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Safety Tips for Colorado Backcountry Adventure: Summer Through Fall

Traveling into Colorado’s beautiful backcountry carries some risk, especially if you’re going overnight or doing a tricky sport like rock climbing.

Colorado summertime hiking adventures
Colorado summertime hiking adventures
Mountain biking in Colorado
Mountain biking in Colorado
Rock climbing in Colorado
Rock climbing in Colorado
By: Colorado.com Staff Writer
Updated:

That’s why it’s important to plan it out, know the weather forecast, tell someone where you’re going, bring the right gear and go with at least one other person.

Responsible behavior protects you and others. No matter your chosen activity, you’ll feel safer following these guidelines for backcountry adventure. Planning ahead will also ensure that Colorado’s limited search-and-rescue volunteer resources are kept for true emergencies. 

Snow on the ground? Find winter-specific backcountry safety tips >>

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Heading into the backcountry is a Colorado pastime, but it shouldn’t be done impulsively — or without preparation like checking the weather, packing necessities and notifying someone of your plans. 

Recognize the risks: 

Potential hazards include, but aren’t limited to, getting lost, being struck by lightning, becoming injured, and experiencing hypothermia or even accidental death. Dangerous backcountry conditions can also be experienced no matter your chosen activity, and they include things like thunderstorms, active wildfires, falling and fallen debris, ash pits and flash floods.

The Colorado Search and Rescue Association (CSAR) reports an average of 3,000 backcountry search-and-rescue incidents per year.
 
That’s why preparation and having a good understanding of the group’s abilities and limitations are so important when picking an activity.

“Trouble is difficult to predict, but the best way to prevent trouble in the first place is to carry the proper clothing, water, food and gear for situations you don’t expect,” said Jay Christianson, El Paso County Search and Rescue member and CSAR public information officer. “Additionally, traveling with friends, or at the very least leaving your plans with responsible friends, is a great way to minimize risks.”

Thinking about pursuing a more hazardous adventure, like multiday backpacking trips, whitewater-rafting adventures, mountaineering, rock climbing or even paragliding? Hire a qualified guide to lead the way. See a list of Colorado guides and outfitters here >>

Check weather predictions:

Colorado’s known for its wild, rapidly changing weather patterns. It can be sunny and 70 degrees one minute, then suddenly storming or possibly even snowing — no matter the season — especially if you’re at high altitudes. With this in mind, it’s important to seek out hourly predictions (for where you’re going, not just where you’re coming from) with the National Weather Service.

“There is a saying, 'If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes' — while that might not be 100 percent true, it certainly is the case that it can go from summer to winter very quickly, ” Christianson added. “Elevation is another big factor in rapid temperature and weather change.”

Colorado’s mountains are also notorious for severe thunderstorms that can arrive swiftly, and often after lunch. So, if you’re heading into the mountains for a scenic hike, reduce your risk by starting early and being off peaks and ridges and away from trees before noon.

Caught in a thunderstorm? Move away from risky areas like high-elevation terrain (peaks and ridges), tall objects (like trees), the windward side of a mountain (where the storm blows in) and water. See the National Weather Service’s Lightning Safety Tips here >>

“If you have to turn around, no worries,” said Mountain Rescue Aspen’s rescue leader coordinator Scott Messina. “The mountains will always be here. Enjoy the journey.”

Map it out:

Just like it’s important to watch the weather and plan accordingly, it’s also important to map out your trek. Do research ahead of time and make sure you’ve downloaded a map to your phone (while you still have service). Better yet, bring a paper map so you don't have to worry if your phone battery dies. Once you’re off the grid, you can expect your smartphone navigation (and phone service in general) to be spotty or nonexistent. Trail-mapping resources, like the Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) app, are handy, too. These types of resources can provide descriptions and reviews that give you an indication of trail conditions and difficulty, such as whether you’ll need to navigate to stay on the right path.

To simplify a rescue should you go missing, make sure you tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back — and don’t deviate from that plan. You can also fill out a form and leave it on your car. 

Things to bring:

If you’re heading into the backcountry, don’t go it alone. First and foremost, bring a friend … or two or three. Also, have some basic first-aid training and tote a pack with the following essentials:

  • Water: Bring more than you think you’ll need and carry at least two liters per person; hydration packs, like a CamelBak, are especially handy because they can carry lots of water and fit in your pack.
  • Food: Pack enough for how long you plan to be out and bring extra just in case.
  • Sun protection: Bring things like a hat, buff, sunscreen, protective clothing and sunglasses.
  • Daily medications if you need them: Bring an EpiPen if you have severe allergies.
  • Travel first-aid kit
  • Headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries
  • Multi-tool or pocket knife, and duct tape for quick repairs
  • Extra clothing layers for the chilliest weather possible on your trek
  • Navigation tools: Paper map, compass, GPS device, cell phone, etc.
  • Backup cell-phone battery and power source
  • Whistle: To alert people of your presence if you’re lost and/or injured
  • Emergency shelter: Like an emergency bivy, blanket, small tarp or even a large, heavy-duty lawn/leaf bag
  • Lighter or waterproof matches and emergency tinder

Depending on the type of trip you’re taking, you may also want to bring an emergency electronic signaling device. Cell phones don’t always work in the backcountry, so carry an emergency communication device — like SPOT, PLB or inReach — and know how to use it. The best kind of communication device is one that allows for two-way communication, so you can text your friends with updates. In the case of a true emergency, you can also let search-and-rescue teams know the specific nature of your emergency. This helps a rescue team plan and allocate resources.

