The Kaweah Range of the Sierra Nevadas is home to numerous magnificent summits, but none so high as Red Kaweah. It is one of 250 popular peaks in the Sierra Nevadas and is considered a worthy challenge for many California climbers. If one thing characterizes the Red Kaweah, it's rocks. Big rocks, small rocks, every shape and size of rock, which can make the ascent somewhat difficult even if it weren't for other technical challenges. The area is surrounded by varying degrees of arroyos and the approach is almost as difficult as the climb itself.

As far as the face of Red Kaweah, rubble is encountered at every turn and sure footholds are never a guarantee. Make sure you give foot and hand placement serious consideration when climbing this mounting, paying close attention to areas of loose rock.

The best time to climb Red Kaweah is between June and September when residual snow from the winter is at a minimum and rainfall is less frequent. The Kaweahs are all fairly busy during the summer months, however, so you might want to wait until September if you prefer climbing in solitude. Although some people do climb Red Kaweah as a day hike, overnights are far more fun and give you an opportunity to explore the rest of the range. Camping is available in several spots around Red Kaweah, so make sure to bring your sleeping bag and perhaps a comfortable tent. Note, however, that permits are required to spend the night around Red Kaweah.

There are several lakes, streams and other bodies of water near Red Kaweah, which makes the scenery beautiful regardless of the time of year. Climbing on the east face, for example, requires some rappelling and grants a gorgeous view of the rest of the Kaweah range.

Experienced climbers can also consider blazing new trails up Red Kaweah. There are several undocumented routes that have been attempted by veteran climbers and although this type of trailblazing can be dangerous, it is worthwhile for the avid summit collector. Don't forget to watch out for coyotes and bears, both of which are prevalent in the area.

No matter how experienced you are, there's always the risk of slipping and falling when you're in the wilderness. But what if you fall and break your bones? The first thing you need on any outdoor excursion is a first aid kit. This one includes a guide to wilderness and travel medicine, along with some supplies for a broken limb. If you love the wilderness, you should also consider taking a basic first aid class.

Examine the injury to make sure it's a break, not a sprain. You'll need a splint on both sides of a broken leg; if you have a tent, you can use the poles. If not, look for two sturdy long sticks. If you can't find anything, use a bandage wrap from your first aid kit to splint the broken leg to the other leg, and make sure the splint is secure the entire length of the leg. If the fracture is compound (bone breaks through the skin), pull it straight so that the bones align, clean the wound, apply an antibiotic cream, dress and bandage the wound firmly, then splint the leg.

Splint an arm with a rolled up magazine or newspaper, or with shorter poles or sticks. Put the arm in a sling, made from any fabric you have. Whether the break is an arm or leg, give the injured person pain killers from the kit, and make sure you can see fingers or toes so you can tell if the splint is too tight – if the fingers or toes turn red or purple, then it's on too tight. The limb needs circulation.

Step two is to get the injured person to real medical help. If he has a broken arm, he can probably still walk. If it's a leg, and you have two uninjured people, make a litter with the tent fabric or a sleeping bag and two tent poles or two long sticks. If there's only one of you to help, make a travois instead, and keep the leg elevated at the high end of the travois. Keep the injured person warm to avoid shock.

Stay calm, know what to do, and you can survive a fracture in the wilderness.

(Sources: http://www.firstaidweb.com/broken_bone.html , http://life.familyeducation.com/emergency/first-aid/48245.html , http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-fractures-basic-information )

There's nothing like a terrifying statistic to get your blood pumping for your next mountain climbing adventure. The Annapurna peaks, of which there are six, have the single highest mortality rate among all the 8,000-meter mountains in the world. Most of the deaths and serious accidents occur on Annapurna I and Annapurna II.

If you are increasing your skills in mountain climbing and developing a healthy confidence, it might be time to branch out to new areas of the world, such as central Nepal. The Himalayas provide numerous exciting mountains to conquer, from the Annapurna peaks to the elusive K2.

If you don't think you are ready for the Annapurna peaks, you can start with Annapurna South, which is only 7,219 meters high. This peak is far less rocky than the others, and there are several routes that will accommodate an amateur climber. However, you do have to worry about extreme temperatures and rock fall regardless of which of these peaks you choose to summit.

When you are climbing any of the Annapurna peaks, you'll want to start in the Annapurna Sanctuary, which is the glacial basin that sits in the middle of all the mountains. Once considered a sacred land to natives, this area is now highly revered by locals and visitors alike and is home to a vibrant range of ecosystems that any nature lover will appreciate.

For your visit to the Annapurna peaks, make sure you bring along a pair of sturdy hiking boots and a warm sleeping bag for camping. Trekking through the mountains might constitute a day trip, but all mountain climbing will require at least one over nighter.

You should also know that climbing in the Annapurna peaks is highly regulated by the Nepal government. You'll need an entry visa, as well as trekking or climbing permits if this is your destination, so make sure you have everything you need in advance. This is why many mountain climbers hire guides who will cut through all the red tape for them.