Emergency Plans of Action

[Stickboy]

Hi everyone-

Since this board is frequented by the RMRU folks, I thought it a good place to present something and ask for opinions.

I used to be a Naval Flight Officer, and whenever we were flying over "bad guy" territory, we filled out forms that had certain personal information, and our evasion plan in case our aircraft went down. For a long time now, I've been doing something kind of similar whenever I go off on a backcountry trip.

I call it a "Hiking and Climbing Emergency Plan of Action." It has information about "me", plus my plans in case something goes wrong. I'll usually leave a copy of this with my wife, and often a second copy in an envelope in my car at the trailhead. Usually my friends and hiking companions will chuckle at me for it, but sometimes they'll add their information about themselves, too. I find it most useful when I'm on a solo trip. I also attach a copy of my gear checklist, so searchers will know what I've got with me.

My opinion is that when we "head out" we do a lot of planning for what we *want* to do, but often not enough "what-if" planning in case something happens. Even if I didn't leave my EPA with somebody, I think it's a good exercise in terms of thinking ahead in terms of contingency plans.

So, my question to the group is "What do you think?" I'd especially like to hear from the search and rescue folks. My own most significant criticism is that nothing *ever* goes according to plan, so I wonder if an EPA would really help a SAR team, since the million variables of the real world could prevent me from executing the plan the way I intended.

Anyway, I posted an example on my summitpost account, and here are the links:

http://www.summitpost.org/image/383386/212841/epa.html

http://www.summitpost.org/image/383387/ ... age-2.html

I've got a pretty thick skin, so feel free to flame away, if necessary.

Live it up,
-sb
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[magikwalt]

I believe your EAP is right on track. I leave one on my desk and emailed a copy to my wife. That way she can transmit it quickly in case of need.

[zippetydude]

I don't think you'll get a lot of heat on this board, though I'm not surprised about friends razzing you. What are friends for?

I use something similar - I post on a dry erase board before I leave where I'm going, the route I'm taking, and when I'll be home.

I have even thought about making an imprint of the soles of my favorite running shoes (Montrail Hardrock, New Balance 806 EE) so that I could be easily tracked if I disappeared.

I also leave 3 stripes across the trail (by dragging the side of my shoe) anytime I go off trail. There is, of course, the danger that someone might erase the stripes, but I've never seen them gone when I come back down. My family knows what the marks mean, and are instructed to tell the SAR to look for them just in case I deviate from my normal plan.

Still, I like your organized method - especially if it's preprinted and all you have to do is check off what you've got. I might copy your example - it seems smart and efficient.

z

[FIGHT ON]

GOOD IDEA. FIGHT ON.

[halhiker]

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.
Lao Tzu

The more you know, the less you need.
Yvon Chounaird

Maybe I enjoy tempting fate but I don't have enough foresight to do check lists and such because I almost never really know where I'm going until I start going. Even then my plans change depending on what I find and how much my curiosity leads me astray. I also never take more than five of the ten essentials. What I do carry, though, is an intimate knowledge of the wilderness and a wealth of experience in all climates. Sure, there are times when I've froze my ass of because I didn't want the weight of a tent or when I stumbled out in the dark because I was dehydrated but that's part of the adventure.

I think a lot of this talk about safety is on account of Ellen's mishap and that's good but people knew where Ellen was, she used her skills, knowledge and will to survive an incredible ordeal. The one thing she could have possibly done differently is to have a partner along and she tried to get one. OK, she could have brought a phone.

Don't get my wrong. I'm all about being safe. I have a beautiful wife and two wonderful kids I want to come home to every night. I own a minivan. But there's a certain pull that draws me toward going places that no one else goes and going places within myself that I've never been. To go to those places I have chosen to accept a certain amount of uncertainty and travel light. And maybe, just maybe, it's not the places I go but the risk--and overcoming it-- that's my biggest reward.

All this talk about safety is making me want to move to a country club and live behind a guarded gate. And it's making me sleepy.

How about some more threads on someone's latest adventure?

I think my wife might give me her permission to have one in the coming weeks and when she does I'll let you know about it.

Good night!
Hal

[FIGHT ON]

"Vanity is definitely my favorite sin."
Satin.

Stickboy. Your idea is so good and so simple to do. To knock it for ANY reason is beyond being selfish. Hal. get over yourself. If you didn't have a family I would care only about the SAR people, BUT you do have a FAMILY. Shame on you. Ask your beautiful wife and 2 wonderful children if, when you don't show up, would they rather hand over stickboys paper to SAR or tell them, WE DON'T KNOW WHERE HE WENT. He never tells us because he says he has "an intimate knowledge of the wilderness and a wealth of experience in all climates." I can see the look on the SAR faces. Wait, are you the one wearing the red hat in that pic? I pray for your family. FIGHT ON.

[halhiker]

Who is Satin? I thought that was a type of cloth, the type you wear on most of your hikes, FIGHT ON.

Talk to me about my arrogance and vanity when I actually "don't show up". I've managed to have a pretty good track record until now. And I'm not knocking stickboy's idea. It's a good one but even good ideas aren't for everyone.

And as for praying for my family, the kid in the red hat is my pastor's son. His dad prays for my family, too.

[lipbiter]

Hey Fight On, get off halhiker's back. he's entitled to his opinion, as arrogant as they are, right? it's not like San Jacinto is that big. i mean, how many DAYS could it take RMRU to search the whole mtn??? (when all he had to do was take five minutes to leave a note as to his whereabouts). those SAR people don't have lives, jobs, or families... oh, wait, they do. and they DON'T get paid, they volunteer their time. but screw 'em, halhiker, what's important is that you go on doing your thing.

Halhiker, you, sir, are not a friend of SAR. perhaps you should join a SAR team (just not RMRU). after a few missions, you might see the wisdom behind Stickboy's EPA.

Huge THANKS to the rest of you who hike responsibly.

[Jim Bakos]

Now, now… No flame wars (or Walt, Kathy and Perry will wash our mouths out with digital soap!).

Sure a listed itinerary is a great idea, so are cell phones, 10 essentials, etc. Every little bit helps when we’re planning search assignments. However, as Lipbiter noted: It’s not a big mountain, we can (and have) search the whole stinking thing.

We rescue all kinds. It’s a free country, I support folk’s right to play it as safe as they’d like, or to push the limits. If your lost or hurt, we’ll come look for you no matter what strategy you follow.

--Jim

[lipbiter]

JB - i was being sarcastic it's a friggin' big mtn. case in point: john donovan.

p.s. sorry if i was flaming. halhiker gets my panties in a bunch.