Can we talk about that time a rock slide in Yosemite made me rethink my whole approach to field safety?

I was mapping a granite formation near El Capitan last fall when a small slide happened about 50 feet away, and now I always carry a helmet and check the forecast for freeze-thaw cycles twice before heading out, what's your must-have safety gear for unstable terrain?

3 comments

3 Comments

elliot_lee2mo ago

That freeze-thaw cycle check is so smart, it's easy to forget how much weather changes the ground under your feet. Beyond a helmet, I never go out without a good whistle on my pack strap and a personal locator beacon for the real backcountry. It feels like overkill until you're in a spot with no cell signal and a twisted ankle. Makes you realize how fast a small slip can turn into a big problem when you're alone.

gibson.oliver1mo agoMost Upvoted

Know that feeling. Watched a friend take a bad step on what looked like solid trail. Dry one day, a slick mess the next after some cold rain. He was down and we were miles out. That whistle idea is solid. Makes you think about all the little things that go wrong so fast.

ivanl762mo ago

Used to think that was extra, but you're totally right.