Traveling into Colorado’s beautiful backcountry always carries some risk, even if you’re just going for a short hike. The key to staying safe is in planning and preparedness. Backcountry search and rescue (BSAR) teams in Colorado recommend that you follow the Three Ts: Trip planning, Training, and Taking the essentials.
Trip Planning
Heading into the backcountry shouldn’t be done impulsively — or without preparation like checking the weather, planning your route, and notifying someone of your plans. Potential hazards include, but aren’t limited to, getting lost, being struck by lightning, becoming injured, and hypothermia – even in the middle of summer. You can experience dangerous backcountry conditions no matter your activity, and they include things like thunderstorms, active wildfires, falling and fallen debris, and flash floods. That’s why doing your homework and having a good understanding of the group’s abilities and limitations are so important when picking an activity and planning your route. Here are some important steps in trip planning:
Check weather predictions: Colorado is known for its wild, rapidly changing weather patterns and it’s no different in the summer. It can be sunny and 70 degrees one minute, then storming—or possibly even snowing if you’re at high altitudes—the next. With this in mind, it’s important to seek out hourly predictions for where you’re going, not just where you’re coming from, with the National Weather Service. Just because it is warm and sunny in Denver doesn’t mean you can wear shorts and a tank top to in the mountains. On average, the temperature drops four degrees for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Colorado’s mountains are also notorious for severe thunderstorms that can arrive swiftly, and often after noon. So, if you’re heading into the mountains for a scenic hike, reduce your risk by starting early and being off peaks and ridges and away from trees before noon.
Map it out: Just like it’s important to watch the weather and plan accordingly, it’s also important to map out your trek. Do research ahead of time and make sure you’ve downloaded a map to your phone, while you still have service. Better yet, bring a paper map; paper maps don’t get dead batteries. Once you’re off the grid, you can expect your smart-phone navigation, and phone service in general, to be spotty. Trail-mapping resources, like the Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) app, are handy. These resources can provide descriptions and reviews that give you an indication of trail conditions and difficulty, such as whether you’ll need to navigate to stay on the right path.
Leave your plan with a responsible person who isn’t going with you: Some people call this your “in-town.” Make sure this person knows where you plan to park, what your intended route is, who is with you, what you’re carrying, what time you expect to be back, and what time is reasonable to call 911 if you haven’t returned. They should also know what county you’ll be in, if it’s not the same county they are in, so they can call the sheriff’s office of that county instead of 911 to report you overdue. You can read more about this element of trip planning here.
Training
Training is about ensuring you have the physical conditioning, knowledge and skill for whatever adventure you’re planning. If the longest hike you’ve ever done is an hour, it’s probably not time to tackle your first 14er yet. If you just learned to mountain bike, stay on trails with easier ratings for a few rides before you start to step up the terrain difficulty. If you’re a complete novice at the activity you’ve chosen, consider hiring a guide. You can find lots of resources on the Colorado Tourism Office’s website here.
Taking the Essentials
BSAR teams frequently talk about the “ten essentials,” but be smart about it. Occasionally, you might not need all ten for a very short, familiar hike. More often, you might need more than ten. Deciding what to take should be part of your trip planning process. In most cases, you should be carrying:
- Water: Bring more than you think you’ll need and carry at least two liters per person; hydration packs, like a CamelBak, are especially handy because they can carry lots of water and fit in your pack.
- Food: Pack enough for how long you plan to be out and bring extra just in case.
- Sun protection: Bring things like a hat, buff, sunscreen, protective clothing and sunglasses.
- Daily medications if you need them: Bring an EpiPen if you have severe allergies.
- Travel first-aid kit
- Headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries
- Multi-tool or pocket knife, and duct tape for quick repairs
- Extra clothing layers for the chilliest weather possible on your trek
- Navigation tools: Paper map, compass, GPS device, cell phone, etc.
- Backup cell-phone battery and power source
- Whistle:To alert people of your presence if you’re lost and/or injured
- Emergency shelter:Like an emergency bivy, blanket, small tarp or even a large, heavy-duty lawn/leaf bag
- Lighter or waterproof matches and emergency tinder
Cell phones don’t always work in the backcountry, so you may also want to bring an emergency electronic signaling device. We especially recommend a satellite communications device that allows for two-way communication, so you can text your in-town to let them know your situation. This also lets you tell BSAR responders the specific nature of your emergency so they can plan their response and allocate resources accordingly.
Other Safety Considerations
Caught in a thunderstorm? Move away from risky areas like high-elevation terrain (peaks and ridges), tall objects like trees, the windward side of a mountain (where the storm blows in), and water. See the National Weather Service’s Lightning Safety Tips here >>
Understand signs of altitude sickness:
Especially when you’re coming from a much lower elevation, Colorado’s high reaches might make you sick due to less oxygen in the air. Altitude sickness can strike anyone any time, regardless of age or physical condition. Practice patience by resting for at least 24 hours at a lower-elevation spot before heading up into the mountains. Keep hydrated, and avoid alcohol while you’re acclimating.
Common symptoms of altitude sickness include a mild headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue and issues sleeping. Emergency symptoms, which can be deadly, include a rapid pulse, loss of balance, slurring words, lack of coordination, irrational behavior and even cerebral and/or pulmonary edema. If you get altitude sickness, descend to a lower elevation and seek medical treatment if necessary.
General to-dos for the trail:
- Blistered or sore feet can impact your mobility and ruin a trip, especially if you’re far from your car. Always wear footwear that’s appropriate for your activity. For instance, if you’re climbing a 14er, wear hiking boots that have already been broken in to avoid blisters and leave the flipflops at home.
- Dress in layers for any kind of weather — sun, rain, wind, sleet and even snow — and slather yourself in sunscreen. The sun’s rays are strong here, especially at higher elevations and even when it’s overcast.
- Do current and future travelers a favor by keeping the backcountry pristine. Please pack out your trash and leave it better than you found it. Use the Care for Colorado Principles as your guide.
- Avoid the most popular trailheads on weekends and holidays. Have a back-up plan if you arrive and find a parking lot full; don’t park on the road. Consider carpooling.
- Colorado backcountry search & rescue services are free of charge, so never hesitate to call. But you can expect a bill for a medical helicopter or ambulance if it’s required. That’s why you should have travel or medical insurance that covers evacuations.
What to do in an emergency:
If you’re in a true backcountry emergency, whether you’re lost or injured, use your satellite communications device or call or text 911. Even if your phone doesn’t have a signal, it’s important to give this a try; sometimes a text will go through in areas where a call will not. Read more about calling 911 from the backcountry here.
Not sure where you are? First and foremost, stay calm and stop where you are. Then think, observe and plan. Without going far off your original route, look for a familiar landmark or location. If you’re truly lost, stay put, hydrate and eat some food, and put on some extra clothing to stay warm. Use your whistle to alert anyone nearby of your presence and consider building a campfire if you can do it carefully and there isn’t a fire ban (check before you go for county-specific fire-restriction info). It will take some time for rescuers to get to you, so it’s important to seek shelter and wait patiently.
Much of the above applies to injuries as well. If there are people nearby, ask them for help. Be prepared with a first-aid kit and know how to use it. Try to call or text 911, or use your personal signaling device, if the injury or illness is serious and requires swift medical attention.
Wondering when it’s appropriate to call search and rescue? Read more about it here. When in doubt, however, don’t hesitate to call. Colorado’s volunteer-powered BSAR teams will be there for you when you need them, at no charge.