"Experienced" Backpacker Lost for 3 1/2 weeks

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

If the cat was still alive there probably wasn't much to start with.

how much peyote could a cat use?

[RevDisk]

the cat was probably piling tasty mice at her feet and angry she wasn't making a stir fry.
I almost always carry some kind of lighter in case I stray off the beaten path, a fire always attracts attention.

Yep. Start a good small fire with wood and kindling, in an appropriate clearing. Then slowly put mildly wet leaves on top. PLENTY of smoke. I may get fined, but worth it to get hauled back to civilization.

[Boomhauer]

So, a GPS would NOT have lead her out?

Only if she had the GPS turned on and tracking her way in in the first place with her vehicle marked as a waypoint. 99% of GPS users probably don't have a clue how to enter coordinates from a map, either. Without a waypoint punched in, a GPS just basically shows "You Are Here".

[Ben]

Only if she had the GPS turned on and tracking her way in in the first place with her vehicle marked as a waypoint. 99% of GPS users probably don't have a clue how to enter coordinates from a map, either. Without a waypoint punched in, a GPS just basically shows "You Are Here".

Yet (and I know you're not arguing the point), 15 minutes with the "get started" section of the manual would alleviate this problem. And a lot of the simpler units have fairly clearly marked "waypoint" and "goto waypoint" buttons. You don't even have to navigate a menu. Again, I'm not promoting GPS as magical tech that will get someone home. If you use one, at least know the very simple basics. At some point personal responsibility has to come into play. It's unfair for someone to put people like Avenger at risk because they never used their GPS, got lost, turned it on, and said, "Hello Mr GPS, please guide me back to my car" and found out it's not a magic hand-holding device.

[Ron]

I love the Gila Wilderness, backpacked there a couple times and would love to go back.

Have to be careful with fire there if there is a fire ban in affect, the place is a tinderbox. Remember firefighters do on occasion die fighting wilderness fires.

[RevDisk]

It's unfair for someone to put people like Avenger at risk because they never used their GPS, got lost, turned it on, and said, "Hello Mr GPS, please guide me back to my car" and found out it's not a magic hand-holding device.

Folks shouldn't willfully put themselves in dangerous situations without any knowledge or preparation and expect others to risk their lives bailing them out. Accidents can happen, and that's completely different. There are classes for just about anything. From hiking to firearms to basketweaving. Folks should avail themselves to such classes or alternative sources before doing something dangerous. 

[Hawkmoon]

Folks shouldn't willfully put themselves in dangerous situations without any knowledge or preparation and expect others to risk their lives bailing them out. Accidents can happen, and that's completely different. There are classes for just about anything. From hiking to firearms to basketweaving. Folks should avail themselves to such classes or alternative sources before doing something dangerous. 

Basketweaving is dangerous? I never knew!

[RevDisk]

Basketweaving is dangerous? I never knew!

It is when you do it right.

 

[makattak]

It is when you do it right.

 

I don't want any of your detcord baskets, thank you.