I'm gonna camp this autumn and winter to photograph wonderful sceneries in remote locations such as mountains and ....
The problem is I will be alone and This will be my first experience to camp in wilderness in winter.
My Questions:
1.is it logical to camp alone in wilderness?
2.How can I deal with wild animals and freezing weather?
3.Have you ever camped alone for photography purposes in winter?
4.Do you have any weapon when you camp?
I appreciate all your experiences.
Thanks,
Morteza
Posted by mark cillo on September 9, 2008 at 2:34 AM
Bring warm gear. It is a great experience going alone though you have to be cautious. If you are in bear brown bear country consider the spray. I would say that autumn is a much better time to be in the mountains that in the dead of winter; depending on where and what altitude you could be looking at arctic conditions. I have gone it alone for a couple weeks at a time in the mountains and it is an experience I will never forget, but you just have to make sure you are prepared.
Posted by Jay Ryser on September 9, 2008 at 8:17 AM
I agree - you need to be prepared. There's a much lower margin for error in the winter than in the summer. Get some experience under your belt first. Go on outings with more experienced people. Learn the basics of mountaineering and snow country travel.
A minor mistake in the summer may have much greater consequences in the winter.
Thank you,
My main purpose is to photograph mountains with winter atmosphere, I don't know if I could have this atmosphere in autumn.
How can I be prepared?
Mark, Yeah.Warm gears are so important.
Jay, it's difficult to photograph with experienced people who don't know photography :(.
Larry, your experience reminds me Into The Wild movie;).
Posted by Larry Fischer on September 9, 2008 at 10:20 AM
My experience:
I've done a lot of backpacking.
I've camped alone:
5 days in Bitterroot Wilderness, Idaho, USA
One 3 day stint and one 4 day stint in Alaska. Weather: Highs in low 30's and lows in the teens (F degrees). Moisture: rain and light snow to sunny.
Grizzly bears were always on my mind. I carried a .44 magnum revolver. I don't know if you are doing this in Iran and if weapons are available or what kinds on animals you take notice. Bears are alway menacing but not always aggressive.
Physical conditions is mandatory. Sore muscles, etc. don't make for a nice memory.
Cold rain can be devasting leading to hypothermia and death.
Cold rain and wind is worse, of course.
So, bring excellent foul-weather gear.
Bring a good sleeping bag. A good night's rest is imperative. Light mattresses help smooth out rocks under the tent.
I like eye protection. A weed or limb hitting one's eye while by oneself can bring complications.
First aid kit.
I like 18" rubber boots. They hike well if fitted correctly. Don't skip on the price. Your feet take a pounding and hold you up. Goretex is overrated. Walk in your shoes to break-in new ones and to toughen your feet. Blisters are a nightmare.
Remember, walking around is sometimes preferred to walking over or through. This applies to searching for stream crossings, timber falls, cliffs, etc. Don't get in a hurry. You are by yourself. If everyone approached everyday life like this, we would have less accidents.
Bring sufficient and appropriate clothing to keep warm. I've camped without fires and the cold will suck the life from you. Keep warm, keep warm, keep warm. Head and neck are usually the main area of heat loss.
Keep you energy level high by eating small portions of appropriate food frequently.
Have a compass, knife, space blanket and matches with you at all times. If you are remote, have a topo map. Always look back at your trail, especially when on ridges. Why? If you use that route back you are always faced with left or right decisions that were not obvious when walking in the opposite direction.
Have an appropriate shelter (tent). If backpacking dehyrated meals are my choice.
Treat all water with appropriate chlorine for filter it. Getting sick in the wilderness is not fun.
If you are a first timer and going remote, I would study a good book.
As far as camera gear, I would go light if backpacking. Weather protection? I use Tundra Cases and have resorted to ZipLock bags for weight reuction. Keep your batteries WARM... you know that...
A buddy is always good but there is a magic in going "hard, cold and lonely" that brings an experience that really cannot be shared--its yours and yours only. It makes one think and ponder the meaning of life and the universe...
Perhaps others could fill in what I've left blank.
I do lots of it. How I do it is highly variable, depending on my means of access, weight limits, and specific details of terrain and weather.
Best and most comfortable, while also heaviest and least convenient is a 12' x 14' canvas wall tent with a wood stove. It's basically a heated cabin large enough to stand and walk around in. At over 300 pounds, it's nothing you take into remote areas without the help of a horse, boat or airplane.
