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In Yosemite's wilderness there are 800+ miles of
designated trails. It is not surprising then, that the majority of the YOSAR
missions are spent assisting an injured hiker or searching for a lost person in
the backcountry. Please read the following information taken from John Dill's
"Hiker Safety" presentation notes, to learn more about the potential dangers and
how to maximize your safety while on the trail.
On the Trail
Losing the Trail
Off the Trail
How to Prevent Becoming Lost or Injured
Before You Leave
What to Take
How not to Get Lost
If You Can not Get Out on Your Own
If a Member of Your Party is Missing
Keeping Perspective
Victim's Story
On the trail
While you are on a designated trail physical injury or mishap may become a
result of these factors:
· Being out of shape
· Becoming dehydrated
· Being/becoming ill
· Pulling a muscle
· A simple slip on a sandy/wet rock (causing bruises, sprains, or fractures)
· A sudden rain or snow storm (causing hypothermia, poor footing or poor
visibility)
· Downed trees
· High water at stream crossings (the last two are common in spring and may
render the trail impassable)
· Animal encounter
Any of these factors may put you behind schedule, out after dark, etc. or bring
you to a halt altogether.
Losing the trail
Losing the trail can easily occur, even with the experienced hiker. Contributing
factors include:
· A rocky or sandy area (the trail is hard to see; it takes a sharp turn but you
forge straight ahead)
· Following a false trail made by other lost souls
· Mistaking a drainage ditch at a switchback for the real trail
· Snow on the trail
· Detouring around windfalls (downed trees) or around a bad stream crossing
· An inadequate map
· Out after dark with/without a light
· Going off trail to find a photo op
· Deliberately trying for a shortcut (shortcut a switchback, only to have the
trail turn the other way).
Off the trail
Hiking off trail can be adventurous and fun if you are familiar with and
comfortable using a compass and map. Experienced cross-country hikers (even map
and compass instructors) are known to get lost when conditions aren't ideal. The
following factors should be considered before veering off of the designated
trail:
· Taking off cross-country without really knowing the terrain ahead
· Going down or up terrain you can't reverse, without knowing if your path will
succeed. If it doesn't you are stuck. Being stuck, if no one knows you're there,
means you are dead. You will die of starvation, dehydration, exposure, or
boredom. Even if you aren't stuck, you may be too tired, etc., to get out
safely.
· Trusting smooth, wet, sandy, mossy or loose rock for a foothold. Slipping on
this stuff in your backyard or on the trail is one thing. Losing your footing
next to a cliff or swiftwater is something else again.
· Getting careless next to, or in, streams, e.g., simply filling your water
bottle, swimming above dangerous water, boulder hopping, wading across, etc.
· Current is stronger than you think. Cold water saps your strength and
reflexes. Rocks are everywhere and hard. You'll be over a 15-foot drop before
you know it. Whitewater is half air/half water-you can neither float in it nor
breathe it. Hydraulics, entrapments, and strainers hold you under.
· Cliffs are obviously dangerous (innate fear of heights?). The dangers of
whitewater may not be so obvious, and, when standing next to a stream, there is
often no height difference to ring the alarm. The risks may have to be learned,
hopefully not the hard way.
· Thinking your skills in one environment (e.g., a strong swimmer in surf) will
transfer into a new one (e.g., swiftwater).
· Becoming complacent because nothing went wrong the last time you tried this
stunt.
· Remaining ignorant of the dangers or solutions because you're too busy having
fun to bother learning the serious stuff.
· Bad weather while off trail, if you're not equipped to deal with it and unable
to get out quickly.
So, expect trouble, but don't expect a rescue. Be responsible for yourself by
going prepared. In addition to learning to recognize the pitfalls above, a
little gear and planning is in order.
How to prevent becoming lost or injured
Before you leave
· Know your route and the forecast (mountain weather is often unpredictable)
· Leave your plans with a friend
What to take
Basic items per person (even for a short hike); don't let someone else carry
your stuff. Let the smaller children carry their own light, whistle, etc (teach
skills, responsibility, just like teaching them how to dial 911, how not to talk
to strangers, etc):
· Flashlight (plus spare batteries and bulbs)
· Rain/wind/cold weather wear (can be very lightweight)
· Plenty of water (at least 3 liters of water per day per person)
· Food
· Watch
· Pen/paper
· Whistle
· First-Aid items (Band-Aids, elastic bandages, etc)
· Your medicine
· Decent footwear
· Compass (make sure you know how to use it!)
Additional:
· Fire starter (matches, fire ribbon)
· Knife
· Emergency shelter
· Map
How not to get lost
Know the common pitfalls mentioned above. Watch for examples on the hike. Show
these to your kids. Get into the habit of checking behind you periodically, to
recognize your backtrail. Learn to watch for the first hint of disorientation.
If you become lost, how to get found
· Leave the following with a friend: your plans, route, vehicle description and
license #, recent photo, sole pattern and size, scent articles, gear
description, and who/when to call. (and your cell phone number?)
· If separated, yell, whistle, stop and listen
· Kids: hug a tree
· Adults: STOP. Learn your surroundings, explore carefully, and be able to
return to the last known point (pick something nearby that you can recognize at
a distance, e.g. a tall dead tree).
