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what to do if missing in the back country.

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The mountains are prone to afternoon thunderstorms. It can Snow any time of the year and it has! You can check local, Nevada and California weather and road reports here.

Check Current Weather Radar Here!!!

Preparing for Back Country Fitness

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Things to do at Tahoe: 411-tahoe.com

Want to make a complaint about anything? Do it Here!

NEW LIVE WEATHER CAMS OF LAKE TAHOE FROM DIAMOND PEAK HERE!!

( Tahoe Survival Tips).

Weather.Gov

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See Weather or Not you are going to Play Today!

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How are you going to Survive today? Prepare Here! Mountain, Wilderness, Desert, Urban and Personal Survival. Increase your proficiency and competence with survival tactics offered here.
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Updated: Thursday, July 02, 2009
Local Weather
Learn how to use a GPS. Here are some tips..

"Don't worry about anything. Worrying never solved anything. All it does is distort your mind.— Milton Garland (at 103, the oldest worker in the U.S.)"



We have over 45 years experience in the outdoor wilderness and are still learning. If you have questions! We have answers!


Over 14,760,000 visitors to this site.
This site specializes in outdoor skills and tactics needed around Lake Tahoe and Sierras but can be used anywhere.
Survival Facts!!
Fatalities this year due to Avalanches as of
Thursday, July 02, 2009: 54 in the US & Canada this season so far.


TIP:
Survival Priorities.
Focus not on your fears but on your strengths.

"As a man thinketh, so he is."

We are not experts. We are students striving to become better. Keep on learning!!

Check the weather often. It can change in the blink of an eye. ...............................

Learn to use a map and compass. Here is why. 11jan09 the movie
.
God, guides, guards, governs, protects and provides!!


KISSWEP
Know and recognize...... Inventory..... Shelter..... Signal ..... Water ..... Eat..... Play
New Information

This site has so much information to offer I have organized the links on this page. To the right under "Organized Links"

updated 27Dec08

usemap="#25pigshaftb640d32e"
traping survival
hunting survival
Warning: "Those who go into the Wilderness and engage in dangerous sports are playing chess with Mother Nature."

Deep Survival:
L. Gonzales


If in a survival situation, keep a Positive Mental Attitude. Lose this and you will not return. STOP!!!!!

Stop
Think
Observe
Plan

Then ACT!!!!




Check out latest weather advisories in the Sierras HERE

Forest Service (Truckee): 530-587 3558


New page on using the Tom Brown Tracking Knife. Take a look. 28 mar 09

Tip: Do you know you can boil water in a plastic bottle over an open fire? Learn more at Survivaltactic.com. 9Feb09

Ten essentials for emergency survival in the outdoors
Learn Survival Shooting.
NevadaRecreation.US
3mar 2009

Regardless of the status of the current weather condition, we strongly recommend checking the weather forecast before any back country trip.

( Tahoe Survival Tips).

Keep Trying: Never Ever Give Up!!!!!!

S........Size up the situation STOP
U.......Use all your senses.....undue haste ..............................................makes waste
R........Remember where you are
V........Vanquish Fear and Panic
I.........Improvise
V.......Value Living
A.......Act like the natives
L........Live by your wits and continue to ............learn more

With us, you may avoid this!

Mountain Gear, Inc.

Recent Search and Rescue Incidents in the News.

Survival Classes thriving despite hard times Build a fire with a battery and steel wool.

Up to the minute NEWS!
Whats in your back pack?? 15may09 Swiss heartland ban nude hiking in the Alps. 26apr09

Incident Command System info (ICS) Mountain Survival Online Quiz
Test your knowledge here 29 Oct 08
New Hampshire hikes lost and rescued. 7mar09 Exposure to intense cold (Blog)
Dealing with Black Bears in the Sierras Dealing with violence on the trail
2009 a very Dangerous Avalanche Year.

How to build a fire. A youtube video. It is not bad. It is not mine.

Make Your Own Back country Insurance Policy. Survival Kit. Surviving a night in the Forest. 15may09
Man Survives 3 Days Lost in the Arctic story 21april09 Washoe Searches in the past 120 days.

