Hiker lost then found after cold night on mountain

[cynthia23]

I'm afraid I have to come down on Ed's side here, although I'm certainly glad the gentleman is okay. And as mentioned, I myself have gotten turned around up there.

[Cy Kaicener]

I was curious to see if Evan Gawlick of San Diego posted anything of his adventure on facebook. Nothing since his High Sierra trip a couple of years ago
https://www.facebook.com/evan.gawlik -- Log in to facebook to see his pictures and timeline
210 miles, 7 days, 1 spectacular trail -- Yosemite to Mt Whitney (lots of pictures)

Evan Gawlik added 200 new photos to the album: Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca, Peru (Part 2) — with Chao Chao Liu and 2 others.
July 25, 2010 ·

[Wildhorse]

It is now easier to understand how this fellow made it. His descent down San Jacinto would be fairly easy for someone who can complete the High Sierra Route in 7 days. That speed over such a rugged route suggests that he has exceptional balance and skill as a hiker, far beyond what mere fitness, preparedness and navigational skills allow one to do. I have a couple of friends who are like this. We always get into trouble. And then find our way out. They don’t wait to consider what moving in an unplanned direction might cause. They see a place they want to be and they go. (Me with them, the navigator, worrying.) It is a great way to hike, if you have the skill.

I am sympathetic with navigational mistakes, and their seriousness is greatly diminished by compensating recovery skills.

I was lost for a few hours in Joshua Tree last week and came back later than I expected. At the time, I had no idea that I was lost. I thought I knew where I was the whole time, having either misread my map or my GPS. No calls for help ever went out. No one else knew I was lost either.

Finding myself in a place unexpected was actually pleasant. On the way back I was again lured off route by some giant golden Nolinas. I lingered with them for a while before again finding my way back to my starting point.

So why are so many SAR operations conducted? Hikers getting lost is not a sufficient explanation or justification for the operations.

The answer may be complex. But I wonder if it helps to observe that our expectations of order that have developed in cities don’t serve us well in wilderness. Everything is scheduled, measured and controlled in our urban lives.

In wilderness, being lost is good. Coming back an unforeseen way is good. Lingering and loitering are good. The unexpected is good.