Inchworms Journal during 26 days lost...newest report

[WhiteBlaze]

<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="7" style="vertical-align:top;"><tr><td width="80" align="center" valign="top"><font style="font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNHzNN06IWvWuCS9OzHe0 jyUuIkymw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ci d=52779121588048&ei=0_RMV7CoF4Wa8gHG4qiYCw&url=htt p://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3617004/Search-party-hiker-66-dead-two-years-vanishing-Appalachian-Trail-disbanded-WEEKS-died.html"><img src="//t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSrx_EagCECKVEc0Dpg5CNQxtJoaqdrE y3dfh6VKkf_QbymKuBzFziNKkwR7DNCpUOPvKo50msG" alt="" border="1" width="80" height="80"><br><font size="-2">Daily Mail</font></a></font></td><td valign="top" class="j"><font style="font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><br><div style="padding-top:0.8em;"><img alt="" height="1" width="1"></div><div class="lh"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNHzNN06IWvWuCS9OzHe0 jyUuIkymw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ci d=52779121588048&ei=0_RMV7CoF4Wa8gHG4qiYCw&url=htt p://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3617004/Search-party-hiker-66-dead-two-years-vanishing-Appalachian-Trail-disbanded-WEEKS-died.html"><b><b>Appalachian Trail</b> search for Geraldine Largay disbanded WEEKS before she died</b></a><br><font size="-1"><b><font color="#6f6f6f">Daily Mail</font></b></font><br><font size="-1">The 66-year-old hiker who went missing along the <b>Appalachian Trail</b> in 2013 was still alive weeks after the search for her was suspended. Geraldine Largay, 66, wrote her final entry in a journal she kept on August 18, 2013. The search for her using <b>...</b></font><br><font size="-1"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEnVfUT7lCzZiTgYT-aOq6nyUGTcQ&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331& cid=52779121588048&ei=0_RMV7CoF4Wa8gHG4qiYCw&url=h ttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/2078636-video-shows-moment-officials-find-remains-of-missing-hiker-near-appalachian-trail/">Video Shows Moment Officials Find Remains of Missing Hiker Near <b>Appalachian Trail</b></a><font size="-1" color="#6f6f6f"><nobr>The Epoch Times</nobr></font></font><br><font size="-1"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNFg8443F5zUwObdzx8r-tg5xF73OA&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ci d=52779121588048&ei=0_RMV7CoF4Wa8gHG4qiYCw&url=htt p://news3lv.com/news/nation-world/lost-hiker-was-two-miles-from-appalachian-trail-when-she-died">Lost Hiker Was Two Miles From <b>Appalachian Trail</b> When She Died</a><font size="-1" color="#6f6f6f"><nobr>News3LV</nobr></font></font><br><font size="-1"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEYsu4ZdnJrO6vOWyymz-jW0IXoWw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid =52779121588048&ei=0_RMV7CoF4Wa8gHG4qiYCw&url=http ://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/news/a59145/geraldine-largay-missing-hiker-appalachian-trail-survival/">Hiker Discovered Two Years After She Was Reported Missing Allegedly Survived for 26 Days</a><font size="-1" color="#6f6f6f"><nobr>Cosmopolitan.com</nobr></font></font><br><font size="-1" class="p"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEXNM43A6pej0OPN9Qzr _ASrpKOhA&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ci d=52779121588048&ei=0_RMV7CoF4Wa8gHG4qiYCw&url=htt p://www.ksdk.com/news/nation-now/hiker-wrote-final-goodbyes-weeks-after-search-ends/222942877"><nobr>KSDK.com</nobr></a>&nbsp;-<a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGa7_NbrE_gylV6i9dv9 I2eh5pogg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ci d=52779121588048&ei=0_RMV7CoF4Wa8gHG4qiYCw&url=htt p://fox17online.com/2016/05/29/lost-hikers-message-please-call-my-husband-when-my-body-is-found/"><nobr>Fox17</nobr></a></font><br><font class="p" size="-1"><a class="p" href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dAjNmI08JboFFGMwfZxtp449ijY0M&authuser=0& ned=us"><nobr><b>all 26 news articles&nbsp;&raquo;</b></nobr></a></font></div></font></td></tr></table>

More...

