Posts by Rick Lindfors | ShadowFox

Sometimes there are people who aren’t prepared for things to go wrong. And sometimes there are people who are ready for just about anything. This is a story of the latter.

One recent July morning, I answered a callout to help search for a missing hiker who had been separated from his camping group on Oregon’s Obsidian Trail in the Willamette National Forest. He and his group had taken different turns on the trail, and they called him in as missing. He would spend two nights alone in the wilderness after taking the correct path on his original journey, and was later wondering if it was his group who had gotten lost.

I was part of a three-person team that went in to find him. I had just finished my usual overnight shift at my regular job, so I slept in the truck on the way in. I carried a regular ground search loadout, leaving my climbing gear and other unnecessary items. We booked it along the Obsidian trail, traveling over hard dirt and also large packs of snow that were still melting down after a big snow season. I didn’t need snowshoes for travel, but trekking poles were definitely a must to maintain speed and stability on the hard snowpack.

After more than three miles, we came upon a lava field that gave us an awe-inspiring view of the North and Middle Sisters and a clear area to do a vocal hail. To my surprise, we got a response. We radioed in our results and pushed on, crossing the lava field and a large glacial stream. We could hear our subject calling out and whooping as we approached.

We spotted several people at the end of the stream. It just so happened our subject had linked up with an outdoor adventure group that was also camping in the area. He was in pretty good shape and pretty happy to see us. I sized up his gear and it looked like he had a full pack of equipment as well as a large survival knife strapped to the outside. He was on his way back to the trail head, concerned about the whereabouts of his camping group who had called him in missing.

I was pleasantly surprised to see how prepared our subject was. He didn’t seem too worn out when we made contact with him and didn’t need any food or water.

There are two big takeaways from this mission. The first is that being prepared pays off. Our subject was prepared for several days of camping and even had equipment to endure extra time in the wilderness if needed. The second was that when camping in groups, make sure your party knows the exact way to get to your destination and has more than one way to navigate (not a cell phone!). This will help all of you get to your site even if members are starting their trip at different times.

CRKT and Ryan Johnson at RMJ tactical have produced yet another awesome tomahawk. The Rune is new for 2017 and with its short size and sharpened spike is designed to be a tactical breaching tool. But all blades have wilderness functionality to them, so I wanted to see if this was the right axe to add to my Search and Rescue kit. Axes are not really my fancy as I wrote in my previous article on big blades.

The Rune is a solid piece of SK5 carbon steel weighing in at 24 ounces. It’s 12 inches from head to handle and is .24 inches thick. That’s pretty hefty for a relatively small axe. The handle scales are glass reinforced nylon and have two cutouts to reduce weight and give a spot to tie in a lanyard. The Rune comes with a glass filled nylon sheath that snaps the blade in place and secures it with a quick release buckle. You can reverse the buckle to fit your mounting needs.

I found that the Rune is easy to control when chopping due to its short length and comfortable handle. A lanyard will definitely be necessary for prolonged chopping chores, but if you’re only going through one small log or doing a single breach, the tool will stay in your hand. The blade bit into small saplings very nicely and seems like it would perform just fine for cutting down kindling for your fire. I would not recommend this for logs greater than six inches in diameter. Leave that task to a saw. The grind and Nordic style head do allow you to choke up and do finer cutting chores. While these chores are best done with a small knife, the blade did trim very well. Choking up means placing your hands above the GRN handles, so you’ll be most comfortable doing a direct downward push or wrapping that part of the handle.

So far, the Rune seems like a capable tactical and outdoor tool. For the time being, I’m putting this axe in my SAR kit to see if it will be needed on missions. I have used an axe on assignments to clear out paths for litters, and I’m sure this tool will see some action in good time. I’m seeing a definite advantage in the Rune’s small size and ability to mount it just about wherever I please on or inside my pack. I will return to writing about the Rune after it sees action in harsher environments and situations than a short hike on my local trail on a sunny day.

