View Full Version : Tragedy on Missouri trail
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/14/air-force-veteran-and-his-2-sons-die-while-hiking-missouri-trail/
What a sad story.A very preventable tragedy.Three ponchos could have prevented this.
Please do some basic planning before going into the wilderness.Just having a cell phone with you does not qualify as basic planning.
What happened to this man and his sons almost happened to me 28 yrs. ago. That is why I feel compelled to share these kinds of stories when I run across them in the media.
How sad, never too prepared can one be for any adventure or just daily life.
I cycle and have what many think is just too much stuff on my bike. I do not think I would ever be in a situation such as that, but weather and bike problems could always happen and I try to be prepared as best as possible.
iris lily
1-15-13, 11:37am
This is very unfortunate. Fortunatley, their black labrador survived.
Gardenarian
1-15-13, 3:45pm
Truly tragic. My dd, the wilderness girl, is going to be reading this article - thanks for passing it along.
We had a young couple here almost perish a few years back, not a mile from my house. They went for a walk from their resort in the trails in the park here. It got dark. They had on light cotton clothing. It started to rain. They couldn't find their way back, and their cell phone didn't work out here. They were found the next morning, huddled together under a bush. They lived.
If they'd had basic survival skills, not even special gear, they could have had a semi-comfortable evening, there were plenty of materials within arms reach of where they stopped to build fine shelter out of.
A friend of my daughter's died here a couple of weeks ago - she crashed her car, staggered away from the wreck into the woods looking for help, and died of exposure before anyone could find her. If she'd stayed with the car, or stayed along the road, she'd be alive today, but she was probably confused and dazed from the impact.
It's hard for me to understand how someone with military training could be so unprepared. I'm the farthest thing from an outdoorswoman, but the first thing you learn about hiking is a list of necessary items never to leave without--including a change of clothes, rain gear, and a tarp--no matter what the weather. Sad story.
It's hard for me to understand how someone with military training could be so unprepared. I'm the farthest thing from an outdoorswoman, but the first thing you learn about hiking is a list of necessary items never to leave without--including a change of clothes, rain gear, and a tarp--no matter what the weather. Sad story.yeah... well... um... the thing is... um... I have to admit I am the worst prepared person for those short jaunts into the wilderness. I am avid hiker and trail runner who often goes off alone with nothing more then a fanny pack thingie with some water - usually not enough either - and maybe a protein bar or two, and a sweatshirt. Laziness and not wanting to take a bunch of stuff. Sigh... I'd like a simple funeral.
It's hard for me to understand how someone with military training could be so unprepared. I'm the farthest thing from an outdoorswoman, but the first thing you learn about hiking is a list of necessary items never to leave without--including a change of clothes, rain gear, and a tarp--no matter what the weather. Sad story.
I think you are overestimating the military training provided to our servicemembers.
Was recently at an event that also included a group of deployed SeaBees and they brought nothing. Nothing.
I had just grabbed my regular ol' toolbox and they made several comments of, "Wow, she's prepared."
"Yes, I have zip ties. What color and size would you like?"
awakenedsoul
1-15-13, 6:43pm
This is so sad. One time I got lost hiking near my guest house in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I was really turned around and confused. I asked my dog, "Where's the car? Let's go get in the car." I followed her off the train straight down the mountain. (I was above my house but couldn't see it. I had just moved there.) The dogs always know the way. (The most direct path.) I feel so badly for this family. What a tragedy.
This is so sad. One time I got lost hiking near my guest house in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I was really turned around and confused. I asked my dog, "Where's the car? Let's go get in the car." I followed her off the train straight down the mountain. (I was above my house but couldn't see it. I had just moved there.) The dogs always know the way. (The most direct path.) I feel so badly for this family. What a tragedy.
