‘When you find my body, please call my husband,’ wrote dying hiker lost along the Appalachian Trail

washingtonpost ^ | 26 May 2016 | M Miller

[Duchess47]

LOL, sounds like my old mare. I went riding with hubby and one of his friends to the river. Full of mosquitos and then them acting like cowboys, galloping all over the place.

I turned her around, said let’s go home. Instead of trotting down the road to home (about 5-6 miles away) she just started climbing a hill. I thought, what the h...? but thought I’d wait to the top of the hill to see where we were.

At the top, I could see our house, 1/2 mile away. Smart mare. Good mountain horse too. :)

[DUMBGRUNT]

If she’d had a gun, she could have shot an endangered species and the feds would have been on her in no time.

Two thumbs up! Many expert comments, but only one best answer!

[DUMBGRUNT]

Back in the 90’s certain backpacking leaders began to urge a minimalist approach to gear

A guy I used to climb with was an avid AT hiker, I ask about boots, he said running shoes! His wife, a school teacher used her summers to support his hikes. Most days it was everything in a fanny pack!

[goat granny]

LOL if we didn’t have smart animals, we would still be lost...:O)

[.45 Long Colt]

Oh yeah, footwear attitudes have changed greatly. I wore out two pair of Danners way back when, but I’m no longer a fan of the heavy old leather hiking boots. I don’t care for trail sandals or running shoes either. Over time I decided I prefer low-top Gore-Tex trail runners, something like Keen, Salomon, or Merrell make. But if snow’s even a remote possibility I would wear high-top version.

I know people who hiked most of the A.T. in a combination of crocs (the original ones with holes and a strap in the back) and Teva sandals. That’s not for me. I’d hike in Nike running shoes before wearing either.

[Talisker]

If she’d had a compass and the most minimal knowledge of how to use it she would have had no trouble getting back to the trail.

So very, very true. This was so totally unnecessary, especially by an experienced adult hiker.

[Duchess47]

Isn’t that the truth.

[GingisK]

Not that hard to tell directions even without a compass.

NONE of the methods you mentioned work when the forest is so dense that you can't see the sun, let alone the sky. That was easily her case. Take a compass with you, but use it.

[GingisK]

There is a device that people in Alaska pack into the wild. It can be triggered for an SOS, at which time it forwards your GPS coordinates to the Coast Guard, US Army, US Forestry Service, and selected law enforcement via an Iridium satellite. It costs $55.

[dhs12345]

Cool. Google is fun that way.

[dhs12345]

Wow. Perfect.

[GingisK]

I can't find the $55 unit, but here is one from the family:

DelMorme inReach

[GingisK]

This is the unit I saw in Alaska. It is not $55, so I must have associated the wrong price tag with the device.

Delorme inReach Satellite Tracker

[Jack Hammer]

The ‘modern’ wilderness is still... wilderness.

Not quite the same as a suburban sidewalk.

[snoringbear]

“Call it suicide by faking being lost?.....Hard way to die. Sort of like being locked in a jail cell and beating yourself to death with the toilet lid”

Not only did she have a compass she had a topo map - and per the article, she knew how to use them. So, you’re skeptical that she wanted to die? What’s your hypothesis?

[DUMBGRUNT]

https://www.rei.com/product/860469/spot-gen3-satellite-gps-messenger?cm_mmc=cse_PLA_GOOG-_-8604690001&CAWELAID=120217890000809938&lsft=

I have seen an early version on sale for less, but you still need the additional service.

[GingisK]

I see that service can be expensive as well. It is best to assume one's self to be worth such expenses when going into the deep wild.

Thanks for the link.

[dhs12345]

So your unit can communicate with the satellite system? That would be handy for search and rescue but maybe a little pricey for the average person. I presume that there is a subscription, too? But if you are a serious backpacker or travel to remote areas for long periods of time then it would be very handy and a potential lifesaver.

I prefer Garmin products and have had several models throughout the years. The up-loadable maps are impressive and each unit has several GB of storage for such purposes. Everything from city navigation with Points of Interest such as restaurants, gas stations, etc. to water navigation, to TOPO maps. All can be uploaded into your unit.

Also, it is a must to have a hardened unit (waterproofed, etc.) for harsh environments. Keep in mind that extreme cold and heat can affect operation.

Again, if you are planning to be in remote areas, always bring a map and a compass and know how to use them in case your GPS unit dies.

[GingisK]

I prefer the Garmin GPS systems as well. The unit to which I linked can report your coordinates through the Iridium network. That works anywhere on the planet.

Folks who go "deep wilderness" need devices like that most of all; however, response time will still be high because of the distances involved. They will usually select devices that will deliver voice over satellite. The Coast Guard will perform rescues deep in Alaska using a variety of aircraft including C130s.

I enjoy map & compass orienteering, so that is actually my primary method for land navigation.

[DUMBGRUNT]

Our son is, at this time off climbing in the Cascades.

I threatened to get one for him, so he could stay in touch! .

That was a few years back the hardware was a bit less but the service was up there!