What could you do if you were forced by circumstances to remain in the Rocky Mountains Front?
What should you do if you want to survive the Rockies?
Mountain ranges are a dangerous place. However, that’s the reason why one ought to escape to them in case of an invasion- it’s more likely no one will follow you there.
Maybe you were far from home when attacks took place across the city. Perhaps you had to take off immediately, or you’re lost in the Rockies with nothing to stay alive.
If you ever find yourself in such situation, here’s a list of the things that might be useful:
- Warm clothes,
- Firearms,
- A knife,
- Fishing gear,
- Tent or tarps,
- Insulated sleeping bag,
- Water bottle, portable water filter, etc.
- Emergency food supplies.
If you have the knowledge and natural elements, then you have a way to survive.
Therefore, there are two situations:
- If you’re feeling in danger and you feel like the Rockies are the best place to hide, most likely you want to delve deeper into the mountains for the moment.
- If you’re lost in the mountains, you surely want to get home.
In both scenarios you must be able to handle the situation:
Find a high point and look for the currents of a body water.
- If you want to hide, you should go against the current toward the source of the water, and you’ll go deeper into the mountains.
- If you’re trying to go home, follow the currents until you reach civilization.
Makeshift Weapons
Grab two stones, one thicker than the other. Take the thick one and break the thinner one. The smaller stone will have a sharp point after it’s broken. Now, you will have a makeshift knife.
Grab a big and sturdy stick to defend and create distance between you and other animals such as wolves, rattlesnakes, and grizzly bears that live in the Rockies.
Make a Shelter
If you have found a good place to set up, here are some things to take into consideration:
You don’t have tools with you, so you’re going to use the natural elements. Find a knocked down tree, a few robust and long logs and sticks. Put them up against a tree and make them as thick as possible.
In this way, you will have the basis of your debris shelter.
You will find moss everywhere- cover all sides of your refuge with it. It will make your shelter water and wind proof. It is a vital thing because temperatures in the Rockies can drop below freezing point at night and you don’t want to get wet.
People lose the majority of body heat through the ground. Therefore, find some pine needles and more moss for that area in your shelter and you’ll keep more heat inside.
Find Something to Eat
If there’s no food on hand, there are various edible insects that can replace usual foodstuff.
It’s a certainty that you will find bugs under the logs. They are an excellent source of protein. Below debris and in the dirt, you will find worms, ants, millipedes, and centipedes.
Pin the centipedes down with a stick because they bite and cut off their heads before you pick any up.
Another good source of food is snakes, but be aware and stay away from rattlers. If you kill one with your stick, keep the distance in that maneuver. After, cut off its venomous head and tail, peel off its skin, and take out the guts before eating.
In any water there will be trout, but it’s a significant risk that bears will be close to water, so take care. With no fishing tools, you’ll need to catch fish bare handed.
Catch the fish
Sit on a rock in the water and wait until you see a fish. You should move quickly to press it into the ground. The dirt from the bottom of the water will help you to grasp it. It is extremely hard, but it’s the only solution you’ve got.
It is a high possibility that people already fished where you are now, and you can find what they left behind. Therefore, you have a chance to find a string and hook.
The stream will also be cold and an excellent source of water for you.
Cook all of your meat when you can.
Set a Fire
Making a fire is going to be difficult if you don’t have matches. Without fire you can’t cook your food, you’ll surely freeze, and wild animals can attack you.
In other words, fire is a necessity.
So, if you want to make fire, you will find plenty of dry pine and spruce in that area.
Learn survival right at home and you can start by practicing how to make a bow drill, and then using it. The key is to create a burning coal in minimal time.
Any detail is important – from the type of the wood you’re using to your level of preparation to produce coal well before hand.
With practice, coordination comes.
A much easier option is to keep your lighter waterproof.
If you are a savvy survivalist, you always have a lighter with you. So, you should keep it waterproof at least in an old plastic tobacco pouch.
Rockies are a Dangerous place
Avoid keeping the food near your camp, including scraps. Rope it up and hang it up high in a tree, out of the reach of any bears. I know I warned you before, but the Rockies are Grizzly country. Even the wolves can be a threat and they have attacked humans on a few occasions.
If you believe that a Grizzly is near, get out of there immediately.
The Rockies Are Likely to Take Your Life
Unless you or someone in your group has real survival skills, the Rockies are an unforgiving place.
If you live in the mountains, you must know hunting and trapping. Of course, you can fish, but mountain fishing isn’t as simple as you think.
Rivers, especially larger lowland rivers, can be teeming with fish. So, you have to learn how to fly fish.
Beware of Hypothermia During the Winter
Besides the wildlife threats, hypothermia is a danger to which you’re exposed every day. In a case of an emergency, you need to be an experienced survivalist before considering the Rockies as a possible place to make a safe place to live.
You should still not climb in this place unless you have some knowledge about hunting and have the ammunition and firearms. At the least have a couple of people who can hunt alongside with you.
If you are in a group, you can help each other: while you’re fly fishing, they can capture, etc.
Avoid The Winter
Life in the mountains is acceptable in the late spring through early fall months. People with minimal survival skills shouldn’t try to tackle the winter months. If you’re not well prepared, low temperatures and snow can prove deadly. You’ll need snow clothes and at least a snowmobile.
Before winter arrives, plan on moving your shelter down to the lowlands. Concerning food, a big game like deer and elk often migrate from higher elevations with the changing seasons, and you can follow them too and hunt them. It will be possible only if you are a good hunter.
The information above refers to a worst case scenario.
If you ever have to remain in the mountains, regardless of the reason, it would be wise to plan this with a group of skilled friends. You will have to know how to:
- Hunt and care for firearms.
- Fly fish.
- Trap and make fire.
Have you ever established an emergency plan with your friends? Have you ever thought what you would do in case of an attack? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
