Hypothermia happens when your core body temperature falls below normal. It can easily happen in cold winds or wetness. You can avoid hypothermia if you guard against dehydration, fatigue, cold winds, wet clothes, and are aware of the symptoms. Your body automatically begins to shiver to rewarm itself. As your energy is used up to keep warm, you may reach a point where your body will be unable to rewarm itself. If left untreated, your body will gradually shut down and you can die.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hypothermia include slurred speech, loss of coordination, confusion, apathy, and irrational behavior.
This dangerous condition can be avoided if you:
Treatment
If you recognize hypothermia in someone, move the victim to shelter, remove wet clothes, and replace them with warm, dry garments. If the victim is alert enough to hold a cup, give warm liquids to drink. Never give food or drink to an unconscious victim--he or she may choke. To help speed rewarming, place the victim in a pre-warmed sleeping bag.
Bears
Forest creatures would just as soon eat your lunch as the food the forest has to offer. Squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons and porcupines may look for food, but keeping a clean campsite and keeping food well wrapped may discourage these visitors. Black bears, however, are more tenacious.
The White Mountains have no grizzly bears, but recent years have seen a marked increase in the black bear population. Though black bears have been known to attack humans, they are normally far more interested in fruit and nuts than you. Since black bears have learned to associate backpacks and coolers with easy snacks, precautions are necessary to avoid meeting up with a hungry bear. To avoid conflicts with bears:
Stay on the Trail!
Each year, dozens of people get lost in the White Mountains and become the subjects of search-and-rescue missions. In most cases, people simply wandered off of marked trails and lost their bearings. Losing one's way in the woods can be an unsettling, frightful experience. If you follow the blazes or cairns, you should have no trouble. But, if you should find you've wandered off the path, stop immediately.
In many cases, you will find that retracing your footsteps will bring you back to the trail. If not, follow these steps:
