Hunter survives five nights of cold, hunger in Idaho mountains

[hso]

For those who keep being critcal of the distance covered by the hunter let me throw my 2cents in.

I used to be a minimalist hiker/backpacker. I was also a speed hiker. On trail you can eat up lots of distance. Off trail is an entirely different situation. If you're good you can make 10 miles a day while cross country.

Lets also keep in mind he went in Oct 15 on a Sunday. Once lost he followed the proper protocol for a lost hiker - he stayed put so rescuers could find him. He didn't start walking out on his own until Friday. He didn't make 24 miles while walking for a week. He made it in just a couple of days walking. Just about right.

 

[Dr.Rob]

It's nEVER my intention to fault someone who made it out alive.

I'm sure our lost hunter has a big list of things he'd do differently.

Hopefully in this thread there's some useful information of the experienced as well as the novice.

You stop learning and Mr. Murphy finds a way to remind you you are NEVER prepared for everything.

 

[pittspilot]

Most of my survival training came from growing up in Africa, where besides the basics, you had to worry about being eaten.

We (about 10 of us) once got lost for a couple of days after going for and after lunch stroll. The upper Bushveld obscures vision nicely. We were later able to discover that on our return we had missed the camp by about 50 yards.

We kept our heads, luckily had smokers, and had brought some water, and had a couple of rifle, so it ended up being an adventure more then life threatening.

But what I wanted to address is the 24 miles thing. My understanding is that those mountains are steep, and the terrain really rugged. In those conditions I was taught to take it slow. If you push, you raise the probability of rolling an ankle, or worse breaking something, and then you are totally screwed.

 

[MDHunter]

Way to Stay Calm

Lots of good info on this thread, a couple of observations:

- The biggest battle most of us would face in this situation is keeping the gray matter between our ears functioning. Sure we may be in shape, and have tools, and have experience - but being lost is like buck fever - you'll never know if you're prone to it, until you get it. As for buck fever, maybe it costs you a deer - but getting lost can cost you a whole lot worse.

- A couple of people have made a rough comparison to a marathon. I may be naive, but I don't know of too many marathons that occur in the mountains, with no marked trail, carrying a pack and rifle, with heavy boots and hunting clothes, in snowy conditions, in single digit temperatures. That combination of factors, just MIGHT influence how far one could travel in a day?

Kudos to Bill for keeping his head, and may we all do the same if we find ourselves in similar circumstances.

Michael

 

[MDHunter]

Oops...

I meant to stay,the PANIC one feels when being lost is somewhat like buck fever....

 

[LightningJoe]

I love the Outdoors. I like to look at them through the window.


Hunting Rule #1: Deer aren't filled with M&Ms so don't bother.

 

[Twycross]

I found this Wiki photo of the area. I've been down there, and it is really steep country. Most people from out of state are rather amazed when they actually see what Idaho wilderness is really like. 26 miles in two/three days isn't outstanding, but it's excellent time for the average guy.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

I'm pretty sure I could make it. I don't usually bring a lot of doodads with me, but do bring enough to survive on for a few days.
Eating squirrel isn't even a question for me.

However, if you are going hunting and/or hiking in an area that comes near the boundaries of your topo map, then be sure to bring along the ones that make up the borders of it as well. That way you have less chance of losing your way.
And if you are using a map and compass, make sure you know how to use a map and compass before you go.

 

[ripcurlksm]

Nice thread.

I love this:

I still make sure my wife follows a game plan if I don't come home one evening (hopefully I'm not at the pub). She knows that I'll tough it out the first night and find a suitable shelter. (that also buys me time in case I decide to start walking back) She knows to tell the authorities that I'll be signaling during the dead of the second night.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

hmmm

I can see me sitting somewhere cold and hoping the wife wasn't so po's that i left her to go in the woods that she would call the authorities. She might let me sit a while

 

[achildofthesky]

What to bring to a survival "fight"...

I sure have had some great tips garnered from ya'll here on various THR threads.

I have been a helicopter pilot for the last 16 years and EMS for more than 1/3rd of that. We of course pretty well had the whole big emergency thing covered but one day I buggered my "trigger" finger a bit on something sharp and oily, no not enough for medical intevention, just a good cleaning and band aid patch job. I was shocked to find that in the whole friggin aircraft there wasn't a band aid to be found... Sheesh! We could work on GSW but not a basic bandaid to be found, I looked pretty stupid with a fingar wrapped like a salami for such a minor wound.

Given that we spend great amounts of time just slackin', waiting for the "bat phone" (the kind with a real metallic bell) to ring, I decided to start looking into the survival equipment we carried. I figured if we ought to at the least have a bail out bag should we encounter a precautionary (weather or mechanical glitch) or an accident (things suddenly getting real quiet in flight). All of the base was encouraged to submit LIGHTWEIGHT idea's for survival. Lightweight because weight is the enemy of flight and a pound saved is a pound of patient or fuel you could carry if you needed.

We eventually did come up with a decent kit that would be secured first and foremost by the first person out of the aircraft in the event of a emergency landing. This was done as it was assumed that things could get burn and you got to save the saving tools first or all else is likely in vain.

If things remained not aflame, then on to rescue, assessment and appropriate action. Once things are stabilized or if no one is hurt then on to taking stock of what you have and trying for a comm link and emergency beacons. ELT's are great when they work and would make a great addition to a pack but are not dirt cheap, yet...

Depending on the shape of the crew and patient if any, it is then to be determined the course of rescue and survival to be employed. This is where things got fun for me as I am a gear junky and always have a decent selection of kit on my person for various needs. Yup, after the bandaid debacle, I started carrying 100% of the time my own "possibles" kit including mini med kit (even with couple million dollar EMS helicopter strapped on), TP, some food items and a fire kit that contained magnesium fire starter, bic lighter, strike anywhere matches in h2o proof container, a piece of scrap plexiglass (once lit it burns fiercely and for a long time, just do not breath the fumes!), a bit of lint and petro jelly. All of this stuff fit very nice and flat in the various pockets of my flightsuit, your basic nomex deal with lots of pockets and with the items spread out over the various pockets was not bulky at all. I would sleep in my flight suit every night shift night and never was uncomfortable.

Also carried a large 2 blade Case folder knife also a razor knife and some para cord, small mirror/signal device with a morse code legend laminated on a card, lightweight tube tent and a couple of HD trash bags. Some H2O purification tabs or liquid. In the winter I added a small (approx. 10"l x 6"w x 5"w) fannypack witha change of sox and underwear and a very light Marmot 2 piece goretex rain suit 1 size too large plus basic hygiene items to make a RON (remain overnight) stay a little better. Shhhh, I packed a small auto pistol with a bit of extra ammo with me all the time and yes I have a ccw permit.

Thanks for all the idea's and keep it up. I guarantee it has or will help somebody that gets in a fix. Yes quite a few have been added to my basic kit and in some cases replacing items existing. I am in awe at the length's some of you have gone to build a bag. I really like the wearable stuff like bum bag's and especially like vests and the like. I don't fly EMS anymore but kept the uniforms and continue to get use from them still.

Patty