Check out the Rune and other CRKT blades HERE. The Rune tomahawk is available for $150. Here are the specs:

SPECIFICATIONS

Blade Length – 6.688″ (169.88 mm)
Blade Edge – Axe Edge w/Beard
Blade Steel – SK5 Carbon Steel, HRC 53-55
Blade Finish – Black
Blade Thickness – 0.243″ (6.17 mm)
Weight – 1 lb 8 oz
Handle – Glass Reinforced Nylon
Style – Compact Tactical Axe
Sheath Material – Glass Reinforced Nylon; Black
Overall Length – 12.0″ (304.8 mm)

Images from crkt.com

A good writing utensil is a small but important piece of gear for a search and rescuer. SAR people are constantly taking notes for coordinates, subject descriptions, team lists, gear inventories, map doodles, and anything else we can fit in our notebooks. Such utensils must be durable, for as soon as they’re clipped into our radio vests, they’re dragged through the mud, smashed on rocks, and tossed around with the rest of our equipment.

While the space pen is certainly a fad that has caught on with plenty of people, the pencil still remains a favorite tool for use on the various waterproof notebooks available on the market, mainly because it’s a cheaper alternative. I carry a contractor’s pencil in my kit because I can sharpen it in the field with my knife. But, it does not carry a fine point, making it hard to get a good press into the pages. That can be an issue when you’re trying to fit a rope rescue gear inventory on a single pocket book page while in a downpour. To top it off, the odd shape makes it a pain to take detailed notes when wearing thick winter gloves.

CRKT seems to have solved this issue for me. New to the market in 2017 is their Bolt-Action Pencil, part of their collaboration series with Ruger. It has a 5 1/2-inch anodized aluminum body and uses .5 mm mechanical pencil lead. It takes the pain out of having to fumble with small mechanical pencils or a contractor’s pencil, while also having far more durability than its plastic cousins. In a pinch, it can also function as a non-lethal self-defense tool.

My only ding for this pen is the thickness of the lead. It’s .5 mm, whereas the still-common .7 mm would be a bit stronger. While a pencil may seem like small, even silly thing to rave about, it can make plenty of difference for those who need durable goods to do their jobs. Check out the Bolt-Action Pencil HERE. If you’re on the space pen train, CRKT also makes a Bolt-Action Pen. The pen is available for $50.

Check out more CRKT Ruger products HERE.

Summer is here and that means many of us are camping out, cooking on the grill, and playing games while the hot dogs are over the fire. Chances are there’s a kid at a campsite somewhere trying to hit a something with a slingshot.

I’ve had The Pocket Shot in my gear cache and have been wondering how well it would work out as a tool that someone could use in a survival situation for hunting small game. The Pocket Shot fits inside a pocket very easily and can carry a dozen or so steel balls inside it even with the latex pouch folded in. For testing, I used 1/4- inch and 5/16-inch steel balls. And of course, I put on my safety glasses before testing.

Aiming The Pocket Shot takes a bit of guesswork and patience. You’re going to go all over the place on your first few rounds, thus why safety glasses are very much advised for ricochets. I stood 10 yards away from an 8-inch circle target and fired from a kneeling position. I put a few dozen rounds through the slingshot with the standard pouch, and I didn’t strike too well. It’s tricky to aim the slingshot, and I’m certain that even with many more hours of practice, I can’t see myself hitting very well in a survival situation where I’m low on calories and need to use as little energy as possible to live.

As a stand-alone item, the Pocket Shot is more of a “for fun” item rather than something to keep in your survival kit. It will probably be a hit at your next weekend at the lake. Just don’t put rocks through the pouch since I’m not sure how long it would last. If you want to turn this into a serious food-gathering tool, the company sells expansions for the kit that converts it into a more traditional sling shot setup or a bow fishing platform.

Check out the Pocket Shot and accessories HERE. The basic Pocket Shot is available for $25. It also comes with an Arrow Kit ($50) and in a limited edition camo color ($30). You can purchase just the shot pouches in packs of 8 for $25. You can also buy the steel shot from the website for various amounts based on the size you want. Practice ammo is $6 a bag.

It’s a pack I see a lot in airports across the country and for a good reason. The S.O.C Bugout Bag (ours is in the foliage green color) is a big backpack that can carry a lot of gear and take a beating. While it’s a popular option, there are some things to take into consideration before pulling out your wallet. We got this bag from Brownells, a company that has guns and ammunition along with gunsmithing tools and emergency and survival gear.

Construction: This bag is quite hefty, weighting in at 5 pounds 5 ounces. The construction is 600 denier polyester and canvas blend. Some of that weight also comes from the aluminum back-stays that give support while carrying heavy loads. The shoulder straps are connected by metal clips and can be stored for using the bag as a carry-on for air travel. While the pack is comfortable to carry and durable, there are some improvements that could be made to keep the pack in competition with more modern designs. That’s coming later.

