Emergency Plans of Action

[Jim Bakos]

Well, if we have to search the entire mountain range, they'll likely not be found quickly (i.e. John D.). I know Hal gets you in a bunch Lipbiter, but John Donovan had an itineary-- he just turned right at Saddle Jct, instead of left or straight.

If everyone hiked responsibly, look at all the helicopter rides we'd miss!!

As far as I'm concerned, there are good points in all these arguments. Would I like to see it easier for SAR, sure. But, even if it ain't easy, we'll still be out in the heat or cold searching for the lost and injured.

Everyone stay safe!

--Jim

[AlanK]

Dumping on halhiker seems unfair to me.

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.

Is there really no room for that spirit anymore? I would not encourage every inexperienced novice to go wandering off into the woods alone with no plan, but Hal evidently understands what he's taking on. Let him decide how to conduct himself.

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.

There are a lot of ultralight hikers out there who break some of the standard rules. I have seen no data suggesting that they have a higher accident rate than any other well-prepared hikers. Again, I would not encourage every inexperienced novice to go wandering off into the woods unprepared but, again, Hal evidently understands what he's taking on. Let him decide how to conduct himself.

The sarcastic comments about making the SAR peoples' jobs harder are uncalled for. If Jim Bakos, or anyone else who actually does SAR, wants to offer advice or opinions, I will treat them with the respect they have earned. But let's not allow our conversations here to degenerate into "do what I say or else you'll be abusing the SAR people."

[Cy Kaicener]

There is a log book in a cannister under one of the picnic tables, but hikers going higher hardly ever sign in there. This is a second precaution after leaving an EPA with your family or friend.

[Rob]

stickboy, there was a discussion of emergency data last year on one of the boards (I don't remember which one) that inspired me to draft my own hike data sheet, similar to yours. On mine I included:

Hike date:
General area:
Hiker names & cells:
Parking lot:
Car make, model, & license plate:
Specific trail:
Goal:
Possible alternate trails & goals:
Start hike time:
Calculated hike end time:
Wilderness Permit required?
Equipment:
Hiking boots brand name: {aluminum foil imprint stored on top of china hutch}
Map (attached)
Ranger Station Phone number:
Mt San Jacinto, Idyllwild Ranger Station, US Forest Service 1-909-382-2921
Mt San Jacinto, Idyllwild Ranger Station, California State Park 1-951-659-2607

I filled out that form (my 'flight plan') diligently for about 3 hikes; then I got lazy and provided less information, sometimes laying only a map or a notepad with a list of mountains on my wife's keyboard when I left the house. I think that each of us has to find a balance between providing too little info (therefore of no practical use) and too much info (therefore too hard to do faithfully).

[halhiker]

"man's got to know his limitations"
Clint Eastwood in one of those Dirty Harry movies.

I am not against plans. I just don't make them because exploring is a big part of what I enjoy doing. I have railed against people undertaking adventures that are beyond their experience (e.g., Skyline in summer). I know people in SARS (or who have been). I have friends who have died in the wilderness. I am well aware of the dangers involved. That is one reason why when traveling alone I dial down the risk factor. But the fact is that one can be too safe, too cautious and too timid. If I worried about what could happen all the time I'd never get off the couch.

I don't think many of the recent rescues were hampered because of the lack of a plan. If anything, maybe some of the rescuees should have deviated from their plan (i.e., the Marines) when their plan wasn't working. And no plan will help you if you don't know what you're doing.

And if I get your panties in a bunch maybe it's time to go commando.

[Hikin_Jim]

Well, for whatever it's worth, I'll put down my usual "hike plan" below. I keep this in my email "sent" folder and modify the last one I sent as needed for each new trip. Then I call my "responsible party" and let them know I'm going hiking, what time I'll check back in by, and that I've left them an email with the details. I usually tell my "responsible party" to call the Sheriff's Dept. and ask for the SAR coordinator since most SAR teams are run by the Sherrif's Dept. I also list family contacts and my fiancee's number since it could be that I just forgot to call in and someone may know where I am. I usually include a description of what I'm wearing but don't break out the equipment (too impractical). Haven't done the alum. foil bootprints yet, but it's a good idea.