Understand signs of altitude sickness:

Especially when you’re coming from a much lower elevation, Colorado’s high reaches might make you sick due to less oxygen in the air. Practice patience by resting for at least 24 hours or longer at a lower-elevation spot before heading up into the mountains. Keep hydrated, too, and avoid alcohol while you’re acclimating.

“Be aware of the significant impact your fitness can have on you and also how well you acclimatize and perform at altitude,” Christianson said. “Know the skills of those around you and always plan for the comfort and safety of the lowest-skilled member of the group.”

Common symptoms of altitude sickness include a mild headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue and issues sleeping. Emergency symptoms, which can be deadly, include a rapid pulse, loss of balance, slurring words, lack of coordination, irrational behavior and even cerebral and/or pulmonary edema. If you get altitude sickness, you must descend to a lower elevation and seek medical treatment if necessary. Altitude sickness can strike anyone anytime regardless of age or physical condition.

RECREATE RESPONSIBLY

Now that you have your adventure plans in place, it’s time to hit the road. Follow these to-dos for the trail and know what to do if you’re caught in an emergency situation.

Trail talk:

  • Blistered or sore feet can impact your mobility and ruin a trip, especially if you’re far from your car. Always wear footwear that’s appropriate for your activity. For instance, if you’re climbing a fourteener (a mountain taller than 14,000 feet), wear hiking boots that have already been broken in to avoid blisters and leave the flip-flops at home.
  • Dress in layers for any kind of weather — sun, rain, wind, sleet and even snow — and slather yourself in sunscreen. The sun’s rays are strong here, especially at higher elevations and even when it’s overcast.
  • Carpooling to a trailhead is definitely encouraged. Popular backcountry spots can be crowded at peak times like weekends and holidays. If you arrive at a trailhead parking lot and it’s full, please don’t park on the road. Have an alternative recreation spot and head there instead.
  • Do current and future travelers a favor by keeping the backcountry pristine. Please pack out your trash and leave it better than you found it. Use the Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles as your guide.
  • Colorado’s search-and-rescue services are free of charge, so never hesitate to call. But you can definitely expect a bill for a medical helicopter or ambulance if it’s required. That’s why you should have travel insurance that covers evacuations. You can also purchase a CORSAR card, which is not insurance, to help support search-and-rescue services ahead of time. A one-year card is $3 and helps fund expense reimbursement for search-and-rescue teams across the state.

What to do in an emergency:

If you’re in a true backcountry emergency, whether you’re lost or injured, call or text 911. Have an app on your phone, like “My GPS Coordinates,” to get location coordinates to report to dispatch. Even if your phone doesn’t have a signal, it’s important to give this a try. Sometimes a text will go through in areas where a call will not. You can also use your emergency electronic signaling device if you brought one. 

Not sure where you are? First and foremost, stay calm and stop where you are. Then think, observe and plan. Without going far off your original route, look for a familiar landmark or location. If you’re truly lost, stay put, hydrate and eat some food, and put on some extra clothing to stay warm. Use your whistle to alert anyone nearby of your presence and consider building a campfire if you can do it carefully and there isn’t a fire ban (check before you go for county-specific fire-restriction info). Rescuers can usually get to you within 24 hours of being alerted, though it can take longer, so it’s important to seek shelter and wait patiently.

Much of the above applies to injuries as well. If there are people nearby, ask them for help. Be prepared with a first-aid kit and know how to use it. Try to call or text 911, or use your personal signaling device, if the injury or illness is serious and requires swift medical attention.

How to practice fire safety:

If camping is your kind of backcountry fun, knowing how to responsibly manage a campfire is paramount. That’s because even a small fire can get out of control and turn into a wildfire if it’s not tended and put out completely. See National Park Service guidelines and use these Care for Colorado tips to minimize campfire impacts >>

Get a guide:

Colorado has plenty of options when it comes to guides and outfitters that are trained to keep you safe. Find the right guide for you with the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Directory, plus all the COLORADO.com resources below.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Virtual Education:

Informational Resources by Sport:

Hiking & Trail Running:

Huts:

Mountain biking:

Multi-sport/recreation:

OHV:

Rock climbing:

Whitewater rafting:

Gear/Advice Information:

Photos: Courtesy of Miles, Miles/Lisa Seaman 

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