Introduction

As a wildlife photographer, I've spent 8 full years photographing wildlife in the wilderness. To be honest, there have been so many dangerous moments during these 8 years that still make me shudder, but these experiences have also helped me accumulate valuable wilderness survival skills.

Sometimes friends ask me: "Aren't you scared being alone in the wild for so long?" I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared, but I believe that with proper preparation, the wilderness isn't as frightening as it seems. Today I'd like to share my wilderness survival experiences from these years, hoping they can help those interested in wildlife photography.

Being Prepared

Speaking of preparation, I have to mention my "first time." It was winter 2015, and I went to Wolong, Sichuan to photograph giant pandas. In my youthful overconfidence, I completely ignored the weather forecast's warning of "possible cloudy conditions." Unexpectedly, shortly after reaching the shooting location, it started snowing, followed by a heavy snowstorm. I was stranded in the mountains for three whole days, barely surviving on two packs of compressed biscuits and water from a thermal flask.

That experience taught me a lesson about the importance of preparation. Now before each trip, I repeatedly check weather forecasts, not just for the day but for the entire week ahead. Because in the wilderness, weather can change suddenly, and a storm or snowfall can leave you stranded.

Besides weather, terrain is also crucial. I now study destination terrain maps in advance, particularly marking all potential water sources and retreat routes. Once while shooting in the Gaoligong Mountains of Yunnan, because I had studied the terrain beforehand, I immediately found a safe evacuation route when encountering a landslide.

Another crucial point is to always share detailed itineraries with family or friends. Specify which locations you'll visit on which days and when you expect to return. I now use a specialized outdoor sports app to record my journey and share real-time location with family. This way, if something goes wrong, rescue teams can find you quickly.

Last year while photographing snowy owls in the Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang, I witnessed something shocking. A photographer ventured alone into an uninhabited area to capture the moment of an owl hunting, but fell and injured his leg while climbing. Because he hadn't told anyone his specific itinerary, he waited two days in -20°C conditions before forest rangers found him. By the time the rescue helicopter picked him up, he had mild frostbite.

These hard lessons teach us that in the wilderness, any small detail could be a matter of life and death. So now I have a habit of making a very detailed preparation checklist before each trip, including equipment checks, route planning, emergency plans, etc. I've refined this list over many years, updating it whenever I encounter new situations.

Essential Equipment

Regarding equipment, the most important thing is: never compromise on crucial gear to save money.

Let me give you an example. In summer 2017, while photographing golden snub-nosed monkeys in the Hengduan Mountains, I bought a 200-yuan climbing backpack to save money. That day, there was a heavy rainstorm, and I thought the bag was waterproof enough, but when the rain stopped, I discovered that my cameras and lenses were all water-damaged. Two cameras were ruined, three lenses developed mold spots, with total losses exceeding 30,000 yuan. Since then, I've understood that in the wilderness, equipment is your life insurance - never go cheap.

Through years of experience, I've compiled a list of essential equipment. First is a reliable military knife, arguably the primary survival tool. I now use a German stainless steel military knife - expensive but worth it. It not only has a sharp main blade but also includes saw teeth and can opener functions, and can even be used to start fires.

The second essential item is a multi-tool plier. Honestly, I used to think a military knife was enough until I needed to repair photography equipment in the mountains and realized how important a multi-tool is. I now use a Swiss Army brand multi-tool that includes dozens of tools but weighs only about 200 grams.

Third is a professional outdoor first aid kit. This is truly a lifesaver - don't skimp on it. My first aid kit is configured to International Red Cross standards, containing tourniquets, bandages, disinfectants, etc. Last year while shooting in Dujiangyan, Sichuan, I encountered a hiker whose artery was cut by thorns - fortunately, my first aid kit's tourniquet prevented more serious consequences.

Emergency blankets are also essential. They look like thin metallic films, light as paper, but provide excellent insulation. I remember once while photographing Tibetan foxes in Golog, Qinghai, the temperature suddenly dropped to -15°C at night - without the emergency blanket, I might have frozen in the mountains.

A survival whistle is equipment I've only started carrying in recent years. Initially, I thought it was overkill until I encountered heavy fog while shooting at Mount Emei, Sichuan last year. That day visibility was less than 5 meters, and shouting for help wouldn't carry far - ultimately, it was the whistle's sound that led rescuers to my location.

Additionally, I now carry a solar power bank and a satellite phone. Though both are expensive, they're extremely useful in the wild. The satellite phone especially - in areas without cell service, it's your only connection to the outside world. My current satellite phone cost nearly 10,000 yuan, but considering it could save my life in crucial moments, it's worth the investment.