I love that story. Good dog!
yeah... well... um... the thing is... um... I have to admit I am the worst prepared person for those short jaunts into the wilderness. I am avid hiker and trail runner who often goes off alone with nothing more then a fanny pack thingie with some water - usually not enough either - and maybe a protein bar or two, and a sweatshirt. Laziness and not wanting to take a bunch of stuff. Sigh... I'd like a simple funeral.
Spartana - for you:
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?7156-Walking-in-the-woods-don-t-die
I just keep this by the door and grab it on the way out. It's all ready to go except for the lunch and the water, nothing to forget, and I can't miss it on my way.
And remember: cotton kills :-(
Spartana - for you:
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?7156-Walking-in-the-woods-don-t-die
I just keep this by the door and grab it on the way out. It's all ready to go except for the lunch and the water, nothing to forget, and I can't miss it on my way.
And remember: cotton kills :-(
I keep a space blanket, water bottle, and a compass in a backpack for a walk in the park. Which I need to do again one of these days. I took a hiking class once, and the only part that stuck with me was The List:
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
Cotton is useless for warmth, as I point out to my SO who complains that even though he's wearing a flannel shirt, he's still cold. Just because it's fuzzy doesn't mean it insulates.
Even with the basic essentials, accidents like a broken ankle or unexpected severe weather can create life threatening problems. Many of the areas I visit for hiking, backpacking, and snowshoeing don't have cell phone service and last year a purchased a device that sends a distress signal via satellite to search and rescue. It is about the size of a cell phone. Hopefully I will never have to use it, but it adds a little bit of security to my outings. There are a few options, but this is what I have:
http://www.mcmurdomarine.com/en/products/plb/fast-find-220
Heartbreaking. My husband said there was no need for this to happen. Basic survival/support skills would have easily saved them.
It was 60 something that morning, the temps dropped, the rains started.
I've hiked some of that same trail - easy to get turned around or cut off when there is a flash flood. Streams cross each other and which one was I following? I had looked at the state map that evening and noted all the closed roads in that area due to heavy rain.
So sad.
It is soo frustrating and sad. It is one reason I am super glad I grew up outside of the city or even suburbs as a kid. I understand that I have to be prepared for no one to come. Tragedy can still happen of course, but I have a proper respect for the weather (especially Colorado, it changes extremely quick). My kids all have extra gloves, a bottle of water and an emergency kit with a blanket in their cars (christmas presents). I would love to be smug about it but I just feel other people may not understand how quickly things can change.
One course I am hoping to do with my middle school age kids (I run before and after school care programs in an ECE - 8th school) is about survival skills, basic first aid, babysitter training, etc. We live in the city and when i tell them the story of being late because of a buffalo they laugh, but they do not understand how much help they could be in a crisis in our area.
you know what is great for fashion ans survival? A good pashmina scarf.
first, the thing is huge it can be a tent, or a blanket for three people. no lie.
second, it doesn't matter how wet it gets, it's warm. It's just closer to you when it's wet. It reverbs your own heat back atcha. it's great.
third, it great for water filtration if need be (see 2).
four, it can be rope.
I know people think i'm completely bats, but I feel *really exposed* without my pashminas. oddly, for all of my minimalism, I own 5. And I wear them -- every day, every where, all the time. Seriously, it is the best. thing. ever.
I have a small swiss army knife on my key chain, and I also put a plastic bag in my pocket (it is held in a tight little ball by a bit of string and a rubber band). I can MacGyver a lot of different things with that stuff -- including making basic bandages (with pashmina or cotton clothing or even leaves and moss and stuff), and then, you know, there's putting the bag around some plant to get some clean condensation water, or just using it as an alternative water bottle (it's amazing how well a good plastic bag can hold water).
And, with a rock, my knife can make a little spark to start fires.
Honestly, it doesn't take a darn thing to be basically prepared, if you are fashionable.
The boy and girl scouts used to have great training in survival. My husband took out groups of them for winter survival trips. I remember great books of tips and things like starting a fire without a match when I was a kid.
