Preventative Search and Rescue in Zoar Valley

Perhaps the problems with SAR teams, is that we respond after the event happens.  By the time we get the call out, arrive, organize, and venture out  - the subject is severely hypothermic and out of lifelines.  So what if we worked to prevent these wilderness accidents in the first place? 

I like to call this activity Preventative Search and Rescue.

Yes, our team has started doing outreach, letting people know they should carry the "10 Essentials" and always file a trip plan.  But -could we, as SAR volunteers, be doing more? 

With over 4,000 acres of rugged terrain, the Zoar Valley Unique Area and  MUA (Multiple Use Area) is a treasure of Western New York and a place where one can experience pristine forests.  It is the perfect place to recharge from the stresses of the work week and reconnect with your natural self.

However, over the years it has also become a favored place to "party."  (I'm not sure why I used quotation marks around the word "party" except to show that one person's party is a community's mess.)  One of the most popular places to party and hang out is the Big Falls on the South Branch of the Cattaraugus Creek.

Yes, there are "No Trespassing" signs up

For years, people have left the Forty Road access and walked upstream to The Falls.  The problem was - they were off State land and on private property while doing it.  Of course, this area is one of the more dangerous areas in WNY - numerous rope teams, SAR, Fire, and Law Enforcement resources had to be called out because of lost, confused, or injured individuals.  In a few instances, people died on the steep rocks and in the quick moving water.

I'm not sure if I should even mention the vandalism and pollution left in the wake of many visitors.  

Anyway, I am giving too much background here...

The shale walls of Zoar Valley are beautiful in their fragility. 

My SAR team partnered with The Nature Conservancy, the Nature Sanctuary Society of Western New York, and other private landholders to help protect this fragile area in South Branch of the Cattaraugus Creek Gorge.  We maintained a presence in this beautiful area and let people know of the dangers ahead and inform them that they should turn around.  

As we inform flip-flop clad people headed toward the no-no zone that they are liable to incur a $250 day-use fee (AKA-fine) they turn around and look for adventure elsewhere.  I also realize, that there is one less person that will have to be rescued out of this gorge.  

Yes, this is preventative SAR at its best.  

Preparing for the Buffalo April Storm

The offices of Buffalo meteorologists are once again abuzz with their favorite word- SNOW- but this time it is forecast for late April. Not that we hardy folk are strangers to unseasonal weather shifts, it is part of life here on the Niagara Frontier. 

Of course, what really grabs out attention is when weather forecasters throw around the term, "It could be another October Surprise."

As I look out my living room window at the budding trees in my yard, I realize that this statement is a means of urging precaution as much as it is a ploy to keep us tuned in to the TV just a little longer.  For what caused the destruction of the October Storm was wet snow clinging to our tree leaves; the limbs broke bringing down power cables across Western New York.  Some people were without power for two-weeks.

The October Surprise storm taught us so much about ourselves, glued to the radio for a week, working together, and utilizing skills most of us forgot.  I lived in Lockport at the time and was disappointed that we were only without power for three days.  I am a backpacker and a bit of a survivalist - moments like those are what I live for. 

Everyone should have a survival kit

I had lanterns, sleeping bags, stoves, fuel, and food.  However, most people found themselves greatly unprepared. 
  
So, what can you do to prepare yourself and your family?

• Fill your vehicles up with gas
• Fill up containers, and perhaps the bathtub, with water.  Plan on one gallon per person per day.  
• Inventory your food supplies, plan on unrefrigerated easy to prepare food. 
• If you have a generator, make sure it is in working condition and that you have enough fuel for it.  
• Review how to cook and boil water without succumbing to Carbon Monoxide poisoning. 
• Keep your cell phone charged.
• Make sure you have a portable radio with batteries.  Information is key in a disaster.  
• Have a few flashlights and battery powered lanterns.  Look for lights with LED bulbs- they are much more battery efficient.  
• Check your battery supply.  Trying to find batteries was impossible during the October catastrophe.  

