Sherpa Guides > Georgia Mountains > Appendices > Safety in the Mountains

Safety in the Mountains

ADVANCE PLANNING—Before setting out on a backpacking or canoeing trip into the mountains, do your homework. Become familiar with the maps of the area and learn to use a compass. Consider taking a short first-aid course to prepare for emergencies. Plan your trip in advance, let others know where you are going and when you expect to return, and travel with a companion.

Wool will warm even when wet. Select shoes or boots, tents, sleeping bags, and other equipment to match your activity and the worst-case conditions you might expect to encounter.

Timber rattlers come in both yellow and black colorations. Copperheads, the only other potentially dangerous snakes in the mountains, are more difficult to see in the leaves. Fortunately, they are more rarely encountered in the higher mountains.

In serious snake-bite cases, call the National Poison Center toll-free at 800-222-1222.

In summary, plan ahead so that you are wellequipped and prepared to deal with the expected, as well as the unexpected. This will not only enhance your enjoyment of the outing by lending peace of mind; it may also save lives.

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