[Adriana]

Could be bad judgement. She strikes me as possibly being technnologically averse

Or maybe, since a number of SPOT reviews I've read mentioned unreliability in heavily forested areas, she tested it a few times, had problems and decided to ditch it?

[Traveler]

Or maybe, since a number of SPOT reviews I've read mentioned unreliability in heavily forested areas, she tested it a few times, had problems and decided to ditch it?

Spot forest canopy reception issues I have seen have been in the Pacific Northwest, in old growth forest areas that have far thicker canopies than most forests in the eastern US. I've used Spot devices (original and now Gen III) all over the US and have only had reception/broadcast problems in very deep canyons. I suspect if she was that fed up with the device she would have mentioned it to those she spent time with on the trail and certainly to her husband had she been that fed up with the four ounces to abandon it as opposed to giving the device to her husband who she saw routinely.

[BonBon]

While this is really tragic and eye opening, it is still a very rare occurrence on the AT. You stand a better chance of being murdered on the AT than getting lost and dying of starvation. (according to available data)
It has been very educational- anything can happen (black swan theory). Compass and map does not weigh much- I won't hike without them in the future.

[msupple]

I grew up in the area and hiked this section a number of years ago. There was/is a tricky little dogleg in the trail shortly after crossing the old RR grade. I suspect the bathroom break occurred near there. A simple hike back to the trail could result in missing the trail at the dogleg.

Interesting and very possible.

[ATSeamstress]

It has been very educational- anything can happen (black swan theory). Compass and map does not weigh much- I won't hike without them in the future.

I agree, and I think the best way to honor Geraldine's memory is to assess our own strengths, weaknesses, skills and habits, then learn more or make adjustments where necessary, and be even more diligent in not losing the trail, but ready if we do.

[Wülfgang]

http://www.smcmsar.org/downloads/Los...20Behavior.pdf

^I also read this, a bit long but well worth the read. It only takes one mental mistake to start the cascade.

I just found out that her body was found last fall. I remember when this story came out I was transfixed---how could someone just disappear like that--on the AT of all places---without a trace? It was so compelling I read every news story I could find.

Tragic story. And totally preventable, in theory. I agree with an earlier comment that hikers, while fit and adept to trail life, often lack basic and critical navigational + survival skills. Having traveled hundreds or even thousands of miles on a an extremely well-marked trail does not necessarily translate to a comparable skillset when you are OFF trail and away from that pipeline in and out of civilization.

[Another Kevin]

I shake my head sadly.

I try to teach land navigation to any hiker who'll listen. Most aren't interested.

About a third of my trips involve at least some off-trail travel. I make it a point always to carry a PLB when solo, or off trail, or when there are snowshoes and crampons about.

What I do really upsets my birth family. My step-grandfather disappeared in the woods much as Inchworm did, except that he was never found and left two young children behind.

I think that knowing enough orienteering to self-rescue is an important safety skill, and I didn't let my daughter lead a trip until she had demonstrated that she could handle that part. And the big thing about knowing that much is that you're unlikely to panic when you realize that you've been walking an old road or deer track for the last ten minutes and haven't seen a blaze in that time. You'll just do what you need to do to get unlost.

[poconoron]

Absolutely baffling case to me.

Her campsite was about 1/3 mile west of the AT. One would think she knew that the AT was to her east since she went west for the bathroom break. She also knew her texts weren't going through (I would assume) and yet just stayed put for 26 days when no one could have had the slightest idea of where she was. Even the most rudimentary knowledge, such as the sun rising in the east every day, would indicate which way to go.

She certainly had plenty of time on her hands to figure out what to me is the obvious. And she did not need advanced route finding techniques to go east towards the rising morning sun.

The only answer I can come up with is paralysis by anxiety, sad to say.

RIP Gerry

[JumpMaster Blaster]

^I also read this, a bit long but well worth the read. It only takes one mental mistake to start the cascade.

