Just Back from St. Regis Canoe Area

[JohnnyMac]

Greetings,

I just came back from a great weekend in the St. Regis canoe area. The weather was spectacular albeit cold at night. The fishing, well, not good for us but some folks said they hooked one or two. The blackflies were not a problem but that could change soon. Some were out today but not biting. The loons were there and coyotes could be heard yipping on Saturday night.

I decided to make this destination my maiden voyage for my new Hornbeck. It was the first real area I visited many moons ago and was happy to see little has changed. Right down to my fishing results...

[Wldrns]

Greetings,

I just came back from a great weekend in the St. Regis canoe area. The weather was spectacular albeit cold at night. The fishing, well, not good for us but some folks said they hooked one or two. The blackflies were not a problem but that could change soon. Some were out today but not biting. The loons were there and coyotes could be heard yipping on Saturday night.

I decided to make this destination my maiden voyage for my new Hornbeck. It was the first real area I visited many moons ago and was happy to see little has changed. Right down to my fishing results...

The St. Regis is a nice area, with lots of variation, especially for a Hornbeck. How did you like the boat? Try the 9 carries trip loop someday - it gets you a bit farther out than the popular 7 carries.

I was out on a SAR missing person search this weekend at Indian Lake. Lots of black flies buzzing around being annoying, but they were not yet biting, as is typical of the early hatch.

[Hakuna Matada]

We just got back from Osgood River and Osgood pond. It's just north of where you were. We dropped a car at Church Pond by Paul Smiths and then put in at Jones Pond. We went into Osgood Pond and then the 3 miles up the outlet. I would highly recommend that. It is very remote. I doubt the fishing is good though as there were few ducks and no loons to be seen. It is certainly a beautiful paddle with varied habitats and it is far from any roads and sounds of cars. According to the North Flow guide book it is about a 10 mile paddle. My arms are tired but my soul is happy.

We have paddled the St Regis canoe area. Several loops can be done and get a look at most all of the lakes and ponds. This is a great time of year to paddle. No bugs and no crowds.

[JohnnyMac]

The St. Regis is a nice area, with lots of variation, especially for a Hornbeck. How did you like the boat? Try the 9 carries trip loop someday - it gets you a bit farther out than the popular 7 carries.

I was out on a SAR missing person search this weekend at Indian Lake. Lots of black flies buzzing around being annoying, but they were not yet biting, as is typical of the early hatch.

I really like the boat! So much so that I think backpacking will rapidly become my second choice. I admit needing more practice getting in & out of it though.

I will have to try the 9 carries someday. Although it is early on the season, getting out of the water on Lake Clear on Sunday looked like a paddlefest.

So is someone lost near Indian Lake? Do you need help?

[Wldrns]

So is someone lost near Indian Lake? Do you need help?

Only if you are previously trained and certified in DEC Wildlands Search should you show up to help. Good intentioned people experienced in the woods sometimes appear at a search site, but without the specific knowledge of what to do according to an efficient established procedure you might only confuse matters and take valuable time from the busy crew rangers. This is not the time to get trained, you would likely be turned away. If you really want to help in the future, contact a nearby SAR team to get the necessary DEC training to be ready next time.

[JohnnyMac]

Only if you are previously trained and certified in DEC Wildlands Search should you show up to help. Good intentioned people experienced in the woods sometimes appear at a search site, but without the specific knowledge of what to do according to an efficient established procedure you might only confuse matters and take valuable time from the busy crew rangers. This is not the time to get trained, you would likely be turned away. If you really want to help in the future, contact a nearby SAR team to get the necessary DEC training to be ready next time.

Wldrns,

No, I am not trained and certified in DEC Wildlands Search but appreciate that you and others are. Hopefully we never have to meet up that way.....

Your comments did make me think about this today. If I understand your point: if someone is lost in the woods, non-certified volunteers will likely be turned away if they are experienced in the woods or familiar with the area?

To regress a moment:

In the late winter of 2005, my hiking partner and I were in the John Brooke Lodge area, getting ready to hike up one of the High Peaks. I happen to be in the loo at the time when a hurried Ranger and another person approached my nephew and asked if he had seen an in injured hiker. No was his answer but before he could ask a question himself (or me to join in) - they were gone. Several minutes later, a low flying plane began circling the area, a sure validation that someone was indeed lost or hurt. We proceeded on our hike but now with the intention of looking out for the injured hiker. Was that wrong to do?

