Survival Skills

A fire can be the difference between a hard night and a dangerous one. It warms you, dries your gear, purifies water, cooks food, and — not least — steadies your mind. Building one reliably is a skill worth practicing before you need it. Every fire runs on three things: air, heat, and fuel. Picture…

Water is one of your most urgent needs in the backcountry. You can go weeks without food, but only days without water — less in heat, at altitude, or under exertion. Plan to drink at least two liters a day, and more when you are working hard or the weather is hot. The catch: almost…