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

[Matt Maxon]

Just my 2¢ as a ACA member.....

But having hiked off trail in these here parts for some time now and getting
into more than my share of trouble.

Going into a canyon without knowing what is there is SUICIDE.

It takes the proper equipment, training, and experience to decend a canyon
safely, you can get stuck, and you're really screwed if no one knows where
you are.

Be careful out there
Trail90

----- Original Message -----
From: <dsaufley at sprynet.com>
To: "Scott Herriott" <yetifan at yahoo.com>; <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 12:44 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] If lost, and if at possible, stay out of canyons


> When I was in middle school, a guy from a local outfitter known as "Gizmo"
came and gave us a backpacking presentation in an after school assembly.  I
so clearly remember his advice, which closely mirrors what you've said:
>
> If you get lost -- believe that they will come looking for you.  Don't go
down anywhere, or move very far.  Go to a clearing, whether it be a ridge or
a clearly open space, and STAY PUT.  Use rocks, tree limbs, whatever -- and
spell out "HELP" or "SOS"  where it can be viewed from the air.
>
> Of course, this wouldn't work in all situations, but it made good sense to
me when I was 12, and it still does.
>
> L-Rod
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: Scott Herriott <yetifan at yahoo.com>
> >Sent: Dec 6, 2006 1:38 PM
> >To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> >Subject: [pct-l] If lost, and if at possible, stay out of canyons
> >
> >   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
> >
> >
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