[pct-l] Tethers to the other world...from the other world

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

I think you just have to know the person. It might help to know  
something about where they are, too, like the conditions and weather.  
Sounds like you have a lot of experience with your partner, so you  
just have to go on your gut instinct.

Last year in July my boyfriend decided he would hike Section C in  
Southern California. That section starts in the desert near Palm  
Springs. It had been unseasonably cool for a long time before the  
weekend he planned to go so it didn't seem like a crazy idea at the  
time. However, it was 102 degrees at 8pm when we got to the trailhead.

The next day after I was home, there were messages on my phone. First  
there were happy ones. Then there were alarming ones. It was around  
125 degrees and he didn't sound well at all. I drove all the way back  
to the trail. It's about 3 hours from my house.

Cell service on the trail is spotty. I was unable to reach him. He  
never called me again after his alarming phone call where he sounded  
kind of out of it. The cellphone had terrible reception and the only  
thing I could understand was he was going to wait next to Mission  
Creek. So, knowing the trail well from my own hiking, I knew he had  
cool water.

A few months prior some local hike leaders did some stupid stuff and  
ended up being rescued. I weighed in my mind whether to start a  
rescue or to wait a little longer. It was hard to wait. I didn't want  
to embarrass him. Really, he was simply uncomfortable at this point.  
I second-guessed my decision often, but I had to go with my gut and  
wait.

By the evening he managed to call me. He sounded so much better. He  
had managed to survive the heat of the day hunkered down in a lean-to  
he made with his poncho next to Mission Creek. He soaked all day in  
the cool water. In the morning I picked him up at the trailhead and  
that was that.

No real lesson here. Just know your hiker well, know a little  
something about where they are going to be (is it desert, is it full  
of dangerous snow or swollen creeks, etc) and know what they are  
capable of. Then trust yourself.


On Oct 16, 2012, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> From: bluetrail at aol.com
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Tethers to the other world...from the other world
>
>
> As the one who'll be at home (still working), this brings to mind  
> my question.  When is it time to call for a rescue team?