STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Can you guess what the No. 1 cause of death in the backcountry is?

It’s not grizzly bears, or rattlesnakes or even riding your mountain bike off a cliff.

It’s the day hike.

People take a hike, never considering the what ifs: What if I don’t get back tonight because I get lost or twist an ankle? What if a cold hailstorm comes up suddenly, drenching me?

“The most dangerous outdoor activity for any person is the day hike. And the most common cause of death is hypothermia,” said Lance Taysom. “Usually the problem occurs in fall as temperatures drop and suddenly it starts raining, perhaps catching someone by surprise. Usually, the most important survival tool you have is proper clothing.”

As a flight nurse and medic for Air Idaho Rescue, Taysom is quite familiar with what can happen to people who are unprepared. And, as a wilderness instructor for NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School), he has taught numerous  classes focusing on preparedness for outdoor recreational pursuits  at the Saint Alphonsus Ski & Mountain Trauma Conference held annually at Sun Valley Resort.

“The enemy of survival is not trauma but, rather, pain, hunger, thirst, fatigue, cold, heat, fear, boredom, loneliness and despair,” he said. “And the people who survive are the ones who stay calm and confident. It’s a mind game. Those who survive are those who are patient and don’t give up.”

Familiarization and prolonged exposure without incident leads to a loss of appreciation of the risk, Taysom said.

Now, with the wildflowers calling, is a good time to take stock of what’s in your daypack or even your backpack to ensure you stay comfortable in the outdoors and avoid becoming a statistic.

Taysom’s wife Cami Taysom, a nurse and wilderness instructor, keeps her day pack and backpack filled with what she needs to address the worst possible scenarios. She shared some of the “secrets” she’s learned over dozens of years of mountaineering, backcountry skiing and climbing around the world.

Of course, it all starts with the:

FEET

Wool, rather than cotton, makes the best socks for hiking and winter travel. Some hikers and skiers wear nylon sock next to the skin to prevent blisters and add another sock on top, Cami Taysom said.

Make sure your boots have enough room for thicker socks as your feet swell as you go up in altitude.

And, if you notice a hot spot, cover it with duct tape or moleskin before it can turn into a blister.