How Not to Die - Backcountry Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

This is an in-person event that takes place at REI in Seattle!

Summer adventures may seem carefree—longer days, sunny trails, and breathtaking alpine views. But even in perfect weather, things can go wrong fast. A wrong turn, forgotten headlamp, or rolled ankle can turn an ordinary day in the backcountry into a fight for survival. How prepared are you to respond to an emergency? Do you know what to do if you get lost, run out of water, or encounter an emergency miles from help?

Think you could survive an unanticipated emergency while enjoying your summer adventures? Confident that you know what to pack for any situation that Mother Nature throws your way? How Not to Die is a one-of-a-kind interactive event hosted in partnership with King County Explorer Search and Rescue, REI, Washington Trails Association, NOLS and Kula Cloth. Join us to test your backcountry survival know-how in unexpected scenarios!

• Adventure Scenarios: designed to teach you trip planning skills, plus weather and medical emergency information and know-how from experts.
• Interactive Survival Challenges: Test your skills as we throw you into imaginary “backcountry emergencies” like heat exhaustion, river crossings gone wrong, or wayfinding mishaps. Will you pack the right gear to survive an unanticipated night in the cold?
• True Stories of Misadventures: Hear gripping stories from King County Explorer Search and Rescue of real life rescues – Learn from others’ mistakes so that you can be avoid being their next mission.
• Outdoor Know-How: Learn to pack like a pro, layer effectively for all weather, what to carry for medical emergencies and how to stay safe, warm and dry.
• What to Do If Something Goes Wrong: Learn how to contact Search and Rescue (SAR) in an emergency and how to provide crucial information so that they can find you or a loved one. Plus, learn from the experts at NOLS how to put together a medical kit appropriate for your adventure.

• REI Fashion Show: Join REI for a hilarious, yet educational stroll down the catwalk -- where summer fashion will meet 10 essential faux pas! Our models will strut the essentials and maybe the non-essentials.
• Make a Custom Kula Cloth: Bring an original photo, art or just a really great idea and create your own custom Kula Cloth, for a splash of fun!
• Connect with Fellow Adventurers – Meet fellow hikers, backpackers, and outdoor lovers who share your passion for the wild
• Gear Giveaways & Prizes: Walk away with cool outdoor gear and resources to stay safe on your next adventure.

*Subject to Change —much like the weather in the backcountry! We encourage you to come with an open mind, a spirit of adventure, and the flexibility to embrace whatever the day brings. Rain or shine, we promise a fun, engaging, and informative experience filled with “How Not to Die” wisdom to carry into your next adventure.

Why Attend?

• Expert Advice and Essentials: Gain insights on what gear is critical for backcountry adventures, including what to wear, what to carry in your med kit, and more.
• Learn Skills that Could Save Your Life: Perfect for hikers, backpackers, and anyone ready to travel into the backcountry this winter.

In Partnership with , , , , and

About

King County Explorer Search and Rescue (Also known as KCESAR or ESAR )is the primary ground search and rescue resource in King County and the largest of nine member-units in the King County Search & Rescue Association. We are a volunteer organization operating under the purview of the King County Sheriff's Office and Washington State Department of Emergency Management. Our membership is comprised of outdoor enthusiasts with a passion for helping those in need.

ESAR specializes in wilderness search and rescue. All members are highly trained in wilderness navigation, survival skills, search method theory, and First Aid. The vast majority of our operations include searching for lost or injured hikers and climbers, stabilizing injuries, and evacuating them to the next level of care. Most operations are completed within a few hours of the 911 call, however depending on the circumstances of each mission they can span multiple days or even weeks.

About :

Washington Trails Association mobilizes hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors to explore, protect and champion trails and public lands. We believe:

• That exploring nature is good for people’s hearts, minds and bodies, and that hiking is a powerful way for everyone to connect with Washington’s natural wonders.
• That people will protect the places they love to hike, from local parks to remote wilderness.
• It is vitally important for everyone to have the opportunity to access the outdoors, and we are committed to reducing barriers to hiking trails and lands.

About (NOLS)

NOLS is a nonprofit global wilderness school that believes in the transformative power of leadership through wilderness education.

They are dedicated to developing leaders by providing immersive experiences that challenge you to step beyond your comfort zone and unlock your full potential. Whether in remote backcountry settings or through courses near home, NOLS equips people with the skills, resilience, and confidence to lead in all walks of life.

About :

We don't just love and sell high-quality outdoor gear and apparel. We also design and develop our own: and . Our teams get outside with members in the dirt, wind and rain to put our designs to the test. That way our products work for you and can be passed down a generation—or two.

We put sustainability at the center of how we make products. In 2018, we debuted comprehensive that apply to every brand we sell. Working closely with our partners at home and abroad allows us to make a larger impact across the outdoor industry. From seeking better ways of making goods, to advancing fair trade manufacturing practices, to putting our profits to good use, we advocate for the places we all love and make it easier for customers to shop their values.

Since the pandemic, the Kula Academy has hosted nearly 600 classes and events. We’ve hiked sections of the PCT, summited volcanoes, paddled wild rivers, camped under starlit skies, painted, jumped into cold water for no good reason and danced — A LOT! Along the way, we’ve removed heaps of garbage from the Mountain Loop Highway, planted deciduous and evergreen trees, and taught people how to leave the world a better place. It's a corner of the universe where adventure, creativity and stewardship collide!

Whether you’re here to master winter camping, learn “How Not to Die” doing the things you love, or simply because a pee cloth brought you our way, doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re here! And we’re glad that our paths have crossed. We hope that you’ll join us on our adventures because you’re the missing ingredient in our trail mix. Come ready to laugh, learn, and leave with new friends and hopefully a deeper connection to others, yourself, and the world around us.

Check out all of our . And if you're interested in teaching a class, feel free to reach out to [email protected]

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

REI, 222 Yale Avenue North, Seattle, United States