Lessons from the wild: Six tips for making it home safe

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Our skis were loaded, our packs were full, and our spirits were high as we set out for what was supposed to be a quick overnight trip. Our destination: the cozy Alpine Club of Canada log cabin on the continental divide at Elk Lakes, British Columbia.

Our drive from Calgary began with sunny skies. But by the time we turned off the TransCanada south towards Kananaskis Country, the rain started to come down. Approaching Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, that downpour turned to sleet.

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My heart sank as we pushed through white-out conditions. The roads became even more treacherous, and we discovered that our designated trailhead was completely snowed in. We might have been able to get into the parking lot – but getting it out the next day would be a completely different matter!

After rendezvousing with the other half of our party, we had a decision to make.

Situations like these have inertia; the two-hour drive, the time taken off work, the money spent on booking fees, and so on all stack up as a sunk cost. The “gambler’s fallacy” of putting good money after bad can creep into all major life decisions, and backcountry excursions are no exception.

Looking out at our winter wonderland, I was tempted to believe the trip could be salvaged. We would just have to park a dozen miles back up the road from our trailhead and ski in from there; that would double the four-hour one-way trip we had planned, and we’d be forced to break trail all the way up and through the Great Divide. The last of which would be in the cold and dark.

Based on our skills and fitness level, it was borderline doable. But everything would have to go right, and we’d have no room for error.

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We made our decision. Laughingly, we enjoyed a snowy picnic potluck, went for a short ski jaunt, and began the drive home – safe, but with a story to share.

They say that experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want. Drawing from this “experience,” here are five essential tips for winter backcountry safety that every adventurer should consider:

1. Work your way up. Any way that you can spend time in nature, even if for a short while, is worth it. You don’t have to climb a mountain in the middle of February to get the proven health benefits of being outdoors! While you should be realistic about your physical capabilities, the good news is that our city and province offer fantastic winter recreation options for practically everyone. Start small, and consider joining an organization like the Alpine Club or Calgary Outdoor Club for learning opportunities and to meet like-minded people. 
2. Be equipped. Winter demands more of you, and your equipment. Dress in layers to manage body temperature and keep dry. Be sure to bring insulated clothing, waterproof layers, and appropriate gear for snow travel. Prioritize high-calorie, easy-to-digest foods not impacted by the cold. Consider a satellite communication service. Carry more food or water than you think you need. Your body requires more energy in cold conditions, and you may find yourself having to shelter in place for some time. 
3. Hone your skills. The best equipment is useless if you don’t know how it works. Invest in yourself by building the knowledge necessary for backcountry safety: not only for your sake, but for others. Understand basic first aid and how to treat cold-weather injuries. Recognizing, mitigating, and responding to avalanche risk is an essential skill for backcountry winter navigation. More information: www.avalanche.ca
4. Trust your gut. No matter what anyone tells you: never let others push you beyond your limits. Even the most experienced and qualified people can miss the obvious. Peer pressure, even if unintentional, is a real thing. Protect yourself – and those around you – by speaking up and covering for others’ blindspots.
5. Have a plan. Familiarize yourself beforehand and carry reliable navigation tools. That means old-school paper maps! Communicate your plans to others. A well-planned route, realistic to your party’s capabilities and available time, is your lifeline. In the backcountry, and especially during winter, everything takes longer than you think. Just because you’ve been somewhere once before doesn’t mean it will be the same the next time.
6. But be flexible! Weather in the backcountry can change rapidly. Conditions in the city can be wildly different from the mountains. Watch forecasts, but be ready to adjust to what your eyes see! It’s far better to turn back and have something to look forward to in a future trip than risk a life-changing injury (or worse).

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Winter in the backcountry is as rewarding as it is challenging. But remember that the mountain, cabin, lake, or trail will always be there for another day. Even if life doesn’t always go to plan, the greatest adventures are those that bring you home safely to talk about them.

Former city councillor Jeromy “Pathfinder” Farkas is a certified Wilderness First Responder with more than 4,000 hours of experience in some of North America’s most remote backcountry settings. He serves as chief executive at the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation, with a mission to protect and promote one of Alberta’s signature provincial parks through engagement, education, and conservation. ceo@grpf.ca

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