[pct-l] If lost, and if at possible, stay out of canyons

[Scott Herriott]

   As evidenced by John Donovan's disappearance and
death about a year and a half ago along with the just
announced discovery of James Kim's body found in a
ravine in SW Oregon after going to look for help for
his stranded family, I think it's appropriate to
mention here that if, for whatever reason, you happen
to get lost out in the wilderness, one of the lasts
thing you EVER want to do is to head down into a
canyon or ravine and try and follow a creek down to a
river or presumed road...especially in cold weather. 
It's, generally, going to A) be colder down there B)
the sound of the water could very well drown you or
any impending rescuers out and C) you could, as was
the case with John, get "cliffed out".  John, in all
probability, saw the lights of Palm Springs and
assumed things would get less treacherous as he
descended...they got worse.  It seems to me, if AT ALL
possible, follow close to ridgelines (barring deep
snow levels).  
   I was lucky enough to work with James Kim a few
years back at TechTV.  He was a great guy.


Squatch