If you want to know what to include in a survival kit, check out my article Prepare Your Family for Disaster: Survival Kits and Bug Out Bags

Most importantly in any disaster, is to look our for other people in your community that might need help.  Granted, your family comes first, but make sure you check in on elderly neighbors.

I love the snow, but I hate to see our community suffer.  I hope that the weather prognosticators are wrong on this April storm.  

Biking The Canalway Trail from North Tonawanda into Buffalo

High winds, heat, and a potential storm - great day for a bike ride along the Erie Canal and Niagara River. 

Though I'm not a cyclist, I like riding my bike for recreation as well as transportation.  Why am I not a cyclist?  Probably because I identify myself as a backpacker, a mountaineer, and a kayaker - those are the schema around which I base my life.  Also, I've never really embraced the cycling culture, I look ridiculous in bike shorts, my bikes are ill suited for what I do, and I don't hang out with other cyclists.  I'm just a guy that rides a bike. 

Of course, I'm training to tour the Erie Canal from Albany to Buffalo next month so I guess I am kind of a cyclist; however, I wear my bicycling shorts underneath a pair of hiking pants.

Anyway, I started from my home in North Tonawanda, weaving through the sleepy streets riddled with bike flipping potholes till I reached the relative safety of the Erie Canalway Trail, which is paved and generally car free.

Niawanda Park was busy as usual with people holing hands strewn out across the trail - always keep a hand on your break and watch your speed.  Because of the wind, there weren't many cyclists out but a few joggers and walkers abounded. I even saw a roller blader: I didn't think people did that anymore. 

A little while past the Grand Island Bridge and not quite to the LaFarge plant, I saw a curious sign.  One that has been there for a while apparently and one that I never paid any attention to. 

I didn't pay much attention to it this time either, until I saw this sign: 

Yes, the Town of Tonawanda succumbed to the marketing tactics of annoying road side attractions like South of the Border.  Anyone who has ever driven through the Carolinas know about their obnoxious signs which appear for hours before and after passing the tourist trap. 

So what was there, warranting four signs - two in both directions - this:

 A short paved trail led to a shallow muddy flat with a sign stating "The Original Erie Canal" with a blurb about the foundation of the waterway on both sides.  Nice sign, but I'm not sure if this was the dedication spot or what, I'll have to find out more information. 

I peddled down through Tow Path Park, Squaw Island, and Broderick Park before turning around.  All in all a good day. 

A breezy day at Tow Path Park in Buffalo

 

The Biggest Loser : Environment

Everyone knows that Biggest Loser program on NBC, right? You know the one featuring morbidly obese people crying all the time and was created as a one-hour commercial for the weight-loss industry?  I propose a new Biggest Loser program, one which concentrates on limiting our expenditure of natural resources. We need to go on a diet from our wasteful ways, utilize renewable energy sources, and break away from the gas and oil corporations all together.
 

Just imagine, instead of a weigh-in to see how much weight you lost, we measure your consumption of electric, gas, oil, and water. Perhaps the competitive nature of Americans, would "fuel" a new green revolution. 

Now, all we need is a TV studio not owned by the fossil fuel addiction specialists.

Search and Rescue Bivy System

Being up here in the somewhat frozen North and being a member of a SAR team, means that emergency bivouacs in the winter are a potential reality.  Yes, I could take the big Gregory Baltoro, throw in my Marmot Alpinist 4-season tent and my Marmot Col sleeping bag, but now my 24-hour pack is 12 pounds heavier.  Of course, it is a lot harder to walk through all that brush.

So, what I needed was a lightweight shelter system, mainly because we don't PLAN on being out overnight.  Sure if we were planning on spending the night, I'd hump all that stuff back there, but realistically most of our SAR missions don't last overnight.  Generally IC, likes to bring everyone in and prevent further injuries.

So, I've developed a system which is highly packable, lightweight, and that I've used in temperatures below freezing.  My test nights could be called - ALMOST comfortable.

My shelter contains the following:

Weather Protection: 

• Waterproof breathable bivy sack - I carry the Marmot Alpinist bivy - weight 14 oz.  