Water Sources

In the wilderness, water is one of the most crucial survival elements. From my experience, 48 hours without water in the wild leads to severe bodily dysfunction, and 72 hours could be life-threatening. So now I always carry at least 3 liters of water. However, even the most abundant water supply can run out, so knowing how to find and purify water is essential.

Let's talk about water-finding techniques. Besides common streams and springs, many plants can provide water. Bamboo, for instance - cut off a section and you can drink the water inside. While photographing leaf monkeys in the Gaoligong Mountains of Yunnan, I often used this method to replenish water. Banana trees are also good water sources - make a cut in the trunk and drinkable liquid will flow out.

If no obvious water sources are available, I collect dew using plastic bags on tree branches. I learned this technique while photographing in the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang. When I was almost out of water, I met a local Uyghur elder who taught me this trick. The method is to put clean plastic bags over leafy branches before sleeping, and by morning you'll collect water from leaf transpiration. I've tested it - one plastic bag can collect 300-500ml of water in one morning.

Water purification is also technical. The simplest method is boiling, but in the wild, fuel and containers are problematic. So I now carry a portable water filter that can directly filter stream water into drinking water. If the filter fails, you can use clean cotton socks to filter muddy water. Sounds gross, but in the wild, it's an effective emergency method.

Another important reminder: not all clean-looking water is safe to drink. I've seen people drink glacial meltwater in highland areas, resulting in physical discomfort from the low temperature. Others have drunk clear mountain spring water that had actually flowed through mining areas and contained heavy metals. So be extremely cautious about drinking water in the wild.

Shelter Building

Regarding shelter, location selection is crucial. My iron rule is: never camp in riverbeds, valley bottoms, or under isolated large trees.

I learned this rule through painful experience. In 2019, while photographing snow leopards in the Hengduan Mountains, I witnessed a photography team camp in a valley bottom for convenience. That night, sudden heavy rain caused flash floods, washing away their tents and equipment. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but they lost equipment worth over 100,000 yuan.

The correct camping spot should be on slightly elevated ground, preferably with natural barriers like large rocks or mountain walls on the leeward side. This prevents water accumulation and protects from strong winds. When choosing camp sites now, I particularly check for dead trees nearby, as they might fall during storms.

When building shelter, insulation is crucial. In snow, you must elevate the ground layer. My first time snow camping, I made the mistake of putting my sleeping bag directly on the ground, resulting in shivering all night and finding ice on the bottom of my bag in the morning. Later I learned to use pine branches as a base layer, at least 30cm thick. Pine branches not only insulate from ground cold but are also soft and comfortable to sleep on.

Without a tent, you can build a simple shelter using a waterproof tarp. I usually carry a 3m×3m tarp that, combined with rope and trekking poles, can make a decent temporary shelter. When building, ensure the top has some slope so rain won't accumulate.

Nighttime warmth is also important. Besides a sleeping bag, I prepare an inflatable pad. This further insulates from ground cold and makes sleep more comfortable. If possible, I'll heat water before sleep and put it in a bottle to use as a hot water bottle in the sleeping bag.

Wilderness Emergency Self-Rescue

In my many years of wilderness photography, I've encountered various dangerous situations. So I think it's necessary to specifically address wilderness emergency self-rescue.

First is getting lost. In the wild, especially in unfamiliar terrain or poor visibility, getting lost happens easily. My advice is, once you realize you're lost, first stay calm and don't panic run. Try climbing to high ground to observe the terrain, or follow streams downward, as streams eventually join larger rivers, and human settlements are often near water sources.

Next is injury situations. In the wilderness, even small wounds must be taken seriously. My first aid kit now carries not only basic bandages and disinfectants but also antibiotic ointment and pain medication. If you sprain something, immediately apply cold compress and bandaging to prevent the injury from worsening.

Then there's wildlife. Though most wild animals actively avoid humans, caution is still needed when encountered. With snakes, slowly back away without making threatening movements. For large carnivores, try to appear larger by raising your arms or backpack while making loud noises to scare them away.

Finally, extreme weather situations. During storms or lightning, stay away from tall trees and metal objects. If caught in a winter snowstorm, quickly seek or build shelter to prevent heat loss.

Conclusion

These years of wilderness experience have taught me that wilderness survival isn't about cool-looking skills but about cautious and attentive attitudes. Just like bird photography requires patience, wilderness survival requires patience in preparing every detail.

Someone once asked me: "Don't you find all this preparation troublesome?" My answer is: "In the wilderness, troublesome things are valuable because they might save your life at crucial moments."

Finally, I want to say that while the wilderness is dangerous, with proper preparation, its beauty far outweighs its dangers. Those first rays of morning sun, nights full of stars, and close observations of rare species - these are all reasons worth taking risks for.

I hope these experiences help friends who want to try wildlife photography. Remember, in the wilderness, safety always comes first. Let's protect ourselves while pursuing perfect photos.