Many of us here at Adventure Insider are now (or have been) members of rescue teams in one way or another. Further, we're all avid outdoors enthusiasts that spend as much time as possible 'off the grid', so we take stories like this very seriously. Some things to keep in mind any time you're in the backcountry:
- Safety first: Don't attempt feats that are beyond your training, experience, and equipment on hand
- Weather changes everything: Depending on the time of year, your location, and preparation (see above) your plans can change instantly. Pay attention to what mother nature is telling you; don't proceed unless it's safe
- Prepare for extenuating circumstances: First aid kits, emergency shelters, and other types of survival gear are essential. We always carry a basic small survival kit with us.
- Backups to your backups: In the event you decide to separate from your group, make sure you have working communications and some type of emergency notification device (SPOT, PLB, etc)
These obviously are just basic steps, they're vital to ensuring every trip to the backcountry has a happy ending.