AT Hiker rescued in Unicoi County
Not sure but it looks like maps may have been able to make a rescue unnecessary, or possibly easier.
http://www.wjhl.com/story/21536851/h...alachian-trail
Doesn't say anything about her being lost, just stuck. Caught in a snow storm, conditions got tough, she got too tired to go forward or reverse. Maybe she didn't have a tent so had to call for help instead of just making camp where she was.
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Right, neither did I.Originally Posted by Slo-go'en
It's been a bad day today in the area. At Beech Mountain, NC, around 25 air-miles away and at approximately the same elevation (5,000-5,500'), the temp has held at around 15 degrees F all day, with snow, snow showers, and with winds at 25 gusting 35 in the morning, tailing off to 10-15 this afternoon. She must have had a place to hunker, else she might not have survived last night's and today's weather.Right, neither did I.
AO
Looks like the 1st rescue of the year.With so many un or under experienced hikers hitting the trail,it seems like the number of rescues goes up every year.IMO won't be too far off from all hikers having to put up a "Rescue Deposit" prior to starting a thru hike.It seems like whenever a hiker gets a little too wet or cold they get out the cellphone and call for help.20-30 years ago a hiker rescue was a big deal and rarely happened.Then you got hikers calling it quits at a shelter and hiking out,leaving all kinds of useless wet cheap gear for volunteers to pack out....
FWIW there's gonna be a lotta bad days until about mid May.Spring weather in the south is subject to violent changes but you gotta have a weather radio to hear the warnings.But to some an ipod w/music is more important.
cell phones make these so-called rescues too easy. gets a little cold and wet and hikers freak out and call for help
Wow! you guys are not being very nice. The weather was REALLY bad. I can't imagine what you would be saying about her if she died! I'm ashamed
dont people watch the weather before they go out? They have been talking about this storm all week
she shoulda stayed put where she was yesterday morning
like I said, there has been talk of this storm for almost a week. She shoudl have stayed where she was. She puts other people at risk too.
girls just wanna have fun
"find what you love and let it kill you" -c.b.
Just watched her story on the local news.They are acting like she is a hero for having survived her ordeal.If she had listened to a NOAA weather report and stayed put-no problem.I know of the hiker who died at Tri-Corner Knob shelter last year and wonder how many will make the same fatal mistakes.Mother nature plays nasty sometimes-YOU CAN DIE OUT THERE IF UNPREPARED.Then if you have all the right gear hypothermia will let you make bad decisions......
Unfortunately thru's put their "agenda" before common sense.
these type incidents seem to happen every year ... people underestimate the effects of winter weather and hypothermia. Another reason I'd wait til April to start a thru hike.
There really isnt BAD weather, excepting maybe tornadoes and hurricanes.
Only weather conditions you failed to prepare for, mentally, physically, and gear-wise.
Most weather conditions are forseeable.
(Just ask Tipi Walter.)
We dont have blizzards and single digit temps in July in NC
But we do in March, and sometimes in April.
If you choose to not carry the gear you MIGHT need
You must carry extra prudence, and knowledge.
Last edited by MuddyWaters; 03-06-2013 at 20:02.
If she was around Unaka she must have started in early February and been prepared for cold weather. I'm wondering if she was carrying maps because there's a road that's near the trail and easier to travel.
Hmmm... after watching the video I'm not sure maps would have helped.
Last edited by Sly; 03-06-2013 at 20:22.
Actually this is not true. I started my thru on Monday with a careful examination of the weather. All that was mentioned was a chance of rain for Tues. Many of us were caught by surprise at heavy thunderstorms followed immediately with temps dropping into the mid 20s and severe wind. I would be surprised if she was the only one. I saw van loads of folks heading for a hostile at around noon today at Gooch Gap. I'm sure other gaps were similar.
I stood by my chosen campsite for an hour last night waiting for a break in the storms that never came. I was fine once I set up and slept warmly, but I was concerned for some of the newbies I had met. The conditions had hypothermia written all over it. I hiked a shortened day to Woody Gap and chose hotel it this evening. Just because I wanted to.
Fear ridges that are depicted as flat lines on a profile map.
Can't disagree with you guys - sign of the times....
It's barely March. It's the Appalachian. No one should be surprised.
The trouble I have with campfires are the folks that carry a bottle in one hand and a Bible in the other.
You never know which one is talking.
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