At the other end of the scale is a 2- or 4-person four-season tent. Four-season tents are designed for backpacking and winter use. They're extremely weather resistant. I also want at least 2-person and preferably 4-person size even when I'm alone, simply for more room on days when weather is bad and for versatility of use during long hours of darkness typical of winter.
Suitable personal clothing for local conditions is a starting point. I have lots of options because I use lots of different terrain and climates.
I'd consult with a good backpacking store familiar with the terrain and locations that interest you, and get their advice for selecting both personal clothing and camping gear. They'll know best what will work and what won't.
As for winter use in remote locations, be really careful to assure you have plenty of battery capacity for your photo gear. No sense starting a weeklong trip if your batteries will only last a couple of days!
Posted by Robert Fisher on September 9, 2008 at 12:16 PM
If you're an inexperienced hiker/camper this is not something that should be done alone the first time or even the second or third time. If you have friends who are more experienced, even if they're not photographers, go out with some of them initially.
Practice with shorter treks; day treks at first. Get used to being out in the cold and having to deal with it where you know you're going to be able to get back to warmth at the end of the day. If you decide you don't like being out in the cold and weather like that, being gone for an extended trek is not the place to be.
If you're inexperienced, try hiking/camping in the summer first. You may not like it. It's not for everyone. Winter camping is very different. It's more difficult to carry weight in winter so you might want to research a more minimalist approach.
Posted by David Prichard on September 9, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Did a search for Iranian mountains. The first thing that popped out was "sudden changes in weather."
I would echo Jay's sentiments about going out with experienced people. They, better than anybody, would know local conditions and the non-photographic gear needed. If you are not aware of it there is an Iranian mountaineering association. http://www.mountainzone.ir/clubs.htm
While it can be a pain going out with non-photographers, there are clubs in Canada that have weekend trips which may set up a base camp. If Iranian clubs do the same this might offer you the opportunity to photograph on your own while having the benefit of experienced people.
Your website offers photographic workshops. Perhaps you might join with one of the clubs to offer a winter photographic workshop. Not the same as going out on your own, but would offer you the benefit of their knowledge.
While people have posted some good advice regarding gear and the like, none of us will be knowledgeable with local conditions. Some of my better photos have come from the advice given in the local coffee shop about locations.
Winter camping leaves a lot less room for mistakes and as you indicate you have little experience with it, approaching those locally who do, might not only benefit the camping skills, but introduce you to locations you might not have considered.
When I was in graduate school, there was an outdoor group affiliated with the student union. They had camping classes in northern Wisconsin during winter. They also rented tents, sleeping bags and other camping gear. While I never took the course, a friend of mine who was one of the instructors did camp out during late November one year.
RECOMMENDATION: Try to find someone or a group of people who offer help in learning to camp. No amount of reading can replace practical experience. I strongly recommend you take at least one other person camping.
There is some excellent advice give above, especially by Larry Fischer. I will close this reply with a story of how my friend mentioned above saved one of the students taking the winter camping course.
The rule to never be broken is to always change ones clothing before getting into a sleeping bag. In the middle of the night, my friend had to get up for a call of nature. He noticed that a student was shivering excessively. The boy had not changed his perspiration drenched clothes before getting into his sleeping bag. Consequently, the insulation was saturated with moisture and had lost its ability to keep him warm. Granted, that was 40 years ago with goose down and modern fibers are not as susceptible to moisture. Nevertheless, a moments carelessness could have resulting in hypothermia may have proved fatal by morning. The temperature was -10 F at the time.
It has been said above and the example I just cited should demonstrate the perils of camping during winter. What may have been an uncomfortable night for someone during warmer weather could have been fatal during winter.
Hope we have scared you a little. If you can find someone to help, that would be your best bet. Also, when you do go out camping, particularly during winter, try to leave an itinerary with someone so that people will start looking for you if you encountered a problem Several years ago, this arose in a national park in the U.S., but there was not itinerary and consequently no rescue.
Posted by Steve Sieren on September 9, 2008 at 3:55 PM
How well have you delt with photographing in winter? Have you experienced the feeling of pain just frostbite on your fingers? Do you enjoy standing out in cold whether? Have you experienced the feeling of not wanting to move, change clothes, eat, or even wake up because it's so cold?