Kids are not getting even the basic wilderness skills these days.This tragedy really bothered me. After I posted this story yesterday I volunteered to teach a class to young kids about wilderness safety.The organizers of this all day once a year program show kids basic firearm and archery skills.They had about 75 kids last year.
Spartana - for you:
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?7156-Walking-in-the-woods-don-t-die
I just keep this by the door and grab it on the way out. It's all ready to go except for the lunch and the water, nothing to forget, and I can't miss it on my way.
And remember: cotton kills :-(I do actually take more stuff with me if I am going on a planned hike or run in a remote area, have a small fanny pack with everything I'd need to survive several days in the wilderness (weights less then 2 lbs without the 4 attached water bottles - or once they are empty). But sometimes, too often, I just plan a short jaunt in an area that has people so don't bring much (sometimes nothing but my car keys, the clothes I have on (shorts, tee shirt, and running shoes), and wearing my dog tags for ID and that's it) and end up just keeping going and going and going like the energizer bunny until I'm far away from other people. So I need to get in the habit of taking at least my fanny pack with me (which is always in my car) even if I think it's going to be a short trek in a populated area, or just make it a short non-solitary trek. So it's not that I'm unprepared, just really never think I'll go as far as I do. So it's that "not thinking" part that will get me someday.
I think you are overestimating the military training provided to our servicemembers.
Was recently at an event that also included a group of deployed SeaBees and they brought nothing. Nothing.
I had just grabbed my regular ol' toolbox and they made several comments of, "Wow, she's prepared."
"Yes, I have zip ties. What color and size would you like?"Semper Paradus - the Coast Guards motto meaning Always Prepared - NOT! :-)! Most people in the military go thru a lot of survival training - and we did it ad nausem in the CG in all kinds of situations like leaving us stranded for a few days alone on a remote island in Alaska or out in the bayous, etc.. with nothing more than a buck knife. But that actually makes for some level of over confidence about ones survivability in the wilderness (or at sea, etc..) that I've seen from military and ex-military members (and unfortunately have myself) in survivial situations. Many military had so much survival training (surviving when you have nothing kind of skills) that they feel that they can manage to survive in a wilderness situation without anything but their wits - so don't bring things when they go hiking. That over confidence will get you killed pretty darn fast even with good survival skills.
Kids are not getting even the basic wilderness skills these days.This tragedy really bothered me. After I posted this story yesterday I volunteered to teach a class to young kids about wilderness safety.The organizers of this all day once a year program show kids basic firearm and archery skills.They had about 75 kids last year.But firearms and archery skills aren't wilderness survivial skills for the average kid. Do they do other survivial skills? Ones that would be more helpful like finding and purifying water, foraging for food, starting a fire even when it's raining, finding or making shelter, etc..?
How not to get lost.
How to get found.
How to take shelter from the elements - exposure is going to kill most people in many of our climate zones well before lack of water and food will be an issue. I think too many people have this fantasy of foraging food, but in reality they can go days without food, and unless they are good at foraging, and are in a favorable location, they will waste more calories foraging than they will find.
You will note the pack I carry prioritized making a fire super duper quick, and building shelters.
Miss Cellane
1-16-13, 4:47pm
I have no firearm or archery skills and I'm not upset about that.
On the other hand, I can use a compass, build a lean-to, know a couple of things about building/starting a fire, and I've built an igloo. The igloo building was the idea of a friend, who often goes hiking by herself in all kinds of weather and likes to be prepared for anything. We made it in her back yard and it was fun, and also educational.
But this thread has made me realize that while my car has a lot of survival stuff in it, I am not as prepared when I take a walk in the woods. I have most of the stuff I'd want to take--whistle, space blanket, knife, compass--I just need to find a small, easy to carry bag to put it all in. Any suggestions? I like to travel as light as possible.
