*** ALERT *** APPALACHIAN TRAIL HIKER FOUND!

Lorraine Pace –

>But who knew that being legally blind was a get out of jail free card?<

Wow… That is just mind-numbingly ignorant. I thought I was done with this thread, but I have to add my two cents. Your post is one of the most cruel and insensitive comments I have ever heard. And, I have heard and been the target of MANY cruel, insensittive and simply brutal insults… It almost leaves me speechless.

Hello Ken-
We await your trip report with anticipation. We hope you will help your many friends learn from your experience.

This thread seems to be winding down and the "Learning from Ken's Ordeal" thread in Philosophy and Technique has attracted only two pages of comments. I will try to sum up my comments in this post.

Paul Haan summed up my comments on the failure of your group's leaders to do their traditional duty and sweep you along. Or, perhaps they offered, but you said no, "I am not part of your group and I will go my own way. You are not responsible for me in any way." Paul Haan summed these traditional obligation of leaders and organizers more completely than I and no one objected to his local words.

A GPS has become almost mandatory for backcountry travelers in recent months. The advent of the $100 Garmin eTrex H and the $170 Garmin eTrex Venture HC make "staying found with map compass and GPS" as affordable as $136 to $206. Both are equally accurate as the high priced models with unnecessary magnetic compasses that turn off as soon as you start moving and barometric altimeters that need constant adjustment to the newly accurate geometric altitude reported on all GPS models.

It is too bad that all of the GPS units mentioned in this post cost $600 and more. No wonder that folks don't need a GPS – at $600 and up, I might not need one either. No one mentioned having $6 Quad maps (or equal) with the UTM coordinate grid in NAD 27. PC maps cost $99 for all 1,900 maps in Oregon, for example. The "best compass for backcountry and mountaineering" is the clear base plate, declination adjustable Suunto M3 costing about $30.

The small SPOT Satellite Messenger costs just $149 plus the annual satellite telephone service. If used with care, it can call 911 and take the Search out of Search and Rescue.

People use their common digital cell phones every day to call for help. Take it along and save the batteries. Don't believe the naysayers. They aren't heavy!

Lastly, don't fall for the propaganda of Conservative talk show hosts like Bill O'Reily and Rush Limbaugh who demand that Mt Hood and Mt Rainier should be closed down for the winter to save the expense of rescuing the fools who risk their lives climbing to the summit.

Each State has laws governing reimbursement for SAR services. In Oregon, the maximum charge is $500 per person if laws were broken or reasonable care was not taken. ". . . evidence of reasonable care includes:
(a) The individuals possessed experience and used equipment that was appropriate for the known conditions of weather and terrain.
(b) The individuals used or attempted to use locating devices or cellular telephones when appropriate.
(c) The individuals notified responsible persons or organizations of the expected time of departure and the expected time of return and the planned location or route of activity.
(d) The individuals had maps and orienteering equipment and used trails or other routes that were appropriate for the conditions.

The elected County Sheriff responsible for SAR can declare that the "individual did nothing wrong" even if the individuals failed to do everything required by Statue such as carrying a cell phone. Goverment agancies seldom charge for rescue services.

"He who knows naught, knows not that he knows naught."

"Hiking the hills and scaling peaks have risks that are hidden to the uninformed and in part, these risks can be mitigated by opening the mind to learning the traditions, current skills, the use of great gear and from the experiences of others.

This knowledge can be learned from wonderful books such as Mountaineering, the Freedom of the Hills, from the world wide web and by the mentoring of others. Classes given by volunteers and offered by the major Outdoor Clubs of the world are a wonderful way to gain knowledge and meet informed companions.

I hope that posters will use as much thought as I have in commenting on this post. Please emulate the sweetness of Kendall Clement. I am new to this web and have nothing to gain from posting here.

A friend who has been a member of BackpackingLight for four years, emailed me with an apology for some of the posted replies I have received.

I can tell you that I was given a complementary subscription by BackpackingLight, so I am trying to pay my dues in this way. My posts require a lot more work than one line zingers.

Until SPOT sorts out the bugs, a PLB is the more conservative and far more dependable option for soloists. No check-in functions, but more robust, trustworthy and proven technology. Size and weight have been effectively halved.

http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk/products/product.html?product_type=2&product_sector=5&product=101

I've been a GPS fan for years, like using them and find them very useful. For some unknown reason consumer GPSs are regrettably growing in heft and unneeded feature sets. But, GPS chips are in so many products now that they've become commodities (cheap!) so all the hardware has to do is catch up with the tech. I'll bet dollars to donuts (mmmm, donuts) within a couple of years we'll be able to buy a usable digital camera/navigation-ready GPS that's all of five ounces. Or heck, how about a GPS Kindle?