If you haven't backpacked I wouldn't start alone in winter.
Since you're a photographer I would start alone 15 min away from your car.
There are many checklists out there online. For the most part just the first time initiation is the hardest part. After that you won't have as many questions.
Steve S.
Posted by Rick Dunn on September 9, 2008 at 5:08 PM
I'll first echo the sentiment that starting out with a solo winter trip is unnecessarily risky and unwise. Aside from that, a few points to add to the great advice already given regarding winter (or even autumn) backpacking in general:
1. Stamina - If you haven't backpacked with snowshoes, it's a whole different world. You'll go slower and work much harder. You'll also be carrying more/heavier gear in winter. Estimate very conservatively when considering reasonable distances to travel in a given time period.
2. Navigation - you'll have no trails to follow; your tracks in snow won't last very long. You should be very comfortable with using a map and compass to navigate. GPS is a good secondary means of navigation, but batteries are notoriously unreliable in cold weather, and will eventually die if you were to get lost for a prolonged period of time. Anticipate getting lost and think about how you'd recover.
3. Avalanches - knowing which areas to avoid and how to recognize conditions conducive to avalanches will be critical.
4. Safety - snow will cover up hazards - streams, ponds, lakes, etc. You should be very familiar with your surroundings to avoid hidden dangers.
5. Gear - extra change of clothes (sealed in a waterproof bag if possible) in case you get wet and can't build a fire.
6. Camping - site selection will be more critical than during summer camping. In addition to considering avalanche dangers, you'll want to plan so as to be setting up camp in areas that offer wind protection.
7. Experience - no lists or suggestions can substitute for experience. If you haven't done this before, heed the suggestions to first start with others, or at the very least do some low-risk solo trips where weather isn't a variable.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on September 9, 2008 at 7:56 PM
I don't want to scare you off either, but I've lived, hiked and camped in Alaska all my life. The thing is that in solo winter camping, you cannot make any mistakes. If you do, they will kill you.
I wrote an article for NPN a year or so ago, that discusses some of these issues. It might be helpful to you.
By the way, at least in Alaska bears hibernate (well, technically they just sleep) during the winter and aren't an issue. Pepper spray would be dead weight, and probably frozen as well. I don't know where you are headed so I can't speak for your situation.
Posted by Larry Puckett on September 10, 2008 at 11:22 AM
I suggest that you start out with some weekend camping trips this fall just to see what you are getting in to. Make sure you have the right equipment and whether or not your equipment and your body are ready for this. Then do a short trip once the real winter hits.
The idea is to build up to the real thing instead of just jumping in and becoming a statistic. If you dress properly and have a good down sleeping bag and tent you won't have problems with freezing temps.
As for wild animals, most will be hibernating if you really are going out in the winter. I'd be more worried about the human animal out to steal your camera equipment in an unguarded moment instead of wild animals--Larry
Posted by David Senesac on September 10, 2008 at 3:38 PM
I'll echo what Robert Fisher wrote. I would not recommend anyone that has never backpacked, try doing so first in winter IF that includes foul weather. In other words if you do your first backpacking in winter at a dry desert, that might work out. But doing so in winter during foul weather is a difficult task even for experienced other season backpackers. Working in ice and snow take experience that has much to do with knowing and dealing with the specific equipment and clothing one is using. Now if you are refering to car camping along backroads near wilderness, that is a whole other set of needs and equipment issues. If there might be foul weather, one ought make certain the road is maintained by whatever highway department in winter. Else one may become stuck given snow storms or washed out roads and need to be rescued. In mountain areas many highways at higher elevations close for months.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on September 11, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Hi everybody,
I'm gonna camp this autumn and winter to photograph wonderful sceneries in remote locations such as mountains and ....
The problem is I will be alone and This will be my first experience to camp in wilderness in winter.
My Questions:
1.is it logical to camp alone in wilderness?
2.How can I deal with wild animals and freezing weather?
3.Have you ever camped alone for photography purposes in winter?
4.Do you have any weapon when you camp?
I appreciate all your experiences.
Thanks,
Morteza
Morteza,
I have camped in winter and summer in deserts and mountains.
Like the others, I'd recommend that you learn to camp/backpack in milder weather. In the desert, spring and fall may be the best times. In the mountains, summer and fall may be a better choice.
