If lost on winter hike, build an emergency tree well shelter

The well at the bottom of a tree where no snow falls is
the perfect place to build an emergency shelter.
Photo courtesy of  Wikipedia.

If forced to stay out overnight in the wilds during winter, you’ll want to find shelter right away. This will keep you out of the wind and hopefully ensure you don’t have to lay on the snow, which can lead to hypothermia. Don’t worry if you can’t find a man-made shed or cabin, though – you can build your own shelter in a pinch. One of the easiest to construct is a tree well shelter.

As hiking past evergreen trees, note how there’s a depression of snow around the trunks. Each tree’s canopy of branches limited the amount snow from falling in this zone, which is called the tree well. It’s a perfect place to set up an emergency shelter.

Begin by collecting other boughs that you can prop against the evergreen branches, with the branch’s woody, pole end going into the snow. This is the wall for your shelter. You may need to layer the boughs to minimize the wind coming through it and to ensure that if one bough falls down that there’s no hole in your shelter. Be sure to leave an opening for a doorway and setting aside boughs that can be used to close it.

Next, remove the snow from the tree well by gently pushing it against the boughs used to form the shelter’s walls. Then cover the tree well with boughs. This is the sleeping mat that will keep you off the cold ground.

Have everyone take a potty break at least a hundred feet downwind from the shelter. Finally, once everyone is inside, close up the doorway. Don’t start any fires within this makeshift shelter.

As snow is an excellent insulator, a properly built shelter combined with body heat can result in a pad that is up to 40 degrees warmer than the temperature outside.

Related articles:
g If lost, reassure kids by getting them involved in signaling for help
g Staying the night outdoors because you're lost? Set your priorities
g What to do when lost with children on a hike
g When you have no food but are lost overnight

Find out about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Consider bringing space blanket on hike

Also known as an emergency blanket, first-aid blanket, Mylar blanket, thermal blanket or weather blanket, the space blanket is a necessity if you should have to stay the night in the words.

Developed for the space program (hence its name), the ultrathin sheet is lightweight and takes up little space. Its materials reflect 97% of all heat, making it an ideal shelter wall, let alone blanket.

Related articles:
g Carry wet wipes during day hike with children
g Select right sunglasses for hiking children
g Pack waterproof bags on day hike with children
g Carry safety whistle when hiking with children
g Selecting the right camera for a day hike with children

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

Do I need to carry rope on a day hike?

Rope Image courtesy of Simon Howden
 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Q: Should I bring rope with me on a day hike? I often see it listed as a necessary item in backpacking books – jim04, Modesto, Calif.

A: Ropes are one of those items you’ll probably never need on a day hike with kids, but should you be forced to stay the night, it will make building a shelter much easier.

As with a multipurpose tool’s many gadgets, you never know when one will come in handy. You don’t need anything too expensive. Ten to 12 feet of nylon cord will be more than sufficient. To help cut costs, clothesline rope also will work.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

What to do if caught in snowstorm on a hike

Never send someone for help if caught in
a snowstorm. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Getting stranded in a snowstorm means at best you’ll only have days to live unless soon rescued, especially if hiking with children. Hypothermia, frostbite, lack of water due to it freezing and the inability to forage for food or to find tinder and branches to make a fire all make survival extremely difficult.

If you’ve planned your trip correctly, you shouldn’t be in the wilds when a snowstorm is forecast. Mountain weather is highly changeable, however, and it’s quite possible in late spring and early autumn for one to surprise you at a high elevation. As soon as you see any signs of clouding over, feel a significant drop in temperature, or notice high winds or snowflakes, immediately descend to a lower elevation.

If walking is no longer viable – snow can hide the trail and bring visibility to zero – immediately construct a shelter to diminish the affect of wind and wet snow. Huddle together for warmth. Do not eat snow or suck on ice as it will lower your core body temperature. Immediately call for help, and don’t send anyone for help as they easily can get lost in the snowstorm.

Read more about day hiking with children in the guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

Lost so staying the night? Set your priorities

If you are lost or a member of your party suffers a serious injury, you may be forced to stay the night in the wilds.

When that occurs, you must go into survival mode. But there’s no need to panic. In fact, if you keep a calm head, you’ll likely get out of it just fine, albeit a little tired and famished. After all, if you prepared properly, you’ve left plenty of clues about where you are, so a rescue crew will be there in a day or two at worse.

What you should do first when forced to stay the night depends on the situation. Shelter is primary if the weather is rainy or windy. If the day is clear and darkness is setting in, building a fire takes precedence. If a number of you are in the party, you can split duties. As some begin building a shelter, others can gather lots of dry fuel, such as tinder, bark and small branches, for starting a campfire.

Once done with this, begin conserving your energy. In addition, take care not to get wet and stay out of the wind so you do not get chilled.

Read more about day hiking with children in the guidebook Hikes with Tykes.