Get Insider’s View of Great Outdoors

These might be rainy days but that won’t affect those seeking a trip to the great outdoors this week. It will all be indoors.

River rafting, salmon fishing, ballooning, boating, camping and kayaking . . . the Anaheim Sports, Vacation and RV Show has it all and more. The show begins an eight-day run Saturday at the Anaheim Convention Center.

“We’re emphasizing new things this year in adventures, travel and sports activities,” the show’s Corrine Sydney said.

That includes river-rafting trips through the deep and mystic valleys of Nepal, offered by a California company that says the cost is about the same as for trips through the Grand Canyon.

It also includes fishing trips being offered in a vast and virgin area of British Columbia--virgin as far as fishermen are concerned, anyway. The site, in the heart of a 5,600-acre wilderness reserve, is accessible only by air and is crisscrossed by rivers and streams reportedly brimming with trout that have yet to feel the sting of an angler’s hook.

Other new items include a company offering guided RV tours of Central America and another offering hunting and exploring with natives in Australia’s Outback.

In all, there will be more than 700 exhibits, including seminars, clinics and stage shows covering most aspects of the outdoors. Even mountain man Dean Wavrunek will be coming out of the woods to attend.

Admission to the show is $6.95 for adults, $2.25 for children 6 to 15 and free for children under 6. Hours are noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays and 2 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.

*

For those venturing into the coldest of outdoor locales, it pays to be prepared, lest they fall victim to one of the deadliest killers of all--hypothermia.

Backpacker magazine, in its January-February issue, explores the myths and realities of overexposure, and warns of the symptoms people should be aware of while out in the cold.

Shivering begins when body temperature reaches 97 degrees. Backpacker charts the course of hypothermia thereafter:

“--97-95: Goose bumps, inability to perform complex tasks with the hands, mild to severe shivering, numb skin.

“--95-93: Intense shivering, lack of muscle coordination, labored movements, some mental confusion, sluggish thinking.

“--93-91: Violent shivering, difficulty speaking, inability to use hands.

“--91-86: Shivering stops, the skin turns blue or puffy, very poor muscle coordination, confusion, incoherence, irrational behavior.

“86-82: Severely rigid muscles, semiconscious stupor often sets in with complete loss of consciousness possible.

“--82-78: Loss of consciousness, erratic heartbeat and breathing, heartbeat and pulse may be undetectable.

“--78-75: Pulmonary edema (watery swelling of the lungs), possible heart failure, death probable. Note: Death can occur before this point.

“--60: Lowest recorded temperature of hypothermia survivor.”

Briefly

BAJA FISHING--Strong winds made for sloppy conditions at Cabo San Lucas over the holidays, but the situation is getting back to normal. Catches of note include a 475-pound blue marlin by Texas angler Greg Hudson and a 460-pounder by Florida angler George McCormick. Top catch by a Southland angler, according to Cortez Yacht Charters in Lemon Grove, was a 210-pound yellowfin tuna by Dan Cahn of Mar Vista. East Cape fishermen were hampered by winds as well. Farther north at Loreto, the yellowtail bite is still developing, with the larger fish finally beginning to show.

HUNTING--Ten turkey hunts will be held on the 270,000-acre Tejon Ranch south of Bakersfield during the last five Saturdays of the 1995 spring season beginning April 1. The adults-only hunts are free but prospective hunters have only until Jan. 23 to qualify for the draw. Only one hunter will be drawn for each Saturday, but he or she will be able to bring a companion. Guides will be provided courtesy of the National Wild Turkey Federation. To participate in the drawing, applicants must send a single postcard indicating the hunting license number of hunter and companion, the desired date of the hunt and a return address and telephone number. Postcards should be sent to the Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Management Division, Upland Game Unit, Tejon Turkey Hunt, 1416 Ninth St., Room 1280, Sacramento, CA. 95814.

The DFG announced that California hunters can use bismuth-tin shot as a nontoxic shot for the rest of the 1994-95 waterfowl season, thanks to federal approval of its use. Bismuth-tin is favored by some over steel shot because it is said to have superior ballistic qualities. Its use might be short-lived, however. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it is continuing tests to determine just how nontoxic the shot really is. . . . Prospective hunters can obtain their hunting certificates--necessary to acquire a license--by attending a 10-hour course Jan. 15 at Raahaugue’s Shooting Enterprises in Norco. Cost is $30. Details: (800) 773-4868.

CALENDAR--The San Diego Boat and Sportfishing Show, featuring boats as well as workshops and lessons, will be held Thursday through Sunday at the San Diego Convention Center and Marriott Marina. . . . Conejo Valley Archers of Ventura County is holding a 3-D tournament--featuring simulated-animal targets--for several age groups Jan. 15 at its range in Camarillo. Details: (805) 376-8183.