[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 53“IF YOU’RE GOING TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN THE OUTDOORS IN
COLD AND WET WEATHER, YOU NEED APPROPRIATE CLOTHING,
RAIN COVERINGS (SUCH AS PONCHOS), A WATERPROOF SHELTER
OF SOME SORT, AND HAVING A WAY TO MAKE A FIRE IS A BIG PLUS.”
difficult or impossible to cross roads or trails? Will you even be able to get to your chosen
location? Will it be possible to get assistance if you run into trouble? Maybe you should plan
your journey to a safer area at that time of the year? Be sure to tell someone else your itinerary,
wherever you decide to go.
SYSTEMS
Remember the 10 Essentials? I prefer to think of them as 10 (or so) systems rather than 10 items.
These systems allow you to deal with whatever situations you might find yourself in. Still, time of
the year (Is it very hot in summer, or very cold?), location and other factors will strongly influence
what items you actually need. For winter, your needs will be very specific.
Clothing and shelter fall into the category of insulation. In winter, you want to stay dry and warm.
CLOTHING
Your clothing is your shelter at a short distance. Choose your garments carefully. Field research
has demonstrated that wearing lighter layers (rather than one thick coat) is much more practical
and comfortable. Dressing in layers means you can add little by little as needed and take off one
or more layers when things warm up. Your outer layer needs to be waterproof, and one of the
best outer garments is a large hooded tarp, especially one with grommets because it can double
as a small tent. This type of tarp is usually large enough that you can wear a pack under it and
still stay warm.
SHELTER
If you’re expecting rain or snow, you should have a waterproof shelter. At the very least, you
should carry a plastic tube tent, which provides no insulation but will give you protection from
the rain and snow.
We’ve carried large plastic sheets on occasion when we had a group and we wanted some cover
for our activities. We purchased a 10-by-20-foot plastic tarp from a hardware store and stretched
‹ Above: Learn
some knots so
you can convert
a poncho or tarp
into a tent, and use
cordage for many
other purposes.‹ Left: Some of the
author’s students
learn how to turn
a poncho into an
emergency tent
from instructor
Keith Farrar.