

It’s a scout’s motto, but even for Colorado hikers, it’s a good motto to adopt. Wilderness activities like Colorado hiking involve many risks. But most of these risks can be easily avoided or at least mitigated if you keep in mind your basic knowledge about outdoors survival and preparation.

The first thing you need to do is to know what risks you’ll likely be facing. The thought of being in the Colorado mountain wild areas evokes all sorts of horror and adventure stories of potential calamities when in reality the most prevalent risk anyone faces is pretty mundane: getting wet and cold.

As with most hiking trips, Colorado hiking requires that you lighten your load as much as you can. That alone is not much trouble, if only you knew exactly what you’re going to encounter on a hike. Your lack knowledge is never more emphasized when it’s your first time being in that area. So chances are you are going to end up loading your backpack with all sorts of “emergency” essentials, when the only equipment you really need are things that can help you cope with rain storms, rapid drops in temperature, heavy winds, injuries, fatigue, getting lost, and animal encounters.

It gets easier if you follow the following sensible practices when you go Colorado hiking:
- Avoid hiking alone. Even a minor injury or mishap can turn into a potential major problem if there is no one nearby to assist you.
- Before you hike out from a trailhead, make sure that you leave some sort of information about what trail you are going to follow, what time you left, etc. That way, if you fail to return after an awfully long time, someone will know where to find you. However, be careful about leaving any specific information as not every person has good intentions.
- Let an acquaintance in town know where you are going and when you intend to be back. If you don’t make it back, they can notify the authorities.
- Take along a cellphone if you have one in case of an emergency that requires help. In many cases in the wilderness, you will not be able to get a cellphone connection due to mountainous terrain, being in a canyon, or distance. However, even if you cannot initially connect through, you or someone else can climb to a ridgeline or summit and have a better chance for a connection from there.

Most of the outdoor survival situations that occur can be prevented with a little preparation and planning. A survival situation is something that can happen to anyone, regardless of his or her experience or expertise in hiking. Survival situations don’t always arise because someone is inexperienced or reckless. If you want to have the best time you can on your hiking vacation, while keeping yourself and your family as safe as possible, there certain steps you can take.

First and most important, be sure to leave a travel plan with someone at home. A travel plan lists the possible locations you expect to cover while on your hiking vacation. It does not have to be a detailed list. You can use a map and just mark the spots on it where you plan to be. If you leave a travel plan, then searchers will have an idea of where to look for you if you become lost.

Second, always carry a few basic items with you in case you have to spend the night on the trail. Take a garbage bag, a lighter, a whistle, a pocketknife, and a water bottle. This is the minimum number of essential items you should bring with you whether you are hiking for a day or for a week or longer. These items address the basic needs from shelter to water and heat. Depending on your outdoor activity, level of skill, and the climate you plan to hike in, you may need to carry more extensive equipment.

Third, be sure to pack something you can turn into a shelter quickly. A garbage bag is an example of such an item. It can be easily made into a shelter. Just cut a slit in the middle of the closed end and pull it over your head. This is a great solution to the problem, and a bag is easy to pack in a pocket. It only costs a few pennies, and it may save your life. Hypothermia can occur even in 50-degree weather, so it is critical that you have a way to make a quick shelter should the need arise.

Always carry a wool cap in your vehicle and your daypack. Eighty percent of your body heat leaves you if your head is exposed. You must always protect your head when you are hiking. If you don’t have a cap, use a sock or a bandanna. You can wear anything on your head as long as it keeps your head warm.

Finally, make a habit of carrying at least three fire-making resources with you. Having a lighter is always a good idea, but having only one source of fire making while hiking is inadequate. Lighters may get wet, and then they won’t light anymore. Also carry a spark rod and windproof matches in your pocket or pack. You are like to make a fire in rainy or otherwise bad weather. While this can be tricky, it can be done. Just collect dead twigs from evergreens like pines, firs, or spruces. These trees have a lot of resin so they will catch fire faster than other types of wood.

Learn how to find your way home when you are lost hiking in this free wilderness survival video. Expert: Karl Jensen Bio: Karl Jensen has been hiking for seven years in the New England area. Karl is currently interning in the adventure program at Smith College to gain more knowledge about hiking. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

Learn how to find shelter when hiking in this free wilderness survival video. Expert: Karl Jensen Bio: Karl Jensen has been hiking for seven years in the New England area. Karl is currently interning in the adventure program at Smith College to gain more knowledge about hiking. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

Learn how to make a medical kit for hiking in this free wilderness survival video. Expert: Karl Jensen Bio: Karl Jensen has been hiking for seven years in the New England area. Karl is currently interning in the adventure program at Smith College to gain more knowledge about hiking. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

Learn how to not get lost when hiking in this free wilderness survival video. Expert: Karl Jensen Bio: Karl Jensen has been hiking for seven years in the New England area. Karl is currently interning in the adventure program at Smith College to gain more knowledge about hiking. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

Learn how to build a good camp fire in this free wilderness survival video. Expert: Karl Jensen Bio: Karl Jensen has been hiking for seven years in the New England area. Karl is currently interning in the adventure program at Smith College to gain more knowledge about hiking. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

Gear review of a Katadyn Combi Hiking Water Filter. Check out my written review with all the specs at www.kentuckypreppersnetwork.com