View Full Version : Hikers lost on Old Speck Mtn. found
2 ill equipped and unprepared hikers have a rough night wandering around Old Speck.
http://www.sunjournal.com/search.php?ID=179385 (http://www.sunjournal.com/search.php?ID=179385)
http://www.sunjournal.com/search/story.php?ID=179385
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/3248485.shtml
here's another link to the story. No rain gear, only one functioning mini-mag light. They're lucky they were fit and did not panic. They survived a very dangerous situation.
RockyTrail
10-23-2006, 15:24
The article says they were wearing "sneakers".
Guess they were trying to go UL:D
No trip plan? At least they didn't have to cut off a hand to survive.
TJ aka Teej
10-23-2006, 16:37
Read about this on Views From the Top, glad it had a happy ending, hope they get a bill.
Jack Tarlin
10-23-2006, 16:56
No indication from any of the coverage on whether or not they carried maps, but my guess is they didn't.
This should be very instructive for folks who've repeatedly come on to Whiteblaze and told newcomers that one doesn't need maps on the AT; that everything is clearly marked; that one never stays lost for very long.
These guys are very lucky to be alive.
No indication from any of the coverage on whether or not they carried maps, but my guess is they didn't.
This should be very instructive for folks who've repeatedly come on to Whiteblaze and told newcomers that one doesn't need maps on the AT; that everything is clearly marked; that one never stays lost for very long.
These guys are very lucky to be alive.
They were also lucky to be young and strong. Jumping from rock to rock in a storm swollen stream is not my idea of a fun night. Had they been out another night they probably would have died. Several inches of wet snow fell Friday a few miles away at the Saddleback Ski Area where the Maine Mountain Conference was held.
The power was out at least twice during Friday night.
Weary
This should be very instructive for folks who've repeatedly come on to Whiteblaze and told newcomers that one doesn't need maps on the AT; that everything is clearly marked; that one never stays lost for very long.
And if I may add, every day trip in outback regions especially should be planned as if it it could become an overnighter. These guys learned this the hard way and managed to come out of it with only psychological scars. Like Weary said, had they been out there the following night when the wind and rain/snow was at it's worst(winds to 50 mph) the outcome for these guys might have been grim. Better to have gear you may not need than to need it and not have it.
Lone Wolf
10-24-2006, 15:26
Saved by a cell phone...
Standard equipment, just like Leki poles.
Jack Tarlin
10-24-2006, 15:55
Unless of course your cell phone becomes lost; inoperable; the batteries die; you drop it in a stream; etc. Then of course, there are the numerous places where a cell phone doesn't function anyway. There's also the the fact that if you're totally lost, or bushwhacking like these guys were, even with a working phone, you might not be able to give an accurate description of where you were located, where you were heading, etc. Calling for directions, or asking people to come rescue you when you're hurt or lost isn't gonna do much good if you've no idea where you are or which way you're going.
A cell phone is a tool like any other, but carrying one is NOT a replacemnt for carrying other vital gear, such as maps, extra clothes, firestarters, etc.
Sooner or later, someone whose sole "emergency" item is a cell phone is gonna end up dead.
Saved by a cell phone...Yes, but they were lucky. What if the cell phone hadn't worked? That's why you need to carry a GPS as well as a cell phone!
Jack Tarlin
10-24-2006, 20:13
And what if your GPS didn't work either?
Gadgets of any sort are no substitute for proper planning, preparation, and tools, such as current Trail maps and the ability to read them.
Gadgets and toys should always be your SECONDARY defense in an emergency, but not your primary one, and NEVER your only one.
once you leave town, turn your cell off, when it is searching for signal, it is using up battery power quicker than when it has signal
Their cell phone didn't save them, but it did manage to put a dozen or more rescue personell at risk while they searched in the dark and rain(crud) all night for 2 moving people with an unknown location. I feel bad for the searchers being called out(*#*#cell phone) to look for these idiots. A cell phone in the wrong hands can be a dangerous weapon.
Jack Tarlin
10-24-2006, 20:59
Would you have felt better if they'd died? :-?
Honestly, they were indeed foolish, and of course, their actions did indeed put other people at risk, but people that work on Rescue Squads EXPECT to be called out of bed in the middle of the night.
That being said, I hope these guys get billed for the rescue.
Would you have felt better if they'd died? :-?
Honestly, they were indeed foolish, and of course, their actions did indeed put other people at risk, but people that work on Rescue Squads EXPECT to be called out of bed in the middle of the night.
That being said, I hope these guys get billed for the rescue.
I'll have to read the story again, but if I remember rightly these guys weren't rescued. They walked out on their own.
The potential rescuers spent much of the night looking for them. But the lost hikers simply followed a stream down until they hit a road. All the cell phone did, as I remember, was to keep rescuers up all night wandering in the rain.
Had conditions worsened, the two would have probably died with or without a cell phone.
Weary
Jack Tarlin
10-24-2006, 21:45
Actually Weary, they DID call for help, and as a result, resuers were called out on their behalf.
The fact that these intrepid adventurers "rescued" themselves is irrelevant, if it is deemed that the emergency situation they found themselves in (and the subsequent rescue effort) came about due to negligence, carelessness, and stupidity.