I think it would be helpful if we knew a bot more about where you'll camp. What is the expected daytime and night temps. What are the extreme low temps. What is the altitude.
If you are looking at backpacking in significant snow, its really difficult to cover ground, and here in Colorado it can be very dangerous with avalanches. It can also be more difficult to perform all the functions related to camping in the cold. It just makes everything more difficult. But it is NOT impossible.
So to directly answer your questions.
1) No it is not illogical to camp solo in the winter, but it is less than ideal. Make sure someone (friend or family) knows where you will be and when you will return.
2) Wild animals tend to be less active in cold weather. Freezing temps can only be dealt with by having warm clothing. Make sure your warm clothing will not lose its insulation value when wet.
3) I have camped alone for photography, but not during the winter (at least not in the mountains).
4) I do not carry a firearm when I camp. I carry a utility knife with a 100mm blade, but I don't carry it for defense. I have never had to use a weapon against an animal while camping and I've been backpacking/camping for most of my life.
Thank you very much.
I really appreciate your help.
I'll find experiences people and try to go with them.
David, that website is really useful for me, I should join it.
Thanks again,
Posted by Jim Salge on September 13, 2008 at 10:04 AM
It has been stated above...solo winter camping is an activity where you test your skills alone against the wilderness, and these skills come only through experience. If you can go the first time with a guide, or someone more experienced, it would be much much safer.
If you go at it alone, and you have one mistake, the compounding problems could prove anywhere from uncomfortable to fatal. You are responsible for your own health and safety. Wild animals run a minor risk compared to your own body being twisted, tweaked, broken or getting cold. Having worked on a number of mountain rescues, these are slow endevours. A typical evacuation for something as minor as a twisted ankle can be 6 to 10 hours after contact has been made in the local mountains here. All that time you run the risk of compounding injuries with hypothermia.
I would highly suggest getting your skills up with short trips, backyard camps and guides first.
Discussion
16 repliesI'm gonna camp this autumn and winter to photograph wonderful sceneries in remote locations such as mountains and ....
The problem is I will be alone and This will be my first experience to camp in wilderness in winter.
My Questions:
1.is it logical to camp alone in wilderness?
2.How can I deal with wild animals and freezing weather?
3.Have you ever camped alone for photography purposes in winter?
4.Do you have any weapon when you camp?
I appreciate all your experiences.
Thanks,
Morteza
A minor mistake in the summer may have much greater consequences in the winter.
Just my 2 cents.
My main purpose is to photograph mountains with winter atmosphere, I don't know if I could have this atmosphere in autumn.
How can I be prepared?
Mark, Yeah.Warm gears are so important.
Jay, it's difficult to photograph with experienced people who don't know photography :(.
Larry, your experience reminds me Into The Wild movie;).
I've done a lot of backpacking.
I've camped alone:
5 days in Bitterroot Wilderness, Idaho, USA
One 3 day stint and one 4 day stint in Alaska. Weather: Highs in low 30's and lows in the teens (F degrees). Moisture: rain and light snow to sunny.
Grizzly bears were always on my mind. I carried a .44 magnum revolver. I don't know if you are doing this in Iran and if weapons are available or what kinds on animals you take notice. Bears are alway menacing but not always aggressive.
Physical conditions is mandatory. Sore muscles, etc. don't make for a nice memory.
Cold rain can be devasting leading to hypothermia and death.
Cold rain and wind is worse, of course.
So, bring excellent foul-weather gear.
Bring a good sleeping bag. A good night's rest is imperative. Light mattresses help smooth out rocks under the tent.
I like eye protection. A weed or limb hitting one's eye while by oneself can bring complications.
First aid kit.
I like 18" rubber boots. They hike well if fitted correctly. Don't skip on the price. Your feet take a pounding and hold you up. Goretex is overrated. Walk in your shoes to break-in new ones and to toughen your feet. Blisters are a nightmare.
Remember, walking around is sometimes preferred to walking over or through. This applies to searching for stream crossings, timber falls, cliffs, etc. Don't get in a hurry. You are by yourself. If everyone approached everyday life like this, we would have less accidents.
Bring sufficient and appropriate clothing to keep warm. I've camped without fires and the cold will suck the life from you. Keep warm, keep warm, keep warm. Head and neck are usually the main area of heat loss.
Keep you energy level high by eating small portions of appropriate food frequently.
