[pct-l] Lost Hiker

[dsaufley at sprynet.com (dsaufley@sprynet.com)]

This is an interesting thought.  One of the things I heard this year is that blazes, ala the AT blazes rather than flags, might have prevented this tragedy.  All of the trail markers were deep under the snow and invisible, leaving many hikers to get lost. If blazes were marked hiker on the trees, as they are in deep snow country, the trail would have been easier to follow.  

In defense of the trail not being marked with blazes in the San Bernardinos and San Gabriels, the storms we had this winter and early spring came within 3/4" of a 130 year record in Los Angeles.  The snow and rainfall at the higher elevations were exponentially greater.  In our lifetime there has  not been the amount of snow in the local ranges that fell this year. I asked and asked, but no one had the information about the conditions up there (everyone follows the Sierra snow fall/melt). 

Perhaps there is something to be learned, and some positives that can come from this tragic loss.

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: yogi <yogihikes@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Jun 1, 2005 11:30 AM
To: bluebrain@bluebrain.ca, pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Lost Hiker

Sly is one of the most respected contributors to this 
list.  He makes a valid point.  Mike Mauer is a fast 
lightweight hiker.  He's good in the snow.  He offered 
to flag the trail over Fuller Ridge, which in fact 
COULD HAVE prevented this tragedy.  We'll never know 
for sure.  
 
Many people on this list who have not thru-hiked get 
very caught up in the idea that the PCT should be a 
solo experience communing with nature.  The truth of 
the matter is that the PCT has become a social experience, 
for better or for worse.  Flagging the trail over Fuller 
Ridge, in my opinion, would have helped many hikers.  
And whether you follow a developed foot path, or 
footprints in the snow, or a flagged snow route, 
you're still following a path set by others.  Flags 
are no different than an established foot path in that 
respect.  
 
Sadly, the missing hiker is probably deceased.  
Saying the words is not disrespectful.  It's realistic.
 
yogi
www.pcthandbook.com
 
 

bluebrain@bluebrain.ca wrote:
Of course he could still be alive.

... and for the sake of his loved ones who are using this forum as part of
their search efforts, might I suggest you keep your pessimism and
blame-laying to yourself?

Paul

> What may be tragically ironic is that your idea about temporarily flagging
> the trail through this area was shot down by others on the list. Now, in
> all
> likelyhood, even though no one has uttered the word, there's a dead hiker
> out
> there.
>
> Surely, he can't be alive on the mountain can he?
>
> Sly


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