[pct-l] Excessive Information Gathering on Hikers

[cvano at tmail.com]

I think I should jump in here with some unrelated but relivent 
experience.  Every pilot knows that they should file a flight plan so 
that SAR knows where to start looking if you are seriously overdue.  
Every sailor knows to file a float plan for the same reason.  Every 
hiker is also encouraged to file a hike plan.  These plans are all kept 
by some supposed responsible person or organization BUT...  PLANS 
SOMETIMES CHANGE!

I once filed a three stage float plan with Vessal Assist.  I was to go 
from LA to Two Harbors, Catalina Island, then stage 2 to Santa Barbara 
Island, and stage three, back to LA.  I arrived at 2 Harbors and closed 
the first leg.  I hit high seas and strong head winds upon rounding the 
north end of Catalina and opted to run back to a safe harbor.  I never 
opened leg two, but when I failed to close it on time, they initiated 
the overdue vessal protocal.  Luckely, I found out about it within an 
hour.  I was ashore without my cell phone and had to go back to the boat 
for something and saw a message on voice mail.  They had called my 
parents, the harbormaster in 3 harbors and the CG was broadcasting my 
overdue info but had not actually launched SAR yet.  I have never filed 
a float, flight, or hike plan since.  This is my personal choice, and 
should I get into serious trouble, then its on me.  I have to side with 
the 'don't have me rescued' folks on this.  I do however carry a 
personal EPIRB just in case.

That is Emergency Position Indicating and Reporting Beacon.  If I set it 
off, a computer screen 'somewhere' lights up with my position (lat/long 
within 50') my stats, meds, medical condition, and all sorts of info 
that I tell 'them,' IE high BP, non swimmer, etc.  It's about $500 and a 
bit heavy to hike with but better that a false SAR mobilazation IMHO.

Beyond this point
There be dragons...

Chris ~ S/V Drifter
Anacortes, WA. ~~~_/) ~~~