[pct-l] PCT Risk Awareness

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

I love what Luis Velasco said,
" I believe the issue here is lack of skills and risk assessment."

For some reason, people think backpacking, whether for a mile or thousands 
in one trip, is a proverbial "walk in the woods" with no real concerns to be 
aware of and this thru-hiking season just proves that this mentality only 
leads to an avoidable misery.

A thru hike of our national scenic trails is a dream-come-true for many. 
Indeed, the more time you can spend in the wilderness, the better people 
feel, so they want to do just that via a thru hike. Sounds good! Walking 
every day, getting in fantastic shape, breathing good air, no phones, no 
bills (maybe), no scheduling constraints, just the simple life of walk, eat, 
sleep, and walk some more in beautiful, awesome scenery! What an alluring 
attraction!

However, no matter how much we try to statistically "predict" the weather or 
prepare for the hazards thought to exist, there are always situations that 
come up and conditions discovered that catch us unprepared (even those who 
know better, too!). So, how do expectant PCT hopefuls get ready for a safe 
and realistically-prepared thru hike? Be Risk-Aware!

Yes, we all want as light a pack as we can "get by" with, but at what 
sacrifice? Sure, many thrus have done the trail quite successfully with very 
little, but what were the risks they faced and how did they deal with them 
in order to "get by." Why don't we discuss one problem the thrus this year 
faced, "The Wet and the Cold."

When the rain storms started getting worse this August and early September, 
many summer-equipped thrus tried to deal with them with their light and 
minimal gear, only to have everything get "soaked," leading to endless 
nights of no sleep. When the rain turned to snow, all that turned to 
hypothermia, exhaustion, and getting lost.

It is not shameful to leave the trail to re-tool when you see the weather 
going from bad to worse. Recognize the changing risk and prepare for it. 
Then go back in when the weather improves and continue on...with an eye on 
the sky!

Whether from Andrea Dinsmore's point of view or Mountain Education's, 
educating enthusiastic hikers to be more aware of their internal or external 
changing conditions is no easy task when blind guts and crazy desire are 
pushing them on!

So, find out what risks you may encounter while thru-hiking a particular 
trail and go prepared for them, realizing that conditions can change, life 
is fragile, and nothing is predictable all the time! What one hiker 
experienced on their hike, you may not.

We encourage all PCT 2015 hikers to go up into the sierra during the 2014 
thru-hiker season and see for yourselves the Reality of what it takes for 
you to deal with snow-related difficult conditions (like creek crossings, 
steep traverses, glissading, arresting, and the cold and wet), then go home 
and add those learning experiences to your thru hike plans!


Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
www.mountaineducation.org
-----Original Message----- 
From: Luis Velasco
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2013 10:42 PM
To: Ernie Castillo ; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Paying for SAR

A short story.

Last summer on a Saturday, may wife daughter and I hiked to Devil's
Punchbowl (Julian, CA), a short three mile something hike, but during one
of the hottest day's of the year (100+).  Yes, we were well prepared.

At the trailhead were SAR volunteers selectively approaching and talking
to hikers who appeared ill-prepared for the hike on that hot day.
Additionally, a Sheriffs SAR helicopter hovered slowly along the trail
keeping an eye out anyone requesting help.

On our way down the trail we noticed that nearly every group returning
hikers had a heat casualty (beat red skin, not sweating, staggering walk)
being assisted by other group members.  We offered water, most politely
refused but two accepted the offer.

Eventually, my daughter overheated as well (a medication side effect). Her
mother and I quickly cooled her down with water, umbrella shade and
fanning. We were carrying 10 liters combined.

Tough kid my daughter, after recovering she was determined to go on--her
mother and I kept close eye on her and made sure she swam under the
waterfall at the bottom.


On our return the helicopter patrolling along.  Surprisingly, the pilot
and crew made eye contact with every hiking group--a simple wave and they
proceeded along.  Yes, they were that close.

Returning to the trailhead we learned that a number of people had suffered
head exhaustion and had been evacuated by helicopter.  The next day we
read that a teenage girl had died of head stroke on the same trail in the
same conditions.

My point.  It was surprising to see how ill-prepared people were; lack of
water, sun protection, and the (perceived) avoidance to request help.  The
majority of people were high school/college age; my wife and I were
probably the other end of the spectrum (my daughter was 20 at that time).

I believe the issue here is lack of skills and risk assessment.  All of
these can be learned; however, some (to include myself) learn better via
the university of hard-knocks. And as many learned that weekend, some
lessons have very substantial consequences.

For those reasons I teach my daughter a new skill whenever we hike, map
reading, first aid, water purification, night navigation, basic survival
skills and pushing her beyond her perceived limits while learning to
assess the risks of our environment and situation.

Bottom line: Line is a team-effort. Learn from each other and take care of
each other.

Also, if you really believe emergency services should be reimbursed, then
the next time you're saved, man-up and offer to pay the bill for SAR, EMT,
Fire and Rescue, etc. service rendered.  They may not accept the offer,
but they sure will be in awe of your fortitude.



- Luis




On 10/9/13 5:46 PM, "Ernie Castillo" <erniec01 at hotmail.com> wrote:

>I don't think, faced with a true life-or-death situation, that anybody in
>an emergency would object to compensate, in some way, shape, or form,
>those who risked life and limb and, yes, costly resources, for a
>successful search and rescue.
>
>
>
>At the same time, recalling the stories about hikers calling for SAR days
>into their hike, I think hikers might twice about hitting the "SAR me"
>button if they knew there may be financial consequences.
>
>
>
>I don't mean to be callous but there is a difference between "Help, I've
>fallen and I can't get up" and "Help, I am lost, and can't figure out
>this map and compass thing and, by the way, I didn't think I would need a
>tent or an extra day's worth of food. Oh, and I'm thirsty because I was
>counting on a water cache that I can't locate."
>
>
>
>Save the SAR for true emergencies.
>
>Ernie Castillo
>PCT Class of 1980
>
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