My underriding concern is the lack of field-swappable batteries in a lot of the current cross-function devices. Who carries extra batteries for their cellphone?

What I'm getting to is my sense that what we "need" is a GPS with PLB function. Make it six ounces with a 2.5×4 inch OLED screen and AA battery power, and I'll be happy.

Cheers,

Rick

I hike the AT in that area frequently and I know how easy it is to overwalk a switchback and can certainly understand how difficult it would be for a visually impaired person to quickly catch a mistake of that sort, let alone find his way back to the trail.

Since I know that, I'm not sure I understand why a visually impaired person who's an experienced woodsman would undertake a hike alone without taking precautions commensurate with his disability. I seem to recall that even the able bodied Ryan Jordan took a satellite phone on one of his longer treks to assure his survival.

The money and effort expended on Mr. Knight's rescue by the public sector and private individuals would have purchased locator beacons for platoon of blind hikers. I hope Mr. Knight hears this and out of consideration and gratitude purchases one for his next hike.

Hello Roger-
Thanks for your comment. You under score an important point.

However Roger, you have misquoted from my post ;-(( Here is my full statement:

"A GPS has become almost mandatory for backcountry travelers in recent months. The advent of the $100 Garmin eTrex H and the $170 Garmin eTrex Venture HC make "staying found with map compass and GPS" as affordable as $136 to $206."

Roger, if you Google the phrase "map, compass and GPS" you will find that there are at least 295,000 documents with those three words used together!

A few sentences further on in my post I write:

"No one mentioned having $6 Quad maps (or equal) with the UTM coordinate grid in NAD 27. PC maps cost $99 for all 1,900 maps in Oregon, for example. The "best compass for backcountry and mountaineering" is the clear base plate, declination adjustable Suunto M3 costing about $30."

Let me restate our shared advice: You must use the correct topo map and a real compass together with your GPS.

As subsequent excellent posters have noted, you can carry your GPS shut off in your pocket and use it only when you want to confirm your position to an average accuracy of 4.1 meters.

Note that I use the Garmin Geko 201 when weight trumps utility ;-))

Thank you all for your support in getting informed discussions of this important subject.
-trad_guy

I learned navigation with map and compass (I guess I am one of the "old hikers" Roger referred to.) I quickly became map-obsessed, and I love having a full-sheet USGS topo to orient myself to the country I'm walking through. It literally gives me a big-picture view of where I am, something that a tiny screen GPS just simply can't do. I normally use just the map and compass, along with terrain reading, to keep myself "found." With that said, I do carry a GPS as an additional navigation tool that I use to get occasional "fixes" that I can then use with a UTM grid to pinpoint my location on the paper map. It seems the best of both worlds, and it's fun for me.

Incidentally, I use a Garmin Foretrex 101 without the wrist strap. It's very accurate, but very minimalist (comparable to the Geko.) It weighs next to nothing, uses lithium batteries and displays UTM coords in several datums. That's all I need with my trad paper map and compass. HYOH

Hey Ashley-
Thanks for your post confirming that cheap, light GPS units can work well too.

You mentioned the Wintec WPL-1000 and asked whether it might work on a long hike:

"Wintec WPL-1000 is an auto-show track logger that records track data from the received GPS signal. It is not only the best companion for sport and recreation but also the ideal application in fleet management and after tracking on PC.

All recorded GPS information can be downloaded to the computer quite simply, just plug-in the USB connector to computer and the recorded track will be shown on Google Maps automatically."

This GPS tracker might record your track for download to your computer for display on Google Earth, but it does not do what the Garmin and other "On the Trail" units do.

Many folks actually do not know that they can use the UTM location coordinates (in NAD 27 to match the Quads) shown by all hiking units to find themselves on a required map.

Ken posts "Even with these tools (USGS Quad topo map or personal computer generated equal) once you do find yourself in trouble their usefulness may not be as great as you first might think."

"After all, a GPS even loaded with waypoints, will only tell you an "as the crow flies" direction to travel. That direction could easily be impassible."

Clearly, a tool that can show you your precise location on your topo map, is a very good thing.

(Your unit should not be loaded with waypoints, just a few marking important points on your walk such as water, a shelter, etc. Store your 500 waypoints on your PC. ;-))

Recently a tragedy occured in the mountains near Bend. A father died of hypothermia and his son was cruelly hurt by freezing. They might have found the trail back to their car located not far from their original stranding but having only a GPS, (they did not have a map, compass or the skills to use these tools) they headed for a recorded GPS waypoint miles away down a restricted drainage.

