Survival Blog

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The Survival University offers our community of outdoor adventurers a robust library of training material through our Survival Blog. We believe in passing on our knowledge to empower students with a wealth of information that we find relevant to learning.

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Instructor teaching wilderness survival and leadership skills to backpacking students in Colorado

How Survival Skills Build Leadership and Real World Decision Making

Survival skills are not just about building fire or navigating terrain. They reveal how you respond under pressure, how you make decisions when conditions shift, and how you correct mistakes before they compound. In the woods, leadership is tested quietly and honestly.

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Everyday carry EDC gear layout including concealed carry pistol, spare magazine, folding knife, flashlight, wallet, keys, power bank, watch, and multitool arranged on gray fabric surface.

Everyday Carry Done Right

Everyday carry is not about looking tactical or building a fantasy loadout. It is about carrying practical tools that solve ordinary problems when life throws friction your way. From a simple pocket setup to a disciplined 2 lb waist pack, this guide breaks down realistic EDC that actually works in the real world.

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Two hikers moving together on a mountain trail, illustrating group decision making and cohesion in demanding terrain

Why Hiking Groups Fail Long Before Something Goes Wrong

Most group failures in the backcountry do not start with a single bad decision. They begin much earlier, when communication, alignment, and shared responsibility quietly break down. This piece examines why hiking groups fail long before something goes wrong, and how those patterns can be prevented.

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Outdoor survival training where students practice fire starting under instruction in realistic field conditions

The Myth of the “Avid Outdoorsman”

When something goes wrong outdoors, the phrase “avid outdoorsman” is often used as reassurance. But time spent recreating in wild places does not automatically prepare someone to respond when conditions change and plans fail. This piece breaks down the difference between familiarity, confidence, and real readiness under stress.

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Man wearing layered winter clothing outdoors including insulated jacket, shell, gloves, face covering, and pack while standing in snowy mountain terrain

Clothing Layer Basics for Being Outdoors

Clothing is your first line of defense outdoors, not a fashion choice. This guide breaks down how layering actually works, why materials and fit matter, and how to stay warm, dry, and functional in real conditions. If you spend time outside, this is a system you need to understand.

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Jason Marsteiner hiking solo in the Colorado mountains with a pack and dog, illustrating responsibility and decision making in solo adventuring.

Solo Adventuring: It Concentrates the Responsibility

Solo adventuring concentrates responsibility onto the individual. This long form piece looks at what the data actually shows about risk, why fear often misses the mark, and how mindset, planning, and experience shape outcomes, with specific guidance for older solo hikers and women.

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Hiker walking through rocky terrain on a quiet Colorado trail, illustrating common outdoor risks like footing and terrain

The Mountain Lion Story Is Loud. The Real Risk Picture Is Quiet.

Mountain lion attacks make headlines, but they’re far from the greatest danger we face outdoors. Falls, weather, water, and poor decisions are much more likely to get us into trouble. Let’s take a closer look at the actual risks and what you can do to stay safe.

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Jason Marsteiner standing near a frozen alpine creek on a clear winter day, illustrating how cold environments can feel safe while still impairing judgment

How Hypothermia Changes Your Thinking

Hypothermia rarely announces itself as an emergency. It quietly erodes judgment first, long before the body shuts down, turning small decisions into dangerous ones without you realizing it.

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Lost proofing and navigation training in the Colorado mountains with The Survival University.

Lost Proofing: The Mindset That Brings You Home

Getting lost isn’t random, it’s preventable. Lost proofing teaches awareness, communication, and preparation so you never become a headline. Learn the mindset and habits that bring you home.

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Survival day pack with knife, radio, and whistle showing real-world preparedness. Title: Rethinking the 5 C’s of Survival

Rethinking the 5 C’s of Survival: What Really Keeps You Alive

The 5 C’s of Survival have guided outdoorsmen for years, but gear alone doesn’t save lives. Real survival is about mindset, adaptation, and the decisions you make when everything goes wrong.

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Jason Marsteiner wearing a beanie and backpack, looking over a city at night with blurred lights behind him, representing urban awareness and resilience

Why Modern Comforts Make Us Weak

The government shutdown and SNAP crisis reveal how fragile modern life really is. Comfort kills, but awareness builds resilience and real security.

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Hunters on a mountain ridge with lightning striking in the distance during a storm

Lightning, Hunting, and the Harsh Lessons of the Mountains

When two hunters in Colorado, Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, recently lost their lives during a lightning storm, it shook the hunting community. If you don’t know their story, they were archery elk hunting together in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado when they went missing. Search and Rescue teams spent days combing the rugged terrain after their GPS device stopped transmitting. Eventually their bodies were found, with signs of burn damage and melted clothing that pointed to a strike.

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