從加州十月暴風雪所想到的逆境生存。。。。

10月17日那個周末，北加州下了罕見的大雨，而優勝美地國家公園和John Muir Wildness山裏下起了罕見的大雪，大雪困住了十幾名從16歲到73歲不等的在山中遠足者或露營者或攀岩者。由於接下來幾天繼續大雪紛飛，天氣條件極其惡劣，空中能見度極差，所有的救援工作到了星期四才得以全麵展開。結果，除了兩個日本攀岩者不幸喪生之外，所有其他十幾名遠足者在經曆至少三天艱苦的環境下都奇跡地生還，而且很快就被直升飛機找到。由於其中兩位還是我一位很要好的同事的哥哥和侄子，對於此件事情的關注程度我自然比別人高些。這十幾個幸存者中，大部分都是非常有經驗的背包客，知道逆境生存的基本條件；唯有喪生的兩位日本異客，沒有做好充足的準備，所帶的攀岩工具根本不足以抵擋任何突發事件和寒冷的天氣。在聽完記者采訪了有關人員(遠足者，親人，救護人員)之後，我總結歸納了這些幸存者有著的共同的地方：

 

1)       出發之前做好充分準備，幾乎所有的幸存者在出發前都查了天氣狀況，大概知道天氣不太好，可能降溫，雖然沒有料到會演變成為可怕的暴風雪，但是大部分的露營者都帶了能保暖的帳篷和睡袋。

2)       出發之前，都告知家人路線和回家日期，到了野外也都到ranger那登記野外露營的地點。這就可以使家人第一時間報警，也給救援工作帶來了極大的方便。荒郊野嶺，方圓幾千裏，直升飛機很難發現人影。但是有了他們的大概路線，直升飛機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記野外露營處附近發現的。

3)       嚴格遵循路線，這些野外露營者，最終都是在ranger提供的地方找到的。隻有最後找到的一名獨身出遊的露營者，可能迷路了，走叉了路，所以沒能在ranger登記的地方找到他。

4)       在暴風雪中，沒有盲目地尋找出路，發現被暴風雪困住之後，所有的幸存者都決定躲進帳篷，守住營地。沒有帶上帳篷的孤身遠足者，則是躲進了山洞，在暴風雪過後等待援助。

5)       都是熟人結伴而行，或親人，或同事，或鄰居。十幾人中，四個是父子組合，四個是同事組合，四個是父子鄰居組合。熟人相伴的好處在於關鍵時候大家可以團結一致，可以從大局出發，互相幫忙，互相體諒，把親情和友情的力量發揮到了極致。記得以前足行曾經貼過一個貼子--穿越，講得是幾個網上認識的朋友一起穿越森林，結果發生種種事情，大家無法一條心，導致四人中隻有兩人活著走出森林。

6)       關鍵時候有冷靜的頭腦，沒有慌亂，而是大家一起想辦法製定策略，如何保暖和分配食物，做好最壞的準備。我朋友的哥哥四人，一發現下雪就覺得大事不好，四人決定擠在一個帳篷取暖，如果周圍的雪堆得太高了，他們就出去把雪鏟開，保證帳篷的幹燥。而且由於他們的食物隻剩下一天了，他們決定把一天的食物分配成7天來吃，早上吃五粒花生米，晚上吃花生醬。大家互相鼓勵，互相講故事。由於他們沒有帶手套，就把毛襪子脫了，大家用毛襪子當手套取暖。記得以前看過在尤他州一個攀岩者，在峽穀裏被巨石壓住了一隻手，幾天過去沒有援助，他居然用一把很鈍的刀把手切了，然後步行3英裏求救。這一切都歸功於他冷靜的頭腦和驚人的勇氣。

7)       在暴風雪過後積極尋找援救。有兩位孤身的遠足者則是站在空曠的雪地上等待。剩下的找出所有有顏色的東西，象台布，睡袋，手絹，揮舞來吸引直升飛機的注意力，還有是用鏡子反射陽光，引起救援者的注意。

 

這一切看來隻要準備充分，逆境中生存應該不成問題的。LG和我在討論問題的時候，問了問對方，如果發生在別的國家，象非洲某個窮國，有辦法出動直升飛機嗎？特別是在深山老林之中，有沒有登記露營的管理站呢？當地的財力物力允許出動直升飛機來援救嗎？如果那樣的話，這些有經驗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