A correctly set up GPS can show you exactly where you are on your map. You can follow your map back to trail or car.
–trad_guy

Hello Ken-
We all look forward to your "incident analysis!"

You suggested:

"May I suggest though that a more fruitful discussion would be focus on issues that are often glossed over such as what information should be left with people outside of a particular trip (e.g., route plan, gear list, photo) and what can be done when bad things happen. After all while I may be the latest person to need SAR services I am definitely not going to be the last."

Here is a message that has been offered to over 7,000 people in Oregon. It is short and sweet-

Four simple responsibilities of the backcountry traveler
Hikers, backpackers, peak baggers, alpine climbers, backcountry skiers, snowshoers, snowmobilers, horsemen, hunters and more
1. Tell a Reliable Person where you are going, what you are going to do and when you will return. Search and Rescue personnel will want to know where you planned to park your vehicle, its description and license number, what gear you have, the names, cell phone information and experience level of your companions. Of course, you must agree that you will call the Reliable Person when you return to town. Also, this encourages your thoughtful setting of a "turn-around" time for your adventure.
The Reliable Person must accept the responsibility to call the local County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue through 911 with the above information if you do not check in by an agreed-upon time. Experience tells us that the Reliable Person may not understand the importance of this responsibility. Your life may depend on a timely call to 911. Oregon Statutes require that you have left this information for Sheriff’s Search and Rescue services or you could be charged up to $500 per person.

2. The Second Responsibility of each individual backcountry traveler or climber is to be equipped with a light weight daypack and enough extra clothing, water, food and selected gear to survive an emergency stop of several hours or overnight. These Essentials are seasonal and should focus on keeping you hydrated and dry, eating simple carbohydrates, and able to stay in one place. If you become lost, signal your location, perhaps with colored tape or a reflective "space blanket", and stay still or exercise your large muscles at your marked position to stay warm. Do not try to find your way until you become exhausted, cold or dangerously wet. Wait at your marked location safely for rescuers. If you are not “prepared”, you could be charged in Oregon for Sheriff’s rescue services
Experienced mountaineers carry the traditional "Ten Essential Systems"!

3. The Third Responsibility is to have a topo map of the area, a declination corrected base plate compass (seventeen degrees currently in Central Oregon) and an inexpensive GPS.
A small simple accurate Garmin eTrex H GPS receiver costs only about $100 everywhere, a compass $35 and a 1:24,000 USGS Quad topo map, $7, total $137. If you do not have a “topo map and compass”, you could be charged up to $500 per person for Sheriff’s rescue services.
Experience tells us that you cannot get by with GPS alone – you need a topo map and declination adjusted base plate compass, and new skills to use them together!

4. The Fourth Responsibility is: Carry your common digital cell phone. Insure that you have the personal option to call for medical or rescue services. I would prefer to call for help on Friday morning at the time my leg was broken and not have to wait until Sunday at 6PM when I will be reported missing. In our experience, there are very few areas in our Oregon Cascades where a cell phone is out of contact. Several cell phones in a group are far better than one. Phone rescuers on your cell phone with your exact UTM (NAD 27) coordinates from your GPs or your map, your current condition and proposed plan of action.
An important new free service is the ability of Rescuers to request from your mobile phone Provider under FCC E911 Regulations, your general location triangulated from cell phone ping records. Another option for some is to carry a $150 SPOT Satellite Messenger which can give your friends or 911 your exact UTM location. Oregon SAR Statutes require you carry a means of communication such as a cell phone.
Copyright© 1995-2009 by Robert Speik. All Rights Reserved.

Hi John-
No, John, I don't mind.

You forgot the part about my being a former Chair for three years of the Basic Mountaineering Training Committee (BMTC and AMTC) of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club introducing about 1,000 new people per year with 30 classroom hours and four weekend trips to the traditions, latest practices, skills, gear, etc. of walking on the trail, walking off the trail, scrambling, climbing steep snow, rock and ice to a summit and then rappelling back from the top.

BMTC/AMTC was conducted in five areas of Southern California with a trained and tested volunteer staff of about 200 guys and girls. This is similar to the introductory classes classes put on by the Oregon Mazamas, the Washington Mountaineers and many other Outdoor Clubs.

Whew – I have a hard time saying anything short;-((
–Robert Speik

PS: John, I have ordered the Garmin to USB cable you suggested. Have you told folks here about this nifty affordable item of gear?

