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[pct-l] Re: Tent Colors



Last year a couple of days south of Sonora Pass my hiking partner fell 
and broke his leg. Fortunately (aka under duress from wives) we were 
lugging along a satellite phone to contact authorities in the unlikely 
event of an emergency or water landing (note: Federal government 
agencies only operate 9-5 M-F these days; perhaps the reason for the 
slow response to Katrina). After finally contacting someone, and 
convincing them that the leg was REALLY BROKEN, they agreed to send a 
helicopter rescue team. Their request: "go to a high, open point in the 
forest and mark our position with something brightly colored". "No 
problem" I replied. As we looked through our gear--forest green 
tarptents; forest green sleeping bags; earth-toned clothing.... 
Fortunately we had our bright-white (well at least still somewhat 
white) Tyvek ground sheets, which the pilot was able to spot. Bottom 
line--as one other responder stated--it's good to have at least 
something bright in your pack to spike up photos and signal pilots!

CW

P.S. Whatever they pay those chopper pilots, it's probably not enough. 
The chopper was landed in swirling winds on a rock outcropping not much 
bigger than the chopper itself.

P.P.S. Stay away from bright yellow, it apparently ATTRACTS sharks!!