Disappearing On The Hiking Trail

CARDINAL RULE: DON’T GO IT ALONE

When you set out on a hike, one of the most important rules, is not to go alone. If you bring a child, at least one other adult should also go along. 

Here are two recent stories about disappearing hikers. One has a happy ending, while the other doesn’t look too good.

FATHER AND SON DISAPPEAR WHILE HIKING

Hiking without cell phones, or flashlights, a 51 year-old man, and his 11 year-old son went missing in Maui, Hawaii.

Starting out on the afternoon of Friday, August 9, they were reported missing 5 hours later by a family member.

A helicopter and fire personnel searched the area hit by heavy rains. The man and his son were airlifted to safety on August 10. They were very lucky to be found.

66 YEAR-OLD HIKER MISSING IN MAINE

As of August 5, the search for 66 year-old hiker, Geraldine Largay was called off. Starting out in April, alone on the Appalachian Trail in West Virginia, she covered 950 miles, and disappeared near Mount Katahdin in Maine.

Largay was reported missing on July 24, by her husband. Among the 115 search and rescue volunteers, were dog teams, wardens, and searchers on foot and horseback.

Copyright 2013 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training

How To Prevent Hiking Accidents

7 REASONS FOR HIKING ACCIDENTS

  1. Getting lost on the trail, especially under extreme weather conditions.
  2. Unprepared for changes in the weather.
  3. Failure to learn about altered terrain conditions before your hike.
  4. Improper clothing and footwear.
  5. Insufficient food or water.
  6. Hiking under inadvisable weather conditions.
  7. Failure to bring necessary equipment, and equipment for possible emergencies.

RECENT NEWS STORIES

Elizabeth Bervel dies hiking the wave in the Utah-Arizona border.   7/23/13

UCSD professor found dead on San Diego hiking trail.  7/6/13

Hiker dies after falling 12 feet while hiking the Snohomish County trail in Washington.  7/29/13

Hiker and two sons found dead on Missouri hiking trail.  1/14/13

Located in Pasadena, California, Eaton Canyon death toll rises.   8/9/11

Eaton Canyon death toll is five in two years. 5/5/13

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR HIKING TRIP

Be prepared for changes in the weather: a drop in temperature, a sudden rainstorm, or heavy rains blocking out the trail

Be prepared for heat if you’re hiking in the desert.  Forego your trip if you know you can’t tolerate heat for long periods of time.

Be prepared for missing trail signs.  Always bring a map, and a compass to get direction.

Bring lightweight clothing that will keep you warm, and raingear to keep you dry.

Bring reliable flashlights.

RESOURCES FOR HIKERS

Educate yourself before going out on the trail.   Whether it’s a day hike or a longer backpack into the high country, being prepared for your trip keeps your journey uninterrupted and safe.

The U.S. National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior

Backpacker Magazine

REI

National Weather Service

The Sierra Club

Appalachian Mountain Club

Copyright 2013 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training