Lost Hikers Make Best of a Bad Situation

By Michael Hermann; Lizard Tracks, Centre Daily Times, December 24, 1999

Christmas is a time to be with family and cherish the things that mean the most in life. Hopefully that includes your health and happiness. A big part of my health and happiness is derived from being outdoors; exploring new areas and revisiting favorite places. The forest can provide you and your family many wonderful opportunities to share quality time and learn to appreciate the environment.

The forest can also be a dark, dangerous and scary place if your adventures take a wrong turn and you find yourself lost or injured. This type of experience can happen to anyone who plays outdoors. The more often you choose to explore the forest the more likely you are to have an unplanned situation. How an individual is prepared to react to these situations will determine the outcome.

I have met many people who have endured unpleasant experiences in the woods and read about many more. Although their situations vary the successful ones have a common theme: they did not panic, they made a plan and they used common sense.

Earlier this month a local man made headlines because he was reported lost when he failed to return home for dinner. He was hiking with his three young children and the family dog. In reality, he was never “lost”, he simply ran out of daylight. Other than attempting an ambitious route he did everything right. This began by telling someone else his plans.

If you weren’t home by dark on a Saturday night would anyone notice? Especially if you were with your immediate family? This is the first and perhaps most important rule for safe hikes. Tell your neighbor or a friend where you plan to go and when you plan to return. It sounds so simple but very few people do it.

In this recent case the family was exploring off trail; essentially bushwhacking off the mountain. This is one of my favorite things to do and winter is the best time for it because the leaves are down. The tricky part is estimating how long it will take because the terrain determines forward progress. When darkness came this family found themselves battling through rhododendron thickets, which in my experience can be impossible to traverse without crawling on hands and knees.

Caught without a flashlight the father decided to bed down in the safety of the rhododendron thicket. This was a very smart decision, and one that very few people would make. Most folks would allow panic to control their thoughts and decide to keep fighting through the forest. This could lead to exhaustion, which amplifies the bodies susceptibility to cold and puts the party at greater risk.

A flashlight would have offered little help due to the incredible density of rhododendron thickets. That also makes them a safe, warm and fairly comfortable place to sleep for the night. The father was confident the kids would be OK - it would be a cold, restless night but they could hike out in the morning.

Because he had told people his plans a search party was being organized as he was preparing a safe camp for the night. Later that evening a forest ranger found them and helped them off the mountain.

Regardless of what gear the family had with them, what really helped was telling someone their plans beforehand. Even if they had a cell phone I doubt the signal would get out; I find they only work consistently on ridgetops. A map and compass were not needed because he was not lost. He relied on his instincts for direction and used common sense to stay put when the time came.

What should you take on a short hike? Warm clothes, food, water, flashlights and a lighter should get you through an emergency overnight. Flashlights may be better used to signal your position rather than relied upon as a light source to hike out with. Most flashlights are inadequate for sustained hiking use. The larger risk is twisting or breaking an ankle and suddenly making a bad situation much worse.

Food and water is useful, but not necessary for a 24 to 36 hour misadventure. Warmth is the priority concern and a simple lighter can be a lost hikers biggest asset. A fire provides both warmth and signals your position, although with our current drought conditions it could make matters worse.

Adventurers like to say self rescue is the most reliable form of rescue. I consider telling someone my plans part of self rescue - it’s just another way of insuring my adventure will come full circle.

The real trailhead is your own driveway. This is where the adventure begins and ends. As you surround yourself with family this holiday season be thankful for another year of successful adventures, and start planning a few more for next year.
Peace be with you this holiday season.

Michael Hermann is the creator of the Purple Lizard Recreational Map of State College and has been exploring local trails since 1979.