Hi you guys, we've had some really good soul searching posts lately and I think we've all learned from others experiences. Here's one for you. Whats the most dangerous common unexpected situation you have experienced and how did you deal with it and what "good judgment" have you to offer from it?
I'll start, but by no means am I trying to guide this thread, its open to highjack.
Besides a serious injury... I'm gonna say snow camping and having a warm storm front move in. A 35 degree storm especially if you have "snow proof" clothes (because you expected it to stay cold) will soak you and everything. There will be really bad condensation in your tent, it may drip on you almost as bad as being outside making it impossible to sit it out especially with down insulated snow gear. Adrenaline a plenty makes us ineficient in our thoughts and our movements. We are no longer smooth and careful and energy conserving. Did I mention CAREFUL? Being soaking wet and cold really fires up the fight or flight - mostly flight part of our brains and we want to grab everything and run for it which could then cause an injury making a memeber of your party incapble of further flight and the weather makes holeing up impossible and lighting a fire in a cold wet snow storm is nigh on impossible. If you stop and pull on a down coat, do you take off your rain shell and put the coat on under it, thus getting wetter while you do it, or do you willingly sacrifice your down coat by putting it on over wet gear? Only belay jackets are water proof inside AND outside.
What I learned besides BE PREPARED which is easy to say but hard to do, is: Have winter gear with seam sealed rain shells. Wear wicking long underwear. it keeps you dryer, and for me - wear goretex - which some swear by (me) and others swear at. Have footgear that can get you though unexpected streams and tall gaiters. And a compass zipper pull that you might actually take 3 seconds to look at vs a compass in your pocket and a map that is soaking wet and you have too much adrenaline and too little patience to use (or a gps strapped to your wrist). The single most important thing - HAVE A PLAN BEFORE RUNNING FOR IT, DON'T RUN BLINDLY.
????? Jim S - comment on this one or create your own.