What do you do if....

[Hawk-eye]

Sorry for the hijack ... but Aron Ralston ... when that report came out it made a shiver go down my backside.

Back in 75 I was in Chattanooga, Tn visiting my parents for the summer when I got this wild hair to try out a climbing area called Sand Rock in northern Alabama. Up there by myself and was doing a top roped climb using Jumars on a chest and seat harness. Several flakes involve a jam crack to get past an overhang. In one I inserted my left hand to just past the wrist and flexed the joint to jam it. The rock shifted and pinched my wrist just enough to hit a pucker factor of 10 on a scale of 5! Of course back then I was young and immortal and I was able to free it by reaching up with my right hand and pulling upwards. So it was forgotten a day after it happened.

But boy did Aron's story give me flash backs! You just never really know ...

[Coffee]

I hike and travel alone most of the time. Not always by choice. It's hard to find people that want to do the trips I want to do or have free time when I do.

When you hike alone you need to assume some amount of risk. So far the worst I had was hiking out with a badly sprained ankle.

This goes along with my opinion that you are the only person you can always count on to be there. I remember more than a couple times stopping at a shetler in the middle of nowhere on the AT alone. No cell signal for days. No one signing the register or to my knowledge for a week ahead. And no word of anyone for days behind. It helped to give me a lot more self confidence and comfort going places alone.

My opinion is a little different from others and to each your own, but I think you can play what ifs all day. You can't plan on everything or every what if unless you want to pack 100 lbs everywhere. After all we all know worest case.

Having said all that at some point I plan on getting a SPOT or a EPIRB for the better trips.

[animalcontrol]

IMy opinion is a little different from others and to each your own, but I think you can play what ifs all day. You can't plan on everything or every what if unless you want to pack 100 lbs everywhere. After all we all know worest case.

nice summary...couldn't agree more

[poker88]

Ham, or amateur radio

HT or "Handy-Talky" is a more "high-tech" version of the old Walki-Talkis' that we all used as kids. It is a hand-held Amateur band 2-way radio.

I like the idea of this but don't you need to get a license for it? How long does it take to get one?

[Cannibal]

nice summary...couldn't agree more

As do I. But, I'm looking for more specific items to take with me in this scenario. Granted, we all take risks with our outdoor lifestyle, most of which are outside of our control or influence. Sometimes, stuff happens. The question is, what do you do with what you have?

Do you carry your quilts/bag?
What about the tarp?
Sleeping pad?

Remember, the example I gave is the AT, but let's assume it is actual wilderness and 22 miles doesn't guarantee help, just access to possible help. Nothing is guaranteed, but you have to do your best to survive. There is no SPOT or transmitter carried, so your only option is to find help yourself. Weather is coming in, you're hurt and can't carry too much, terrain is moderate to difficult, and food supplies are low.

You have made a mistake, or a series of them, and are now paying the price. What are the critical items you would need out of a 'typical' backpacker's pack?

[animalcontrol]

As do I. But, I'm looking for more specific items to take with me in this scenario. Granted, we all take risks with our outdoor lifestyle, most of which are outside of our control or influence. Sometimes, stuff happens. The question is, what do you do with what you have?

Do you carry your quilts/bag?
What about the tarp?
Sleeping pad?

Remember, the example I gave is the AT, but let's assume it is actual wilderness and 22 miles doesn't guarantee help, just access to possible help. Nothing is guaranteed, but you have to do your best to survive. There is no SPOT or transmitter carried, so your only option is to find help yourself. Weather is coming in, you're hurt and can't carry too much, terrain is moderate to difficult, and food supplies are low.

You have made a mistake, or a series of them, and are now paying the price. What are the critical items you would need out of a 'typical' backpacker's pack?

good questions....would it be fair to ask (in your example) "what should you take from your pack and what should you leave behind to improve your survival percentage?"

[Cannibal]

good questions....would it be fair to ask (in your example) "what should you take from your pack and what should you leave behind to improve your survival percentage?"

Oh yeah!
Talk about difficult decisions. I would leave my hammock and it breaks my heart to say it. My trusted SteriPen would also be a memory because neither of those is critical to my survival, just handy.

The day I hiked five miles to the next shelter, I wore my Frogg Togg rainsuit and carried a small first aid kit, half a liter of water, 2 power bars, my pocketknife, and a lighter. It was the heaviest feeling load of my entire hike. Every step over every log was torture. Maybe that would have been enough to get me out of a wilderness, but it wouldn't have been an easy journey at all.

I'm just looking for some guidance from the group. I feel pretty confident in my abilities, but I'm sure there are more experienced folks here that could offer a little insight and tips for an emergency such as this.

[Doctari]

I hike and travel alone most of the time. Not always by choice. It's hard to find people that want to do the trips I want to do or have free time when I do.

Hey, it's not MY fault you moved to the foreign country of Louisiana!!!!



Mac: you left out a season word on your Haiku.

>When you hike alone,
Admire nature, accept risks; otherwise
Stay in a KOA<

Although, around here the KOAs close late fall, & don't open till late spring, and in many circles "Hiking" IS a summer only activity. So, Nevermind!

[Rug]

I like the idea of this but don't you need to get a license for it? How long does it take to get one?

Yes you need a license, but they are very easy to get and cheap. I don't know the rules/rates in the US, but in Canada the MAX that anybody can be charged to take the test is $40. Do a google search for AARL in the states to get more information.

[KerMegan]

I would go with firestating supplies and a deck of cards- rangers will come write you a ticket for starting a fire, and as soon as you start a solitaire game, somebody will turn up to say black jack on the red queen...
it's just the nature of the universe.

(seriously- keep the fire starters; warmth, lighting and signal all in one.)
KM