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

[dsaufley at sprynet.com]

I know this is a cruel thing to say when someone loved by many is lost, but all of the choices that this guy made make him a candidate for the Darwin award.  

-  What were they doing on that road in the first place; a road the forest service said is bad even in summer?
-  Why weren't they carrying chains going into a snowy area?  Or a shovel?  
-  Why did he go down the canyon instead of following the road he drove in on back to a busier road?
-  I understand he took off articles of clothing to "leave a trail;" apparently ignorant of the dangers of hypothermia.

This was an entirely preventable tragedy.  I feel terrible for his wife, children, and family, but honestly, it also makes me angry that he and his wife put their little babies at such risk with their ignorance.  

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
>From: Matt Maxon <matt at mattmaxon.com>
>Sent: Dec 7, 2006 5:15 PM
>To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] If lost, and if at possible, stay out of canyons
>
>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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