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

[David]

I don't know the answers to all these questions but I can say that it
being reported that the map they were using showed this road being
more "major" than it was and listed it as a scenic byway.  When they
attempted to turn around they decended a road that was supposed to be
gated and locked for the season but vandals had broken the lock.  IMHO
the vandals should be put up on charges if they could be found.  It
sounds like they chose that road rather than the busier one because it
decended out of the snow and appeared on the map as a possible option.
 It doesn't sound like the "busier" road had traffic on it either.  I
also don't believe he was taking off articles of clothing but rather
carrying extra clothing to mark his path.  It is being reported that
some of the clothing was his daughters and he was also using paper.

David D.


On 12/8/06, dsaufley at sprynet.com <dsaufley at sprynet.com> wrote:
> 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