Hi Robert

I now understand where you are coming from, and why you are so keen on everyone taking care. OK, map and compass first. No argument that they are extremely desirable.

Where we diverge is on the philosophical issue of what many call the Nanny State. Saying that carrying a cell phone or a GPS is *mandatory* is too much for me. What if you don't even own a cell phone or a GPS? America is meant to be the land of the free, but all these regulations seem to be wrapping you in ever-tightening shackles.

Of course there is a conflict between personal freedom and "what's good for you". And of course fools impose a cost on society. However, I place personal freedom a bit higher up the totem pole. Such 'mandatory' rules would mean no-one could enjoy the freedom of their own environment without spending hundreds of dollars on electronic gear so the State can track them. I couldn't go walking on the local tracks near my farm without carrying hundreds of dollars of electronic gear. What will the next 'mandatory requirement' be? NO WAY!

Am I being melodramatic here? It might seem so, but we are playing out part of this battle in my own country Australia right now. A few vested interests (commercial operators of tourist adventure companies) are trying to force volunteer walking clubs to play by the same rules as are being imposed on those who sell 'adventure trips' to tourists, and some bureaucrats are buying their story. Such regulations would destroy all adult volunteer clubs, as they would prevent anyone from leading an adult club walk unless they had all the licences.

To make it quite clear: I agree and support the moves to impose regulations on those who sell their services to minors and unskilled people. They have a legal duty of care. We have seen too many cowboys in that area. The various Guides Associations in Europe and other countries around the world have a long and honourable history. But leave individuals and their friends free.

Cheers

"Where we diverge is on the philosophical issue of what many call the Nanny State."

Hear, hear, Roger. Your comments go straight to the heart of why many of us venture into wild places. Organizations, by their very nature, seek to impose uniformity and control.
For those so disposed, wilderness oriented organizations offer a safe, predictable "adventure", and I have no problem with that as long as participation is voluntary. But there is an increasing tendency to extend organizational writ and doctrine to all who enter the backcountry. In some cases it is justified, e.g. bear canisters, but will it stop there? I am beginning to fear that the days of those of us who choose to experience the wilderness in a "less structured" way, relying on our own wits, experience, and a bit of luck, are numbered. I hope I am mistaken.

Hi Robert,

The Easy Showily does give you position info whilst on the trail… but I didn't realise that it doesn't give you UTM coordinates. Back to the drawing board I guess.

I will probably end up with an eTrex H. But I would really prefer to find something lighter, such as the Easy Showily or the Holux M-241 which only weigh an ounce or a half (but unfortunately don't seem to report in UTM coordinates). All I need is something that will give my current position, as a backup/confirmation of my compass. Don't need any other fancy features. Is there nothing out there for under 2oz which will give me a UTM coordinate?

It must be possible, because I was under the impression that you can transform between UTM and lat/long coordinates (through some fairly complex forumla).

Whilst I can get around and "locate" myself using a compass and map, a GPS would be a welcome backup. On a number of occasions I have found myself completely mistaken in my position on a map… the confusion only lifting, or making itself apparent when I come across a feature in the environment which does not make sense according to where I thought I was. I've always been able to work it out in the end, but a GPS would have made life a hell of a lot easier. And if I were ever completely lost with limited vision (due to fog, snow) I would be extremely thankful to have it there with me.

Hi Robert

It would seem that we are not very far apart at all. Your OpEd piece was very good. :-)

My experience from many years bushwalking is that it is not the experienced walker who has to be rescued. I suspect this may be your experience as well.

It is the novice who goes quite unprepared, and I cannot see that saddling experienced walkers and climbers with legal requirements will solve that problem. The inexperienced (young males) won't carry any of that gear: they are "far too tough to need any of that stuff". Or "it is too dear and they don't need it anyhow". Well, Darwin rules.

Another class who gives us (including the SAR) grief here in Oz are the know-it-all adults who cheerfully volunteer to take groups of kids (church groups, school groups, etc) into the wild. They assume a duty of care with no training, experience or skill. They feature highly in the SAR statistics. This is where we do need serious regulation.

I support the idea that anyone who takes a party of unskilled children or adults into the wild, whether on a paid adventure trip or as an unpaid leader, has a legal duty of care. They should be legally required to have some assessed skills and should carry some means of yelling for help. A GPS is good but not enough: they should be carrying either a cell phone (IF they know there will be cover), a sat phone, or a PLB.

In our nearby Blue Mountains (where we get a lot of SAR), the local police station has PLBs for LOAN. They reckon it is cheaper to cover the cost of the PLBs. But I gather that the uptake has not been great.

Cheers