I had to look and see if we were anywhere near where that happened. Yes! We were close, but not exactly the same road. There are plenty of beautiful gorges and twisty turny roads in that area. On those tight curves, it's best to open the wine bottle AFTER arriving at your destination.
My question is: because he's French, could he have survived without the wine even if he hadn't fallen into the ravine? Even if he'd stayed home on his couch?
That’s a very lucky fellow. That’d be a frightening experience. Hypothermia could have easily taken him.
Rather than wine, I usually carry an EPIRB (emergency satellite beacon) on tour. It only weighs about 200g. Less than a glass of wine.
But I don’t carry one when I go shopping or on training rides. My mobile phone is my only link to the world then.
When I used to bush walk (trek, tramp, backpack) I usually attached a whistle to my pack. In theory, the whistle sound carries much further than a voice and uses a lot less energy. Fortunately I’ve never had to test the whistle theory or the EPIRB.
A signal mirror is another standard inclusion in survival mini-kits. And matches / lighter.
I got a Garmin InReach Mini 2 this fall to take along on BC rides (and other adventures) when I know there's not going to be any cell service. I started wanting one when I started riding up a local gravel route solo, having decided if I wanted to go, it would have to be solo. Sometimes I see other cyclists but not always.
For hiking, I always carry the 10 essentials as recommended by our local SAR team (the busiest in Canada), plus reading glasses. My friends laugh at me but I like to be prepared! These are sometimes the same friends who have no idea how to fix a puncture.
I might just add a whistle to my touring gear. I have one on each of my backpacks and on my ski shell (which sadly I once had to use) but none of those things go touring.
Thanks Jacqui. That’s a good list and tips. Very useful.
Over the past few years my previous job included organising outdoor programs for leadership development exercises.
The responsibility for up to 30 other people really focussed my attention. One of the questions I always had in mind was “what will the coroner ask?” Thankfully there was never a serious injury or worse on the programs.
Shelter and protection from weather were always the highest priority, closely followed by communication. Water and food are obviously really important but they are a lower priority. Especially food.
Solo activities need a bit more care. The check questions I use are ‘ who will know I’m missing, and how will they know where and when to start looking for me?’
Yeah, that's the trip plan aspect. Follow North Shore Rescue on social media; they post some great "lessons learned". We live in a big city and the beautiful but treacherous North Shore mountains are our back yard.
the suggestion of a whistle to signal for help is a good one. One does not need to rely on finding satellites, signal strength or even whether one has enough battery power left. When we travelled with our very young grandchildren in pull behind Weehoos each one had a whistle attached to their rig in order to signal to Gramna or Grampa, all of six feet ahead, when they needed something. It was good to know they felt connected, even if what was needed was an icecream stop.
On our first European cycle tour together, in France (of course) in 1992, Al and I would buy a bottle of wine to go with whatever French convenience food we were preparing on our campstove. We didn’t always finish the bottle, but we were on a tight budget so Al would carry the part bottle along to accompany the next night’s meal. We had no idea it could be life-saving! https://cyclingmagazine.ca/sections/news/french-cyclist-survives-three-days-on-wine-after-falling-into-ravine/?fbclid=IwVERFWAN18PRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHr1KCc_QoGEv8AuzeIB0iiqr-O0DztrmmzPA4fJQuHH4BWCmqsICPRqiUeNc_aem_7JmERXDIzQTuQ_asbC-N6Q
2 months ago