Safety & Survival | Two Foot Traveller

Survival Essentials List – Preparation is the Antidote to Disaster

October 2, 2018 Mariah Comments 21 comments

Quick Reference Survival Checklist When I set out on a backpacking trip or even a day hike, my mind jumps forward to the views I will see, the interesting things I might find, and the serenity I know I am going to feel from communing with nature. Like most people, thoughts of disaster, plans going awry or getting stranded are far from my mind. Though it isn’t healthy to be constantly thinking of doom and gloom, there is a problem…

Bear Country Safety – the Truth About Being Bear Aware

September 20, 2018 Mariah Comments 24 comments

Many of the most beautiful and popular backpacking locations are in prime bear country. And if you’ve ever visited anywhere like the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem or Yosemite National Park you may have heard things such as, “play dead,” “run downhill,” or “make sure to wear bells on your shoes.” There is so much misinformation about bear country safety that it’s difficult to know what’s fact and what’s fiction. I have heard conflicting advice from two different bear professionals and even…

Don’t be a Popsicle – How to Stay Warm While Camping

September 13, 2018 Mariah Comments 19 comments

Cold temperatures can be dangerous. They lead to shivering which saps your energy and even hypothermia and frostbite in extreme cases. As a kid, I participated in a neighborhood youth campout for girls. It was held in June, every year for five days at a time. The setting was a beautiful mountain campground complete with three lakes, endless hiking trails and magnificent starry, night skies. I loved these campouts. But no matter how well I prepared, I found myself facing…