Warmth Layer:

• North Face Elephant's Foot - 3/4 sleeping bag - weight 1 pound 
• Adventure Medical Kits Thermolite bivy  - weight 6.5 oz
• Puffy Jacket - this varies per the weather conditions, but it is whatever I have on hand.  

Pad:
Sure we could denude the forest of every pine bough, but most SAR-type folks have a bit of a "green" bent too. We can improvise.  

•  We all carry partial closed cell foam sit pads - we can use this as part of our pad.  Mine is long enough to cover my upper torso easily. 
• Use your empty pack as another part of the pad. 
• Nests of leaves, and pine needles work well too - if you are in the snow though, this won't work. 

I need an outdoor challenge to inspire me this year

So for my HubPages account I am writing an article about the history of Appalachian Trail hiking. The History of Hiking the Appalachian Trail Of course as a thru-hiker myself ME>GA '98 I believe I have insight that many others don't have.  My one hub "An Appalachian Trail Thru Hike in Pictures" which showcases some pictures I took on my journey has been received moderately well.  I should probably tweak it a bit someday.  The problem is, that was '98 and I need to do something like that again. 

Here I am on Katahdin during my thru-hike. 

Sure since my Maine to Georgia thru-hike I've done A LOT of outdoor things, hiking on the FLT, becoming an Adirondack 46 R, paddling the Oswegatchie Traverse.  However, none of those things are as grand and as inspiring as hiking the Appalachian Trail.

So, this year, before my child comes in August - I need to do something very cool outdoors.  However, because of saving money, it will have to be inexpensive and I'm not sure for how many weeks I can go.  Because of cost saving measures, I want to keep it in the North East.

Anyway, here is a list of potential backpacking and canoeing trips:

• Finger Lakes Trail - 560 miles - time needed about 28 days.  Heck it is the 50th anniversary of this trail this year. 
• Long Path, 346 miles  - time needed 20 days 
• Finish the Northern 176 miles of the Long Trail in Vermont - 10 days 
• Paddle the Whitney Loop in the Adirondacks - 4 days
• Paddle as much of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail as possible
• Finish my Northeast 115 - most of what is left is in New Hampshire.  
• Cohos Trail in NH 180 miles - new trail could be fun

I don't know, maybe I could volunteer someplace cool.  If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

For now, I go in search of adventure.... 

If you are looking for a great outdoor site, full of information check out World Outdoor Web.

Spring Kayaking is Coming!

In preparation for my big move (around the corner) I mounted my Thule rack back to my car.  It is much easier to move .while it is on a vehicle than in one.  I was going to take it off right after the move, but...the River looks so inviting.  My kayak is calling - it wants to play.

Of course, because this has been one of the warmest winters on record, I could have kayaked all year around this year.  That said, for those of you that don't know - COLD WATER WILL KILL YOU!  The water doesn't even have to be that cold, to get a great shock.  I'll be wearing neoprene and my dry gear until June, just in case.

I really don't want the Coast Guard to fish my body out of Lake Ontario.  Come to think of it, I don't want them to fish anyone's bodies out this year (and no, I'm not referring that we just leave them there).  I'm sure the CG would appreciate not doing body retrievals this year.

So what can you do?

First of all - WEAR A LIFE JACKET!!!!!!!
Yes, you dumbass, the one that swam the 400 fly in High School - that was 30 years ago.  I'm a lifeguard and I always wear my PFD - you should too.
Second, file a float plan:
Someone back home should know where you are going and when you expect to return.
Third, Carry safety equipment:
Extra clothing, water, food, headlamp, map, compass, whistle, flares, first aid kit, throw rope, bailing sponge, sunscreen,  rain gear.  If you are going into a wilderness environment, you should carry the 10 Essentials.
Fourth, Dress for the season,
Non-cotton clothing that retains its thermal properties while wet, a wide brimmed hat, kayaking gloves, neoprene boots, polarized glasses for glare. 

So start getting your kayak and paddles ready, as it almost time to put away the snowshoes and get out on the water again.

Crap, that reminds me - I need new neoprene kayaking boots.  The tread on my Teva Avator boots finally gave out. I have boots for warm water, but nothing to protect me from the cold too.  Any suggestions?