Hiking Safely

[Jeff]

Everyone is encouraged to get out and experience the Great Outdoors, especially the Adirondacks. But not everyone has the same skills and/or experience. There are some basic guidelines that ALL should follow. Here are some tips presented by the N.Y.S. Dept. of Environmental Conservation Hiking Safely and Backcountry Hiking and Camping Rules

[fortysixer5032]

There is a penalty for NOT Hiking Safely

I live in South Carolina, but am an Adirondack native and 46'er who moved to the South after college and military service in order to make a living. There is a lot of wilderness here in SC because the western part of the state butts up to the Appalachians and a number of national forests. There are many beautiful trails, although, as an Adirondack native I've never seen any place as beautiful or better for hiking than the Adirondacks.
A couple of weeks ago a 75-year-old man was hiking with a local club in the nearby mountains. The weather was balmy and dry and he was experienced. But he forgot some basic rules of hiking safely. Sometimes being experienced results in thinking you are somehow exempt from applying the common sense rules that apply.)
1. First, the man left the group he was hiking with because he was tired and wanted to take a shorter trail back to the car.
2. Second, the group went along with his bad judgment and let him go off on his own despite his age, fatigue, and bad judgment.
3. The guy started downward alone on a clearly marked trail, but left the trail despite knowing that he was descending a steep area with a large number of abrupt cliffs.
Just one step beyond confidence is arrogance. Guys, all too often, take that extra step (women, I must admit, are a whole lot smarter). The end result was that this guy fell 60 feet to his death. Although a small park, it required 3 days to find his body during which over a thousand hikers, Forest Service, local rescue squads, and other persons participated in the search. In the navy we called it the "6P" rule: Proper Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.

[mikeharo]

Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance

[redhawk]

Just as important as proper planning is sticking to the plan, or at least having a Plan B just in case.

[Gomer]

Someone once told me to never let proficiency become complacency. I let it happen once and trust me; it was more than enough for that particular lesson hit home. I am just thankful it wasn't a life or death lesson.

[forager]

Additional information on hiking safely is located on this page at the Central Adirondack Search and Rescue Team's web site:

http://casart.org/essentials.htm

(PS - CASART is looking for new members)

[sheri]

I have a health tip.... don't climb anything tomorrow. The high peaks are an ice nightmare tonight. Good night to stay by the fire with a good book. Be safe out there!