从加州十月暴风雪所想到的逆境生存。。。。

10月17日那个周末，北加州下了罕见的大雨，而优胜美地国家公园和John Muir Wildness山里下起了罕见的大雪，大雪困住了十几名从16岁到73岁不等的在山中远足者或露营者或攀岩者。由于接下来几天继续大雪纷飞，天气条件极其恶劣，空中能见度极差，所有的救援工作到了星期四才得以全面展开。结果，除了两个日本攀岩者不幸丧生之外，所有其他十几名远足者在经历至少三天艰苦的环境下都奇迹地生还，而且很快就被直升飞机找到。由于其中两位还是我一位很要好的同事的哥哥和侄子，对于此件事情的关注程度我自然比别人高些。这十几个幸存者中，大部分都是非常有经验的背包客，知道逆境生存的基本条件；唯有丧生的两位日本异客，没有做好充足的准备，所带的攀岩工具根本不足以抵挡任何突发事件和寒冷的天气。在听完记者采访了有关人员(远足者，亲人，救护人员)之后，我总结归纳了这些幸存者有着的共同的地方：

 

1)       出发之前做好充分准备，几乎所有的幸存者在出发前都查了天气状况，大概知道天气不太好，可能降温，虽然没有料到会演变成为可怕的暴风雪，但是大部分的露营者都带了能保暖的帐篷和睡袋。

2)       出发之前，都告知家人路线和回家日期，到了野外也都到ranger那登记野外露营的地点。这就可以使家人第一时间报警，也给救援工作带来了极大的方便。荒郊野岭，方圆几千里，直升飞机很难发现人影。但是有了他们的大概路线，直升飞机就可以直接先到目的地找人，基本上所有的幸存者都是在登记野外露营处附近发现的。

3)       严格遵循路线，这些野外露营者，最终都是在ranger提供的地方找到的。只有最后找到的一名独身出游的露营者，可能迷路了，走叉了路，所以没能在ranger登记的地方找到他。

4)       在暴风雪中，没有盲目地寻找出路，发现被暴风雪困住之后，所有的幸存者都决定躲进帐篷，守住营地。没有带上帐篷的孤身远足者，则是躲进了山洞，在暴风雪过后等待援助。

5)       都是熟人结伴而行，或亲人，或同事，或邻居。十几人中，四个是父子组合，四个是同事组合，四个是父子邻居组合。熟人相伴的好处在于关键时候大家可以团结一致，可以从大局出发，互相帮忙，互相体谅，把亲情和友情的力量发挥到了极致。记得以前足行曾经贴过一个贴子--穿越，讲得是几个网上认识的朋友一起穿越森林，结果发生种种事情，大家无法一条心，导致四人中只有两人活着走出森林。

6)       关键时候有冷静的头脑，没有慌乱，而是大家一起想办法制定策略，如何保暖和分配食物，做好最坏的准备。我朋友的哥哥四人，一发现下雪就觉得大事不好，四人决定挤在一个帐篷取暖，如果周围的雪堆得太高了，他们就出去把雪铲开，保证帐篷的干燥。而且由于他们的食物只剩下一天了，他们决定把一天的食物分配成7天来吃，早上吃五粒花生米，晚上吃花生酱。大家互相鼓励，互相讲故事。由于他们没有带手套，就把毛袜子脱了，大家用毛袜子当手套取暖。记得以前看过在尤他州一个攀岩者，在峡谷里被巨石压住了一只手，几天过去没有援助，他居然用一把很钝的刀把手切了，然后步行3英里求救。这一切都归功于他冷静的头脑和惊人的勇气。

7)       在暴风雪过后积极寻找援救。有两位孤身的远足者则是站在空旷的雪地上等待。剩下的找出所有有颜色的东西，象台布，睡袋，手绢，挥舞来吸引直升飞机的注意力，还有是用镜子反射阳光，引起救援者的注意。

 

这一切看来只要准备充分，逆境中生存应该不成问题的。LG和我在讨论问题的时候，问了问对方，如果发生在别的国家，象非洲某个穷国，有办法出动直升飞机吗？特别是在深山老林之中，有没有登记露营的管理站呢？当地的财力物力允许出动直升飞机来援救吗？如果那样的话，这些有经验的背包客可以熬到多久呢？

 

我不知道答案。。。。

 

 

 

Pounds of prevention ...

Weather is the wild card that threatens your safety when trying to enjoy the outdoors. During fall, it can be particularly unpredictable. So, here are some tips to help you plan so that unexpected weather changes don't ruin your hike or ride ... or life.

* If you have a cell phone, bring it; though it can intrude on the natural experience, it could save your life.

* Don't attempt something you're not trained to do. Before you enter a trailhead, do some warm-up exercises. Wear sunglasses and a hat. Even in the fall, sunscreen is a good idea, especially at high altitudes.

* Check the weather report before you leave. Be ready and equipped for changes.

* Tell someone where you're going, even detailing the planned route. Know where the nearest ranger station or phone is. Hike or ride with at least one other person, and one or two more for trips to remote areas.

* Stay dry; wet clothes in a cold rain can rob your body of heat within minutes. Bring rain gear (even a large trash bag will make a good poncho). Bring wool or synthetic clothing that "wicks" moisture away from your body. Avoid cotton, which retains moisture. Have a wool cap, or some cap. A large percentage of your body's heat escapes through an uncovered head.

* Bring more water than you think you'll need, and have water-purification tablets for when you run out.

* Bring real food. Clif Bars and PowerBars are useful and weigh next to nothing, but they will only hold you for so long. If you're taking a sandwich, make two. Food=calories=heat=survival.

* Have a pocketknife, a mirror for signaling, some waterproof matches and a windproof lighter, extra glasses if you are dependent on them, a space blanket, a flashlight and a whistle.

* Bring a compass and a map. Watch for landmarks. Know how you got where you are. If you're lost, don't panic; it can lead to bad decisions. If you are on a trail, don't leave it. If night is falling, or you are injured or exhausted, stay put until morning. If you are in good shape and have daylight, follow a drainage - a creek or river bed - downhill. It likely will hit a road or trail. But be aware that, in a heavy rain, some gullies are subject to flash flooding.

* Pack your most important clothing, food and tools in plastic bags. Wet clothes, food or matches are useless.

* Bring a first-aid kit: bandages and tape, scissors, Band-Aids for blisters, an antiseptic to prevent infections, a pain reliever and a snake-bite kit.

* If you're caught in a lightning storm, avoid single trees (and boulders). Head for forested areas, where your odds are better. Don't pitch a tent under the tallest trees, for the same reason. Drop anything you have that's metal, including golf clubs, fishing rods, metal flashlights, umbrellas, small camping stoves and backpacks with internal metal frames. Get off your bike or motorcycle. If you're in an open field, get low, but don't lie down, which offers more contact with the ground and thus increases the chances of lightning being attracted to you. If you're in a boat on a lake, get to shore and get at least 100 yards away from the lake.

Source: National Forest Service and other outdoor experts