Exploring Lake Tahoe’s Backcountry

Backcountry expedition can be fun and exhilarating…if you know what you are doing.  If you don’t, the backcountry can be downright scary and even deadly.  Having the proper knowledge and equipment is crucial to enjoying yourself in Lake Tahoe’s backcountry.  Every year, search and rescue is forced to go out and rescue people who were ill prepared for rapid changes in weather. A bright bluebird day can quickly change to a whiteout blizzard within the hour.  In fact, just recently a mother and son became disoriented at Kirkwood, a local ski resort and spent the night lost.  Fortunately,  the pair were able to find and cabin that had been closed for the winter and ride out the storm in comfort.  This story has a happy ending with both mother and son being found by searchers as they wondered out onto highway 88 by Silverwood Lake the following morning, which is less than two miles from the resort.

Wayne McClelland, winter survival expert, leads a backcountry winter camping adventure several times a year for the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and just happens to be hosting one coming up next month. During the TRTA’s Snow Camping 101 McClelland and staff cover all of the winter travel hazards in Lake Tahoe — from avalanches to hypothermia.

Interested in learning more about Tahoe’s backcountry and survival skills? Sign up for the next Snow Camping 101 scheduled for Feb. 27-28 HERE and spend a night in Lake Tahoe backcountry.

Here is a list of ten essentials for a day at Tahoe provided by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Service, Carson Ranger District:

1. Map and compass, signal mirror (which some compasses have built in)

2. Layers of non-cotton clothing including waterproof pants, boots, and jacket

3. Drinking water and extra high energy food (e.g. energy bars, energy drinks, dried fruit, nuts, etc.)

4. First aid kit

5. Repair tools, duct tape and extra parts for snowshoes, backcountry skis and bindings

6. Whistle (saves breath, travels further than shouting)

7. Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat for sun

8. Waterproof matches, lighter, candle for emergency fire starter

9. Pocket knife, multi-tool

10. Lightweight emergency tarp and light w/extra batteries

Have fun out there and always remember to let friends and family know the area you will be exploring and the time you expect to arrive back home. 

Check out the links below for maps and links to more information:

Hypothermia Prevention provided by the CDC

Cold Weather Survival Topics

How To’s for Winter Survial

Maps  of Lake Tahoe provided by the Forest Service