Example of what most Search and Rescue call outs are for. This was pretty stupid. Totally unprepared, and lucky a storm didn't come in. There is a large storm forcasted for this area in the coming days.
http://www.ktvz.com/global/story.asp?s=11379962

We see this a lot in Colorado. I was up near the Continental Divide on Saturday and watched 4 bimbettes head up the trail in their cutest gym shoes, fleese sweatpants, and no discernable gear appropriate for conditions. Weather was unstable, squalls prevalent, prevailing wind gusting from the west to 40 knots above treeline.

They started out about 10 minutes ahead of me. I met up with them 200 yards past the TH as they squealed down the trail worried that their hair wouldn't be up for the date with Chaaaad that night because it was (Oh, m'GAWD!) SNOWING! Oh, m'GAWD! I almost choked on the trail of perfume they'd clearly marinated in.

I just don't have patience for this kind of BS. Where are we failing with education that either prepares people for the reality of the high peaks or scares them the heck away?

MarthaP wrote:Where are we failing with education that either prepares people for the reality of the high peaks or scares them the heck away?

I don't know about where you are but is there really any kind of such formal outdoors training available, e.g. in high-schools? Unless savvy parents are gonna teach their kids I don't see how your regular person is gonna be able to anticipate without some degree of research what a mountain can throw at them.

I loved the part where they say she had a map and a lighter, and burned the map to light an alarm fire, but failed to even do so...

obviously still high demand for the "Darwin Award" !

Odd thing is that she was from Bend; must be a newcomer. Kudos to her for walking 25 miles; onions for a lack of preparation.

I was struck that she couldn't start a fire, even with a lighter, and tried to use the map for tinder. I've come across many people who gather large sticks, and expect they will be able to light them with a match. It's as if no one had taught them about making fires. Maybe in this day and age of stoves, when fires are often illegal, that skill is lost.

nattfodd wrote:I loved the part where they say she had a map and a lighter, and burned the map to light an alarm fire, but failed to even do so...

Wasn't there a part in the Blair Witch Project where they're lost in the woods and throw away the map?

Baarb wrote:

MarthaP wrote:Where are we failing with education that either prepares people for the reality of the high peaks or scares them the heck away?

I don't know about where you are but is there really any kind of such formal outdoors training available, e.g. in high-schools? Unless savvy parents are gonna teach their kids I don't see how your regular person is gonna be able to anticipate without some degree of research what a mountain can throw at them.

One would hope formal education would be available to the general public, but there is nothing across the board. There are programs for at-risk kids, Outward Bound programs, that sort of thing. Overall, though, it's like trying to teach Americans English. "I alriddy no hows to talk and spill so why does I need to stoody?" Folks look out their windows, see the outdoors, and decide they already know what to do and how to handle themselves. I mean, it's just an afternoon hike for a couple of hours, the sun is shining....

We do have a terrific opportunity with the media, though - television mostly. Sadly they're more interested in selling a story than selling any kind of truth or education.

And, of course, everyone loves a good accident, the more embellished, the better.

MoapaPk wrote:Odd thing is that she was from Bend; must be a newcomer. Kudos to her for walking 25 miles; onions for a lack of preparation.

I was struck that she couldn't start a fire, even with a lighter, and tried to use the map for tinder. I've come across many people who gather large sticks, and expect they will be able to light them with a match. It's as if no one had taught them about making fires. Maybe in this day and age of stoves, when fires are often illegal, that skill is lost.

A lot of maps are made of flame proof (and water proof) material... Well, at least she didn't light herself on fire trying.

sjarelkwint wrote:Martha can you post pictures?

+1 LOL

I don't know, she spent a night out without provisions, covered 25 miles of terrain, never asked for help and got herself out of the situation. Then she didn't require medical assistance. If you've never been unprepared then go ahead and have a laugh but I don't know what I would have done differently. Except I wouldn't burn my map I would eat it for the dietary fiber.