I just found out that her body was found last fall. I remember when this story came out I was transfixed---how could someone just disappear like that--on the AT of all places---without a trace? It was so compelling I read every news story I could find.

Tragic story. And totally preventable, in theory. I agree with an earlier comment that hikers, while fit and adept to trail life, often lack basic and critical navigational + survival skills. Having traveled hundreds or even thousands of miles on a an extremely well-marked trail does not necessarily translate to a comparable skillset when you are OFF trail and away from that pipeline in and out of civilization.

I didn't finish it all yet, but good read so far. I'm saving it for bedtime.

[JumpMaster Blaster]

The closest I ever really came to being "lost" in the woods was when I was out deer hunting. Stupid me, didn't have so much as a topo map or compass. I'd parked my truck on one of the firebreak roads and walked about 1/2 mile to where I was putting my stand, thinking "turn left, go 300 paces, turn right, another 300 paces, bear right at the trail fork..."

But when I was coming down the stand at dusk (could barely see the horizon) I thought I'd take a "shortcut" to get to my trick quicker. Instead of going the way I came in, I crossed an identical fire break, saw another intersection, and got turned all the way around. Lost. Dread set in, mainly because there were wild boars, coyotes, bobcats, and bears in this area, and I wanted no parts of that. Also, I was carrying a rather heavy and bulky climbing stand on my back, in addition to my rifle, etc.

No real survival gear except a cheap headlamp, rain jacket, and some snacks. I was far enough away from my truck that I couldn't even flash my lights or hink my horn with the key fob. By now it was inky black, and the farther down I walked the closer in the vegetation grew.

I immediately stopped, sat down, and cleared my head (easier said than done). I asessed how far I'd just walked, got back to the relative area where I'd set up, and walked back out the RIGHT way to my truck.

But sure, the urge to keep walking and walking and walking (because I know I'm going the right way, damnit!) was definitely there. Lesson learned.

[Bluebearee]

North Woods Law episode tonight with Gerry's recovery last October. On in 20 minutes (here in Maine anyway).

[Connie]

I don't think it is obvious the trail is East or West.

The AT itself runs East, turns North, Runs West following the terrain.

It could even run South-ish for all I know, on a NOBO hike.

This is because of the terrain.

If you leave the trail, look at the compass right at that moment: okay, I am walking to the Northwest, amd I go back the opposite direction, straight across the compass. There can be more to it, if you aren't walking in a straight line. How often do you hike in a straight line.

Look back, turn and really look: okay, it looks like that.

Read good advice: that works? that works, as well?

Hiking, how would I handle this situation right here. Look at this brush, it this a better spot? I'll go here. This looks better.

Me? I am convinced she thought she was on the trail, did a little brushing branches or brush aside, then, when she realised it must have been the wrong way, it looked unfamiliar when she tried retracing her steps. The trail wasn't obvious. The branches, or brush, she had shoved aside were closed up, again.

Her text said she thought she was 3-4 miles off the trail, because it was difficult brush-crashing?

I think she got off the AT on that dotted line trail, that shows on the topographic map illustrated earlier in this thread.

I think she decided to camp reasonably the trail, she had, so someone would pass by on that trail and she would be found.

[poconoron]

I don't think it is obvious the trail is East or West.

The AT itself runs East, turns North, Runs West following the terrain.

It could even run South-ish for all I know, on a NOBO hike.

I believe you are missing my point, which is:

The section of the AT just after crossing Orbeton stream heads in a northeasterly direction for at least 1 1/2 miles before heading more directly easterly. It was in this area that she presumably stepped off to the left (generally west) side of the trail for the bathroom break and became lost. Therefore, heading back east would have brought her back to the AT. My only point was that she had plenty of time to head back east (using the sun, if she was unfamiliar with compass) but did not, probably because she was paralyzed into inaction, for whatever reason.

That, I find to be the real tragedy in this case.

[MuddyWaters]

I believe you are missing my point, which is:

The section of the AT just after crossing Orbeton stream heads in a northeasterly direction for at least 1 1/2 miles before heading more directly easterly. It was in this area that she presumably stepped off to the left (generally west) side of the trail for the bathroom break and became lost. Therefore, heading back east would have brought her back to the AT. My only point was that she had plenty of time to head back east (using the sun, if she was unfamiliar with compass) but did not, probably because she was paralyzed into inaction, for whatever reason.

