Category: Safety

Be Bear Aware

11/21/2017

If you're curious to "see" bears, the safest way is to check out the videos at TheBearWhisperer.com, the website of local naturalist and bear conservator, Steve Searles.

Its not uncommon to come across a bear or two when you visit Mammoth. In fact, just last week a bear yanked out the back window of my car and hopped in. He cruised the neighborhood the rest of the week, always evading Mammoth PD when they would arrive.

According to Mammoth PD, some tourists on our street had been baiting the bear with trout carcasses for the week prior, so he was really only doing what he had been trained to do by careless, thoughtless humans.

This is both cruel to the bears, and dangerous for humans. To avoid issues like this, check out the info below from CA Fish and Wildlife.

Bears are attracted to anything that is edible or smelly. Use this checklist to help bear-proof your vacation:

Use a bear-proof garbage container like Sonenalp's bear-safe dumpster, located in the driveway. Be sure to re-engage the lock after closing.
Don’t leave trash, groceries or pet food in your car or in Sonenalp's garage.
Don’t leave any scented products outside, even suntan lotion, insect repellent, soap or candles.
Be sure to keep the garage doors closed during your stay. Scents can lure bears inside.
Drive slowly! Bears and other wildlife cross the local roads all the time. Be cautious when driving through town.
Use good judgment. Do not approach animals in the wild, respect their habitat and above all, never feed wildlife.
While hiking, make noise to avoid a surprise encounter with a bear.
If you encounter a bear, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to appear as large as possible. If attacked, fight back.

Excerpted from California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Keep Me Wild website and pamphlet, Guide to Living in Bear Country; Also Steve Searles guest blog for Mammoth Lakes, How to Co-Exist with Bears. To contact The Bear Whisperer call 760-937-BEAR.

Avoiding Dog Day Dangers

7/1/2017

Summer Safety

The hidden secret of Mammoth Lakes is that the summers are equally breathtaking, but less crowded, than the winters. And unlike winter, when activities are limited to the Mountain, in summers the lakes, hills, trails, waterfalls, and mountain all offer unlimited adventure. Whether you came to Mammoth to fish, hike, bike, run, climb or just hang out, there are a few considerations to keep you safe while you take on Adventure, Refined.

Altitude & Climate

Avoid sunburn and eye damage
Our thin atmosphere filters out only a minimum of the sun’s ultraviolet (“UV”) rays which makes us especially vulnerable to severe sunburn and eye damage.

Protect your skin. Parents should be especially careful with young children, and apply a generous amount of sunscreen prior to any outdoor activities. Use a minimum 30 SPF sunscreen and reapply often, especially if you are sweating or in the water.
It is important to use proper UV protection for your eyes. The surface of the dirt or water can act as a reflector of UV rays and can generate a great deal of UV exposure to the eyes. Use UV safe sunglasses or goggles for your children and yourself. Wind and blowing dust can wreak havoc on sensitive eyes so make sure to have protection even when the weather seems calm.

Keep warm
There's an old saying in Mammoth: "If you don't like the weather, wait ten minutes...it's sure to change." Even in summer, the weather can change quickly, leading to overheating or even hypothermia.

Layer your clothes, no matter what the season. A t-shirt, wool sweater, nylon windbreaker with hood and a bottle of water are basics for just about any summer activity.
Children are not always aware that they are becoming too cold. Parents should watch for red noses and red ears. If this occurs, remove wet clothes and warm the child and affected areas immediately.
Take frequent breaks from the cold or heat.

Thunderstorms and Lightening

The weather is very unpredictable in the Sierras; in summer thunderstorms, wind events and even snowstorms are common and often blow in unexpectedly. Seek shelter when you see a storm developing. Keep off ridge tops and stay clear of lift houses, lift towers, power lines, open ski runs, the tall trees, fences and signposts.

Lightning: What You Need to Know
- NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area.
- If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.
-When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter.
- Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.

Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips
If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:
- Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks
- Never lie flat on the ground
- Never shelter under an isolated tree
- Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter
- Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water
- Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.)

Boredom isn't the only risk of driving through the desert . ..

5/1/2017

Driving in Wind and Rain

The drive to Mammoth takes most guests through desolate desert areas. Although this may seem like easy driving, wind and flash flooding are serious risks during some times of the year. Wind can be especially dangerous when we have kayaks, gear or roof racks attached to our vehicles or if we are driving tall vehicles or pulling trailers.

Driving in
Heavy Winds

The wide open desert spaces and valleys that lead guests to Mammoth are commonly affected by dangerous wind. The following tips can help keep you on the road and safe if you encounter heavy winds.
1. Anticipate gusts. Take special care when driving through deserts and valleys that are prone to strong winds. The dramatic land forms along 395 make the road particularly gusty.
2. Take it slow. Its easier to control your vehicle in windy or gusty conditions when you drive more slowly than usual.
3. Notice larger vehicles. Be aware of large vehicles on the road such as tractor-trailers, toy haulers and RVs. They are more susceptible to high winds and drivers may have difficulties staying in their lanes. The best idea is to avoid them if at all possible.
4. Keep a firm grip on the wheel. Keep both hands on the wheel in case the wind begins to move your vehicle, especially if you are driving a large vehicle or towing a trailer.
5. Follow Caltrans signs and advisories. Caltrans will post high wind warning signs and advisories in areas of high wind and during wind events. Sometimes vehicles types will be limited and RVs and campers will be restricted. Please consult Caltrans road conditions reports and signage.

Driving in
Heavy Rain

In addition to the potentially poor visibility that accompanies most heavy rain, be aware of the risk of sliding or hydroplaning that can be common on wet desert roads. Hydroplaning can make steering and braking difficult and could even lead to losing control of your vehicle. Follow these tips to help you stay safe while driving in heavy rain.
1. Take your time. Since rain is rare in the California desert, oils build up making wet roads even slicker than drivers expect. Slowing down is the only way to keep your vehicle from sliding around on these slick surfaces. Also remember that one of the most dangerous times to drive is soon after it begins to rain, as oils on roadway make for slick conditions. Consider stopping in at a rest stop or restaurant or coffee shop and waiting a few minutes, rather than rushing to your destination to give the roads a chance to clear.
2. Turn your lights on. Turn your headlights on to help other vehicles see you. Many states require the use of headlights during rain, even in broad daylight.
3. Make sure your car is rain-ready. Prior to your trip check your tires, windshield wipers and lights to make sure they are in good working order. If wipers are more than one year old, they may need to be replaced. Tires should be checked to ensure proper tread depth. Also make sure pressure is correct for each tire.Check vehicle lights as they should be turned on whenever windshield wipers are in use, as required by law.
4. Be aware of the risk of flash floods. Deserts, and desert roads are susceptible to flash flooding. Never drive through standing water because it is impossible to tell how deep it is.

Adventure refined Articles

Be Bear Aware

Bears are attracted to anything that is edible or smelly. Use this checklist to help bear-proof your vacation:

Avoiding Dog Day Dangers

Summer Safety

Altitude & Climate

Thunderstorms and Lightening

Boredom isn't the only risk of driving through the desert . ..

Driving in Wind and Rain

Driving in
Heavy Winds

Driving in
Heavy Rain

Author

Archives

Categories

Adventure refined Articles

Be Bear Aware

​Bears are attracted to anything that is edible or smelly. Use this checklist to help bear-proof your vacation:

Avoiding Dog Day Dangers

Summer Safety

Altitude & Climate

Thunderstorms and Lightening

Boredom isn't the only risk of driving through the desert . ..

Driving in Wind and Rain

Driving in ​Heavy Winds​

Driving in ​Heavy Rain

Author

Archives

Categories

Bears are attracted to anything that is edible or smelly. Use this checklist to help bear-proof your vacation:

Driving in
Heavy Winds

Driving in
Heavy Rain