The Weather and the Weather Forecast
Before you embark on your trip to the forest, you should make yourself aware of the weather, and the weather forecast for the length of time of your trip (plus a margin in case the trip takes longer than is planned). The weather includes being aware of the season and the likely weather, and the temperatures that you are likely to encounter in the forest.
Pre trip checks
Before you emabrk on your trip, make a list of all the items of food equipment and water that you will need, and check that you have everything that you will need such as:
Food – check how much you need and add some more, particularly energy type bars
Water – sufficient for the whole trip, plus spare in case of unforeseen + purification tablets
Knife
Boots and spare laces
Dry shoes
Clothing and socks
Dry clothing
Weatherproof clothing
Torch
Compass
Maps
Batteries
Insect repellant
Mosqito net(s)
Umbrella?
Mobile telephone or radio, means of communication
Snake bite treatment, first aid kit
Emergency survival kit, if you have to leave everything and travel light to get help.
Let people know your planned departure and arrival times and locations, so that if you don’t show up at your destination at the due time, and there is no news from you that someone can raise the alarm.
Clothing and Boots, and Weatherproofs
Your dress should be appropriate for the conditions that you will encounter. take clothing with you for times when you are not walking, warm enough for the conditions not only in the daytime but overnight when temperatures will usually drop significantly. If you are walking and stopping at a high elevation, you will usually find that the temperatures are a few degrees colder than those at lower elevations.
If the weather forecast is for rain, particularly heavy rain, then you will need to bring waterproofs and additional dry clothing in a plastic bag to keep it from getting soaked while you are walking.
Your Location and Your Directions
When you are walking in the forest you should always keep track of your surroundings. It is most important to know exactly where you are and where you are going to, and where you need to return to after your walk in the forest.
So it is important that when walking you should stay on the correct path and avoid going off course.
You should bring a map and a compass with you at all times, even if it’s just a short walk away from camp, because it does not take much to become disoriented, especially in a forest, where it is difficult to fix on a landmark from which you can take your bearings for direction finding.
If you’re lost, stay put – don’t wander off in search of help because you could get even more lost. Sit down and calmly try to assess the situation. You may have left a trail through the undergrowth, so that you can retrace your steps until you find somewhere that you recognise.
As we already stated, you should always carry a map with you at all times to avoid getting lost, and a compass so that you can check your direction of travel and your direction to return to your start point.
Shelter, Fire and Food
If you are travelling through a large forest, part of your plan may be to stay overnight in the forest. If this is the case, then you need to come prepared to make a shelter from materials that you can find, or to erect a tent or lean to type of shelter for protection from the elements. You need to be able to stay dry and keep warm.
You should rehearse erection and dismantling of your shelter or tent before you embark on a trip.
You may wish to make a fire to help you to keep warm and also for cooking of food.
You need to be aware of the regulations in the area where you are travelling. Within the Triglav National Park there are rules against camping overnight, and you are strongly forbidden from making a fire in the forest. This is because that would be a high risk of causing a forest fire.
You will usually need to bring with you sufficient food and water for your journey through the forest. You will be unlikely to find food in the forest in sufficient quantities to sustain you. Fresh water is unlikely to be available in the forest, so you should carry sufficient clean bottled water with you.
Don’t eat anything you find on the ground, it might be poisonous.
Wild Animals
You can of course be prepared to defend yourself against wild animals – use sticks to poke them away or throw rocks at them
Stay safe in the dark by carrying a torch.
Use natural resources around you – berries are edible, pine cones can be used as tinder for starting fires IF ALLOWED
Watch out for snakes, and be prepared to treat snake bites if necessary.
Keep your eyes peeled for signs of water (streams, lakes) or food (berries) when exploring nature
Find shelter before nightfall so that animals can’t attack you while asleep
Summary of How To Survive In The Forest
Know your location and surroundings, planned start point and end destination, and planned route
Be aware of the seasons, the weather, and where you are, and the weather forecast for the time of your trip, including the peak daytime and overnight temperatures.
Be prepared for anything by packing a survival kit
Always have water or other liquids on hand to avoid dehydration
Find shelter before nightfall so you can stay warm and dry
Build a fire if possible to keep warm at night
Avoid wild animals by making noise when walking through the forest
If you are lost, stay in one place and wait for help, have a means of communication.
Shelter yourself from the sun with a tarp or tree
Make a fire to keep warm at night
Find water by digging in damp ground or looking for animal tracks – beware that it may not be potable.
Keep an eye out for any edible plants nearby that can be eaten raw or cooked over the fire – beware in case poisonous.
When eating food, take small bites so as not to fill up too quickly and risk getting sick
Get enough sleep every night – this is important for staying alert during the day (including before you leave=)
Make sure to pack plenty of food and water before heading out into the woods
Pack some matches or a lighter, as well as some kindling in case you need to start a fire in an emergency situation
Learn how to build a lean-to shelter (in case your tenet is lost or destroyed
Collect water from streams and puddles – treat with purification tablets.
Find edible plants in the forest if you have time, but best to bring sufficient food with you.
Build a fire for warmth and cooking only if it is allowed.
Know when it is safe to drink water from lakes, rivers, or other natural sources of drinking water – better to be safe than ill.