This article is about being prepared for the un-expected in the field.
Then again on a well planned trip, you forget an important item that might just save your life!
Many years ago when I was leaving Vietnam after a tour with the 5th Marines and got into the back to the Duce and Half, which was supposed to be heading to the airbase in DaNang a not so funny thing happened. As most know, since I was heading back to Naval Communications Station in the Philippines I turned in my M-16, 1911 and my M-3 Grease Gun. The driver a young Marine E-2 just in country forgot something very important, especially when you get lost and drive into enemy country. Maybe he thought he was in Conus and it was a trip into the countryside? We came under fire, with the yelling and moving into the driver’s seat, we all survived. His M-16 and bandoliers’ were still back at the command up on Hill 327!
In the modern day world I do not believe that anyone that goes out into the Great Outdoors should ever be in a situation of being lost and not being able to get back out on their own unless they are hurt and unable to move! One can be lost of course, but one should be able to recover easily from being lost in the moment!
Yet so many times we hear of kids, hunters, hikers’, cross country skiers, snow mobile riders, and mountain climbers getting lost for days. I wonder about the mine set of people, except the kids that should have help from guiding parents in the fundamentals of being in the outdoors.
Years ago mountain climbers were the direct cause of a National Guard Helicopter going down on Mt. Hood in Oregon, thus costing millions of dollars of equipment lose.
Just the recently there was a young man lost in the rugged Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. His comment after being found was “I am going right back out”, note that it was raining hard and the area is very steep and heavy timbered with many deep canyons of no return. Of course he did not have a GPS or any other type of communications that working in the field. I do not think he had a clue as to the cost, plus the fact he was a flatlander (from the Midwest).
Another one lost on Mt. Hood this week had forgotten this locating beacon. Everyone said he was a very experience mountain climber. Mt. Hood as any other mountain doesn’t care how experience you are, as Mother Nature is not forgiving! The Air National Guard in a Blackhawk Helicopter found his body! Terrible as he might have fallen and died on impact, but if not maybe he would be telling the story of the climb today!
I am firm believer of modern day GPS products such as Garmin GPS’s that have high sensitive antennas that will work in deep cover. Many do not realize that many GPS products that don’t have high sensitive antenna or WASS Enabled. If a GPS does not these features it will not record tracks or even pick up the satellites in deep timber.
Families that take their young children up in the mountains prior to Christmas to look for a tree for Christmas might think about having one of the Garmin GPS or similar products for dogs. Funny! Not really, as kids have a habit of moving fast and panic sets in. Many years ago (1998) in Oregon on such a trip a young boy was lost. I do not believe he was ever found, so the possibility of him being abducted might be there. The instance that the parent could not see him, they could have located him quickly.
There are also hand-held 2 way radios that will reach with line of sight for 25+ miles. Years ago there was a man lost in Oregon and the searchers were able to find him as he had a 2 way radio that he was sending out for help. It was picked up some 50+ miles away.
Persons that are going mountain climbing on such treacherous places such Mt. Hood, Mt. Lassen, Mt St. Helens or any other place with glaciers and changing weather at moment’s notice should have a locating beacon at all times with them. You can rent them on most mountains or just buy one. It is not required in the liberal state of Oregon. A few mountain climbing organizations’ feel it infringes on one’s right. Thou it is ok to bring out a team to find the lost souls and maybe lose a person in the search or equipment.
Have I forgotten about the cell phones, which have become so good with GPS and long lasting batteries? One can always have a solar cell and recharge the phone when there is some sun. I know it all about the weight when climbing, hunting or hiking right!?
For some it all about the money, yet how much does a pair of cross country skis cost, the outfit, the Weatherby rifle, and the mountain climbing goggles? Yet again is about being macho or just knowing you are the best. I feel the same way, but I know from being turned around a few times, that it better to be safe and make it back to camp then spend the night out. I have spent the night out in bad weather, not due to being lost, but because the conditions would put me at risk in treacherous rimrock of the John Day River Canyon!
Years ago while hunting in the Snake River Canyon I came out on the ridge road two hours after dark fell upon the Snake River and wondering where my horse was located. It was such a relief for me that Czar whinnied and I was able to get to him quickly. I never carried a GPS in those days, as they were new and I only packed a compass. I could have walked out as there was the ridge road, but how about Czar. A GPS in hand I could have plugged in the waypoint where I left Czar while I was elk hunting.
My thoughts are the following and if one ever wanted to hunt with me and I don’t have many hunt with me as I do not want the responsibility of them!
The equipment with the following attached is required!
1) Cell Phone – GPS capabilities if you not going to have a GPS.
2) A two way handheld communications device, similar to Motorola’s.
3) GPS – Colored with mapping capabilities – GARMIN is preferred.
4) Mapping to go with the GPS, such as Hunting GPS Maps that will give you private boundaries.
5) If in treacherous mountainous areas a locating beacon is required.
6) Some extra batteries for devices that are not using lithium batteries
7) Your own toilet paper!
In closing with just the GPS, one can back track to their original starting place and if the GPS has Topographic mapping, one could possibly figure out a direct route back if the terrain is manageable.
Don’t leave home with just your clothes, the basics and your bow or rifle!
