Land Of One Season

Produced by the Portland Mountain Rescue team and the International Television Association, Land of One Season is an excellent introduction to the basics of mountain safety. In May, 1986, seven students and two teachers from the Portland area died on Mt. Hood after becoming lost during a routine climb. This program aims to educate viewers so that this kind of tragedy is not repeated. The starting off point of the program is the simple assertion that you come to the mountain expecting it to be winter. One must dress properly (avoid cotton, as wet cotton is about the worst insulator there is), pack enough high energy foods (candy, cheese, nuts, etc.) to last for a few days, be aware of the dangers of hypothermia (well explained with good animated graphics here), know how to build a snow cave (demonstrated on the video), and carry a number of essential supplies. As the hosts and experts featured on the program point out, it's just too easy for the weather to turn (or for someone to lose his or her way) to go mountain hiking being anything less than fully prepared. For a program that covers the essentials of mountain hiking survival, Land of One Season does an excellent job and is highly recommended. (Available from: Trade Northwest, Inc., 5573 Arctic Dr., Beaverton, OR 97005; (503) 644-2591.)