scented items in bear canisters.
MOUNTAIN LIONS Although these large felines are still rarely seen and pose minimal threat, reported sightings in Oregon and Washington have recently increased as population growth has caused cougar habitat to shift gradually into more urban areas. In 2018 a cougar was suspected of having killed a hiker on Mount Hood, marking the first-ever fatal mountain lion attack in Oregon history. If you do encounter an aggressive mountain lion, stay calm, maintain eye contact, make yourself look as large as possible, and do not run away. If you have children with you, pick them up.
RACCOONS AND MICE While not a threat to humans, these scavengers have learned that campgrounds and trail camps are prime locations for free meals. They are a major hazard for food supplies. Never leave your food unattended, and always store it somewhere safe at night—ideally hanging in a critter-proof bag from a nearby tree. Food lockers are provided at many trail camps.
RATTLESNAKES Common in high-desert environments, these venomous creatures like to bask on hot rocks in the sun and typically begin to emerge from winter hibernation as temperatures warm in spring. They usually flee at the first sight of people and will attack only if threatened. Be wary when hiking off-trail, and don’t put your hands where you can’t see them when scrambling on rocky slopes. Rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal. If you are bitten, the goal is to reduce the rate at which the poison circulates through your body: Try to remain calm, keep the bite site below the level of your heart, remove any constricting items (rings, watches) from the soon-to-be-swollen extremity, and do not apply ice or chemical cold to the bite, as this can cause further damage to the surrounding tissue. Seek medical attention as quickly as possible.
Northern Pacific rattlesnake
Photo by Jane Huber
TICKS These parasites are common in areas of scrub oak (such as along the Columbia River Gorge and the Rogue River in Oregon) and the forests of western Washington, especially during early spring. Always perform regular body checks when hiking through tick country. If you find a tick attached to you, do not try to pull it out with your fingers or to pinch the body; doing so can increase the risk of infection. Using tweezers, gently pull the tick out by lifting upward from the base of the body where it is attached to your skin. Pull straight out until the tick releases, and do not twist or jerk, as this may break off the mouthparts under your skin. Treat any tick bite by washing the area with soap and water, disinfecting it, and keeping it clean to prevent infection.
Ticks are known for transmitting Lyme disease, but cases of Lyme in Oregon and Washington are relatively uncommon. Even if you are bitten, an infected tick must be attached for 24 hours to transmit the disease. Lyme disease can be life-threatening if not diagnosed in its early phases. Common early symptoms include fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and a blotchy skin rash that clears centrally to produce a characteristic bull’s-eye shape 3–30 days after exposure. If you fear that you have been exposed to Lyme disease, consult a doctor immediately.
Physical Dangers
GIARDIA Giardia lamblia is a microscopic organism found in many backcountry water sources. Existing as a dormant cyst while in the water, it develops in the gastrointestinal tract upon consumption and can cause diarrhea, excessive flatulence, foul-smelling excrement, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal cramps. All water taken from the backcountry, even if it looks perfectly clear, should be purified with a filter, with a chemical treatment, or by boiling it for 3 minutes.
HEATSTROKE Heatstroke (hyperthermia) occurs when the body is unable to control its internal temperature and overheats. Usually brought on by excessive exposure to the sun and accompanying dehydration, symptoms include cramping, headache, and mental confusion. Treatment entails rapid, aggressive cooling of the body through whatever means available—cooling the head and torso is most important. Stay hydrated and have some type of sun protection for your head if you expect to travel along a hot, exposed section of trail.
HYPOTHERMIA The opposite of heatstroke, this life-threatening condition occurs when the body is unable to stay adequately warm and its core temperature begins to drop. Initial symptoms include uncontrollable shivering, mental confusion, slurred speech, and weakness. Cold, wet weather poses the greatest hazard as wet clothes conduct heat away from the body much faster than dry layers. Fatigue reduces the body’s ability to produce its own heat, and wind poses an increased risk as it can quickly strip away warmth. Immediate treatment is critical. Raise the body’s core temperature as fast as possible. Get out of the wind, take off wet clothes, drink warm beverages, eat simple energy foods, and take shelter in a warm tent or sleeping bag. Do not drink alcohol, as this dilates the blood vessels and causes increased heat loss.
Taking Precautions
LEAVE AN ITINERARY Always tell someone where you are hiking and when you expect to return. Friends, family, rangers, and visitor centers are all valuable resources that can save you from a backcountry disaster if you fail to reappear on time.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS Don’t undertake a hike that exceeds your physical fitness or outdoor abilities.
AVOID HIKING ALONE A hiking partner can provide the buffer between life and death in the event of a serious backcountry mishap.
BRING THE RIGHT GEAR Packing the proper equipment, especially survival and first aid supplies, increases your margin of safety.
The 10 Essentials
Except when hiking on gentle trails in city parks, hikers should always carry a pack with certain essential items. The standard “10 Essentials” have evolved from a list of individual items to functional systems that will help keep you alive and reasonably comfortable in emergency situations:
1. Emergency shelter: a tent, a bivy sack, or an emergency blanket
2. Fire: a candle or other firestarter and matches in a waterproof container
3. First aid supplies
4. Hydration: extra water and a means to purify more on longer trips
5. Illumination: a flashlight or headlamp
6. Insulation: extra clothing that is both waterproof and warm, including a hat
7. Navigation: a topographic map and compass, in addition to a GPS device
8. Nutrition: enough extra food so you return with a little left over
9. Repair kit: particularly a knife for starting fires, first aid, and countless other uses
10. Sun protection: sunglasses and sunscreen, especially in the mountains
Just carrying these items, however, does not make you prepared. Unless you know things like how to apply basic first aid, how to build an emergency fire, and how to read a topographic map or use a compass, then carrying these items does you no good. These skills are all fairly simple to learn, and at least one member of your group should be familiar with each of them.
More important to your safety and enjoyment than any piece of equipment or clothing is exercising common sense. When you are far from civilization, a simple injury can be life-threatening. Don’t take unnecessary chances. Never, for example, jump onto slippery rocks or logs or crawl out onto dangerously steep slopes hoping to get a better view. Fortunately, the vast majority of wilderness injuries are easily avoidable.
Advice for the First-Time Backpacker
There is something enormously liberating about spending a night in the wilderness. Many of the Pacific Northwest’s most spectacular attractions are beyond the reach of a comfortable day hike, leaving them for the overnight hiker to enjoy. But there are a few