1. An Introduction Staying Warm, Dry and Comfortable
Backcountry Camping
An Introduction
Staying Warm, Dry and Comfortable

2. Staying Warm, Dry and Comfortable
Advanced: 5th Grade to Adult
This is a 40 minute summary of a three hour class. For more information on the full class please contact me at…
My name is Eric Reynolds and I am the BandanaMan. This course is the culmination of over 30 years of experience and a great deal of research.
I hope that you enjoy it and learn from it
Whether you are on a summer canoe trek, a summer backpacking adventure or a winter expedition, you want to be warm, dry and comfortable. Being cold, getting wet or sunburned or being eaten alive by bugs is a quick way to ruin an expedition into the Great Outdoors. So how do you stay warm, dry and comfortable?

3. Staying Warm, Dry and Comfortable
Why is staying warm, dry and comfortable important? Because you can Die in the Woods
People who die in wilderness situations generally die from one of two causes – drowning or hypothermia

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Search and Rescue of British Columbia

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Proper clothing is your first line of defense against the bugs, the cold, wet, wind and the sun
Proper clothing is your primary shelter – always dress for the worst weather

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Wool and synthetic fabric only – NO COTTON! COTTON KILLS!

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Wool is best for cool or wet conditions, but is good for most activities and in most conditions
Synthetics are best for wet and rainy or hot and humid conditions but are good for all conditions and activities
Goose down is the best for cold, dry conditions, but loses is ability to insulate when wet and dries slowly

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Always take a hat, a hat is essential
In the winter, spring or fall, protect your hands, cold, numb hands are useless

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Stay Dry, Replace wet clothing or Cover and insulate wet clothing
If your clothes get wet, replace the wet clothes with dry clothes
If you don’t have dry clothes, then put on your shelter bag or your rain gear, to prevent evaporation and loss of heat due to the wind.

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Outdoor Fabrics: Gore-Tex and Beyond

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Care of outdoor clothes
Clean layers works better than a dirty ones, so wash your layers regularly
When washing at home, read and follow all manufacturer care instructions included with your garment
Doing your wash in the great outdoors
Keep socks clean and dry

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Layering your clothing is the best way to be comfortable in the outdoors
Layers wick away sweat, adjust insulation and protect against wind, rain and snow
Sweating and dampness kills in the winter or in cold weather

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You should always be “Comfortably Cold” to prevent sweating

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There are three layers and each layer has its own function
The Base Layer is against your skin and keeps you dry by moving perspiration away from your skin
The Middle Layer, or insulating layer, helps you retain heat by trapping warmed air close to your body
The Outer Layer, protects you from rain, snow and wind

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Too Much Sun --Who needs Sun Protection
Again, proper clothing is your first line of defense against the Sun
Long pants, long sleeved shirt, wide brimmed hat, gloves and sunglasses
Sunscreen

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Wikipedia Commons by Mathias Krumbholz

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Mosquitos -- Responsible for more arthropod bites than any other insect
In Algonquin Park, they are most abundant from mid to late May and into July

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Ticks -- The two most common ticks in New York State are
The Deer or Black-legged tick and the American Dog tick
Both are active from March to mid-May and from mid-August to November

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Biting midges, also known as No-see-ums
Biting midges are generally low in abundance in Algonquin Park during the summer months

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A Deer Fly from

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Stable flies, Deerflies and Horseflies
In Algonquin Park, they are most abundant from late June through August

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Black Flies
In Algonquin Park, they are most abundant from mid-May to late June

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So what to do about bugs? Yet again proper clothing is your first line of defense against the threats of the great outdoors
Long sleeved shirts, socks, long pants, wide brimmed hats and head nets

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DEET
Has been registered for use by the general public since 1957
It is a broad spectrum repellent that is effective against mosquitoes, biting flies, midges, chiggers, fleas and ticks

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Permethrin
It does not act as a repellent, but as a contact insecticide.
It is effective against
Mosquitoes
Biting Flies
Ticks
Fleas
Lice
Chiggers

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Taking care of your feet
7 tips to taking care of your feet
Keep your feet clean and dry
Trim your toenails regularly and correctly
Heed the warning signs – Hot Spots, Blisters, Trench foot, Frost bite
Everything you need to know about Socks
Completely lace up your boots just enough to prevent your feet from sliding
Footwear tips and fitting footwear
Care of Foot Wear

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Foot Marches, Headquarters, Department of the Army, April 2017

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Dressing for a Spring, Summer or Fall Summer Canoe Trek or a Dressing for a Spring, Summer or Fall Backpacking Adventure
Dressing for a Winter Expedition

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39. Take your High Adventure to new places!
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