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You have questions, we will find the answers. Contact us here at josh@mountainsurvival.com


Mountain back country tips . SurvivalTactic.com 1 Oct. 08
Tips on cold feet: Before you go to bed make sure you're wearing dry socks. Even if your socks are a little damp, don't just add another layer over them. Change them! Remove your sweaty liners too. Wear a hat! 11Oct08

Call us when you need us: Washoe County Search and Rescue. We are volunteers and can use your donations. "So That Other May Live!!! Any Where! Any Time! NO CHARGE!!!

What to do if someone has not returned from the back country.
god guides, guards, governs and protects
god is loveYou do not have to wait 24 hours to report a missing hiker or child. The sooner, the better.

If you believe that someone is missing or overdue, you should report them right away to law enforcement. The 24 hour rule does not apply to search and rescue, however there must be reasonable circumstances for us to justify our response. The determination of whether SAR will respond is left up to the SAR Coordinator. He determines the urgency of the response.

There is no charge for the search and rescue in Nevada. The Washoe County Sheriffs Office utilizes teams of well trained volunteers supervised by professional paid deputies that have been trained in SAR management. These volunteers are dedicated citizens from the community that donate their time, vehicles and equipment to our cause. The teams finance a large portion of their operations with donations from the public and private grants.

If you need them Call Them. They are volunteers under the direction of Washoe County Sheriff Department. 911.
area: North Lake Tahoe to the Idaho-Oregon border, Nevada side.


Cooking: Making soup over a small fire is not as easy as it seems. Cover the pan, block the wind, and keep the fire small and concentrated. Time yourself when you practice. You don’t have to rush normally, but speed can be important in some situations, and it’s always possible your stove will break. 20 Aug. 08
Nevada is a high earth quake area. Make sure you have a 3 day survival kit ready for you and your family. Learn how to make one here on this site.

Stay out of abandon mines. Nevada has over 50,000 mines, Do not explore! Stay out and Stay Alive. Act wisely

Compass stick: Learn how to use a watch and the sun to determine direction, or how to use a stick and shadow. Compasses break, and maps get lost. You should know at least one or two ways to determine direction. You should also note the direction most likely to take you out of the wilderness before you start. If you remember that a highway runs along the entire south side of the area you are in, you know which way to go in an emergency. 22 March 08  

Do you know the difference between "Heat Stroke" and "Heat Exhaustion"? You should! One can be treated in the field and the other needs immediate evacuation. Learn the difference. I could save a life!!!
Do signal mirrors really work?
You bet they do!!!! more here

Claming Thoughts:


mountain survival skillsmountain survival skillsmountain survival skills Search and Rescue

A Reno, Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Gardnerville, Truckee, Washoe County and Sierra Nevada outdoor survival tips and Weather site.

KEEP A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE. NEVER GIVE UP!!!. http://survivaltactic.com

Mountain Survival Complete Table of Contents

This site can also be reached by the following http://

survival.ws and mtsos.com


Weather or Not!!!

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Competence in backcountry survival is increased with the knowledge of weather activities. .......................Keep updated here!!!!

Check Current Weather Radar Here!!!

Check Tahoe/ California weather info here!!!!!

National Weather Service Warning and Forecasts!!!

Tips for staying in shape!!!

Remember, weather at Tahoe can change anytime. Check it often.

An oft-stated rule of thumb for walking speed is 2 miles per hour. But that's for a day hiker on an easy trail. It doesn't account for heavier loads, gazing time, rest stops, photos, or lunch breaks. Plan to average about 1.5 miles per hour if you move steadily on a good trail. Heavy loads, rough terrain, rest stops, or water searches slow you down further.
14june08


Quick tip: Cold Feet
Before you go to bed make sure you're wearing dry socks. Even if your socks are a little damp, don't just add another layer over them. Change them! Remove your sweaty liners too.


Tip: Keeping Bees and Yellow Jackets Away

avalanche survival skills

Avalanche Safety. Check it out!!

"The devotion of thought to an honest achievement makes the achievement possible."

Check Current Weather Radar Here!!!