That, I find to be the real tragedy in this case.

Her family was worried about her exact scenario, and she discussed her contingency plans with them to convince them she would be OK. Having mental plan pre-made certainly helps.

She "wandered" for about a day as far as we know. . She attempted to get to higher ground for better cellular reception, (a plan, so she wasnt frozen) thinking she was 3 or 4 miles from AT. (Which doesnt make sense) Its highly unlikely she was ever anywhere close to 3-4 miles. Seems like she probably went very slow, thought she had gone a long distance, but gave up on reaching higher ground, or if she did and still had no reception she backtracked to lower ground that is more protected and stayed put to await rescue .

The heavy rain that began next day probably had something to do with stopping and fixing a camp to ride that out. After a day or two of that, being demoralized enough to just stay put could occur too. Frozen.

In any case, even with a map, she did not have concept of her position relative to the AT. She went wrong direction from it.

[tdoczi]

I believe you are missing my point, which is:

The section of the AT just after crossing Orbeton stream heads in a northeasterly direction for at least 1 1/2 miles before heading more directly easterly. It was in this area that she presumably stepped off to the left (generally west) side of the trail for the bathroom break and became lost. Therefore, heading back east would have brought her back to the AT. My only point was that she had plenty of time to head back east (using the sun, if she was unfamiliar with compass) but did not, probably because she was paralyzed into inaction, for whatever reason.

That, I find to be the real tragedy in this case.

as strange and frightening as it is to me (and i assume to other "normal" people) there are those amongst us who are entirely incapable of such thinking. i might even say its the (slight) majority of us. go ahead some time and ask a friend of yours, if he is going north, is east to your left or right? see how long of a blank stare you get in response.

some of these people, doubtlessly, go hiking, even though it is probably unwise of them to do so. a lot of them probably do it on the AT.

[ChuckT]

as strange and frightening as it is to me (and i assume to other "normal" people) there are those amongst us who are entirely incapable of such thinking. i might even say its the (slight) majority of us. go ahead some time and ask a friend of yours, if he is going north, is east to your left or right? see how long of a blank stare you get in response.

some of these people, doubtlessly, go hiking, even though it is probably unwise of them to do so. a lot of them probably do it on the AT.

I can't get my head around freezing in place but you may have nailed it.

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[tdoczi]

I can't get my head around freezing in place but you may have nailed it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

it seems she wandered around a bit the first day, adding that into perhaps not having much of even a basic "the sun rises in the east" sense of direction and to me it isnt hard to understand how someone (not me, or hopefully most of us, but someone else) could have totally lost track of any idea of where they were or which way the trail was.

[rickb]

I can't get my head around freezing in place but you may have nailed it.

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Since I was a little kid, a great many "experts" have pounded into my head that if you are lost the best thing to do is "stay in place".

Not sure why this has not been mentioned even once in this thread. The wisdom of this kind of advise is immaterial -- if it is something that Inchworm bought into. In her situation she had every reason to believe that help would be sent, too. She was about to meet up with her husband and could be 100% sure he would call S&R if she did not show up.

This strategy -- staying in place -- still rings in my ears since my days in the Boy Scouts 40 years ago. The advise was common and pervasive. A quick Google will turn up many contemporary articles like this one:

http://www.seattletimes.com/life/tra...tdoors-expert/

I can well imagine that an individual who takes backcountry safety suggestions so much to heart that she wears a large rescue whistle on her pack strap, might also have considered these kinds of directions when pondering what to do next.

She may well have concluded that by making sure she did not walk far from the Trail, she was actually increasing the likelihood she would be found, and not making a bad situation worse.

The long timeline remains troubling, of course.

Again, I am not commenting on the merits of the "stay in place" strategy, just reflecting on the fact that it has been promoted, and Inchworm may have bought into it.

[ChuckT]

A puzzle to me.
I've been confused more than once but never felt like I couldn't extricate myself.

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