View Full Version : Hiker injured at Old Rag
VA Vince
01-03-2015, 10:22
http://www.nbc29.com/story/27749624/park-rangers-rescue-hiker-near-old-rag-mt
Treehugger
01-03-2015, 17:55
http://www.nbc29.com/story/27749624/park-rangers-rescue-hiker-near-old-rag-mt
I was there on January 1st! Such a beautiful place! But I can see where one could get hurt on the rock scrambles, especially if you take alternate routes or are careless or unlucky.
Shutterbug
01-03-2015, 18:28
I hate to nitpick, but I am confident that the helicopter didn't hover at 4,100 AGL. "AGL" means "above ground level." That would require a hoist cable 2/3 of a mile long.
Furlough
01-04-2015, 09:33
I hate to nitpick, but I am confident that the helicopter didn't hover at 4,100 AGL. "AGL" means "above ground level." That would require a hoist cable 2/3 of a mile long.
The actual quote was: "Pilot Ryan Evasick established an out of ground effect hover about 100 feet above the scene, 4,100 foot AGL, and the crew deployed a rescue basket and affected a hoist rescue of the victim." The hover was about 100 feet above the scene. The flight elevation was about 4100 feet based on the elevation of Old Rag.
Furlough
I've hiked Old Rag many times in fall but not in winter since I'm sure it is a hazardous obstacle course with ice, which can form from seeps as well as precipitation. Not to say it can't be done safely but I can easily see how things could go horribly wrong on the rock scrambles. That's true even without ice, of course. I've seen so many people in over their heads on old rag.
Bigfoot86
01-05-2015, 23:23
Not surprised as it happens every year. And with all the rock scrambles it would be dangerous in the snow and ice.
lambsknoll
01-06-2015, 07:59
I was there on Friday. Conditions were near perfect. There were a few patches of ice in the usual cracks and seeps but totally avoidable.
Treehugger
01-06-2015, 09:45
I was there on Friday. Conditions were near perfect. There were a few patches of ice in the usual cracks and seeps but totally avoidable.
Agreed. I was there the day before this incident and the trail through out was fine. Lots of ways to get hurt on the rocks up there without needing ice and snow to do it. I saw a guy twist his ankle in the first few yards of the scramble. Accidents happen.