Mountain Survival Tales


We are looking for stories. Send us yours and we may put it up.


Washoe County Search and Rescue always looking for volunteers. We will train.

Washoe Searches in the past 120 days.


Archived Tales of Wilderness Experience



Man Tracking School

 

Warning terms for each kind of disaster

Hey! Don't like the weather? Go to Thisweathersucks.com and see when it will end.

Forecast for Greater Lake Tahoe Area

1 July

Wednesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 77. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.

2 July

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 76. West wind around 5 mph becoming east.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

3 July

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 79.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.

4 July 2009

Independence Day: Sunny, with a high near 76.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.

5 July

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 74.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.

6 July

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 73.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

7 July
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 71.

There are more thing to do in and around the Lake Tahoe . Need a personal guided tour. We can help. 775 741 0735 Check out our activities section.


Adventure Medical Kits Thermo-Lite Bivy Sack

This 8-ounce emergency bivy sack really shelters you and holds up to repeated use. Tip: To make it really useful and lite, use a silk liner. Used by members of Washoe County Search and Rescue.

To find out more click here.


UPDATE:7/2/2009 3:20:59 PM

Most recent weather updates click here at Weather-or-Not.org or This Weather Sucks.com


OUTDOOR TIP!!!

Take Breaks While Hiking

If you're exhausted, a rest and a snack (see energy bar and gel reviews below) can do wonders to boost morale.
In general, the military adheres to a schedule of 50 minutes of marching to 10 minutes of resting. This is a good pace to start with, although you might find you need more or less rest. When planning your trip remember to keep
plenty of time set aside for those rest periods.

If you are planning to hike in the back country, this article is very important. Check it out!!!!!

Preparing for Back Country Fitness

A tip for all of you back country and out of bound skiers. Take along a space blanket.

VALUE OF SPACE AGE BLANKET:

For first-aid in giving reflecting warmth, for fire reflection warmth and light and signals, for rain-proof shelter, signals of all type.

Find out more!

compass survival and training

If Lost Relax!!! (Click here to read what to do!)

If Lost, Stay Put! Make yourself visible! SAR teams will find You.

Survival Tip: If you need to attract attention make a "V" (need immediate assistance) or a large "X" (need immediate medical assistance) on the ground. You can stamp it our or use tree limbs or brush to make the signal more visible This is easier than SOS and requires less material. Also wave with 2 (two) hands and arms (distress). A 1(one) arm wave indicates all is well. (Do not get these confused!!!!!!)

If you have a whistle, give 3 blasts (distress). This can be heard up to 5 miles away under certain conditions. Three (3) signals of any kind mean SOS (Distress). (2 blasts mean "All is well")

Know the Rules Of 3's.

  • You can survival 3 minutes with out air.
  • You can survive 3 hours without proper shelter.
  • You can survive 3 days with out water.
  • You can survive 3 weeks with out food.

*********
Winter Camping in the Mountains

  • If camping in a valley, find a spot more than 60 feet above valley floor where the overnight low is 5 degrees warmer.
  • Set up camp among trees for more warmth and less dew.
  • Place camp with clear view of eastern horizon to get morning sun.
  • Place boots and clothes under tent fly to prevent dew or condensation.
  • Empty bladder before sleeping.
  • Wear a hat on a cold night.
  • If above the snow line, store water bottles upside down to prevent caps from icing. Ice floats to the top.

    Survivor Traits Taken from Real Life Experiences

    All Survivors
    • Had the ability to improvise.
    • Were very adaptable and could make the best of a poor situation.
    • Were usually very patient and remained calm, cool and collected.
    • Were usually prepared physically or mentally or both.
    • Were very aware of their own fears, shortcomings and attributes and tended to control them or use them very will in the situation.
    • Had the ability to weigh the facts and make decisions crucial to survival.
    • Had practiced skills that directly contributed to their survival.
     
    Most decisions are made on an emotional level and not by using logic.


