When exploring remote historical sites, one may encounter numerous hazards, including inclement weather, wild animals, rock and mudslides, rust, microorganisms, difficult terrain, and more. Both the explorer's safety, and the sanctity of the historical site, are paramount!
Important rules to abide by during your wilderness exploration:
Always be prepared with the proper gear for your intended destination.
Ensure your location and expected itinerary are known to others. Give an estimated time of return and have an emergency plan in place.
Leave the site better than you found it and take nothing but photos.
Below you will find some important resources to ensure your safety and preparedness!
Recommendations vary depending on duration, region, and weather.
Water (1 litre per person per hour)
Food (focus on high protein)
Hand sanitizer & sunscreen
Bear spray
Paracord, space blanket, utility knife
Trauma first aid kit with masic medications (recommended to also have splint and tourniquet materials)
Tissues/toilet paper, spare socks, gloves, hat, and rainproof layers
Paper map of the region
Plastic bag for trash
Flashlight & whistle
N95 mask and/or respirator depending on destination (goggles may be recommended as well)
Highly recommended: handheld satellite GPS, power brick for charging devices, bug repellent, trekking poles, crampons if hiking on snow/ice
Check out this free Basic First Aid Training Course to ensure familiarity with the basics.
Get familiar with general Survival Skills (useful for many situations beyond wilderness exploration)
I recommend taking a designated wilderness first aid course at a local educational institution when possible, but YouTube has quite a bit of information. Make sure to practice, practice, practice!
When exploring in remote areas, remember that you're walking through animals' homes. Learn to identify evidence that dangerous animals are active in an area (scat, prey remains, flattened vegetation), and avoid such locations. If you do end up encountering an animal, you need to know how to react. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has excellent guidance on animal encounters.
In all cases, start by backing away slowly without turning your back or running. If pursued:
Mountain Lions/Cougars/Pumas: Yell, make yourself big, and throw rocks or other items to try to scare it off. Maintain eye contact. If the animal is persistent, bear spray can work. If attacked, fight in any way you can.
Coyotes: Same as mountain lions.
Black and Grizzly Bears: Calmly talk to a bear as you back away. Wave your arms to show you are a human, and avoid direct eye contact. Do not yell or throw items unless the bear pursues you. If a bear gets within 40 feet, you should use bear spray. Hold the can up high and spray in bursts in the direction of the bear. If attacked, remember: If it's black, fight back; if it's brown, lay down (play dead).
Wolves: Same as bears, but you should maintain eye contact if pursued or the wolf shows signs of aggression.
Bobcats/Lynx (What's the difference?): Back away slowly without turning your back. Both types of cats are shy and will generally flee.
Moose: Back away slowly without turning your back. Never run, unless the moose charges you, then run and try to put a large object like a tree or boulder between you. If attacked, curl up and protect your head. Moose generally trample rather than use their antlers when attacking.
Rattlesnakes: You'll often hear them before you see them. Back away calmly and do not throw items. Denver Health has excellent information about avoiding and treating rattlesnake bites.
Ticks: Your best defense against ticks is covering all of your skin, but if a tick does bite you, you'll want to remove it immediately. The CDC has guidance on how to do so.
Weather in Colorado, and across North America, can change in an instant, and this is especially true at very high altitudes. One must be cautious regarding extreme heat, extreme cold, dangerously high winds, tornadoes, hailstorms, thunderstorms, blizzards, and flash floods. Always check the weather forecast before you begin your trip, and reschedule if bad weather is expected.
Know how to identify concerning weather, and how to react in a weather-related emergency. Here are some instances to be familiar with:
Extreme heat
Extreme cold
High winds
Tornadoes
Hailstorms
Thunderstorms
Blizzards
Flash floods
Taking it slow is essential when driving on rocky, hole-filled dirt roads. Hitting a sharp rock or a hole too fast can put you in a sticky situation very easily. Similarly, driving into mud can get you stuck, and it's very difficult (if not impossible) to remedy this without professional assistance.
If you're fortunate to have an all-wheel drive car, you'll fare much better, but it's important for all drivers to (1) ensure enough gas is in the tank, (2) check the oil and other fluids before beginning your trip, (3) ensure your tires have sufficient tread, (4) pack essentials for emergencies (space blankets, water, food, tarps).
Make sure you know how to change a tire and that your spare tire is full. Always be aware of where the nearest town is, and ideally bring a paper map to assist with navigation.
You may unexpectedly come across individuals/groups in remote buildings you are exploring. Make your presence and intentions known before you ever enter a structure.
"I'm just exploring, I mean no harm. If anyone is here, please tell me if you want me to leave."
It's crucial not to not to "sneak up" on anyone. If you see evidence of people living in a building (e.g., recent trash, backpacks, sleeping bags), it's advisable not to enter. People can be unpredictable, and in remote areas, you can't be too careful. Keep your bear spray on hand in case of hostile encounters, and always trust your instincts.