This is Part 2 of the Summit Safety Smarts series by seasonal Outreach Assistant Brandon Regier. In Part 1, we left Brandon and his friends seventy-five kilometers into a 125-kilometer ultramarathon, on the summit of Mount Hammell as a storm hit, and a quick descent off the ridge was necessary for their safety.
Having been on the summit for some time, the rapidly changing conditions shifted my mindset from enjoying the views to pursuing cover immediately. The summit stretches a fair distance; this meant we were exposed for a long duration of time as the weather worsened into sleet, hail, and lightning. By the time we reached the end of the ridge, the sun had set. We were soaked to the bone, very cold, and attempting to navigate in the dark. The mistakes were accumulating; our headlamps should have been on long before our fingers were no longer functional. The meager visibility lasted until we reached the treeline, where we huddled under a huge spruce tree that sheltered the trail. This was the point in time that being in a group became vital for our safety. With our frozen fingers, we helped each other locate our headlamps. My fingers were too cold to tighten my headlamp, so the lamp slid down and bounced on the bridge of my nose for hours as we continued our descent down the mountain.
The Mount Hammell ridge, Grande Cache, AB. Photo by Brandon Regier, 2017.
The storm had settled in, and the washed-out trail leading to our next checkpoint (still a couple of hours away) had turned into a raging river. Search and Rescue were cruising past us on quads heading to the summit to pull hypothermic runners off the mountain. It was chaos! But despite the mistakes we made, these conditions remained true: first, that we were in constant communication, checking in among the three of us, and second, our ability to dive into that mental zone, encouraging each other to push through, became invaluable.
In my case, I knew the course very well, and knew we were getting close to our next point (preparation and knowing your route is priceless). Along the trail ahead, the puddles had turned into ponds. My headlamp was only so bright, limiting my navigation skills. At this point navigating around the ponds didn’t matter, and we went straight through, understanding that we were a short distance from people that could assist us.
At last we arrived at the checkpoint, which was full of chaos – frozen runners, volunteers transporting racers off the course, an aid station (where all the food/water is located) in a state of disarray from the storm, and a heated canvas tent sheltering racers packed like a can of sardines. Heated tents and people waiting to help you are an uncommon luxury not usually welcoming you at the bottom of the mountain that attempted to kill you. At this point in the race, we made the difficult but necessary decision to hand over our timing chips (a device carried by each runner that is used at checkpoints to establish time and location) due to hypothermia. There were only 35 kilometres left to the finish line when we admitted defeat.
The weather at high elevations is often unpredictable and can change very quickly. Table Mountain, Castle Wildland Provincial Park, AB. Photo by Brandon Regier, 2020.
Lesson 5: Be Proactive!
Being proactive is one part of ‘the mental game.’ This requires thinking ahead before any unfortunate situations arise. For me, this meant putting on the limited rain gear I had with me (once you are wet you become cold, and everything goes downhill from there).
One example of being proactive is layering your clothing. An inner layer allows for wicking, a middle layer for insulation, and an outer layer for a protective, weather-proof barrier. Layering is key; as the weather changes you have the ability to add or remove layers as needed. Also, remember to focus on high heat-loss areas such as your head, neck, and face.
Another proactive practice is fueling your body. This consists of constantly hydrating and consuming adequate calories; how many you need may depend on external factors such as the temperature (bearing in mind electrolyte replenishment). Remember, your body is burning energy and in need of liquids no matter what. Keep in mind that alongside food comes garbage; leaving no trace of your presence is another great way of being proactive and promoting the backcountry for future users.
Lesson 6: Find Some Adventure Partners
Not only do I love adventuring with people, but it is crucial from a safety perspective. In this case, I was fortunate to be descending the mountain with two fellow runners. This allowed us to help each other along the way, especially considering our state of hypothermia.
Having company along the trail and sharing these experiences with people close to you is wonderful. However, from a safety aspect, talking with your adventure partner creates noise, alerting any wildlife in the area to your presence. We have to remember that we are in their home and need to be respectful of that. I would strongly consider enrolling in a Bearsmart program in order to get hands-on experience using bear spray (knowing how to use it is the only way it will be useful), and becoming comfortable reading particular situations and behaviours of our backcountry buddies.
Another responsible safety practice is creating muster points along the trail. Establishing these points can be a shared duty among the group; it may be a big rock, or some other distinguishable feature, junction, or sign. In the case of an emergency, you may be hours away from your vehicle, therefore, it is important to have changing meeting points throughout the journey.
When out with your adventure partners, it is helpful to appoint a trail boss within your group. This is frequently the individual most familiar with the route and location, most experienced, etc. This person would typically take the leadership role in the case of an emergency, such as running into wildlife or becoming lost.
It’s more fun (and safe) to share backcountry experiences with an adventure partner! Livingstone Range Ridge, Crowsnest Pass, AB. Photo by Brandon Regier, 2021.
Lesson 7: Be Prepared to Deal with Extreme Temperatures
Brandon running Sinister 7 100-mile race in the Crowsnest Pass. Heading out in the heat of the day, he was carrying extra water/electrolytes and wearing cooling arm sleeves, an ice bandana, and a hat to reduce sun exposure. Photo by Alana Regier, 2018.
The body temperature has a limited range around the 37° Celsius mark and will not function properly when either too hot or too cold. In my case, I was dealing with extreme cold, which could have been manageable. Carrying adequate gear for what you may encounter while understanding the different signs and symptoms of heat- and cold-related issues are all part of preparing, preventing, and managing extreme weather.
Brandon training in the frigid Alberta cold. Minus 35 degrees Celsius can still be enjoyable, with the appropriate gear! Photo by Brandon Regier, 2021.
The easiest way to deal with hypothermia (too cold) and hyperthermia (too hot) is prevention (read more on the signs, symptoms, and first aid). To prevent hypothermia, practice layering your clothing, remaining dry, and focusing on the high heat loss areas. During those extremely hot days, prevent hyperthermia by monitoring your hydration and electrolyte balance, wearing a cap with a brim to aid in sun protection while keeping yourself cool. Remember to be constantly monitoring yourself.
A huge lesson that I took away from my experience was the importance of eating and drinking even though I was cold and didn’t feel hungry or thirsty. This is part of being proactive; your body (and brain) needs to be fueled in order to efficiently function.
In Conclusion…
Respect the mountains and weather. Be prepared and pack the appropriate and fundamental gear. One mistake followed by another caused me to drop out of this race, but it could have ended a lot worse. As backcountry users, we have a duty to be responsible and practice our due diligence. This applies at an organized event like this, or an adventure planned by yourself, or even a casual stroll with your dog. The Oldman watershed is a fabulous area to explore, and I encourage you to get out this summer and practice safe and responsible recreation. Happy trails!
Cover Photo: Turtle Mountain, Crowsnest Pass, AB. Photo by: Brandon Regier, 2020.