Assuming of course, that they charge for needless Search and Rescues in that neck of the woods.
Jack, I agree billing them is not a bad idea but its a slippery slope at best. Where do you draw the line? Who gets to decide who is billed and who gets a pass?
Jack Tarlin
10-24-2006, 21:51
The people who get to decide should be the Law Enforcement and Rescue people at the scene, who are experts in the field, and are in a perfect position to judge whether or not an incident was preventable, or was caused through recklessness and foolishness.
Young skulls full of mush.
Used to be one.
Been lucky a few times.
Grew up.
Got old.
AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!
O, to be young again!:p
Actually Weary, they DID call for help, and as a result, resuers were called out on their behalf......
Obviously. Otherwise the rescuers would have stayed in bed. I think Maine has some kind of law requiring payment in certain circumstances. But I doubt if it covers this situation.
The story doesn't spell out who the attempted rescuers were. Normally the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife are the responsible party. But ski areas typically have volunteer rescue squads. I don't know what compensation, if any, is paid these volunteers. Maybe they get ski passes.
Weary
bigcranky
10-24-2006, 22:26
O, to be young again!:p
I wouldn't mind having back the physical abilities of my youth, but I'd like to think I wouldn't be such an idiot the second time around.
I have to agree with Woodsy that day hikers in the backcountry need to be prepared to stay out for the night. I sometimes feel like an idiot, carrying my full day pack when the weather stays perfect all day and no one ever gets hurt. (Especially when I pass long lines of dayhikers walking up Wilburn Ridge carrying nothing more than a 500ml water bottle. No rain gear, no pack, nothing.) But I still do it, because I've seen the weather change dramatically for the worse, and I've seen hikers with severe injuries, and I'd like to improve my odds.
I wouldn't mind having back the physical abilities of my youth, but I'd like to think I wouldn't be such an idiot the second time around.
I have to agree with Woodsy that day hikers in the backcountry need to be prepared to stay out for the night. I sometimes feel like an idiot, carrying my full day pack when the weather stays perfect all day and no one ever gets hurt. (Especially when I pass long lines of dayhikers walking up Wilburn Ridge carrying nothing more than a 500ml water bottle. No rain gear, no pack, nothing.) But I still do it, because I've seen the weather change dramatically for the worse, and I've seen hikers with severe injuries, and I'd like to improve my odds.
I usually think of my ability to help others when I put on my "survival pack" for a day hike. I've been criticized for carrying a first aid kit which is far too extensive for one person on a day hike. That's exactly the point. I'm not the only one on the trail.
Pokey2006
10-25-2006, 05:39
I'll go back to what Jack originally said, and point out again that carrying one little map would have a) showed the guys how to get off the mountain and b) helped them tell their rescuers how to get them off the mountain if they couldn't do it themselves.
Ya, those guys were ill-prepared. But I will say, it sounds like they had the right attitude about it. It would have been all good if they had just not made that cell phone call...
SGT Rock
10-25-2006, 06:03
Saved by a cell phone...
Either your kidding or you didn't read the article.
Just reading this thing, a trail map would have been exactly what these guys needed since they at least had the sense to follow a marked trail for a while. Too bad they picked the wrong one there. Then when they left that trail, the map could have shown them the best route to safety - which they eventually found anyway...
Cell phone only put other people in danger trying to find people that could make it out on their own.
TheLostHiker
12-16-2006, 05:13
I know this thread is old, but I am just coming across it. I am one of the hikers who was lost. My friend, Ryan, has since moved (at least temporarily) to Texas for unrelated, personal reasons.
I'd first like to state, yes, we were ill-prepared. We had just enough water with us to sustain ourselves, but certainly should have had more as evidenced by some nasty cramps received while trying to sleep a couple times. We also had just enough food, leaving one granola bar in the box at the end of the ordeal.
To answer some questions or points...
We were not charged for any of this, nor do I think Maine does that. If it makes you feel better, I had to spend $200 to get my camera fixed.
Technically, we would have been able to walk out to a paved road entirely on our own, but the cell phone (which had GPS tracking on it, but was only useful the second day when they were able to triangulate our position) did help in saving us another five to ten miles of walking on a gravel road. And yes, we should have had more stuff with us because I was unable to find my phone for several hours at one point. That's why we thought we would have to walk out. Shortly before setting out again I did find it in a box inside a bag underneath my camera and some other things.
While I am the first to admit we didn't have nearly enough preparation, I want to also add that we only thought it would be a six hour hike at most, maybe seven if we detoured to check out a mountain pond. We should have had some sort of map and probably a GPS device (which I have but didn't bring because 1) I don't have any detailed maps for it and 2) I didn't plan on bushwhacking), but in the end we didn't. We did have three layers of upper-body covering, gloves, hats, and a knife, however. I had hiking boots (which gave me a couple awesome blisters), but my friend had ratty shoes I told him he shouldn't have brought before we even left my driveway.