    12 Essentials for Backpacking at Lake Tahoe (or anywhere for that matter)

    First 10 By Dennis Lewon, BACKPACKER Equipment Editor, Gina DeMillo, BACKPACKER Associate Editor, September 2002

    1. Daypack. The capacity you need depends on weather conditions and what you'd need to survive a night out. Count on extra space for photography equipment or other gear for hobbies like drawing or fishing.

    2. Food and water. Sounds obvious, but many day hikers underestimate how much fuel they'll need for a 12- to 16-hour day. Pack two lunches and a few snacks or energy bars. Check water availability; if you can't refill along the way, carry a few quarts, more in hot weather.

    3. Head lamp. Test it before heading out, and pack extra batteries if you expect to be hiking in the dark.
    Tip: The new LED head lamps last a long time and are very bright. I now use one for search and rescue operations.

    4. Basic first-aid kit. Think about the stuff you'd need to patch injuries long enough to hike out--a few bandages, some antiseptic wipes, and butterfly bandages for wounds, a triangular bandage (also works as a sling, bandanna, and athletic wrap), and tape. Adjust for longer outings and group size.

    5. Map, compass and now GPS . Don't take navigation for granted just because it's only a day hike. ( Hikers at Tahoe have been lost only 1 mile from the main road. It can happen.) Ten miles from the car is still 10 miles into the back country. A GPS is of great benefit however, it should not replace a map and compass. Do not forget extra batteries. Remember in the winter, batteries drain faster.

    6. Water treatment. A bottle of iodine tablets or other chemical treatment adds mere ounces to your pack, but pays off on long days when you're constantly refilling your tanks. Water purification pumps also work well. They are a little heavier and may freeze during the winter.

    7. Rain shell. A lightweight waterproof/breathable shell is ideal. A poncho also works and may take up less room in your pack. Toss in an extra mid layer if the weather is chilly. Garbage bags can also double as a expedient rain suit.

    8. Emergency shelter. Depending on your preference for pack weight and comfort, all of the following work: bivy sack, emergency blanket, tarp, a waterproof rain suit, garbage bags (min. of 2). Consider carrying a lightweight sleeping bag if nighttime temperatures would kill you.

    9. Warm hat. It won't take much space in your pack, but provides the warmth of an extra sweater if the mercury dips or if you have to sleep out.

    10. Fire. Lighter or matches in a waterproof container along with a candle. Trixoine tables will light with a spark kit even when wet. (Butane does not work in very cold temperatures with out first warming it up.) I prefer a steel and flint striker along with Vaseline and cotton balls. Always carry more than one way to light a fire. I perfer 3 ways.
    20 Feb. 2009

    11. Find Me Spot. This is a must if you want to hike or travel into the back country alone. Cheap insurance. Added 7 Dec. 2007

    12. Knife. A good full tang knife is a must in all survival situations. Pocket knives are OK but do not stand up to the rigors of out door situations.


    WHY YOU NEED THIS SITE!

    2009 US & CANADA, AVALANCHE FATALITIES & CLOSE CALLS

    Check here for current update.

    When lost, remain calm, eveluate your assets and make a plan.

    Washoe County Search and Rescue: WashoeSAR.com

    Washoe County Search and Rescue and Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue are both volunteer organizations. They are supported by your donations.

    Everyone enjoys the back country around Lake Tahoe. No one plans to get in trouble but when you do, these organizations are there so that you may live.

    Please contact these two organizations through these links tahoenordicsar.com and WashoeSAR.com and ask how you can support them. Both organizations have fun raisers but it is not enough. They need your support.

    ............so that others may live.................


    Rescued in the Back Country

    3500+ Missions for the years 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.

    When you venture out, BE PREPARED!!! Click here to find information on the search and rescue missions.


    prepare your survival skills for chaning weather

    The weather at Tahoe can change any time. These pictures are 15 minutes apart. 9 March 2001

    Be Prepared!!!!!!!!

    Site Table of Contents

    Increase your proficiency and master the craft of back country survival if you plan any outdoor activity.
    Check our survival index.


    Looking for Something to do while at Lake Tahoe? Click below.

    survival


    BackPacker.com

    Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com


    If you have any questions you may contact us at by calling 775 741 0735 or E-mail:

     staff@mountainsurvival.com

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