Organization: The front pocket of the pack opens to reveal a light grey organizer panel, which helps identify smaller items. There are two mesh zippered pockets for storing small items as well as a pouch for a phone. There is also a document/map slot that is closed by a strap with loop Velcro. The second pocket has zippered organizer pockets that are ideal for storing cords or supplies that need dedicated storage. There is a hydration compartment that can store up to a two-liter bladder, but no laptop compartment. The main compartment can expand by opening a zipper that runs along the outside of the pack, increasing this pack’s capacity from 47 liters to 54 liters. While that gives you more room for your gear, it will change how the pack sits on your body, so pack wisely.

Needed Improvements: The hip belt was a big failure point for me. It loosened itself several times while walking on flat ground with a 25-pound load, and it became annoying quickly. Second, the metal clips on the straps should be replaced with quick release buckles for easier use with gloves. I also believe that the weight of the pack can be reduced while keeping the same level of durability. Using a light rip-stop nylon on the interior pockets will help lighten the load along with thinning out the aluminum stays. Using a plastic frame sheet with the aluminum stays can help maintain rigidity while cutting weight out. For me, the jury is still out on whether I think the pack needs the ability to store the straps for suitcase-style carry. I’ve never seen anyone traveling with this pack use it as a suitcase.

Ideal Uses: This bag is designed to fill several roles, but it is best suited as its namesake: a bugout bag. This bag would be best used as the bag you grab and toss into your car when you get an evacuation notice or when you need to leave home in the case of an emergency. It can easily hold and organize three days worth of supplies. But due to its heavy weight, I would not make this a long-range pack for those traveling on foot.

Check out the S.O.C. Bug Out Bag, and purchase it for $99.

Any outdoor chore will need a good set of gloves for all the hands-on dirty work ahead of you. You can go without the covers, but your hands will thank you for the lack of splinters and cuts if you choose to protect them. I’ve used plenty of utility gloves over the years for everything from yard work to search and rescue and after all the scuff marks, worn palms and torn seams, I’ve found a pair that offer the dexterity and protection needed for just about anything while staying at a low price.

The Mechanix FastFit gloves are a no-frills pair of gloves that give your paws plenty of protection from the rough tasks of outside work. The elastic cuff eliminates the need for Velcro, something that I have come to avoid if I can due to its ability to keep and hold dirt as well as lose effectiveness when wet. Another advantage to the FastFit is the cuff allows you to use the glove without having to adjust or remove watches or bracelets. A nylon pull strap allows plenty of real estate to grab onto for on and off as well as carrying on a carabiner.

The glove’s TrekDry top material keeps your hands cool in hot weather and also helps wipe sweat off your brow if you can’t reach your preferred bandana. It’s very breathable, and dries quickly after getting wet. There isn’t much water resistance to speak of, but for an outdoor glove at a sub-twenty dollar price, I don’t mind at all.

The palm of the glove is thick enough to prevent splintering from wood and scrapes from rocks. On a search and rescue mission in 2016, I pulled myself through plenty of dense brush and steep terrain with these on my hands. They’re also thin enough to have a good feel for whatever tools your using whether it’s a power saw or survival knife. In fact, I have used these gloves on the last couple of knife reviews that I have done with no issues in controlling the blade. They’re also dexterous enough to tie knots in rope and give a good grip when hauling.

If you’re looking for a pair of gloves, or several, to add to your tool, outdoor, or survival kit, put the FastFit at the top of your list. The durability and functionality at a low price won’t do you wrong.

Check out the FastFit gloves HERE.

Columbia River Knife and Tool has a reputation for taking designs from custom knife makers and manufacturing them at affordable prices while still maintaining a high level of quality. Their blades are used the world over by outdoorsmen, first responders and members of the military. We wrote about two of their new knives Shadowfox saw at SHOT Show just a few days ago.

One of CRKT’s more recent programs is Forged by War, which takes designs from military veterans and sells them with ten percent of profits going to the charity of that veteran’s choice. The program has received widespread praise for both the purpose and designs coming out. And for 2017, CRKT is bringing three new knives to the program that are sure to satisfy anyone from hunters to tactical professionals.

