Tragedy On The Trail

[Gavin]

Sad story, and I can see how it happenend...They were spotted at 2pm 8 miles from camp. It gets dark around 5pm. Several miles from camp, dark, and the temp is dropping...it starts to rain....Cell phone doesnt work, flashlight dies, cold & walking in circles while lost...... A couple poncho's, firestarter, topo map & compass, coulda been a different story.

[ColdWaterFshr]

One other interesting thing I read in the article (and it could be wrong) . . . it was an 8 mile one-way hike just to get to Suttons Bluff with an 8 and 10 year old. A 16 mile rndtrip hike for a day trip is pretty ambitious for in-shape adults, nevermind having an 8 and 10 year old in tow.

[ness]

Just an approximation, but:

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/black-mo/63625/january-weather/2140975

[Wayne SW/MO]

I'm surprised he had no emergency items. He was involved with the Scouts and their motto is be prepared.

I have a WP bag that Ive carried on floats for years, probably close to 20 now, that has first aid, wraps, space blanket, matches and a fire starter. I take it even when I'm local because you can't count on anything being as it should be.

[Riverwhy]

The guy was a den leader for cub scouts and they spend most of their time on crafts and field trips and are only beginning to experience the outdoors. My guess he had never experienced any training as a Boy Scout and did not understand the meaning of Be Prepared. We met with our Boy Scouts last evening and reviewed hypothermia and what precautions you needed to take on a hike to prevent this type of tragedy. The distance of the hike was also pretty long for an 8 year old. I have taken kids that long a numerous hikes and would never have considered a 12 mile hike on a remote trail without additional adult support and plenty of preparation.

[jdmidwest]

It is so simple to toss a small survival kit in your back pocket, jacket, or day pack. A space blanket, some foil to make a cup, matches and tinder, a small led light, a compass can all be kept in an altoids size tin. I made up several years back and put them in my packs and vests. I added a few bandaids, butterfly bandaids, needle and thread, a few aspirins, cold medicine, and wetwipes. I personally carry a nice led flashlight, 2 knives, and a multitool on me at all times. And a pistol with few extra rounds, great for signaling.

And the weather thing really gets me. I was planning a hiking/camping trip for that weekend also. When I first saw the extended forecast, I saw the temps and thought it would be a great weekend. By Wed., the NWS had already updated and predicted the rain and temperature drop, so we cancelled our plans. The National Weather Service forecasts at weather.gov are pretty accurate, just type in a zip code and see what to expect. He should have been more prepared for that also.

[rfd515]

This is a pretty good article on hypothermia: http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/As-Freezing-Persons-Recollect-the-Snow--First-Chill--Then-Stupor--Then-the-Letting-Go.html

One of the more interesting facts:

"One of Europe's worst weather disasters occurred during a 1964 competitive walk on a windy, rainy English moor; three of the racers died from hypothermia, though temperatures never fell below freezing and ranged as high as 45."

[jdmidwest]

Here is a link from a local paper. Seems like the dad was x USAF.

http://www.semissourian.com/story/1931414.html

[hank franklin]

The Ozark trail maps clearly put the total roundtrip distance at app. 16 miles. Too much for one day with young children.

I wonder if he had a map. It would appear from this map that at Mile 93.5 he could have went down the "Missouri Branch" creek hollow along a rough logging road. This would have got him "out of the woods" so to speak. Yes, possibly flash flooded but structures are shown on the map in near vicinity. If I was in trouble at that point that's likely what I would have done.

Did he have a map? I haven't seen this referenced. To be on a 16 mile hike without a map, not good.

[Greasy B]

Sure it's easy to find fault with this sad episode. How many of us have had close calls? I consider myself an experienced outdoorsman but I've a few. Granted most were a while back but I still think I was fortunate to have learned from them rather than pay the ultimate price.