Jim

I'm going to go hiking in Haines Canyon here in Tujunga at 11:00 AM today. I will go up Haines Canyon Ave by car and start walking when the road turns into FR 2N76. When 2N76 leaves the canyon bottom, I will continue up canyon on the Sister Elsie Trail. I will go to the junction with the trail that connects back up with 2N76. This junction is still in the canyon bottom. I will then take the right (east) branch from the junction and continue on for another 15 or 20 minutes. I will not go all the way to the top of Mt. Lukens. I will not go past the point where the right branch re-joins 2N76. I will return the way I came.

I will be back by about 1:00 PM. If you don't hear from my by 3:00 PM, please follow the standard procedure below.

Jim

STANDARD PROCEDURES
If you don't hear from me by the designated time, wait an hour and then call me on my cell phone. If I don't answer, please page me. If I don't respond to the page within an hour, please call the LA Sheriff's Department in La Crescenta, ask to speak to the SAR coordinator, and report the below. Please also provide them a copy of this email.
Car -- 2002 Honda Accord, Silver, 4 door, license 9XXX999
Self -- 45 year old male, 6'0", 210 lbs, dark blond, blue, medium build, experienced hiker, typically well prepared.
Clothes -- nylon khaki pants and maroon nylon shirt with a whitish canvas "Tilley" style hat. Large blue daypack. Bright red GoreTex jacket (if needed).

Home 999-999-9999
Cell 999-999-9999
Pager 999-999-9999
Office 999-999-9999
Sister (Eleanor) 999-999-9999 home or 999-999-9999 cell
Mother (Marjorie) 999-999-9999 home or 999-999-9999 cell
Fiancee (Michiko) 999-999-9999 home or 999-999-9999 cell

[lipbiter]

LOL maybe you're right, halhiker. but for now, i will consider underwear as part of my 10 essentials.

[Hikin_Jim]

I dunno, but maybe a little starch would help them to keep from getting twisted?

[halhiker]

LOL maybe you're right, halhiker. but for now, i will consider underwear as part of my 10 essentials.

Personally, I haven't had use for the confounded things since my youth.

Went for a nice hike today on a new trail behind Target in Palm Desert and didn't tell a soul. Of course, I was only out an hour but you never know....

[Stickboy]

Eeek-

Nothing like a "spirited" debate, eh?

I agree with the thought that part of the adventure, to some, is the thrill of the unknown, and the ability to be self-sufficient, especially in the face of adversity. In fact, part of the concept of my emergency plan is to map out how I plan to self-rescue in the event of a problem.

I am a doctor, and member of the Wilderness Medical Society. I have a lecture I give about First Aid Kits, and one one of the main points is a slide that says: "Pack This First:" which includes "Use common sense, Use good judgement, and learn basic first aid skills." No plan or equipment list is a substitute for such true "essentials."

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things you don't plan for. One could have all the knowledge and experience in the world, but sometimes it simply doesn't matter. The accident reports are full of stories of these folks who fell victim to an unpredictible storm, injury or other problem. (Granted, there are *more* stories about the inexperienced, but nobody is bulletproof)

It's funny. I'm much less concerned about something bad happening to me "out there" as I am concerned about being embarassed as "that guy" who had half the state's SAR teams looking for him for a week, because I didn't want to bring along the $10 compass. One thing to remember is that our decisions, as much as we'd like, are not made in a vacuum. I can sortie forth, alone and unafraid, ready to rely on my ability and judgement and accept the concequences. However, odds are that if something happens to me, nobody is going to sit still and say "well, he got what he deserved." The SAR teams will head out, and I may be putting them at risk by my actions. I know they don't mind (they wouldn't be doing it if they did), but it still goes back to being "that guy."

Back to my original question, though...I'm not sure if I explained it right. Does an emergency plan really help SAR that much? (other than the physical description/equipment list/colors). I assume that the SAR team will execute their own plan, so I wonder how much they would be influenced by someone's EPA anyway.

Thanks to all for the discussion, and the other examples of emergency plans. Thanks especially to the SAR folks who will go out time and time again, in the worst conditions to find "that guy."

Live it up,
-sb