TECPATL

The Tecpatl is a push knife designed by Michael Rodriguez, a special operations veteran with more than two decades of experience. The blade is piece of SK5 carbon steel with a clip point black powder coat. The package comes with a Kydex sheath and clip for attaching to webbing. The blade instantly presents itself as a self-defense tool as well a work of art; laser engravings can be seen along the entire blade which are inspired by Rodriguez’s heritage and service. The charities that benefit from the Tecpatl are the Special Operations Care Fund and the George W. Bush Institute.

CST: COMBAT STRIPPING TOOL

The CST is a first responder’s tool designed by Kelly Rodriguez. Using her experience as an Army medic, Rodriguez designed a tool that replaces trauma shears for stripping clothing away from a patient. I admit, I was skeptical of the design’s functionality until I saw the demonstration in the video below. The CST design has no moving parts and doesn’t require fine motor skills to operate. The blades are replaceable, so the operator can change them out when dull. The CST comes with a MOLLE compatible sheath, and CRKT also sells replacement blades. The charity benefiting from the CST is Operation One Voice.

RAKKASAN

The second Forged By War design by Austin McGlaun is a knife that excites me particularly due to my love for medium sized fixed blades. The Rakkasan is designed to be a utility blade and self defense tool for someone in harm’s way. The blade’s large G10 handle will hold solid even when wet or dirty. The blade is SK5 carbon steel with a big recurve belly that may even draw the eyes of hunters. The Rakkasan comes with a Kydex sheath with paracord for mounting. The charity benefiting from the Rakkasan is the Green Beret Foundation.

These are only the newest additions to the Forged by War Program by CRKT. To see the entire lineup, click here.

Image of Tecpatl knife from CRKT.com

In December of 2016, a rash of winter weather swept across Oregon, bringing thick bouts of freezing rain and snow to Lane County. The ice piled onto roads, trees and power lines causing massive power outages and hazardous road conditions. Tens of thousands of people were without lights or heating and many didn’t have a way to leave their homes with trees and wires blocking off roads.

operationscenter — Search and Rescue operations center.

To help out, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office set up a special call center to service people who were going days and in some cases a week without any power or access to essentials. Search and Rescue members and reserve deputies were tasked with helping people who were low on supplies or weren’t able to safely restock. We would also clear debris from the roads we traveled on to make them passable.

partiallyblockedroad — Partially blocked roads following the storm

There are several things I gained from what I saw on these assignments that are pertinent for everyone.

Three days of supplies is a MINIMUM
- You could be without power for days if not weeks depending on the type of area that you live in and what kind of disaster has hit. Consider your need for heating, power, food, water, electronics and medical supplies. You should have a secondary source of heat for your home in case of cold conditions outside. Otherwise, make sure you have warm clothing to help you stay comfortable. You will also need food and water for an extended period of time. You can often buy dry packaged meals and non perishable items wholesale.
Keep important phone numbers close.
- Who you gonna call? Not the Ghost Busters. Have numbers for Police/Fire dispatch, utility companies and close friends and family written down and easily accessible.
Follow your local news sources and government social media and web pages.
- When disaster strikes, these sources will list the locations of shelters and other hubs for people who need assistance. Knowing where these are can help when your home runs out of supplies, or if you can’t return home when a disaster cuts off means of transportation.
Have a means to clear your area.
- Severe weather means falling trees and other debris. Several of the roads I traveled while making supply drops had branches or trees completely or partially blocking the way and needed a chainsaw to clear out. Of course, many people will think that public works crews will get rid of the problem. But in a disaster, emergency and utility crews will have a prioritized task list in their response, and your personal property may not be high on the list. Also, are responsible for clearing debris from your personal property. You may need to help your neighborhood by clearing out your street to help you and your neighbors travel. You never know how long it will be before crews are able to start servicing your area. A shovel should be the start of your list of tools along with a handsaw. If you live in an area with large trees, a chainsaw and extra fuel should also be a consideration.
Have a plan for your family.
- Schools will often be closed or delayed after severe weather. What are your kids going to do if they don’t have class and the power is out? There’s a chance that you will still need to go to work if school is cancelled.
Prep your vehicle
- Your car needs to be ready for the weather. Make sure you have the tires you need to get through the rough seasons. An ice scraper should be within reach to clear your windshield and windows. You should also have a go bag with supplies to make it home if you’re vehicle is rendered in operable. You should also keep a blanket in case you’re snowed in but don’t want to leave the protection of your car.
- In snow, keep chains and a bag of cat litter or grave; in your car at all times even when you think you won’t need it.

