Contributed by Margot Venema
Would you know how to survive when faced with adversity in a winter wonderland? Last week, two groups of B.C. RCMP technicians were in Clearwater to learn and experience everything there is to know about survival in difficult winter conditions.
For the 10th time, Ken Matheson, a retired RCMP officer, led the course participants through a hands-on course of five days extensive training; two days in the class room and three days in the field, where the new found knowledge was put to the test. On the last night the trainees faced the ultimate challenge; dig a snow cave and spend the night out in the wilderness. The course is all about testing the gear and knowing how to use it, in the safe proximity of a warm hut.
The RCMP winter survival course was established in 1994 after a critical incident where two RCMP technicians barely survived below zero conditions with high winds when they were left out on a mountaintop. Weather conditions had changed rapidly and the helicopter was unable to come and get them.
When asked what Matheson sees as being the biggest challenge in trying to survive cold winter conditions, he answers, “proper clothing.” He recalls that in the early days radio technicians would show up in clothing containing lots of cotton such as coveralls. He remembers trying to get rid of cotton clothing as an RCMP standard and fighting for the ssue all the way up to Ottawa. All that really keeps a person warm in the backcountry is wool or synthetic fabrics. So ... wearing jeans underneath Gore-Tex pants is a big no, no.
The majority of the course participants are new to winter survival. However, some are return guests. The newbies are not sure what to think of all this snow cave stuff while the more experienced ones are eager to get out. They learn about the right clothing, psychological factors of survival, how to build fires in the snow, and different types of snow shelters. The group works hard at mastering their new skills.
Of course, there is the minor disaster. One participant figures out that he did not bring enough fuel; he did not take into account that it takes longer to make water out of snow at higher altitudes than at sea level. The stove of another participant has never even been taken out of the box and he has trouble figuring out how to operate it. In critical conditions being able to make water from snow is a matter of life and death.
Over the years, Matheson has amassed many memorable stories. His favourite is the time where a pine marten made its way into a participant’s snow cave, scaring him so badly that he put his head through the ceiling, triggering the animal to pee on his sleeping bag.
And then there is one of the return course participants. When he first took the course a few years ago, he was fresh out of India. Matheson remembers him walking across the snow covered meadow with his boots dangling around his neck, dragging his sleeping bag behind him in one hand and his backpack in the other, dropping everything in the middle of the floor when entering the hut and walking straight into the sauna to warm up. When asked if he would ever do another course, he answered, “Not in this life time, I don’t.” Nonetheless, he returned this year and actually enjoyed himself.
One of the other return customers states that, “After taking three winter survival courses, I really have it down to an art.” And it shows. He packs it in early because he has run out of things to do; his snow cave, which he affectionately calls “mi casa,” is dug, his water boiled and his dry freeze food meal cooked and eaten.
After the last night out in the snow cave everyone returns to the hut, thrilled to have survived. They can’t get over the fact that they were actually quite warm and comfortable. All are surprised at how easy it is seems once it is done. Everyone agrees that it is hard but not impossible to survive in a hostile environment where temperature drops far below 0°C. Knowledge is definitely power.