[pct-l] lost hiker found

[Dennis Phelan]

I am surprised in all of this conversation I haven't heard anyone say
anything about using the SPOT Locator.    I won't go hiking without it and
now I even keep it in my car.  It allows me to ask for serious help from
rescue teams; help from my appointed contacts or advise my contacts that I
am OK.  They are not subject to tower availability but use satellites which
sometimes hide when you are under trees, but once you get into a clear area
they seem to be available.

Dennis

On Thu, Apr 5, 2012 at 9:29 AM, Ken Murray <kmurray at pol.net> wrote:

>
> One comment:  hikers who are going to be out have an obligation to make
> arrangements in case they do not come back.  What I mean is designating
> someone who is empowered on your behalf to act, then leaving instructions
> as to what to do.
> For example, in this story, the girlfriend called the FS.  The forest
> service does not deal with rescues.  It is the sheriff for the county
> involved who handles this (except in the Nat'l Parks, where they handle
> them, themselves).
> The designated person should have instructions WHEN to call, WHO to call,
> with information that will help, such as the route and start and end points.
>
> And it is CRITICAL, once such a call is made, if you come out, CALL BACK
> and let them know you are out.  This can save a lot of trouble.
>
> =======================
> I really feel for the burdens of search and rescue , the risks they take,
> and taxpayers who pay for them.
>
> I know little of the details, but am I correct that this hiker was not
> "lost" as the media reports?  And he wasn't "found," but turned around due
> to snow, making the safe and rational decision not to hike beyond his
> abilities.
>
> Was this a thru-hiker?  Anyone know?  If he's a thru-hiker it should be
> expected that only an estimate can be made how long it takes to walk to the
> next town/phone.  I wonder how long the spouse waited to report he hadn't
> called home, and how quickly did the agency involved get SAR involved.
>
> I once was unable to call at one town stop, forgot to call at the next.
>  My girlfriend did call the forest service, and he said to wait a little
> longer.
> Another time I was sick on a weekend hike (got the flu, had no energy, and
> it was very hot) and got back to the car late on Sunday night and tried to
> drive home, but was falling asleep driving despite pinching or slapping
> myself.  I had to pull off and sleep and drive home early Monday.  My
> girlfriend called the forest service to report I hadn't come home, but they
> said to wait and see if I turn up on my own (I called home as soon as I was
> in phone range).
>
> I feel real bad about the worry I've caused her, and I'm very luck no SAR
> was called out both times.  It makes it sound like I'm not a responsible
> hiker, but things happen.
>
> All this is to say I wonder if the search and resue was unnecessarily
> called in.  A report came out recently about unneccessary medical spending.
>  Can the same be said of SAR?
>
>
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