Posted on 01/15/2007 4:32:56 AM PST by nuconvert
Camper Lost in New Mexico Rescued Two Weeks After Search for Her Was Called Off
January 14, 2007
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A camper who became stranded nearly five weeks ago in a national forest because she could not cross a swollen river was rescued Sunday, more than two weeks after the search for her was called off.
A New Mexico National Guard crew waded across the icy Gila River to rescue a dehydrated and weak Carolyn Dorn of South Carolina, who entered the Gila National Forest alone on Dec. 6 for a two-week camping trip.
Two brothers found her Friday evening while hiking, said search and rescue coordinator Frankie Benoist of Silver City.
"They were walking along the river and heard a call for help," she said. "They would not have seen her if she had not called out. By that time she was very weak. She is extremely lucky."
Dorn was too weak to cross the river, so the brothers left food, water and wood for a fire and went for help, Benoist said. It took them a day to hike out and contact rescuers, who called in the National Guard.
"We needed a large helicopter ... one with night vision and a hoist, and we also needed a medic on board because of her condition," Benoist said.
Dorn was hospitalized in Silver City and should be fine, Benoist said. Her condition was unavailable.
Dorn, who travels often to Silver City, had planned to camp for two weeks. But five days into her trip, it rained and snowed and the Gila River rose, trapping her, Benoist said.
"The river got big, as she put it, so she did not want to cross it again," Benoist said. "It had become too dangerous and also she did not want to
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
A flare gun in that environment is a good way to set the woods on fire and cause a much worse situation. If you are going into the backwoods, or even if you are going to be driving out in the middle of nowhere in winter conditions, spring for a 406 Mhz PELT. I keep one in my flight bag, but I also carry it when I go skiing, on overnighter hikes or anytime that I think I might need it. A simple signal mirror is another good way to show your position without causing a wild fire.
Yeah it does. Someone else just reminded me of that story.
If she was lucky she wouldn't have gotten lost in the first place.
You make your own luck.
If she was lucky she wouldn't have gotten lost in the first place.
You make your own luck.
"extremely lucky"
Luck is the residue of good planning.
--I thought the search only lasting 2 days was kind of insulting.--
? She was lost on 12/6 and they called off the search on 12/29?
I admire Chris's free spirit. However, this guy was clearly an idiot. He may have had the basic goods to last the summer, (apparently not), but he knew nothing of the place and certainly would not have lasted fall, never mind winter.
He foolishly thought that all his previous luck was somehow skill on his part.
Chris was an idiot -- The author as well
For the poor judgment in not leaving an itinerary, she showed good judgment on the trail once the predicament arose - it's what kept her alive.
It is a great week for rescues!
THANK YOU! Finaly, somebody else who gets it......
She can't be too dumb, she survived for weeks, she must have known at least something of survival skills.
--For the poor judgment in not leaving an itinerary, she showed good judgment on the trail once the predicament arose - it's what kept her alive.--
It says she built fires to keep warm. Usually a national forrest is monitored for fires. Creating some smoke would bring someone to investigate.
"The search began Dec. 24 and ended Dec. 26. On the third day, after a large group of searchers with all-terrain vehicles, dogs and horses failed to find any clues, the search was called off, Benoist said."
I agree with you, she should have had a cell phone. But I wondered why the brothers did not have a cell phone either?
And then they left her all alone while they both together went for help together? Perhaps she wanted it that way?
Most of NM has no cell coverage. I'm only 20 miles from Albuquerque and nada, zip, zilch.
Yes and the Mountain lions and Bears would love to run into a snack like her too. She is very lucky.
Then she should have known the dangers.
Thanks, I'll look into that.
As far as the flare gun goes, I've kept mine from my days as a boater. Where I'm from there's usually not much danger of fire, at least not like in the West anyway.
But I'm the paranoid camper type. I've got a signal mirror, a whistle, some pen flares, and a large marine type smoke flare in my pack.
L
After the 26th searches would have been more difficult as we've had some record snows as of late. The National Guard has been dropping feed to cattle and hauling stranded folks out of their houses.
The search began Dec. 24 and ended Dec. 26. On the third day, after a large group of searchers with all-terrain vehicles, dogs and horses failed to find any clues, the search was called off, Benoist said.
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