by Anthony Narvaez

Created on: February 26, 2009

Mammoth, Wyoming
attracts droves of outdoors enthusiasts year round for its scenic trails and challenging terrain. Trekking Yellowstone is an activity on the agenda of any backpacker, and with good reason. The scattered wood-line, mountain ridges and bubbling springs are beautiful and inspiring. Although there are few vacationers to compete with in the winter, which makes this an ideal season for the survivalists to venture out, it does pose a greater risk to safety.

The human body is better at maintaining homeostasis (stable and constant internal environment) in arid climates than in humid. It requires only a drop of 2-3F (aprox.) in body temperature that symptoms begin to show of hypothermia. Avoiding submersion and perspiration help to maintain a healthy body temperature. Without insulation, and at a sedentary activity level, the body can maintain its 98.6F in a dry environment down to about 68F. Introducing moisture exponentially reduces the body's threshold to retain heat as water assists in conducting it away from the body. Staying dry is a first line defense in avoiding cold weather injury.

It is important to identify hypothermic symptoms early in their onset. Recovery to normal body temperature becomes increasingly difficult as exposure is prolonged and symptoms grow in severity. In the first stage of hypothermia, a person will experience mild to strong shivering, loss of hand dexterity, "goose bumps" and fatigue. Insulating with additional or alternate clothes, taking appropriate shelter and drinking hot fluids is often enough to return the body to normal temperature from this stage.

An additional drop of 2-6F in body temperature will cause involuntary muscle contraction and more severe shivering. This second stage of hypothermia often includes disorientation, confusion and loss of attention span. The ears, fingers and toes may turn blue and result in tissue damage caused by restricted blood flow from contracted vessels. It is important to immediately seek shelter or an external heat source, like a camp fire or propane heater, if these symptoms appear. Appropriate clothing and warm fluids are also vital to recovering lost body heat.

The final stage of hypothermia is caused by a temperature loss of more than 7-8F and requires urgent medical attention. Shivering will normally stop and muscles become difficult or impossible to control. Exposed skin will become blue and swollen while mental functions are reduced to incoherent and irrational behavior. When trekking in the wilderness, it is imperative to never reach this stage of hypothermia. The nearest hospital may be miles away and improper treatment can result in vascular irregularities or a heart attack.

Mental preparedness is crucial to avoiding hypothermia and other cold weather injuries. Sufficient knowledge of the terrain and route can eliminate unexpected hazards like water submersion or getting lost. Guides and park rangers should also be informed of the intended route and pace, which provides for timely search and rescue if the injuries are demobilizing. Above all, the ability to recognize the early symptoms of hypothermia is critical. If well outfitted, both in clothing and camp gear, hypothermia may never become an issue. If hypothermic symptoms are not addressed right away however, the severity could easily grow to requiring medical treatment.

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