Posted by Bob Falcone on March 24, 2011 at 3:41 PM
Wow...the side story is pretty interesting. Cardinal rule of the back-country: Don't go alone!
Posted by Pam Colander on March 24, 2011 at 3:53 PM
No kidding! I know some people love the solitude thing and there's nothing wrong with that. But where you are going and what you're gonna do has to factor into that. This was the same area, Blue John, where the Aron Ralston thing happened.
Very interesting and insightful video. I'll still be backpacking solo though, most all my trips are. if I had to rely on other people I wouldn't be able to do half the things I have. Sometimes you have to take risks I guess.
Posted by Pam Colander on March 24, 2011 at 6:09 PM
Knowing your limits and skill levels has to factor into solo excursions too, I would think. But bad stuff happens to even the MOST experienced if the smallest thing works against you.
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 24, 2011 at 6:44 PM
Or you get hit by a bus while crossing a street you cross every day.
I'm in the same boat as Jeremy. My friends all have "real" jobs, and I like to go during the week. But if something bad happens, at least it'll be while I'm doing something I love. You know, like Layne Stayley and Tommy Bolin.
Posted by Pam Colander on March 24, 2011 at 7:16 PM
Yep
Posted by Bob Falcone on March 24, 2011 at 8:51 PM
Admittedly, I do 99% of my stuff alone, too. My work schedule doesn't fit well with the 8-5 weekends off crowd, so I do a lot hiking, etc alone out of necessity.
As Pam noted, knowing one's skills and limitations is important, but small stuff can become a big problem in a hurry.
I just got my dividend notice from REI, and am looking at using it towards a Personal Locator Beacon.
Posted by Grant Collier on March 24, 2011 at 9:16 PM
I think statistically you're more likely to get injured or killed driving your car than hiking alone. So, while you should be cautious and use common sense, I don't think the risks involved should dissuade people with experience outdoors from hiking alone any more than it should dissuade people from ever leaving their house for fear of an auto accident. Also, I own the FastFind GPS. It costs more than the Spot and is for emergencies only, but there's no subscription service, so - with a battery replaement every 5 years - you're set for life.
Posted by Bob Falcone on March 24, 2011 at 10:27 PM
Grant, that's the PLB I've been looking at. I almost bought the SPOT, but it seems to be more of a toy than a useful tool.
I hike over 100 miles a year, and I think I'm a pretty experienced hiker. But, my biggest fear is having a slip on some skree or something similar that will leave me stranded with a blown out knee (or something equally dumb). A PLB maybe the only way to summons some help...
One thing I noticed in the video (and admittedly, knowing nothing more about the incident other than what is in the video and the accompanying story) is that the guy appeared to be grossly inexperienced, under-prepared, and probably not in the best physical shape. Not a recipe for a good out-come when something goes wrong.
Posted by Pam Colander on March 24, 2011 at 10:58 PM
He told his Mom he should be out by Thursday and call the authorities if you don't hear from me by Friday. Trouble is, by the time the rescue gets underway they have a TON of convoluted hidden canyons to check. Hopefully the odds are in your favor and they start with the one you're stuck in. Where he was stuck was Slippery Slot or something like that. Mike's girlfriend Cheri said you have to be built like Olive Oyl to slip through that one. So, no, he didn't exactly have the build for it. He tried to shimmy up between two walls, fell 20 feet, and jacked up his hips and probably is where he broke his ankle.
Discussion
11 replieshttp://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=703679798#!/video/video.php?v=10150103959145308&comments
I'm in the same boat as Jeremy. My friends all have "real" jobs, and I like to go during the week. But if something bad happens, at least it'll be while I'm doing something I love. You know, like Layne Stayley and Tommy Bolin.
As Pam noted, knowing one's skills and limitations is important, but small stuff can become a big problem in a hurry.
I just got my dividend notice from REI, and am looking at using it towards a Personal Locator Beacon.
I hike over 100 miles a year, and I think I'm a pretty experienced hiker. But, my biggest fear is having a slip on some skree or something similar that will leave me stranded with a blown out knee (or something equally dumb). A PLB maybe the only way to summons some help...
One thing I noticed in the video (and admittedly, knowing nothing more about the incident other than what is in the video and the accompanying story) is that the guy appeared to be grossly inexperienced, under-prepared, and probably not in the best physical shape. Not a recipe for a good out-come when something goes wrong.