by Les Stroud
Rising river levels pose a real threat in the tropics, even if a storm is not apparent in your immediate area. Jungle rivers can rise by as much as 20 feet (6 m) in a few hours, even though the rise is caused by storm systems many miles away.
I think the jungles of this planet are home to more dangers than any other region. An entire book could be dedicated to the subject. From caterpillars to freshwater stingrays, from a deluge of rain to killer ants, from roaming jaguars to wasps as long as pencils, jungles are home to a bewildering array of events and creatures that can hurt or kill you. Yet, jungles are amazingly beautiful places to experience, and they are still my favorite ecosystem for adventuring. They can be for you too, if you’re careful.
Coastal Regions
Oceans rival jungles for the most hazards to travelers. Salt water is home to numerous threatening creatures, none as feared as the shark. Shark attacks are rare, however, and usually considered accidents. You can best avoid shark attack by avoiding shark habitat.
In shallow waters, you’ll find many creatures that can inflict pain and cause infection to develop if you happen to step on them. Invertebrates such as jellyfish are capable of injecting venom by biting or stinging, or through spines located in their fins and tentacles. Although jellyfish-related deaths are relatively uncommon, invertebrate bites or stings can be fatal. Wear protective footwear when wading near the shoreline. Shuffle your feet along the bottom of the water body (rather than raising them up and stepping), as most of these critters sting from the top rather than from the side. Stingrays, especially those of the tropical variety, can be quite nasty in the shallows.
If you are fishing in these areas, remember that not all fish can be eaten. Though there are no hard-and-fast rules to distinguish edible from poisonous fish, most of the poisonous ones live in shallow water around reefs or lagoons, have box-like or round bodies with shell-like skins covered with bony plates or spines, and have small, parrot-like mouths. As is often the case, being informed about the potentially dangerous creatures in a region can go a long way toward preparing you.
Like mountain areas, coastal regions can be susceptible to fast, violent weather changes. Storms can blow in seemingly without notice; be prepared to seek appropriate shelter.
If you’re planning on traveling by water, you should have a working knowledge of local tide patterns, including currents and rip tides. If you’re on land, make sure you build your shelter beyond the high-tide mark.
Very low on the probability scale but high on the danger scale are tsunamis, series of waves generated by undersea disturbances such as earthquakes. Tsunamis can cause waves to travel as fast as 450 miles (724 km) per hour, reaching heights of 100 feet (30 m). Tsunamis are sometimes preceded by rapid changes in water level; they typically arrive as a series of successive crests (high water levels) and troughs (low water levels).
If you suspect a tsunami is approaching, move to higher ground immediately. Stay away from the shore. Finally, do not assume that the danger has passed if a lengthy period of time elapses between waves. Tsunami crests can be 90 minutes apart.
Mountains
Full-blown rockslides and mudslides are significant hazards in mountainous country but are fairly rare. Much more common is the rockfall, which can occur at any time. Take extra care when traveling at the base of rock walls, cliffs, or rocky slopes.
When snow is present, the risk of an avalanche occuring is a real one. Stay away from open, exposed slopes that are bare of vegetation, as this is a sign that avalanches regularly rip through the area. The most dangerous slopes are ones that are 34 degrees to 45 degrees, as these hold lots of snow but are steep enough to let it go frequently. The more trees that are present (and the larger they are), the more likely it is that the area is relatively safe from avalanches.
If you get caught in or near an avalanche, seek shelter (if possible) on the downhill side of boulders or trees. Crouch low, face away from the slide, and cover your nose and mouth. Experts recommend using a swimming motion, which may keep you near the top of the slide. If you have the ability to do so, try to make your way to the top of the slide while it is slowing down but still moving. I highly recommend wearing an avalanche beacon when traveling in the mountains.
The upper regions of mountains can also be prone to sudden weather changes. Lightning may also be present; if so, seek shelter and stay off ridges.
Group Versus Solo Survival
AS WITH MOST AS PECTS OF SURVIVAL, being in a group helps because you benefit from the combined knowledge of the members. Somebody in the group may know about the specific hazards present in a region, which should help you stay well away from the danger.
Chapter Eleven
WEATHER
To a certain extent, you can control many aspects of survival—water, fire, shelter, and food. But weather may be the toughest challenge you face in a survival situation because it is one of the few things you can’t control.
Understand one truth of the wilderness: No matter how beautiful a day it is, the weather will eventually get bad, often quickly and sometimes violently so. And if you’re not prepared for the worst, you reduce your chances of making it home alive.
In our day-to-day lives, most of us are ill-prepared for bad weather. Why should we worry? We can always go home or duck into a coffee shop if things get bad. But there is no relief from bad weather in the wilderness. You’re either ready for it or you’re not. And the stakes are high: rough weather can kill you. Weather is the most important “flow” to go with when lost in the wild.
Prepare to Stay Alive
IFYOU’RE IN A REMOTE AREA AND have failed to anticipate bad weather, you’re stuck when it hits. Searching for firewood, trying to build a shelter, or looking for food and water in driving rain or snow can be deadly.
