Mountain Roo Newsletter | February 2019

ADVENTURE READY

January saw the start of the 2019 rally season in many places around the country, and with this, the MtnRoo Rally Crew gains new members and strives for more podium spots. Questions we see frequently are: how do I get started? Can anyone join in on the fun? The answer is absolutely! 

We got together and put together this quick overview of what to check out on your car before you get to tech inspection on race day. Nate takes the time to look over Jorge's 2005 lifted WRX before its inaugural run at Glen Helen Raceway.

CLICK THE VIDEO ABOVE TO VIEW THE EPISODE!

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

The more you know, the less you have to carry. Remember the Rule of 3s. The average healthy human can survive: 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter (in extreme environments) 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food.

TOP THREE SURVIVAL ITEMS

Water- Obviously you should pack water, even for a short hike. But if the trip takes longer than expected, or you get lost or stranded, some way to get and clean water is an absolute necessity. For longer trips roughly a gallon per person, per day is recommended.

Shelter- The first line of defense is the clothing you choose. Checking weather conditions and dressing accordingly goes a long way toward staying warm and dry. Beyond that, all my wilderness kits include a mylar (space) blanket, and have a tarp and some 550 paracord to make shelters should I get lost.

Fire- A big part of comfort and security for shelter is fire. Fire is not optional to me in a survival situation. Can you survive without it? Absolutely, but it will be easier if you can make a fire for signaling, warmth, boiling water, light, cooking food. (Always be responsible with fire, and make sure to clean up when you are leaving the area.)

Two is one, one is none.

Gear will fail you when it’s least convenient, have a backup for things that are necessary for safety and survival. To stay out of trouble, here are a few things I always have on me in case of emergency.

• An essential tool that’s relatively easy to come by. ALWAYS have a knife. The style is up to you, but the important lesson is you should always have a good knife with you.
• Another valuable tool to have handy is a multitool; Leatherman, or Swiss Army knives are very popular, and for good reason.

General knowledge that may be helpful:

• The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, while the specifics change depending on location and time of year, that will get you a rough bearing. Moss on trees or rocks is not a reliable indicator of direction.
• If you are lost, and someone knows roughly where you are, stop moving, stay put, and find a way to signal rescuers. You may spend more time running away from them if you don’t know where you’re going.
• Stay positive. Nearly anyone who has lived through a survival situation will attest that a positive mindset and good attitude will get you through nearly anything. Giving up is not an option, and you can make it through anything if you try hard enough.

— Cory R. (@ripley1046)

You can find the full featured version of this article by clicking HERE.

CAMPING ESSENTIALS

When done mindfully, camping can be one of the better and cheaper ways to regain balance between the mind and body. In hopes to spark inspiration to get outdoors, here’s a list with some tips to dip some toes into what to buy and what to expect.

SHOPPING LIST

• Road Atlas: It’s a clever and little known trick to plan an adventure the old fashioned way (or to at least have it as a back up). In the event of getting lost and not having the signal necessary to plan the next move, an atlas will be a trusty substitute.
• Emergency Medical Kit: Not all emergency kits are the same. It’s important to make sure that any medical kit in your car or on your person contains the following items; rain poncho(s), gloves - both for warmth and for medical scenarios (ie. latex or nylon), medical supplies, batteries, road flares, and reflective hazard triangles and vest.
• Rechargeable Jumper Pack: These are preferable to jumper cables due to the fact that a person is no longer reliant on another running car to put power back into a dead battery. There are several different brands that offer just as many sizes - as long as the jumper pack can charge a 12 volt battery, it’s not necessary to buy the biggest size possible for a truck or an SUV. Before heading toward the next adventure, it doesn’t hurt to confirm that the charge is full.
• Flashlight + Batteries: LED flashlight or not, it’s sensible to have spare batteries for any and all electronics that call for them.
• Tools: To fix anything that needs repairing, or to compile things for the campsite. Such tools would be; hammer, axe or hatchet, screwdrivers - both philips and flathead, and a knife.
• Kitchenware
• Appropriate Attire
• Hygiene items
• Sleeping arrangements:
  1. A sleeping bag is arguably one of the more important items on a camping trip. What’s important to note is that not all sleeping bags are equal, please make sure you’re camping with weather appropriate gear!
  2. Sleeping pad (recommended)
  3. Pillows
  4. Extra blankets (the more the better)
  5. Warm socks (wool is best - moisture wicking and warmer than cotton)
• Identification: Having an ID handy with a current address can come in handy in case of an emergency.

The list may seem daunting, but after a few trips, these items tend to come to the front of the mind when packing for the next adventure. 

— Kristen F. (@dolphinley)

You can find the full featured version of this article by clicking HERE.