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

[dsaufley at sprynet.com]

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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