Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
mountaineering. For protection from extreme cold and travel across snow, the common Sorel-
type boot is a good choice. This type of boot has a removable, heavy wool felt liner, an upper
of heavy fabric or leather, and a lower outer rubber boot with a steel shank.
I recommend trying on boots and climbing shoes to be sure of a good fit, rather than pur-
chasing them from a mail-order catalog. Blisters from badly fitting boots can cripple your at-
tempts to travel on foot. Always bring moleskin (a fuzzy adhesive-backed pad for protection
against blistering) and cloth athletic tape (duct tape will work in a pinch) along in your pack,
and please
do yourself a favor by dealing with sore spots before they turn into blisters
. Rotate
socks to keep your feet dry and comfortable. Unlike cotton, wool or Orlon synthetic sporting
“ski” socks will keep feet relatively warm and comfortable when wet. For multiday snow-coun-
try travel, I bring along a supply of thin grocery-store produce bags. I wear these under my
socks to form a vapor barrier and prevent sweat from wetting my socks and causing cold feet
by wetting my boots from the inside-out. They also help prevent blisters by adhering to your
skin and slipping against the socks.
Note:
Since many women are prone to wearing shoes that look good but are poor for walk-
ing any kind of distance, they should keep a pair of comfortable multi-season boots in the car.
Planning for the Long-Term Future
Planning for the long haul depends on the possible futures you wish to plan for. If you are plan-
ning for the possibility that central distribution systems may break down for extended periods
of time, then this topic provides a good start, but you should expand your self-reliance and sur-
vival skills, materials, and library by picking up many of the topics and materials listed in the
appendices.
Appendix 1
provides a list of recommended topics.
Appendix 2
provides a list of
recommended resources to help readers plan and prepare for both emergency survival and long-
term self-reliance that could be invaluable should a major long-term upheaval occur. It will
take many tools, supplies, skills, hard work, and spare parts to maintain a somewhat modern
existence in the event of the long-term loss of central services.
