Usually there is a picture with my post but let's just tell the story this time. I decided that Saturday was my day for Compton's Twin Falls. My start was bit late, parking at the the sign about 8:15. Following Tims' directions I dropped right down onto Amber Falls and began to make my way on the left side of Whittaker Creek. I never really figured out the bench and so spent most of my time close to the creek bank. This was a tough slog and if this is a "medium bushwhack" I want no part of a tough one. LOTS of ups and downs due to fallen trees and no room on the bank.
Finally made it to the spot above the falls and checked that out for a moment and wondered how the hell I was going to get down to the falls. Looked easier to the left and about 75 yard below the falls found a good way down. By this time it is 10:30 or so. For about an hour I shot images and then it was time to book. Thinking that I would be smart this time I got up way high on my way out and started back along the course of the creek. I got the drainage that would lead to Amber Falls and then I got too smart for my own good. I decided to just head up the hill on my right. That should take me right to the road. Unbeknownst to me I started bearing slightly right up this hill and found myself topped out and another hill in front of me instead of the road. Here is where I should have just dropped right back down to the last drainage and follow it up to the truck. Instead I kept trying to get my way out from there. Suddenly I found a logging road. Followed it for about 10 minutes in each direction with no clues that I was closer to getting out. By this tijme it is 2 pm or so. Having read every horror story about getting lost I was determined to sit on that logging road until somebody found me. I took out my stuff and prepared a little sleeping site. On a whim I took out my cell phone(never a signal up here) and texted my wife Susan back in Jonesboro -often the texts go through. I told her to call Tim and see if he could help me out of here.
About 4 pm my phone RANG! Susan was calling and she had Tim on the other phone. Tim told me to follow the road uphill and I would be out. Since I was on a flat area that did not work for me. Tim said he would drive to where my truck was and honk at 4:30. Susan and I stayed on the phone and at 4:30 I head the honking..sounds about 1/4 mile away. While I am packing up my stuff here comes Tim on the road. So he gets me back out and he and Pam drive me to my truck. Tim tells me he had a worse day that I did in the outdoors with some equipment problems.
Thanks to Tim and Pam for making my afternoon much better than I thought it was going to be. Lucky the text worked, lucky they were home,and even luckier that the PHONE worked up on that mountain!
Images? The RAW files look pretty good, but I am still too tired to process. Maybe later. Was this worth it? Without a doubt!
Debriefing:
* Did I have a compass and or a GPS? Yes but could I use them--not so much. My older GPS did not even show Cave Mountain Road.. It does not have any topo. After the fact Tim remarked that he could have just asked me my co-ords and he could have talked Susan and me out.
* Was I prepped for an overnighter? Shelter I was good and had a great lighter so would have had fire. But only one granola bar and no water (cause I thought this would be an easy 4 hour journey.
* Until my finding where I am skills are much better stick with what I know even if it is hard.
* Thanks for AT&T getting a text through and even finding a spot where my phone would work.
* This was the most sustained physical activity I have had in a long time. I started getting inner thigh muscle cramps that were very uncomfortable and when I got home in the bath tub they came back with the most pain I have ever had in my life! Screaming pain! GatorAde, calcium, and lots of hard massage!
* New GPS with topo and roads is on the short list with lots of PRACTICE!
Posted by Larry Daniel on May 17, 2009 at 11:31 AM
That's a great story. Tim's side of the story and "equipment problem" story is worth the read on the journal. I don't think your water fall days are over! You just need to take your wife with you like I do and hopefully she will get addicted like the rest of us.
Karla and I have a "lost story" too that we will always have in out memories. At least you didn't get lost in 10 inches of snow.
Bob I know EXACTLY where you were and I've been lost there also, twice, coming uphill out of Whitaker Creek. Those are what taught me I needed to really learn how to read a map and compass. The second time there my buddy boosted me up a tree and when I got up to where I could see out there was a trailer house and Cave Mountain road just 100 yards away. Humiliating
Don't give up. I've since set up and done 12 mile loops using map and compass and raised the truck dead ahead at the end of the day.