Have a compass, knife, space blanket and matches with you at all times. If you are remote, have a topo map. Always look back at your trail, especially when on ridges. Why? If you use that route back you are always faced with left or right decisions that were not obvious when walking in the opposite direction.
Have an appropriate shelter (tent). If backpacking dehyrated meals are my choice.
Treat all water with appropriate chlorine for filter it. Getting sick in the wilderness is not fun.
If you are a first timer and going remote, I would study a good book.
As far as camera gear, I would go light if backpacking. Weather protection? I use Tundra Cases and have resorted to ZipLock bags for weight reuction. Keep your batteries WARM... you know that...
A buddy is always good but there is a magic in going "hard, cold and lonely" that brings an experience that really cannot be shared--its yours and yours only. It makes one think and ponder the meaning of life and the universe...
Perhaps others could fill in what I've left blank.
the fisch
Best and most comfortable, while also heaviest and least convenient is a 12' x 14' canvas wall tent with a wood stove. It's basically a heated cabin large enough to stand and walk around in. At over 300 pounds, it's nothing you take into remote areas without the help of a horse, boat or airplane.
At the other end of the scale is a 2- or 4-person four-season tent. Four-season tents are designed for backpacking and winter use. They're extremely weather resistant. I also want at least 2-person and preferably 4-person size even when I'm alone, simply for more room on days when weather is bad and for versatility of use during long hours of darkness typical of winter.
Suitable personal clothing for local conditions is a starting point. I have lots of options because I use lots of different terrain and climates.
I'd consult with a good backpacking store familiar with the terrain and locations that interest you, and get their advice for selecting both personal clothing and camping gear. They'll know best what will work and what won't.
As for winter use in remote locations, be really careful to assure you have plenty of battery capacity for your photo gear. No sense starting a weeklong trip if your batteries will only last a couple of days!
Practice with shorter treks; day treks at first. Get used to being out in the cold and having to deal with it where you know you're going to be able to get back to warmth at the end of the day. If you decide you don't like being out in the cold and weather like that, being gone for an extended trek is not the place to be.
If you're inexperienced, try hiking/camping in the summer first. You may not like it. It's not for everyone. Winter camping is very different. It's more difficult to carry weight in winter so you might want to research a more minimalist approach.
I would echo Jay's sentiments about going out with experienced people. They, better than anybody, would know local conditions and the non-photographic gear needed. If you are not aware of it there is an Iranian mountaineering association. http://www.mountainzone.ir/clubs.htm
While it can be a pain going out with non-photographers, there are clubs in Canada that have weekend trips which may set up a base camp. If Iranian clubs do the same this might offer you the opportunity to photograph on your own while having the benefit of experienced people.
Your website offers photographic workshops. Perhaps you might join with one of the clubs to offer a winter photographic workshop. Not the same as going out on your own, but would offer you the benefit of their knowledge.
While people have posted some good advice regarding gear and the like, none of us will be knowledgeable with local conditions. Some of my better photos have come from the advice given in the local coffee shop about locations.
Winter camping leaves a lot less room for mistakes and as you indicate you have little experience with it, approaching those locally who do, might not only benefit the camping skills, but introduce you to locations you might not have considered.
When I was in graduate school, there was an outdoor group affiliated with the student union. They had camping classes in northern Wisconsin during winter. They also rented tents, sleeping bags and other camping gear. While I never took the course, a friend of mine who was one of the instructors did camp out during late November one year.
RECOMMENDATION: Try to find someone or a group of people who offer help in learning to camp. No amount of reading can replace practical experience. I strongly recommend you take at least one other person camping.
There is some excellent advice give above, especially by Larry Fischer. I will close this reply with a story of how my friend mentioned above saved one of the students taking the winter camping course.
The rule to never be broken is to always change ones clothing before getting into a sleeping bag. In the middle of the night, my friend had to get up for a call of nature. He noticed that a student was shivering excessively. The boy had not changed his perspiration drenched clothes before getting into his sleeping bag. Consequently, the insulation was saturated with moisture and had lost its ability to keep him warm. Granted, that was 40 years ago with goose down and modern fibers are not as susceptible to moisture. Nevertheless, a moments carelessness could have resulting in hypothermia may have proved fatal by morning. The temperature was -10 F at the time.
