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DISCOVER
Sunday, October 29, 2000 SURVIVAL: Don't be a victim
Always be prepared Keeping your adventures fun means avoiding the disasters DAVE WORTMAN, FOR THE OLYMPIAN On those dark November days when storms blanket the Pacific Northwest with brooding skies and driving rain, nothing lifts my spirits more than knowing that nearby, the Cascades and Olympics are turning into a sparkling winter wonderland.
Before long it will be time to wax my skis, pull out the parka, and head for the hills. Seeing those first snowflakes always brings out the kid in me. I can hurl myself down the slopes on the toy of my choosing, or find serenity in a forest draped in a thick frosty blanket.
Suddenly, a once busy summer trail becomes hushed, and all I hear is the soft thud of my snowshoes or the swish of my skis across fresh, untouched powder.
While winter outings can be both exhilarating and peaceful, the Northwest's notoriously fickle weather also can be downright nasty and pose dangers for the unprepared adventurer.
Luckily, with some thoughtful planning about where you're going and what you are likely to encounter, you can prevent accidents and keep the fun in winter trips.
Stay warm, stay dry
In winter, visitors flock to Mount Rainier National Park, taking advantage of snowfall amounts bordering on the absurd -- more than 50 feet in an average year.
They wind their way from the park's southwest entrance up the twisting road that's regularly plowed to an elevation of 5,500 feet, just short of the visitor center at Paradise.
Intrepid mountaineers and families alike come to experience everything from an afternoon of sledding or snowshoeing to a week of backcountry skiing, climbing, and camping.
Mike Gauthier, lead climbing ranger for the park, warns visitors that the biggest challenge in winter is to adequately prepare for the Pacific Northwest's typically cold, wet conditions. Although sunny days are not unheard of in winter, storms regularly lash the mountain with snow, rain, and wind.
"If people get cold and wet, a fun weekend on the mountain can quickly turn into an experience in pure survival," Gauthier said.
In such conditions, avoiding hypothermia may be your biggest challenge.
Hypothermia, a cooling of core body temperature, is typically caused by prolonged exposure to cold, wet, or windy conditions combined with inadequate clothing.
According to Dr. Stephen Bezruchka, author of "The Pocket Doctor" and a University of Washington professor with expertise in wilderness medicine, hypothermia can be a major winter hazard.
Symptoms of mild hypothermia may include shivering, loss of coordination, and dulled mental functions. Later stage symptoms include disorientation, loss of motor skills, even unconsciousness.
Surprisingly, hypothermia may strike during periods of moderate temperature, even around 50 degrees, when people may be least prepared.
If hypothermia strikes during your travels, the key first step is to immediately get the victim warm and dry.
"Get the person out of the wet, cold conditions, remove wet clothing, and feed them warm, nourishing liquids," advises Bezruchka.
Physical activity also may help fight off mild hypothermia. More advanced stages of hypothermia should be considered a true emergency, requiring immediate medical attention.
Extreme cold and windy conditions can result in frostbite, the actual freezing of body parts such as fingers, feet, ears, nose and cheeks. Mild frostnip generally causes no permanent damage, while advanced cases of frostbite may cause more serious and irreversible damage.
Both hypothermia and frostbite are preventable by bringing adequate amounts of the right clothing on your trip. Your list should include insulating socks, long underwear, a warm hat, and a wind- and rain-proof outer coat. Extreme cold and wind may also call for face protection.
The key to staying warm is to dress in layers, always bringing one more layer than you think you'll need. Be proactive, putting on extra layers before you get cold.
Stick to either wool or synthetic clothing like polypropylene or polyester, and leave your favorite summer cotton T-shirt at home because it won't keep you warm in cold, wet conditions.
If you are planning on snow camping, you will want a well-insulated, four-season sleeping bag rated to keep you warm down to temperatures of 15 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
You also will want to hit the trail with a hardy, waterproof tent that can withstand the elements.
Look out above, below
While a fresh dump of new snow always sends the powder hounds screaming for the slopes, heavy snow also carries risks.
Large snowfalls, changing weather conditions, and mountainous terrain often create snow hazards and lead to avalanches in the Cascades and Olympics.
Ken White has witnessed first hand the true power of avalanches.
"No one can predict avalanche occurrence with certainty, but avalanches can have tremendous forces and can be life threatening to winter travelers," said White, a former avalanche awareness instructor with the U.S. Forest Service's National Avalanche School.
According to White, avalanches typically occur when an unstable snowpack or changing weather conditions cause snow to break away from steep terrain.
While most avalanches are on slopes of 30 to 45 degrees, they can happen elsewhere. White notes that most people who are caught in avalanches actually trigger the avalanche they fall victim to.
Climbers, backcountry skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, and snowshoers are among the most common avalanche victims.
Knowing the terrain and the conditions before you venture out is key to avoiding disaster. White suggests you play it safe and check the avalanche hazard forecast for the area in which you plan to travel before you go.
If you do venture into avalanche prone territory, gear up with the proper travel and rescue equipment and the know-how to use it.
Besides avalanches, snow travelers also should prepare for changing snow conditions. An easy snowshoeing or ski trip in soft snow can become treacherous when traveling over hard-packed snow on exposed slopes.
In warm weather, keep an eye out for melting snow bridges over streams and for holes around trees and boulders.
Your best bet is to check on snow and avalanche conditions before you set out. You can call the National Weather Service's Northwest weather and avalanche hotline, visit its Web site or talk to a local ranger if you are heading into a national park or national forest.
Know what's ahead
Finally, know your destination and let others know where you are going.
A well-marked trail during the summer months can easily become confusing during poor visibility in heavy snow or darkness, particularly during the Northwest's short winter days.
Always bring plenty of food and water.
Winter can be a magical time to be outdoors, and by covering your bases through some thoughtful planning, you can assure yourself a fun and accident-free trip.
Survival information
-Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center: (206) 526-6677 or www.nwac.noaa.gov
State Department of Transportation
-Pass conditions: (800) 695-7623; http://traffic.wsdot.wa.gov/sno-info/
Outdoor recreation center
-REI Seattle store: (206) 470-4060 or www.nps.gov/ccso/oric.htm The Olympian Copyright 2000
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