Need help: Missing Hiker on Appalachian Trail in VA

Very good news. :thumbup: :cool: :thumbup:

I look forward to hearing the whole story. :confused:





"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike

Forest & Stream
 
Evidently, it ended well because he knew what to do and how to do it (firemaking skills!) and had the patience to wait out his illness. The photo showed him being wheeled into the hospital for a checkup but sitting up. Not a quitter. :)

(I will unstick this sometime Monday after everyone's had a chance to see he's OK.)
 
Thanks, Esav. Glad that this turned out well. I can't wait to hear both sides of this one.

This is such a great group, here. Sincere interest and concern. :thumbup:

Esav Benyamin said:
Evidently, it ended well because he knew what to do and how to do it (firemaking skills!) and had the patience to wait out his illness. The photo showed him being wheeled into the hospital for a checkup but sitting up. Not a quitter. :)

(I will unstick this sometime Monday after everyone's had a chance to see he's OK.)
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I just tuned into another forum of where I am not a member.(and happy about it)

The man is being ridiculed for starting the fire that probably saved his life:rolleyes::mad:

Here is a quote from one of the members there.

Starting a fire in the bush of Alaska is a little different than starting a fire a mile from a road in Virginia. This shouldn't be encouraged as something hikers should do when lost on the AT.

NH would probably charge this guy for the cost of his rescue. I would disagree with that. However, if that fire caused any property damage, I would certainly think he should be charged for THAT.
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It’s a hard call Tony; this guy’s case was obviously not the norm.

Burning a signal fire is one thing, and probably what he had intended.

Once the fire starting burning the brush, then the situation changes; he was lucky not to get caught-up in the blaze.

The important thing is that all ended well. :thumbup: :D :thumbup:





"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike

Forest & Stream
 
Big Mike said:
It’s a hard call Tony; this guy’s case was obviously not the norm.

Burning a signal fire is one thing, and probably what he had intended.


Forest & Stream
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That is exactly what happend.


http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/missing_at_hiker_found/15648/

My point is, the guy is getting flak for it, because he did a mile from a road.

Now the dude is legally blind and in the woods. I have pretty good vision, but I can't see a mile a way through trees and hills....

He had the right idea with the fire, and it got him rescued.:thumbup:
 
I mostly agree with what you guys are saying. I hope, that given his situation, he at the very least gets a SPOT unit. I can appreciate his willingness to be independent. I sure as hell would want to be. However, he needs to take a little more responsibility and hone his skills given the impairment. There are ways to create a smoky fire without burning 2 acres of land.

Don't want to be a douchebag, but if you want to walk the walk, you have to talk the talk.
 
WolfTracker said:
I mostly agree with what you guys are saying. I hope, that given his situation, he at the very least gets a SPOT unit. I can appreciate his willingness to be independent. I sure as hell would want to be. However, he needs to take a little more responsibility and hone his skills given the impairment. There are ways to create a smoky fire without burning 2 acres of land.

Don't want to be a douchebag, but if you want to walk the walk, you have to talk the talk.
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I definately agree. He has an obvious impairment, and from what I gather, he was thick headed and didn't except help along the way.

I have no impairments, but I know I am not the most experienced outdoorsman, so I will never refuse help or guidance.

I would like to read about his whole ordeal, and being that he is an editor for a magazine I think we will have that opportunity soon enough.

Glad he was found and got out safely.:thumbup:
 
I guess I'll stop ribbing Tony about his pungent odor when we're in the woods. His theory about his trail being picked up by rescue dogs instantly would probably save his life.
 
That's the bottom line, Tony. All of the smoke and prayers were acknowledged by the Big Man Upstairs, and Mr. Knight is alive and no worse for the wear.

It's easy for me to be a Monday morning quarterback, as I wasn't there. I may have a different view of things when *all* of the facts are in, but, I still firmly assert that the gentleman needs to reconsider how he approaches his hiking practice, given the vision impairment.


tonym said:
Glad he was found and got out safely.:thumbup:
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Marcelo Cantu said:
I guess I'll stop ribbing Tony about his pungent odor when we're in the woods. His theory about his trail being picked up by rescue dogs instantly would probably save his life.
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I resort to any means neccessary to stop you from walking too closely behind me:eek:
 
Some of the comments from the first story about the rescue are posted below. Just curious what some of you think about this angle.

FWIW, I'm glad the guy was found in good shape. I agree with the claim about the SPOT device, but as a "backpacking lite" hiker, I doubt he wants the weight.

OK, so what did this manhunt cost, and the firefighters, too? This idiot should take up politics, bingo, or something else where ha can be expected to do damage.
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This moron who is “an experiencd hiker and editor of a hiking magazine” managed not only to get lost but to destroy 2 acres by letting a fire get out of control. Virginia taxpayers are resposible for his expensive rescue. He should be made to reimburse the state for this as well as for the two acre brushfire. I know we are supposed to feel sorry for him because of his handicap, but he needs to show some responsibility here.
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I guarantee you this search did not cost VA nothing. It costs money to fight fires, fuel search planes, transport dogs, and fly people in from all over to look for someone.
In ski country, folks who leave the trail (willingly or unwillingly) pay the FULL price of their rescue. The price is always thousands and sometimes tens of thousands of dollars.
Why doesn’t this guy carry a beacon or gps?
Last i knew disabled folks were suing us to be treated the same as non disabled, if you want to go hiking, and are blind, you may get lost, seems like YOU might want to think ahead and carry something so you can find your way out like a sighted person.
Its great that you aren’t dead, but dude, pay the bill for your rescue and use your noodle next time!
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