· Sometimes it's better to stay put, sometimes to move, but know when to turn
around or stop, and be willing to do so (remember the off-trail hazards, above).
Down hill or down stream is not always the way out (there are often cliffs and
waterfalls)
· Check your own pulse, recognize haste. Be willing to sit all night if you have
no light. Even with one, off-trail travel at night can be risky. If you have to
find or make a shelter, or gather firewood, do it before dark or before the
storm comes in, not during.
If you can not get out on your own
· Stay near an open area, for visibility
· Make a signal: a brightly-colored pack, artificial patterns such as tracks in
the snow, a signal mirror (not any old mirror), a flashlight, aerial flare, or
fire at night and smoke by day (but watch that fire!!)
If a member of your party is missing
· Search for him or her, but preserve tracks, scent articles (clothing, pack,
etc), belongings, witnesses, point-last-seen, camp, car, etc.
· Send for help, with a clear, complete, accurate report. Your report should
include an exact location, what happened, if there is an injury, the missing
person's medical background, if they are conscious, able to walk, etc.,
Keeping Perspective
The vast majority of hikers never get into trouble and we're not advocating that
you carry a 50-lb pack every time you go out in your backyard. Agencies like
ours may have a warped perspective because we only meet the unfortunate
minority. But in their cases, just a few pieces of gear and/or lessons learned
might have made a big difference.
Victim's Story
The following story, submitted by a victim of a search and rescue effort,
illustrates the need to be aware of hazards in the outdoors. His actions not
only endangered himself but those who responded to his aid.
What began as an innocent day hike, to view one of Yosemite's natural wonders,
ended in a traumatic experience at the edge of a waterfall. Listen to his story:
A bead of sweat rolls off the edge of my nose as I sit and rest, listening to
the sounds of the most magnificent forms of Mother Nature I have ever seen. With
great anticipation, I arrive and continue my climb trying to imagine what beauty
lies ahead. With each step, my excitement excels. I am determined to reach the
top.
My strides stretch as I envision a most spectacular view at Upper Yosemite
Falls, my temporary destination. I decide to take another short rest. I sit
under a tree, enjoying its shade, and my attention becomes drawn to a powerful
hum. A brightened smile appears when I realize that I am close to reaching the
top. I shake off my backpack and pull out a water bottle to quench my thirst. I
sip the mountain water and simultaneously my pores open, allowing the water to
exit my body.
As I feel my body cool down, I watch a group of Fresno teenagers make way from
the trees returning to the main trail. The leader and I exchange smiles. He asks
me how would a cool misty spray feel right about now. I answer with a slight nod
of the head. He explains that he is a regular traveler in this park and behind
that tree is a narrow path that leads to the base of the upper falls. He goes on
to say that it is a great place to cool off. With a strong wind creating a cool,
misty atmosphere, it seems like an innocent plan. I think to myself, "I have
been hiking for a few hours and it's almost noon. Why not take a break?" I
gather my things and head down the narrow path.
A thunderous roar deafens my ears as I approach the sight of the waterfall.
Standing next to a boulder, I set my bag down and let the cool mist saturate my
skin. I couldn't believe my eyes. I felt so small standing in the presence of
Yosemite Falls. I almost felt as if I were trespassing by invading Mother
Nature's territory. Suddenly I felt very cold. I knew it was time to get on my
way, but I thought a picture would capture this moment. The camera snaps, and I
walk back to my bag.
My first step proves the path was prone for disaster. My foot lost its traction
on the wet, slimy rock as I fall on all fours. On my hands and knees I slowly
slide down a long stretch of wet, algae-covered rock. My mind cannot even
respond. My speed quickly increases. My body is sliding out of control towards
the base of the upper falls. Before I even let out a scream, I plunge into the
roaring rapids that are heading for the lower falls of Yosemite's main
attraction. My body now is part of the water, and I honestly couldn't tell you
how I was feeling. I was basically waiting for the unexpected. Submerged in the
water for no longer than a few seconds, I a m tossed onto a rock that was right
in the middle of the waterfall. I stood praying for a rescue and thanking the
Almighty that I was given a chance. For several hours in hypothermic conditions,
I waited.
My positive and optimistic feelings started to drift away until the rescue crew
appeared. I felt somewhat relieved. Their energy awakened me and gave me anew
sense of hope. Although I felt relief, I wondered what they could do in these
conditions. I thought the rescue would require a miracle. I tried to keep my
eyes open watching them prepare to set up equipment. I regretted not staying on
the main trail as I tearfully watched these people risk their most precious gift
for me. Their courageous efforts are the reasons why I am here right now. I
cannot express enough of my heartfelt appreciation. Man has destroyed much of
Mother Nature and has polluted Her sacred land. I feel that by going off the
main trail, I too had invaded Mother Nature's space. Maybe my accident was Her
way of telling me to back off and respect Her territory. By staying on the main
trail, we all can respect Her beauty and majesty without endangering our most
precious gift - life.
The victim was cited into court for creating a hazardous condition. He was found
guilty by a U.S. Magistrate. His sentence was to pay restitution and submit an
article to the National Park Service summarizing his experience so that others
might learn.
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