A Test of Endurance
In a little over 24 hours, I will be heading to a local campground for a fall "survival school weekend" camping trip with a small group of outdoor enthusiasts. I will spend the subsequent two nights in a tent in sub-freezing temperatures, and it will be the first time I've ever camped out in temps like this. I am hoping I'm as prepared as I think I am.
For quite a while now, I've been telling myself I need to "toughen up" and get myself outside sometime other than just May through September. Up until now, I've usually only camped in the summer or early fall, while the temperatures were still nice. Most of the times I've been in my tent, I haven't even needed a sleeping bag. This time, however, I'll be huddling to stay warm in a cold-weather rated bag and layers and layers of clothes. Unfortunately, I still only have a three-season tent, so I'm not sure what exactly to expect.
I have confidence in the gear, and think I am well-prepared to handle the cold. My biggest fear is the chance of precipitation. Of course, the area has been in a drought situation for months, but the weekend I am camping it decides it's going to rain/snow. Being wet AND cold does not appeal to me in any way.
This will be a true test of not only my survival skills, but a test of my emotional and mental endurance. I am hoping this will be almost a spiritual experience for me and a chance to really appreciate how wonderful my life is. Often, I forget just how blessed I am to have a beautiful wife and two gorgeous children, as well as multiple loving family members, a roof over my head, lots of nice stuff, etc. I think this will be a really good chance for me to come back to grips with what is important in life, and to help remind me how much to cherish those things.
UPDATE: The trip was cut short after a very raw first night. After setting up camp, getting a fire going, and enjoying some spicy hot dogs by the fire, the temperature quickly dropped, and we were inundated with a mixture of sleet and freezing rain which would fall the entire night.
That night got down to about 22 degrees. I was cozy and warm and slept fine until about 3:30 a.m. Saturday, when I woke up shivering uncontrollably. I was so bitterly cold and uncomfortable, I was genuinely concerned for my safety. I quickly packed up my bag and got in my car (with the power/heat off), where I slept until about 8 a.m. I felt defeated by the elements, but also realized I wasn't equipped with all the right gear.
Saturday was a good day, with a very warm fire and some great survival skill lessons from Clint. I was schooled on fire making, traps, knots, and some other basic survival skills.
In all, it was a great trip. Despite cutting out early, I was still proud of myself for being one of the only individuals to actually show up, and for sticking it out through a rough and unusually cold fall night without giving in to modern amenities.
Of the many things I learned on this weekend, it's that the right gear is essential, as well as a proper frame of mind. If you go in feeling you might not make it, you just might be right. Survival is not just physical but mental endurance, and that might be much more difficult to master.