It has been said above and the example I just cited should demonstrate the perils of camping during winter. What may have been an uncomfortable night for someone during warmer weather could have been fatal during winter.
Hope we have scared you a little. If you can find someone to help, that would be your best bet. Also, when you do go out camping, particularly during winter, try to leave an itinerary with someone so that people will start looking for you if you encountered a problem Several years ago, this arose in a national park in the U.S., but there was not itinerary and consequently no rescue.
If you haven't backpacked I wouldn't start alone in winter.
Since you're a photographer I would start alone 15 min away from your car.
There are many checklists out there online. For the most part just the first time initiation is the hardest part. After that you won't have as many questions.
Steve S.
1. Stamina - If you haven't backpacked with snowshoes, it's a whole different world. You'll go slower and work much harder. You'll also be carrying more/heavier gear in winter. Estimate very conservatively when considering reasonable distances to travel in a given time period.
2. Navigation - you'll have no trails to follow; your tracks in snow won't last very long. You should be very comfortable with using a map and compass to navigate. GPS is a good secondary means of navigation, but batteries are notoriously unreliable in cold weather, and will eventually die if you were to get lost for a prolonged period of time. Anticipate getting lost and think about how you'd recover.
3. Avalanches - knowing which areas to avoid and how to recognize conditions conducive to avalanches will be critical.
4. Safety - snow will cover up hazards - streams, ponds, lakes, etc. You should be very familiar with your surroundings to avoid hidden dangers.
5. Gear - extra change of clothes (sealed in a waterproof bag if possible) in case you get wet and can't build a fire.
6. Camping - site selection will be more critical than during summer camping. In addition to considering avalanche dangers, you'll want to plan so as to be setting up camp in areas that offer wind protection.
7. Experience - no lists or suggestions can substitute for experience. If you haven't done this before, heed the suggestions to first start with others, or at the very least do some low-risk solo trips where weather isn't a variable.
I wrote an article for NPN a year or so ago, that discusses some of these issues. It might be helpful to you.
By the way, at least in Alaska bears hibernate (well, technically they just sleep) during the winter and aren't an issue. Pepper spray would be dead weight, and probably frozen as well. I don't know where you are headed so I can't speak for your situation.
The idea is to build up to the real thing instead of just jumping in and becoming a statistic. If you dress properly and have a good down sleeping bag and tent you won't have problems with freezing temps.
As for wild animals, most will be hibernating if you really are going out in the winter. I'd be more worried about the human animal out to steal your camera equipment in an unguarded moment instead of wild animals--Larry
Morteza,
I have camped in winter and summer in deserts and mountains.
Like the others, I'd recommend that you learn to camp/backpack in milder weather. In the desert, spring and fall may be the best times. In the mountains, summer and fall may be a better choice.
I think it would be helpful if we knew a bot more about where you'll camp. What is the expected daytime and night temps. What are the extreme low temps. What is the altitude.
If you are looking at backpacking in significant snow, its really difficult to cover ground, and here in Colorado it can be very dangerous with avalanches. It can also be more difficult to perform all the functions related to camping in the cold. It just makes everything more difficult. But it is NOT impossible.
So to directly answer your questions.
1) No it is not illogical to camp solo in the winter, but it is less than ideal. Make sure someone (friend or family) knows where you will be and when you will return.
2) Wild animals tend to be less active in cold weather. Freezing temps can only be dealt with by having warm clothing. Make sure your warm clothing will not lose its insulation value when wet.
3) I have camped alone for photography, but not during the winter (at least not in the mountains).
4) I do not carry a firearm when I camp. I carry a utility knife with a 100mm blade, but I don't carry it for defense. I have never had to use a weapon against an animal while camping and I've been backpacking/camping for most of my life.
I really appreciate your help.
I'll find experiences people and try to go with them.
David, that website is really useful for me, I should join it.
Thanks again,
If you go at it alone, and you have one mistake, the compounding problems could prove anywhere from uncomfortable to fatal. You are responsible for your own health and safety. Wild animals run a minor risk compared to your own body being twisted, tweaked, broken or getting cold. Having worked on a number of mountain rescues, these are slow endevours. A typical evacuation for something as minor as a twisted ankle can be 6 to 10 hours after contact has been made in the local mountains here. All that time you run the risk of compounding injuries with hypothermia.
I would highly suggest getting your skills up with short trips, backyard camps and guides first.