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Jay Baldwin
Photo by Paul Rauber

by Paul Rauber
Outdoor Adventure Session
Jay Baldwin

If you come upon a body lying in the wilderness on a cold day, check to see if there is ice on the eyes. If not, do your best to revive them. "The eyes will not freeze if someone is alive."

What if you’re in a lightning storm? Get off high ground, of course, but also avoid the mouths of caves or mines. Try standing on one foot to minimize contact with the ground. Close your hands into fists. "And if your fingernails start to hurt, watch out, because you’re in big trouble."

These and many other nuggets of backwoods lore were delivered by Jay Baldwin, outdoor guy extraordinaire (he claims to have spent 5000+ nights of his life in sleeping bags) and author of the Club’s Wilderness Survival Skills Knowledge Card Deck. In addition to dispensing advice, Baldwin regaled his audience with tales of descending the South Fork of the American River in 20 minutes (it usually takes four hours), studying at the feet of Buckminster Fuller, and how you can feel your body’s radiant energy (you put out as much as a 100-watt lightbulb, he says) by holding your cupped hands in front of your closed eyes.

Putting their own wilderness acumen to the test, several members of the audience participated in a game-show format "Wilderness Survival!" quiz.

"How many pairs of socks should you carry?"

"An infinite number! As many as you can carry!" exclaimed one young contestant. (He received, as a consolation prize, a copy of the Sierra Club book, Strategic Ignorance.) The correct answer? "Three," said Baldwin. "One on your feet, one in your pack for emergency, and one drying out after being washed."

The way to really stay safe in the wilderness survival, Baldwin summarized, "is to be aware, and not get into an emergency in the first place."

Oh, and by the way, are you interested in seeing lots of wildlife? "If you wear just boots and no clothes, the animals won’t be afraid of you." You heard it from the expert.

--Paul Rauber

-- 09/09/2005 Fri