I got caught in a lightning storm above treeline in Colorado. No shelter. No escape. Just crouching on my pack, counting seconds between flash and boom, wondering if this was it. I survived. But I learned that safety isn’t about fear. It’s about preparation and respect. Here’s what keeps me alive out there.
Weather: The Thing That Kills Most People
Not bears. Not serial killers. Weather. Hypothermia. Heat stroke. Lightning. Flash floods.
I check forecasts obsessively. Multiple sources. I watch the sky. In mountains, weather changes in minutes. That blue morning can become a black afternoon.
Above treeline, I’m off the ridge by noon. Lightning is most common afternoon. I plan to be lower when it strikes.
If caught in a storm, I spread out from my group. Crouch on insulating material. Don’t touch metal. Don’t shelter under trees. It’s terrifying. But survivable.
Water: Treat Everything
Giardia. Cryptosporidium. E. coli. They’re in the prettiest streams.
I filter everything. Even water that looks pristine. The Sawyer Squeeze is my go-to. Fast. Reliable. Lightweight.
I also know where water sources are. I carry more than I need between sources. Dehydration impairs judgment. Impaired judgment leads to mistakes.
The Wildlife Reality
Bears want your food, not you. Store it properly. Hang it. Use bear canisters. In grizzly country, I’m extra careful.
I’ve seen bears. Black bears mostly. They ran. Grizzlies are different. I carry bear spray in their territory. I’ve never used it. The spray is Plan B. Proper food storage is Plan A.
Mountain lions are rare. If you see one, you’re lucky. And possibly in trouble. Make noise. Don’t run. Look big.
Snakes? Watch where you step. Don’t reach where you can’t see. Most bites are on hands and ankles.
Navigation: Trust But Verify
GPS is great. Batteries die. I carry paper maps and a compass. I know how to use them. I practice.
I also tell someone my plan. Where I’m going. When I’ll return. If I’m not back, they call for help. Simple. Effective.
The Injury Scenario
I carry a wilderness first aid kit. Not a Band-Aid box. Gauze. Tape. Splint material. Medications.
More importantly, I took a Wilderness First Aid course. Two days. $250. Worth more than any gear. I know how to assess, stabilize, and decide whether evacuation is needed.
Solo vs. Group
Solo is riskier. No one to help if you’re hurt. No one to make decisions if you’re impaired.
But solo is also simpler. No group dynamics. No waiting. No compromise.
I solo sometimes. But I’m more conservative. I stick to trails. I check in more often. I don’t push my limits as hard.
The Honest Truth
You can’t eliminate risk. You can manage it. Preparation reduces the chance of problems. Training reduces the impact when problems happen.
Most backcountry incidents aren’t dramatic. They’re small mistakes compounded. Wrong turn. Wrong clothing. Wrong assumption.
Pay attention. Move deliberately. Respect the environment. That’s most of safety right there.