That day just made me stronger and more determined to get better in the backcountry. I STILL have not processed any images. Maybe tomorow....
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on May 18, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Quite a story Bob and it's always nice when they have a happy ending. Good thinking on extracating yourself from the situation. And a big thanks to Tim & Pam for their assistance!
Bob I glad it ended well. Landscape photography has plenty of adventures and it's easy for things like this to happen. Tim thanks for your assistance, maybe I need to keep your # in my cell phone.
I'm glad this had a good outcome, Robert! The great thing about adventures like this is that you will always have the exciting and memorable story to tell. And, if you're smart, you learn from the experience. Based on your debriefing it sounds as though you definitely took some notes! Now, let's see some photos.
Discussion
9 repliesFinally made it to the spot above the falls and checked that out for a moment and wondered how the hell I was going to get down to the falls. Looked easier to the left and about 75 yard below the falls found a good way down. By this time it is 10:30 or so. For about an hour I shot images and then it was time to book. Thinking that I would be smart this time I got up way high on my way out and started back along the course of the creek. I got the drainage that would lead to Amber Falls and then I got too smart for my own good. I decided to just head up the hill on my right. That should take me right to the road. Unbeknownst to me I started bearing slightly right up this hill and found myself topped out and another hill in front of me instead of the road. Here is where I should have just dropped right back down to the last drainage and follow it up to the truck. Instead I kept trying to get my way out from there. Suddenly I found a logging road. Followed it for about 10 minutes in each direction with no clues that I was closer to getting out. By this tijme it is 2 pm or so. Having read every horror story about getting lost I was determined to sit on that logging road until somebody found me. I took out my stuff and prepared a little sleeping site. On a whim I took out my cell phone(never a signal up here) and texted my wife Susan back in Jonesboro -often the texts go through. I told her to call Tim and see if he could help me out of here.
About 4 pm my phone RANG! Susan was calling and she had Tim on the other phone. Tim told me to follow the road uphill and I would be out. Since I was on a flat area that did not work for me. Tim said he would drive to where my truck was and honk at 4:30. Susan and I stayed on the phone and at 4:30 I head the honking..sounds about 1/4 mile away. While I am packing up my stuff here comes Tim on the road. So he gets me back out and he and Pam drive me to my truck. Tim tells me he had a worse day that I did in the outdoors with some equipment problems.
Thanks to Tim and Pam for making my afternoon much better than I thought it was going to be. Lucky the text worked, lucky they were home,and even luckier that the PHONE worked up on that mountain!
Images? The RAW files look pretty good, but I am still too tired to process. Maybe later. Was this worth it? Without a doubt!
Debriefing:
* Did I have a compass and or a GPS? Yes but could I use them--not so much. My older GPS did not even show Cave Mountain Road.. It does not have any topo. After the fact Tim remarked that he could have just asked me my co-ords and he could have talked Susan and me out.
* Was I prepped for an overnighter? Shelter I was good and had a great lighter so would have had fire. But only one granola bar and no water (cause I thought this would be an easy 4 hour journey.
* Until my finding where I am skills are much better stick with what I know even if it is hard.
* Thanks for AT&T getting a text through and even finding a spot where my phone would work.
* This was the most sustained physical activity I have had in a long time. I started getting inner thigh muscle cramps that were very uncomfortable and when I got home in the bath tub they came back with the most pain I have ever had in my life! Screaming pain! GatorAde, calcium, and lots of hard massage!
* New GPS with topo and roads is on the short list with lots of PRACTICE!
Karla and I have a "lost story" too that we will always have in out memories. At least you didn't get lost in 10 inches of snow.
Now, show us the pics!
Don't give up. I've since set up and done 12 mile loops using map and compass and raised the truck dead ahead at the end of the day.