With essential supplies in a user-friendly package, a BackPak Buddy is a great tool that can help keep you alive and nourished if things go wrong on your next adventure.

A friend of mine in my SAR team recently started BackPak Buddy. Each buddy contains 15 feet of 550 paracord, compass, ferro rod, scraper, tinder, aluminum foil, whistle, duct tape, carabiner clip and a user guide. This gives you the ability to make fire, boil water and set up a shelter if your next trip goes a bit longer than you’re expecting.

BackPak Buddies make a great gift for the dedicated outdoors person or for someone who enjoys an occasional hike or paddle. They also offer more cordage and features than a standard paracord bracelet. To top it off, it has a very friendly form factor.

The whole purpose behind BackPak Buddy is to keep people alive and signal for help when they’re lost in the woods. All the components are assembled and thought out by an experienced and dedicated SAR operator who knows very well what people need to make it through the night.

Looking for an excellent stocking stuffer? Check out BackPak Buddy and purchase one in various colors for only $25.

I was recently involved in the search for a missing hunter in Curry, County, Oregon. The man had gone missing on October 14, and at the time of this post is still missing. The man’s son tried to find him and also became lost, but was rescued several days later. Agencies from across the state were involved in trying to find him along with many community volunteers who were given easier search tasks and provided meals and supplies to searchers. Below are my thoughts on the search and what everyone can take away from this experience.

The Assignment

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office sent a contingent of ground searchers, Eugene Mountain Rescue Members, and K9 handlers on the weekend of October 22. The ground searchers and mountain rescuers divided into two teams. We were assigned to search on top of and below a ridgeline that search dogs had expressed interest in the day before. A small group of PJs (Pararescue) from the Oregon National Guard would be searching to our northeast. Several dozen other teams of SAR volunteers as well as community volunteers would perform other tasks around the area.

The hunter, Shawn Higgins, had been missing for more than a week at this point. We knew that he had gone hiking alone, had a rifle with three rounds of ammunition, and had camouflage pants, top, and balaclava. We didn’t know much about what he was packing in terms of survival or signaling equipment. Because of the harsh weather over the past week, duration of absence and the hypothermic condition of his son when he was rescued, we assumed that Higgins would be hypothermic, and unresponsive.

The Search

The area was extremely steep, rugged, and difficult to move about. The soil, which had been loosened by days of rain, moved easily under our feet. We encountered a thick section of brush, which we ultimately had to move around since we couldn’t move through it without becoming completely stalled or increasing our risk of injury. There were several points in which I had to remove my pack and crawl while pushing my gear through the branches, much like a cave diver. Other times, I had to climb over the shrubbery, sometimes standing as high as four feet off the ground. After getting past the thicket, we continued our route downhill, checking game trails and rock formations where someone may try to move or take shelter. One of the GSAR members in our team also checked out places where a hunter may try to make a hide.

The only signs of activity came from the occasional tracks from deer or elk as well as scat from deer and bear. The bear stuff was everywhere. Black bears are common in Western Oregon especially in the south. I had no idea how active they were until now. I knew this was the time of year for them to build up their reserves for hibernation.

We covered a lot of ground in our search area, but ultimately didn’t find any clues as to where Shawn Higgins could be.

The Takeaway

Because I had been involved in the search fairly late in the timeline of developments, there’s not much I can give as far as how the search for Shawn Higgins had been planned from the beginning. Our assignment had been reasonably thought out in why it was given and planned.

The lesson for everyone is to be prepared when out and about and to have a reliable way to signal for help. (This is not to say our subject in this case was not prepared). A subject wearing camouflage is much harder to find than someone who is not. If you’re wearing camouflage, please keep some kind of brightly colored clothing or signal panel as part of your kit.

Also, keep in mind that gunshots are NOT an effective way to signal in the back country. Sound from a rifle shot may not even travel 100 yards in thick timber, which is what we were searching in. Keep a whistle on your person since it will not run out of power. Your pack should also contain gear to make a shelter and fire should you be unable to return to camp or your car.

While the main search operations for Shawn Higgins have been suspended, I still hope that he is found and there is closure for his family. I also want to sincerely thank the community volunteers that assisted in the search and prepared food for the searchers.