How Would You Survive This Storm?

[hank franklin]

Just for sake of conversation, a little scenario:

Let's say a young German couple "on holiday" hit the Current River yesterday. They had full gear and camped overnight a couple miles below Akers. They knew the storm was forecast but they are experienced mountaineers and had planned this trip for a while, so they (stupidly) thought they would try it. They started at Cedargrove and their vehicle is waiting at Pulltite.

Their camp last night was fine but the blizzard blew in by morning. Their tent and gear is keeping them warm for now but they know the forecast temps going forward are extreme. They have some firewood left over but snow is accumulating quickly. The wind is whipping and making further canoeing an iffy scenario. They know they are only a few miles from Pulltite but obviously a dump in the river could be catastrophic. They also know that Pulltite has an enormous hill to get out and have been warned that they could be snowed in.

Cell phones meanwhile have no service. They could try walking out but are unsure which way to go. Neither has waders, just waterproof hiking boots.

What should they do?

[Feathers and Fins]

If this is true call 911 for rescue.

If this was 1800's they would simply gather more wood and sit tight for a couple days rationing food a little. It amazes me how few people in todays time have no idea how to deal with elements and survive if all things go primitive.

[hank franklin]

If this is true call 911 for rescue.

If this was 1800's they would simply gather more wood and sit tight for a couple days rationing food a little. It amazes me how few people in todays time have no idea how to deal with elements and survive if all things go primitive.

No phone service to call 911.

Gathering more wood and sitting tight is definitely an option. However the forecast lows are -10 or even lower. Forecast highs Monday are 0 or less. The wind is making the fire difficult to deal with.

(This is not true BTW, just sake of conversation.)

[Feathers and Fins]

Ok Hank then in that case here is what I would do.

1st Build a lean tube barricade enforcing the wind side to shelter from is making the barricade in a U shape so sides are protected as well if possible expand the tube si it is at least 8ft tall in a pyramid much like a teepee. Between this and the tent they will sheltered from the wind and rain. Fire could be placed in front and the radiational heating will keep them warm and allow smoke to exit the top. This will take about 1 to 4 hours to build depending on availability of wood or tools they have on hand.

Hope they have a small shovel as I carry one at all times and most should. then before evening falls bury the hottest coals under the tend and cover with 18'' of dirt ( yes Jeremiah Johnson Movie but I did it in scouts to see if it worked and it does.

Water shouldn't be an issue with all the snow and being on the river but should be melted I assume again they were campers so should have some basic supplies for cooking and can boil water for safety.

Food they will need to ration but they could also flip rocks for a short time along the river and find crayfish for food. I have also seen a lot of wild turnip this year so there may be some around as well.

All in all stay calm stay put and ride it out for a couple days.

[gotmuddy]

To me it all depends on the terrain. if its very hilly, which it likely is, then moving camp up against a bluff and building a shelter would be my move. there will be more firewood laying around then they could hope to burn. There should be plenty of food too.

[jdmidwest]

Hop in the boat and paddle like hell. Excersize will keep you warm. Or just walk the boat out. They would not be on a float this time of year without waders.

The wind would make it harder, but not impossible. It is a river and will not have large waves to swamp the boat. Making it to a car would be a better shelter and could probably make it out. Too many if's.

[Terrierman]

Take a nice trip to pulltite and get in the 4WD truck and drive home is what I dould do. No reason to dump at these river levels but still, be careful. And sleep in a good bed tonight. Which will be the cold and windy one.

[Al Agnew]

Really the big question is whether to stay put or move, and I'd have to know more about the situation to make that decision.

I'd need an inventory of their gear.

Exactly where is their campsite...how far downstream from Akers?

How well do they know that area, and/or do they have good maps and the ability to use them?

How experienced are they in a canoe?

How much food do they have?

What all do they have to use in starting a fire?

Do they know what the forecast is for the next few days?

They could stay right where they are and try to build a windbreak good enough to protect their fire. That would in large part depend upon whether they can find enough loose driftwood today, during the blizzard conditions.

They could do some exploring around the immediate area of their camp today, checking out the base of any bluff within easy walking distance, looking for a bluff shelter or at least a spot where they could set up camp against the bluff in a sheltered spot. That would be the ideal scenario if they have to stay put, but they'd need to find it during the day today and it couldn't be far from their present camp.

If they stayed put today and tomorrow, they would still have the decision of what to do afterwards. Tuesday is supposed to be a little warmer than the extremes on Monday. Do they risk taking the canoe on down to Pulltite? I don't think it's a given that if they get to Pulltite they will be able to get out, or that there will be anybody at Pulltite, although even if there wasn't anybody or any way of getting out, they could at least break into the buildings if necessary. Or do they hike back upstream to Akers, where there is more likely to be help available?

Which brings up the other choice, moving today. Do they risk going on downstream? Or do they hike back up to Akers? A lot depends upon how good they are in a canoe, how good is their waterproofing of their spare clothes and sleeping bags, how could they rig up backpacks of some kind to carry some necessary gear if they elected to hike out.

Let's say it's me in that scenario. I would have some things on any wintertime float trip that would help me make the decisions. I'd have topo maps covering the river area. I'd have watched the forecasts religiously (of course, having done so, I wouldn't have done the float trip in the first place, but let's assume I had brain fade and did) so I'd know what was in store tomorrow.

I don't think I'd stay put. I'm pretty sure that I could paddle on down to Pulltite, and I know I could hike out today, back up to Akers. Unless conditions are a whole lot worse down there than they are here at the house today, with adequate clothing and footwear, I could have hiked out this morning. If I was no more than a mile or so downstream from Akers, I could have looked at the map and seen that hiking straight up the hill on the south side of the river would have put me on the highway. However, unless I had waders and thought I could wade across the river, I would have hiked out on the north side of the river, because all the buildings and possible help are on the north side at Akers, and there is a complex of residences a few miles up the highway that would have given me help even if there was nobody down by the river.

If I was going to stay put, and if I was really two miles or more downriver from Akers, it would put me within a mile or so of Cave Spring. I could paddle to Cave Spring and stay back in the cave overnight and tomorrow. It would be a whole lot warmer but might be too damp. That would be an interesting question in itself...would being in 40-50 degree damp air be better than 0 degree drier air?

[Al Agnew]

And yes, I know I could have paddled on down to Pulltite. If I had a good 4WD vehicle waiting at Pulltite that would have been my choice.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I've been in similar circumstances when elk hunting. They should do what we did, keep hunting. You indicate they are prepared and knew what to expect so I would assume they are prepared to wait it out. Cut some wood, fish a little and enjoy the solitude.