Make sure your wilderness adventure remains amazing. Prepare for the unexpected!
Weather in higher elevations can change suddenly and dramatically. Always be prepared with warm clothes, rain gear, plenty of water, high energy food, matches, and a first aid kit. Insect repellent is also good to have along, especially in early summer.
Make Sure you have your 10 essentials
- Navigation (compass and map)
- Sun protection
- Insulation
- Illumination (headlamp or flashlight)
- First aid supplies
- Fire (matches or lighter)
- Repair kit and tools
- Food
- Hydration
- Emergency shelter
Wildfires and Fire Safety
Wildfires are a serious issue in the West. Many have human origins. Be aware of the fire risk when you visit and check with the designated agency about if and where campfires are allowed. This can change daily. If you don’t know if you can build a campfire, don’t! It’s not worth the risk or the large fine.
When building a fire:
- Use established rings, fire pans, or mound fires
- Keep fires small
- Do not burn garbage or anything that is not wood
- Do not leave your fire unattended
- Never put hot coals in dumpsters
- Completely extinguish your fire
- Disperse cool coals
- Leave your fire pit and campsite cleaner than you found it
Avalanche Safety
- It can snow a lot during the winter, and each new snowfall and thaw brings the risk of an avalanche on mountain slopes.
- In nearly all accidents, the avalanche is triggered by the victim or someone in the victim’s party. When traveling on slopes, it is vital that all be proficient in avalanche safety skills and have up-to-date weather information.
- Snowfall of one inch (2.5 cm) per hour or winds of 15 mph or higher greatly increases avalanche danger.
- Carry rescue gear such as a beacon, shovel, and probe. In avalanche terrain, spread out and always leave someone in a safe spot to initiate a rescue.
- Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll return.
- Get more avalanche resources and check the daily forecast from the Wallowa Avalanche Center.