Preparing for bad weather, therefore, is a high priority for the adventurer. Preparation may be as simple as moving your firewood to a dry spot or as complex as building a shelter that will protect you against a coming blizzard. Whether I’m in a survival situation or just on a camping trip, I’m always doing one of two things regarding the weather: taking advantage of the good weather to prepare for the bad or hunkering down during bad weather and doing what I can “inside.” Bad weather can present a perfect opportunity to take care of little jobs that don’t require you to be outside. Given the proper amount of materials, space, heat, and light, you can accomplish tasks like sharpening knives, building traps and snares, creating fishing implements, mending your clothing, or working on a signal device while a storm rages around you.
Once the weather brightens up again (and it will), you will have your chance to gather those wild berries you know are in a particular spot, travel to another location, hunt, or fish.
Weather Versus Climate
WEATHER AND CLIMATE ARE TWO DISTINCT BEASTS. While weather can change on a dime, climate is the average weather that predominates in an area over a long period of time. It’s a variable that’s largely known and understood, and one that can and should be prepared for well in advance of your trip. Preparation could mean the difference between life and death.
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STROUD’S TIP
If your local research uncovers the fact that weather can change quickly in a region, don’t underestimate it. Be ready.
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I knew before visiting the Amazon jungle that it rained a lot. There are basically two seasons: wet and wetter (it is, after all, a rain forest). Though I visited during the “less wet” season, I discovered that it could still rain for three days at a time. The pre-trip research I did on the climate made a huge difference to my survival for the next seven days. I also heeded warnings that rivers could rise 20 feet (6 m) in a few hours. I tied my dugout canoe to a spot on a tree 8 feet (2.4 m) off the ground, and still the force of the flood threatened to snap the tether rope!
In the jungle, don’t assume water levels will remain static for any period of time. I almost lost my dugout canoe—and my primary
mode of travel—to a swollen river.
Ways to Predict Weather and Interpret Weather Signs
PREDICTING WEATHER OFTEN BOILS DOWN to one basic question: How long is the good weather going to last? The answer will tell you how long you’ve got to complete the other tasks important to your survival, particularly if you’re planning on traveling. Learning some basic forecasting methods could save you from being caught out in a storm.
Local Guidance
Since weather is so area-specific, the best way to discover natural predictors is to talk to locals. They will know the subtle signs in their environment that are almost impossible to relate in the pages of a book. You may have someone say to you, “If you notice that all the birds suddenly stop singing while you’re out there, bad weather is coming.” Listen to the experts.
Barometers
If you’re lucky enough to have one, a barometer makes predicting weather a heck of a lot easier. Decreasing air pressure usually indicates the approach of a low-pressure system, which brings clouds and precipitation. Increasing air pressure, on the other hand, means that a high pressure system is approaching, bringing with it fine weather.
Wind and Wind Patterns
To predict wind patterns, start by gaining an understanding of the prevailing winds for an area. You can then detect if a wind is coming from a different direction. If this occurs, or if winds are beginning to swirl around every which way, a change in weather may be coming.
Clouds
I still have a hard time naming all the different types of cloud patterns, whether they be cumulonimbus or nimbostratus. I can, however, make a pretty good guess as to what they foretell, and that’s largely based on a few general characteristics:
The darker and lower the clouds, the more likely they are to carry precipitation. The higher and finer the clouds, the better the weather will be (though it may become windy).
A general increase in the density of clouds may indicate a change in the weather. I’ve been in many situations where this was an indicator that a system was developing.
The approach of a long bank of clouds on the horizon on an otherwise fair day may also indicate that foul weather is on its way.
Fireside Smoke
You can actually use the smoke from your fire to help make very rough weather predictions. If the smoke rises steadily with little change, the pleasant weather you’re currently enjoying should stay for a while. If you see that the smoke begins to swirl after rising a little way, or if it seems to be beaten down, a storm or shower may be on its way.
If you’re near a lake and notice that the smoke hangs low over the water, rain may be approaching.
The Sky
There is a reason why adages persist through generations: they’re largely true. “Red skies at night, sailor’s delight; red skies in the morning, sailors take warning.” This is more of a short-term indicator but a good one nonetheless. A red sky at dusk indicates that the weather will stay fair for at least the next few hours; if the sky is red at dawn, however, beware: a low-pressure system (and possibly a storm) may be on its way. Don’t confuse a red sky with a red sun in the morning. If the sun is red at sunrise but the sky is normal in color, the day should be fair. If you find yourself in hilly or mountainous terrain, pay attention to how the early-morning mist moves. If it lifts early in the morning, you will likely have a fair day. If it has not moved by early afternoon, it likely won’t, and you may experience some precipitation later.
The night sky can also help you predict the weather. If it is clear at night, the weather should stay calm. If you can’t see many stars one night after a few clear ones, you may be in for a change.