TheLostHiker
12-16-2006, 05:51
Here is a working link by Terry Karkos, an excellent journalist and our ride back to my vehicle: http://www.sunjournal.com/story/181235-3/OxfordHills/Hikers_found_safe/
I would like to state for the record, however, that we were not lost last year. We intentionally went up the side, but could always see Route 26. When we started heading down we were not on a trail (since we didn't use one to go up), but we eventually came across an abandoned, rocky one. The reason we had to head down was because the sun was falling. Again, we were not lost that time. Although, we did come out about a five minute walk along the road to the right of the parking lot.
Also, for the record, it was not a mini-mag light, it was a medium sized one (2 double d batteries) plus a crappy, plastic flashlight which mostly saw its use during breaks when we needed to find water in our backpacks or re-tie our laces.
Fannypack
12-16-2006, 07:51
Here is a working link by Terry Karkos, an excellent journalist and our ride back to my vehicle: http://www.sunjournal.com/story/181235-3/OxfordHills/Hikers_found_safe/
I would like to state for the record, however, that we were not lost last year. We intentionally went up the side, but could always see Route 26.
:welcome
Thx for posting to this forum. It sounds like u may have learned from this experience. What did u learn from this experience?
Gotta a question for u, do u see why some persons would feel that calling 911 with your cellphone put the resuers in danger? (of curse, u did not intend to do this) NOTE: on this forum, there is a constant debate about hikers thinking that a cellphone is "the lifeline" in case of emergency but in this situation, it sounds like u may have learned a valuable lesson.
On this forum, you maybe criticized for your actions, but i do thank you for posting here. Just remmeber, u don't need to defend your actions just state the facts and a healthy discussion can continue on this incident.
Enjoy the holidays up in Maine. :sun
Whats all the fuss? I do believe that incidents like this happen everyday on trails and mountains throughout the country. Plenty of people walk off trails get lost find their way back somehow and just go home. The only reason we know about this one is that they used a cell. Otherwise, they would have walked out found their car and went home. For sure they were lucky and having a map and compass surely would have helped them find their way but to say that two young men taking on a six mile day hike were ill equipped and under dressed is going a bit far. After reading the facts - They did fine.
Welcome to WB The Lost Hiker:welcome. I'm the one who posted the story and feel a bit like an idiot for calling you guys idiots .That remark had more to do with the cell phone business and the calling out of the troops, panic does have a way of setting in around dusk when disorientated. It took some balls on your part to fess up here and for that you should be commended. we are all glad you made it out safely and you will certainly become a more prepared hiker because of your experience.. There is lots and lots of hiker experience at WB so here is a good place to plan your next hike with all "THE RIGHT STUFF", knowledge included.
Let us all know how your next hike goes and don't be afraid to ask questions here.:)
TheLostHiker
12-16-2006, 10:30
:welcome
Thx for posting to this forum. It sounds like u may have learned from this experience. What did u learn from this experience?
I need to drink far more water, get a waterproof backpack, always bring my GPS device, have an emergency poncho on hand, and buy more fleece. My fleece jacket was the driest thing on me and the part that was wet was the quickest thing to dry.
If anyone is interested my next hikes are going to include Mount Katahdin (highest point in Maine) and Mount Washington (highest point in New England), but not until at least June.
Don't forget your cellphone.:)
halftime
12-16-2006, 10:38
:welcome to WB...Great Trail Name (and well earned). Look forward to more posts from you in the future.
halftime
Fannypack
12-16-2006, 11:13
If anyone is interested my next hikes are going to include Mount Katahdin (highest point in Maine) and Mount Washington (highest point in New England), but not until at least June.
Pls hang around awhile and u may find that June could be a too early to do Washington OR it may actually be more enjoyabl;e to hike it later in the summer but as we always say "Hike Your Own Hike". (whatever floats your boat)
I am curious about your backpacking experience? It sounds like u are into peak bagging? Nothing wrong with that but those hikes may be more enjoyable with more backpacking (e.g., doing overnites) experiences under your belt.
Another day in paradise...
BTW, (off topic but...) I have enjoyed reading Marta's hike SOBO or SLoBO, as she calls her AT06 hike, http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=163773 . Read most of it this morning... Sounds like she will be in the Smokies this weekend..... Email her: martac@pocketmail.com , if u would like to be part of her hike... Snapshot, http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=196560 , is also hiking with her....
TJ aka Teej
12-16-2006, 11:24
If anyone is interested my next hikes are going to include Mount Katahdin (highest point in Maine) and Mount Washington (highest point in New England), but not until at least June.
Welcome to WhiteBlaze, "Lost"!:welcome
astrogirl
12-17-2006, 00:28
once you leave town, turn your cell off, when it is searching for signal, it is using up battery power quicker than when it has signal
That's not enough.
You'll get even better battery life if you take the battery out of the phone. Seriously -- it makes a big difference.
Jim Adams
12-17-2006, 18:42
speaking of stupid people, i thought that you all might enjoy just how stupid people can be.
friday night working on the ambulance i got called out for a motor vehicle accident, car into a house. as it turned out, this was a drug deal gone bad and the 3 riders in the car shot the driver in the head as he was driving! needless to say, the driver died and the other 3 were injured. luckily people with this IQ are too stupid to hike in the snowy rain in tennis shoes.
geek