Father, son rescued after rough night on Appalachian Trail - Statesville Record & Lan [Archive]

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WhiteBlaze

04-06-2015, 08:00

<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="7" style="vertical-align:top;"><tr><td width="80" align="center" valign="top"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGIsDlGNjljm8wKorXoObnjwymoQQ&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=QnUiVZCpNqb28QHe3YDwDg&url=http://www.local8now.com/news/headlines/Two-rescued-from-Great-Smoky-Mountains-National-Park-298718931.html"><img src="//t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRFaJP_W98x63qSK81RFhWTPVqXBJAAg I1cyn-bzbWDibjW9lwUrRa2AxC7nrnrIef0GhJlwKXJ" alt="" border="1" width="80" height="80"> Local 8 Now</a></td><td valign="top" class="j"> <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=AFQjCNGiF0ZkvLYkKXdEYpFqfgkjdIwGMg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=QnUiVZCpNqb28QHe3YDwDg&url=http://www.statesville.com/news/state/ap/father-son-rescued-after-rough-night-on-appalachian-trail/article_7a2586da-20b6-55c5-bd8f-5a34bdaa2909.html">Father, son rescued after rough night on Appalachian Trail</a> Statesville Record & Landmark The next morning, other Appalachian Trial hikers came across the son, who had a knee injury and could not walk unassisted. A second group of hikers then found the father farther to the north. Two rangers on horseback were able to get the son to safety. <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEmUnMQggTnDANQsVFIeF8OeME2nQ&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=QnUiVZCpNqb28QHe3YDwDg&url=http://www.local8now.com/home/headlines/Two-rescued-from-Great-Smoky-Mountains-National-Park-298718931.html">Two hikers rescued from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park</a>WVLT <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEj0w9lh9vT1r6Om5vV6ZxuQH3QTw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=QnUiVZCpNqb28QHe3YDwDg&url=http://www.thedailytimes.com/news/two-hikers-rescued-by-thp-rangers/article_8104b0a7-c427-5aff-a9ee-6edff5de74cb.html">Two hikers rescued by THP, rangers</a>Maryville Daily Times <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEIhpLOiqhMlvv4CUfoMEYEZ3bScg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=QnUiVZCpNqb28QHe3YDwDg&url=http://theonefeather.com/2015/04/two-rescued-from-park-backcountry/">Two rescued from Park backcountry</a>Cherokee One Feather <a class="p" href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dpUc_pCVN0jttFMoGhn0rp_18GqhM&authuser=0&ned=us">all 11 news articles »</a></div></td></tr></table>

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WhiteBlaze

04-06-2015, 08:30

<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="7" style="vertical-align:top;"><tr><td width="80" align="center" valign="top"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEWnzvvkydJTaBPmtCmKexjYBStsg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=S3wiVZCkDsqBmAKwuYGABA&url=http://www.seviernewsmessenger.com/2015/04/05/hikers-rescued-smoky-mountains-backcountry/"><img src="//t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTIwjfb_ZwJg_q0S6Nw5PkBVjz12s63A vlmzhrZUCnLtCSNn4MwO40D2HR8OY3mLTxqSkzTKCZ7" alt="" border="1" width="80" height="80"> Sevier News Messenger</a></td><td valign="top" class="j"> <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=AFQjCNGZnMP3lUm0MhWZJf09oH_1w2iGcQ&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=S3wiVZCkDsqBmAKwuYGABA&url=http://www.journalnow.com/news/state_region_ap/father-son-rescued-after-rough-night-on-appalachian-trail/article_0f8ec391-4a8e-5ddd-b3de-9806e05acdfe.html">Father, son rescued after rough night on Appalachian Trail</a> Winston-Salem Journal GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) — A father and son were rescued after getting separated in bad weather while hiking the in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. According to the park, the pair had been trying to complete a 6.3-mile hike between shelters on ... <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEmUnMQggTnDANQsVFIeF8OeME2nQ&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=S3wiVZCkDsqBmAKwuYGABA&url=http://www.local8now.com/home/headlines/Two-rescued-from-Great-Smoky-Mountains-National-Park-298718931.html">Two hikers rescued from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park</a>WVLT <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEj0w9lh9vT1r6Om5vV6ZxuQH3QTw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=S3wiVZCkDsqBmAKwuYGABA&url=http://www.thedailytimes.com/news/two-hikers-rescued-by-thp-rangers/article_8104b0a7-c427-5aff-a9ee-6edff5de74cb.html">Two hikers rescued by THP, rangers</a>Maryville Daily Times <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEIhpLOiqhMlvv4CUfoMEYEZ3bScg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=S3wiVZCkDsqBmAKwuYGABA&url=http://theonefeather.com/2015/04/two-rescued-from-park-backcountry/">Two rescued from Park backcountry</a>Cherokee One Feather <a class="p" href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dWtNwHjFaU6FItMoGhn0rp_18GqhM&authuser=0&ned=us">all 11 news articles »</a></div></td></tr></table>

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WhiteBlaze

04-06-2015, 09:00

<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="7" style="vertical-align:top;"><tr><td width="80" align="center" valign="top"></td><td valign="top" class="j"> <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=AFQjCNFdCTdPXR1VA5djUJ8kSBYv2DxMMA&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796310270&ei=X4MiVbjYFIjJ8AGz54CoCw&url=http://www.journalnow.com/news/state_region/father-son-rescued-after-rough-night-on-appalachian-trail/article_0f8ec391-4a8e-5ddd-b3de-9806e05acdfe.html">Father, son rescued after rough night on Appalachian Trail</a> Winston-Salem Journal GATLINBURG, Tenn. — A father and son were rescued after getting separated in bad weather while hiking the in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. According to the park, the pair had been trying to complete a 6.3-mile hike between shelters on ... <a class="p" href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=d8HnYk-AhG6vT4M&authuser=0&ned=us">and more »</a></div></td></tr></table>