Dangerous Weather
DANGEROUS WEATHER EVENTS MAY WELL BE RESPONSIBLE for killing more people in survival situations than any other danger or hazard. Familiarizing yourself with weather events will help you prepare for them and know how to react when they hit.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes occur in relatively few places on this earth, but when they do, they can be devastating. It’s not likely that your little stick shelter could withstand the force of a hurricane, so if one is on its way, seek out something more substantive, such as a cave.
If you’re in a coastal region, perhaps the greatest risk from hurricanes is the storm surge, a dome of ocean water that can reach as high as 20 feet (6 m) and 50 to 100 miles (80 to 160 km) wide.
Thunderstorms and Lightning Storms
Most of the time, thunderstorms give notice of their impending arrival with dark, threatening clouds and distant lightning and thunder. You can estimate your distance from an approaching thunderstorm by counting the number of seconds that elapse between a flash of lightning and the next clap of thunder. Divide this number by five and you have a rough idea of how many miles away the storm is.
All thunderstorms are accompanied by lightning, which is one of the primary risks of being outside in a survival situation when one hits. The best thing you can do during a thunderstorm is hunker down and hope your shelter is strong enough to withstand the onslaught. If you do get caught outside, avoid natural lightning rods such as tall, isolated trees in open areas; stay away from hilltops and other high, exposed places. And remember that dead or rotting trees and branches can fall during severe thunderstorms.
At one point while living in the boreal forest for a year, my wife, Sue, and I were holed up in our tipi during an intense storm. The wind was so strong that our tiny lake even had whitecaps on it. That’s when we noticed that the tree we had built our shelter beside had nearly blown over. Had it done so, the entire root system would have lifted up right in the middle of our shelter and ripped it apart. We were also worried about lightning striking the tree. Our poor location choice for the shelter, made on an earlier, sunny day, resulted in our holding on to our walls and our wits that day and waiting out a potentially devastating storm. We got lucky, that time.
Blizzards and Wind Chill
Never go out in whiteout conditions, when you can’t see more than a few feet in front of you! If you have no choice but to do so, make sure you layer your clothing so that you can remove items as you warm up. Try not to sweat profusely, as this will only soak your clothes and make you even colder.
Wind chill can often accompany a blizzard, though not necessarily. Wind chill is a calculation of how cold it feels based on temperature and wind speed. If the temperature is extremely cold and there is a steady wind, stay inside. Wind chill is the culprit in most cases of frostbite or hypothermia.
Sandstorms
Sandstorms are exclusive to deserts and can be devastating when they occur. If you see one approaching, get downwind of a shelter, cover your mouth and nose, and wait it out.
Region-Specific Dangers and Hazards
BECAUSE WEATHER CAN BE LOCALIZED to very small geographic areas, the best way to learn about prevailing weather patterns is to do serious research before departing on any trip. Locals will be your greatest source of information here, so try to spend time, either before or at the beginning of your trip, with someone who has been on the land.
Arid Regions, Deserts, and Canyons
Though more of a climatic concern than a weather event, extreme heat can be a serious problem in these regions. Extreme heat can cause cramps, exhaustion, and even stroke. If you’re becoming overcome by the heat, get out of the sun and try to pour some water on your body. Consume water in small amounts. Extreme heat kills and does so by pushing your body beyond its natural limits. Under normal circumstances, your body deals with heat by producing perspiration to cool itself through evaporation. In instances of extreme heat (and humidity), however, this evaporation process is slowed, forcing your body to work harder to maintain a normal temperature.
The Arctic and Polar Regions
Wind chill is the result of cold temperatures and wind. Do not expose yourself to these elements in combination for any length of time.
Jungles
River levels can rise as a result of a distant sto
rm. Tropical rivers can rise by as much as 20 feet (6 m) in a few hours. If you see the water level rising, get as far away from the river as possible, preferably to higher ground.
Coastal Regions
Coastal regions are susceptible to sudden, violent weather changes. Thunderstorms can arrive with little notice; hurricanes are far less likely, though more dangerous.
Tsunamis are even less likely, though utterly devastating when they occur. If you see that the entire ocean has receded in what seems like a crazy, extremely low tide, it is a sign of an impending tsunami…so head for the hills!
Mountains
Sudden weather changes, including lightning, occur in the upper regions of mountains. In winter, mountains are subject to significant amounts of snowfall, and blizzards are also common.
Chapter Twelve
CLOTHING
Before you have time to build that first shelter, before you have the time to make a fire and even before you have the time to figure out what you’re going to do next, your clothing is already working for you. Your clothing is your first shelter and therefore your primary defense against the elements.
Yet despite its importance, most travelers don’t give clothing the attention it deserves. Remember that people have died simply because they wore the wrong clothing. Never underestimate the value of the right clothes.
In choosing clothing for your expedition or adventure, you need to ask yourself this question: “What does my clothing have to do?” It must protect you from the wind and the rain, from the dry, from the cold and the heat, from poisonous plants and creepy crawlies. It has to get you through the various stages of the day and the night, and to be of a construction and weight that allows you to travel without it becoming a hassle.