As we hiked, I became puzzled why the ranger or the other unidentified person didn't tell us more. I may not be qualified for SAR but would I have really been in the way had I found the guy? One of us could have stayed behind to feed and hydrate him while the other hiked back down for help.

Had that been me lost or injured, I would have wanted someone hiking in the general direction to look out for me. The Ranger never suggested it nor did he ever stop back to inquire. No problem, but was confused by his actions until I read your reply above.

I am thinking this should be a seperate thread. I have a hunch we all have something to learn much more from you about this topic that could happen to any one of us......Thanks!

[Wldrns]

Wldrns,
No, I am not trained and certified in DEC Wildlands Search but appreciate that you and others are. Hopefully we never have to meet up that way.....

Your comments did make me think about this today. If I understand your point: if someone is lost in the woods, non-certified volunteers will likely be turned away if they are experienced in the woods or familiar with the area?

I can't really go over the Wildlands Search Course here and give it justice. Chances are you would not in fact be turned away, but you would have to be properly dressed and equipped (especially with footwear and compass - rangers do check everyone for those as a minimum). If you seem unsure of yourself you will be turned away at that point, or you could hang around to help make sandwiches in the kitchen. If you get assigned to a crew you'd be expected to quickly understand and follow fellow crew who had SAR experience.

In the late winter of 2005, my hiking partner and I were in the John Brooke Lodge area, getting ready to hike up one of the High Peaks. I happen to be in the loo at the time when a hurried Ranger and another person approached my nephew and asked if he had seen an in injured hiker. No was his answer but before he could ask a question himself (or me to join in) - they were gone. Several minutes later, a low flying plane began circling the area, a sure validation that someone was indeed lost or hurt. We proceeded on our hike but now with the intention of looking out for the injured hiker. Was that wrong to do?

As we hiked, I became puzzled why the ranger or the other unidentified person didn't tell us more. I may not be qualified for SAR but would I have really been in the way had I found the guy? One of us could have stayed behind to feed and hydrate him while the other hiked back down for help.

Had that been me lost or injured, I would have wanted someone hiking in the general direction to look out for me. The Ranger never suggested it nor did he ever stop back to inquire. No problem, but was confused by his actions until I read your reply above...

Depending on the circumstances, it may have been wrong for you to do your own independent search, but certainly if you came upon the injured hiker along the trail you would render assistance by any means you could. The best thing for you to do would be to keep your eyes open for anything unusual found on the trail and to report what you saw.

There are a number of reasons why the ranger may have treated you as he did. Untrained searchers have an awful habit of tracking up an area, confusing the terrain with random footprints and scents (for the dog teams) and freshly broken twigs. You might drop objects, accidentally or not (such as bits of food or wrappers, clothing parts, cigarette butts) that could be misinterpreted as critical clues to the missing person. Organized searches are laid out by dividing the most likely region into many blocks of reasonable terrain sized chunks, with assigned search crew teams moving on a specific set pattern in each one, one by one. They know precisely where they have been and where they have not been, how to do a "hasty search" of critical points, and how to efficiently cover quite literally every inch of ground in a type-3 line and grid search without getting in each other's way. As a member of a local SAR organization you will likely have your own individual radio, licensed by your organization to be tuned to the official DEC and rescue frequencies.

All searches are done with potential legal issues in mind, and until all the facts are known may well be treated as crime scenes leading up to and when a victim is finally found. The rule is to never pick up or touch anything, not a scrap of paper, not a cigarette butt until you call the crew boss and they have a chance to evaluate it. Evidence is too easily trampled beyond recognition when unknown persons are randomly moving about the scene. If the victim is deceased or a victim of foul play, the last thing needed is a crowd mucking things up, even with the best of intentions.

I'm sure I have left out many other reasons. Response to and consideration to family members and media on the scene are other issues we address.

Remember, the ranger did not know you or your habits and did not have time to train you. That's why you were not asked to help. I hope this answer is reasonable.

Being a member of a SAR team is rewarding hard work. If you are interested, find one near you and get the training to go out and find someone.