On getting lost and dying

    There is currently a news story about a woman hiker getting lost on the AT and dying. She insisted on hiking alone, after her companion had to leave the trail. She got lost after leaving the trail to relieve herself, and she could not find her way back to the trail. It is presumed she starved to death. Her notes showed she lived for 26 days. Her body was found two years later. This shouldn't have happened. I have hiked alone plenty of times, walking in from a camp or walking out to a camp, or doing trail maintenance.

 Down here in the Everglades and what they are now calling the Western Everglades, Big Cypress, plants grow year round and can envelope trail blazes pretty rapidly. Many people do not realize when they leave the trail to relieve themselves, or go look at something, that when they turn around and look back, they can no longer see the trail in many cases, much less the blazes. Trail blazes are meant to be seen while on the trail, not from off the trail. They do not usually encircle a tree or down here, a palm trunk. The trail is a narrow path in the woods generally, not an open cut in the trees like a road. You can actually cross a trail without seeing it, if you aren't paying attention. But then, if you aren't paying attention you shouldn't be out there.

So, when you decide to leave the trail for any reason, I suggest that you tie or hang something on a trail side tree that you can see from a distance. Use something bright colored and hang it above head height if you can depending on height of plants in the area. If there is a breeze, orient it so it moves in the breeze. If the area is heavily overgrown you may want to carry some fluorescent flagging tape to use to mark your path back to the trail. Be sure to remove the tape as you return to the trail. Remember follow Leave No Trace principles.

If you are lost, you need to be seen in order to be found. In order to be missed you need to tell someone or many where you are going and when you will be back. Always file BACK COUNTRY PERMITS so the land manager/agency knows that you are out there and where you expect to be. This gives them an idea where to search.  Photo from a helicopter, could you find a person?

    Always carry something multipurpose that you can use for a SIGNAL. An emergency blanket that is silver spread out on the ground and held down with sticks or rocks in an OPEN area. A red piece of clothing or bandanna will work also. I have helped looking for people from a helicopter - it is very difficult to see people under trees. If you hear a helicopter or airplane get out in the open so they can see you. Do not start a wildfire to attract their attention, you may end up getting charged for it. Don't laugh, this has happened. 


 Proper equipment; GPS is an option, but you should not be out there without a map and compass. You need to have a current topographical map of the area, and a compass, and know how to use them. Custom maps can now be ordered on line for areas.  Phones, GPS and the like are quite nice until they lose (not loose!) their connection, run out of batteries, fall and break, get wet, etc. There are very few cell towers in the wilderness or remote areas and this is as it should be. You could climb a pine tree out there and still not get a signal. If you really depend on a phone then you should consider a satellite phone.

While I'm at it, here are the ten essentials to carry:

1) water & water treatment (lots of good options available now)
2) whistle
3) food (always carry some survival bars)
4) fire starter (you can make this yourself)
5) knife and/or multi-tool
6) rope or parachute cord
7) map and compass
8) flashlight or headlamp
9) first aid kit (know how to use what is in it!)
10) proper and extra clothing (check the weather before you leave)

Over the past two weekends I went up to Palm Beach county to check out J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area. I had previously only been to Corbett's youth camp for Florida Trail Association south regional conferences. The area explored is one used by hunters but the season is currently closed. Here are some of the wildflowers and views of the area.

Some of the Polygala blooms we saw.