
Do not let the recent February mini-heatwave lull you into a false sense of belief that winter has gone and summer is already on its way as that could be dangerous, continues Mike Gormley.
We can plan and be prepared for the unexpected to some extent and we don’t necessarily have to be driving great distances to need to be prepared. It is all about having enough gear with us to help us to remain safe and reasonably comfortable if things do go pear-shaped. For this feature I am concentrating on being vehicle-based, rather than backpacking, and also assuming we are looking at being caught out by wintry conditions, but again this does not have to be the case.

It can happen to any of us – a bit of recovery spadework shows why carrying a shovel is essential [©JG]
Now for the ‘what if?’ questions. A key factor in all this is forethought and common sense. Think through what it may be like if……. There is a very high chance in snow, floods or high wind that you will be forced to stop. You will always hope this will be just temporary while things get moving again, but every now and again they don’t.
In an emergency you may be able to help others. This will mean getting out into the bad weather. A few useful items will enable you to be more useful. First and foremost you will need good clothes – warm and dry and protective. If the efforts to sort things out fail, you may be stuck where you are for some time. It is now when some forethought and preparedness comes in handy, if not essential.

It makes sense to carry spare clothing in a rucksack and a couple of sleeping bags if the weather forecast is bad [©MG]
As a base you should select some suitable clothing; warm, dry, windproof plus hat and gloves. In this photo I am wearing a Keela Munro waterproof mountain jacket (yellow good for visibility) with Keela Alpine Advance waterproof trousers and holding a Snugpak SJ9 Softie (very warm, windproof and water-resistant) which in red shows up well. On my feet I have Zamberlan Zeniths, which are good all rounders, and I am also taking Zamberlan Vioz Plus in case the going gets tough. The rucksack is a Snugpak RocketPak. These are examples of high end gear well suited to extremes but other kit, so long as it is good quality and works, can be sufficient. In my vehicle I put together some items I do not generally use so they won’t be missed or worse still removed to use and not get put back into the emergency kit. Consider that you may well have at least one passenger or maybe kids in this situation as well. Also consider a kit for yourself and then separate kits for passengers and kids as necessary. You may also be able to assist others in adjacent vehicles.

A first aid kit is a must and a rechargeable head torch is ideal – a folding spade and toilet tissue may also come in handy [©MG]
I mentioned walking out. Just consider the situation. If you get stuck in snow or flood, going nowhere so you have to walk out, or even just getting involved in trying to recover the situation but you are wearing city shoes. Not great. Cold wet feet and slipping all over. So add to your list some walking boots and socks.
Don’t forget a phone charger. You mobile phone may become critical for recovery. I will not get into the issues of the poor levels of signal in the UK but be aware just how poor it is. ALWAYS have a charging cable in your vehicle and if the vehicle does not have a USB port get an adapter for the lighter socket, or carry one of the many independent re-power packs and keep this fully charged too.

SOTO mini cook set, Blå Band meal, water in a Liquitainer that will keep it fresh and chocolate powder as a universal hot drink [©MG]
Use only pure water and keep it in a container such as a Source Liquitainer which will keep it fresh for a very long time – one and four litre sizes are available; just carrying water and not a drink mix is more universal. Obviously water can be drunk on its own or also made into drinks, hot if you are able, but importantly it can also be used for other things such as washing an injury. Talking of injury, a first aid kit should always be carried. There are plenty out there but choose wisely. A head torch is also a very good item to have. So much better than a conventional hand-held. The version I have from Supra is ideal. Powerful and also rechargeable.
With some common sense and forethought plus a sensible selection of kit in your vehicle you may avoid becoming stuck. What I have said here is not definitive but I hope will be a useful template to work around. But if you do get caught, whoever is at fault, you should at least be warm dry and have food and drink and be safe and reasonably comfortable.
Take care out there…
[images © Mike or Jean Gormley ]
Pingback : Summer Is A Long Way Off ~ Bad Weather Preparedness Pt.1 - Joint Forces News