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WhiteBlaze

04-06-2015, 10:10

<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="7" style="vertical-align:top;"><tr><td width="80" align="center" valign="top"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGGchxGYZVCo839lb7Q_5mTboNgsw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=wZMiVeieIqqRmgLp-YHgDg&url=http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/father-son-rescued-after-rough-night-appalachian-t/nknXk/"><img src="//t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQko7u64faZX_UCdP_ksHKLeRUPBDcXu j-K_eG9B-6BMe6u4WSzFK-9snZu6zTtYdEm5YE_eyo" alt="" border="1" width="80" height="80"> WSOC Charlotte</a></td><td valign="top" class="j"> <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=AFQjCNGGchxGYZVCo839lb7Q_5mTboNgsw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=wZMiVeieIqqRmgLp-YHgDg&url=http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/father-son-rescued-after-rough-night-appalachian-t/nknXk/">Father, son rescued after rough night on Appalachian Trail</a> WSOC Charlotte A father and son were rescued after getting separated in bad weather while hiking the in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. According to the park, the pair had been trying to complete a 6.3-mile hike between shelters on Friday night when they ... <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEmUnMQggTnDANQsVFIeF8OeME2nQ&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=wZMiVeieIqqRmgLp-YHgDg&url=http://www.local8now.com/home/headlines/Two-rescued-from-Great-Smoky-Mountains-National-Park-298718931.html">Two hikers rescued from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park</a>WVLT <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEIhpLOiqhMlvv4CUfoMEYEZ3bScg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=wZMiVeieIqqRmgLp-YHgDg&url=http://theonefeather.com/2015/04/two-rescued-from-park-backcountry/">Two rescued from Park backcountry</a>Cherokee One Feather <a class="p" href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dPLm6QhX0DpSdGMoGhn0rp_18GqhM&authuser=0&ned=us">all 16 news articles »</a></div></td></tr></table>

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WhiteBlaze

04-06-2015, 13:30

<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="7" style="vertical-align:top;"><tr><td width="80" align="center" valign="top"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNFyaQ5o51QSaxx-je2mp6YWjhN1uA&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=nMIiVei2GqqRmgLp-YHgDg&url=http://wkrn.com/2015/04/06/father-son-rescued-after-being-separated-during-storms-on-appalachian-trail/"><img src="//t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTdtpAiTXRQYmoKbdRha2iDyghqA6jDw KQREDR5aE6sKcpTWFOTLVgS6Yn3iqyOlqC9fVJgf-1b" alt="" border="1" width="80" height="80"> WKRN.com</a></td><td valign="top" class="j"> <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=AFQjCNFyaQ5o51QSaxx-je2mp6YWjhN1uA&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=nMIiVei2GqqRmgLp-YHgDg&url=http://wkrn.com/2015/04/06/father-son-rescued-after-being-separated-during-storms-on-appalachian-trail/">Father, son rescued after being separated during storms on Appalachian Trail</a> WKRN.com The next morning, other Appalachian Trial hikers came across the son, who had a knee injury and could not walk unassisted. A second group of hikers then found the father farther to the north. Two rangers on horseback were able to get the son to safety. <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNHlcG1kZdGOouTGVoY8rUgjoN2QFw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778796436591&ei=nMIiVei2GqqRmgLp-YHgDg&url=http://www.wect.com/story/28727781/father-son-rescued-after-rough-night-on-appalachian-trail">Father, son rescued after rough night on Appalachian Trail</a>WECT-TV6 <a class="p" href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dvFwFFTw3JPqhBMiPkDEqFHsseY6M&authuser=0&ned=us">all 26 news articles »</a></div></td></tr></table>

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Mags

04-06-2015, 13:47

Merged the threads. Each article may have a different perspective.

MuddyWaters

04-06-2015, 23:05

Glad all are ok.
Cynical side of me says two adult sons apparently bailed and left their dad. One made it, one didnt. None were prepared to spend night in cold rain on trail.

Im sure that rocky section between thunderhead and derricks caught them by surprise, hardest part of AT in park. I dont recall it having good camping areas either, just 3 steep rocky ups and downs.

HooKooDooKu

04-07-2015, 00:36

Also getting discussed over here: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/110484-Injured-Hikers-in-the-Smokies where a link to a trail journal is giving a bit more info that the news stories seem to have.

Based on the trail journal, the dad just couldn't go any farther so the sons (son + son-in-law) tried to go on to find help... but one of them injured his knee and couldn't go any further. The other son make it to Spence Field shelter seeking help. Hikers soon found the injured son and helped him make it to Spence Field. Dad took longer to find because he was off the trail curled up under some bushes trying to stay warm... failing miserably because he was cold and wet with only marginal gear for the conditions. Hikers found him and did what they could to get dad warm (perhaps saving his life) until rangers arrived to take over.

While the news story says only two were "rescued", all three were evacuated by rangers... just the one that made it to Spence Field apparently didn't need medical attention once the rangers arrived and might have been able to hike out on his own... but he was evacuated with the son with the injured knee.

Five Tango

04-07-2015, 14:30

I am pleased to see that there are still people in this world who would risk their own safety,well being,and convenience for someone they never knew and likely will never see again.People like that are heroes but likely never think of themselves that way.But for them there would have been at least one fatality.And they did it in spite of someone else having made what turned out to be a big mistake to press on while under equipped.