Lost hiker at Tram 4/23/2010

[skunkboy]

Hikerbiker,

Thanks for the candid assesment of what went right and what went wrong on your hike. I think that for people who push themselves in the great outdoors, there is sometimes a fine line between elation and disaster. I'm glad everything turned out OK. From your asute analysis I'd say the biggest mistake was starting off so late. On the other hand, the smartest thing you did was remove your ego, and hunker down for the evening. The only lasting effect is that your wife probably wants to kick your butt for worrying the hell out of her and missing the McCullum show.
Sincerely
Skunk

PS. Cool idea about taking your boy down to the cave.

[Sally]

Hikerbiker, thank you so much for your very honest and introspective report. You have done us all a great service by reminding us to just take a deep breath and think things through before turning a bad situation into a disaster. It's amazing how you were able to keep your cool. My heart really starts pounding whenever I get disoriented. Glad you're back!

[guest]

Hi Hikerbiker,
Thanks for having the guts to post your detailed report so we can all learn from it.
As many rescue reports testify, it's usually a series of small mistakes that lead to a big problem, it your case it didn't, because you were smart & thought things through.

As HikinJim mentioned, it's a bitch when your in deep, unstable snow, downclimbing can be more dangerous. I also hike alone, as that point as been covered many times here.
I hiked the trail a few weeks ago before this last new snow, and it is not easy to follow where the real trail lies (under all the snow), and I've hiked it for the last 20 yrs!
Even if your able to navigate in the general direction, the snow & other obstacles often determine the more safe route.

Glad your well, and we're all fortunate to have the many SAR's teams here in our mtns & deserts, who serve, many times at great risk & challenge.

ss