Yosemite Search and Rescue

Staying Safe in the Sierra Nevada Wilderness

“When all the dangerous cliffs are fenced off, all the trees that might fall on people are cut down,all of the insects that bite are poisoned… and all of the grizzlies are dead because they are occasionally dangerous, the wilderness will not be made safe. Rather, the safety will have destroyed the wilderness.”
—R. Yorke Edwards

Risk is part of what makes wilderness wild. It’s part of what attracts us to wild places and draws away from the comforts of civilization. Wilderness areas embody freedom, but with this freedom comes responsibility and the need for self reliance. Developing the skills to travel safely through wilderness areas is important and rewarding, but it takes time, effort, and patience.

Knowledge is the key to safety, and when it comes to wilderness this means building experience, learning from others, and doing your research. This page provides some starting points for learning more about how to safely enjoy the Sierra Nevada wilderness.

Some Important Tips:

Know what you’re getting into and be realistic with your abilities: If you are not an experienced wilderness traveler put your ego in check and be conservative when it comes to new adventures. If you are an experienced wilderness user, still put that ego in check and know your own limits.
Research the area you’re planning to visit: Talk to people who have been there before, ask rangers familiar with the area about local concerns, carry the appropriate maps and know how to read them.
Tell someone where you’re going: Make sure you tell someone exactly where you’re headed and when to start worrying about you, especially if you’re hiking alone.
Bring the appropriate equipment: Every wilderness experience requires slightly different gear, but whatever your intention these are some basic items that are always a good idea to carry:

Flashlight (plus spare batteries and bulbs)
Rain/wind/cold weather wear (can be very lightweight)
Plenty of water (at least 3 liters of water per day per person)
Food
Pen/paper
Whistle
First-Aid items (including your medicine)
Decent footwear
Map and Compass (make sure you know how to use them!)
Watch
Knife
Fire starter (matches, fire ribbon, etc.)

Note: Check out our backpacking gear list if you are preparing for a wilderness backpacking trip.

Shadow of a Search Helicopter in the Hoover Wilderness

For more information and accounts of recent wilderness accidents, check out the Friends of Yosemite Search and Rescue website.