But this thread has made me realize that while my car has a lot of survival stuff in it, I am not as prepared when I take a walk in the woods. I have most of the stuff I'd want to take--whistle, space blanket, knife, compass--I just need to find a small, easy to carry bag to put it all in. Any suggestions? I like to travel as light as possible.
Try a Flash 18 pack from REI (like http://www.rei.com/product/827110/rei-flash-18-pack) or something similar. It's very lightweight but still comfortable. I've carried a full climbing rack plus jacket, water, food, helmet and other stuff in or attached to it down a long rough hike in spitting rain and been comfortable.
As for this tragedy, totally preventable. But I've seen many cases of near-miss issues in the wilderness too. The very funniest was in Yellowstone, when we went down in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, down a hike of like 1000 stairs. This was mid-afternoon in early Sept, prime for thunderstorms. When we got to the bottom, sure enough it starts raining. There were about a half-dozen other people there, primarily in cotton and none with a jacket. We pulled our jackets from around our waists and put them on. One woman commented "Y'all brought jackets? Y'all are smart!". It was all I could do not to laugh. Most are more worrisome: giving people water in the (actual) Grand Canyon, lending jackets and other layers to people who failed even to wear pants for a hike that wound up in snow, giving hand warmers to nearly hypothermic hikers, and so on. I did do some stupid things when starting out, esp with clothing: jeans, cotton T shirts, etc. But after an early hike that wound up in snow when I realized how screwed I'd be if I twisted an ankle, and another that involved a leaking camelback bite valve and jeans on a snowshoe, I began to talk to more experienced people and learn a little more. Even experienced people can get bitten, though. Part of the trick is knowing when to turn around. When someone's jeans get soaked from a camelback fail on a snowshoe, turn around (we did). When someone runs out of water in the desert and it's 85F, turn around. Or stop and find shade til it's cooler. Or (if you are certain you'll be OK) share your water. When your 60F hike starts getting below 50 and the kids don't have rain gear, turn around. Or if you're lost, make a shelter. Or maybe check the weather forecast before you start.
Oh these tragedies always break my heart. We get a lot of them here abouts. Seems like each year someone is always lost in a place they shouldn't be or were ill prepared for. The Kim tragedy from about 6 or so years ago, was in my back yard so to speak. Very tragic, though the wife and children survived. On a road that people have died on before. The elements are not to be taken lightly. Having at least a basic survival pack like Bae suggests is a good thing. And having people know where you are and when you will return.
Miss Cellane
1-18-13, 8:01am
RosieTR, that pack looks great. Think I know where some of my Christmas money is going!
You brought to mind a day hike I took in the White Mountains. At the top of one mountain, we encountered a university hiking club. It was a hot day, but at the top of the mountain, it was much cooler and the wind was blowing--with the wind chill, it was probably about 40 degrees. Most of them were dressed for the hot, humid conditions at the bottom. It seemed like none of the women in the group had brought jackets, so all the young men were being chivalrous and giving the girls their jackets and sweatshirts. They didn't have enough food for everyone for lunch, and some people were running out of water. Few had on decent hiking shoes.
It was lunch time, so we pulled out jackets and vests and found a nice big boulder to act as a windbreak and chowed down. The kids from the hiking club were also eating, but there was a constant chorus of "I'm so cold!" "I'm hungry--is there any more food?" "My water bottle's empty, can I have yours?"
And this was the hiking club, where you'd think someone would know something about hiking in the mountains. It might have been a lovely clear sunny day, but very few in the group of 20-25 were prepared for the slightest problem.
...
And this was the hiking club, where you'd think someone would know something about hiking in the mountains. It might have been a lovely clear sunny day, but very few in the group of 20-25 were prepared for the slightest problem.
My hiking class was taught by a 60-year old woman with lots of mountain-climbing experience. Our first lesson was all about being prepared and the minimum supplies you need for comfort and survival in the wilderness. On our overnight hike/campout, she endeared me to her forever by banning singing around the campfire.
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